Delaware: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #29 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 989,948.
Delaware ranks #29 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (43.6). Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest risk at 19.8 (Low), while Finance and Insurance is the most challenging at 57.7 (High). The 38.0-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 78,754 jobs.
Delaware: 43.6 Average Entry Risk
Delaware at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Delaware
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Delaware.
Entry Risk by Industry in Delaware
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Delaware. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Delaware Industry Data: 37,849 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 19.8 | #1/51 | 2,572 | 43,751 | $27,058 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 38.9 | #24/51 | 9,297 | 28,841 | $125,737 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 41.8 | #19/51 | 3,860 | 51,184 | $39,581 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 43.0 | #26/51 | 3,758 | 24,283 | $77,558 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 43.2 | #35/51 | 4,886 | 28,768 | $57,252 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 44.8 | #33/51 | 6,010 | 78,754 | $70,245 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 45.5 | #28/51 | 2,460 | 12,711 | $47,861 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 48.0 | #36/51 | 1,152 | 3,529 | $104,210 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 53.2 | #47/51 | 1,298 | 6,014 | $71,878 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 57.7 | #44/51 | 2,556 | 43,784 | $129,518 |
Largest Industries in Delaware by Employment
Metro Markets in Delaware
1 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Delaware Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
| State | Avg Entry Risk | vs DE |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | 43.6 | — |
| Pennsylvania | 33.6 | -10.0 |
| Maryland | 41.8 | -1.8 |
| New Jersey | 46.3 | +2.7 |
Delaware: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Delaware's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Delaware averages 43.6 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #29 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within Delaware?
Accommodation and Food Services carries the lowest entry risk in Delaware at 19.8 (Low). It employs 43,751 workers across 2,572 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Delaware?
Finance and Insurance posts Delaware's highest entry risk at 57.7 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Delaware?
37,849 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Delaware, employing 321,619 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Delaware's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Delaware with 78,754 jobs across 6,010 establishments and an entry risk score of 44.8.