District of Columbia: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #49 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 689,545.
District of Columbia ranks #49 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (51.2). Healthcare and Social Assistance carries the lowest risk at 27.9 (Low), while Accommodation and Food Services is the most challenging at 81.4 (High). The 53.6-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services is the largest tracked employer with 121,794 jobs.
District of Columbia: 51.2 Average Entry Risk
District of Columbia at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in District of Columbia
Industries with the lowest entry risk in District of Columbia.
Entry Risk by Industry in District of Columbia
Compare market entry conditions across industries in District of Columbia. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
District of Columbia Industry Data: 46,350 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 27.9 | #5/51 | 5,352 | 71,704 | $85,569 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 38.5 | #24/51 | 1,555 | 12,640 | $122,646 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 41.2 | #25/51 | 3,448 | 47,370 | $71,615 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 44.8 | #40/51 | 14,809 | 121,794 | $184,375 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 47.9 | #13/51 | 1,923 | 12,448 | $254,563 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 51.0 | #43/51 | 2,522 | 18,575 | $221,644 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 56.9 | #45/51 | 1,358 | 14,406 | $93,796 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 58.0 | #50/51 | 2,064 | 19,991 | $51,035 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 64.0 | #51/51 | 10,416 | 69,072 | $118,785 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 81.4 | #51/51 | 2,903 | 67,070 | $47,028 |
Largest Industries in District of Columbia by Employment
Metro Markets in District of Columbia
1 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How District of Columbia Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is District of Columbia's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
District of Columbia averages 51.2 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #49 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 District of Columbia?
Healthcare and Social Assistance carries the lowest entry risk in District of Columbia at 27.9 (Low). It employs 71,704 workers across 5,352 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in District of Columbia?
Accommodation and Food Services posts District of Columbia's highest entry risk at 81.4 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in District of Columbia?
46,350 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in District of Columbia, employing 455,070 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is District of Columbia's largest industry by employment?
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services is the largest tracked employer in District of Columbia with 121,794 jobs across 14,809 establishments and an entry risk score of 44.8.