Indiana: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #7 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 6,785,528.
Indiana ranks #7 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (38.4). Real Estate and Rental and Leasing carries the lowest risk at 30.2 (Moderate), while Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services is the most challenging at 56.7 (High). The 26.5-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 450,914 jobs.
Indiana: 38.4 Average Entry Risk
Indiana at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Indiana
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Indiana.
Entry Risk by Industry in Indiana
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Indiana. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Indiana Industry Data: 145,861 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 30.2 | #10/51 | 8,098 | 36,576 | $61,599 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 31.2 | #10/51 | 17,530 | 450,914 | $63,329 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 33.5 | #14/51 | 12,073 | 171,837 | $47,406 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 33.9 | #5/51 | 14,077 | 94,658 | $45,069 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 35.0 | #11/51 | 16,884 | 169,546 | $77,792 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 37.9 | #28/51 | 14,530 | 271,694 | $23,449 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 39.8 | #10/51 | 21,126 | 314,693 | $37,509 |
| Information NAICS 51 | 40.2 | #19/51 | 3,243 | 26,592 | $81,257 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 45.4 | #9/51 | 11,590 | 103,950 | $93,284 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 56.7 | #50/51 | 26,710 | 149,119 | $97,941 |
Largest Industries in Indiana by Employment
Metro Markets in Indiana
12 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Indiana Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
Indiana: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Indiana's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Indiana averages 38.4 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #7 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 Indiana?
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing carries the lowest entry risk in Indiana at 30.2 (Moderate). It employs 36,576 workers across 8,098 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Indiana?
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services posts Indiana's highest entry risk at 56.7 (High). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Indiana?
145,861 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Indiana, employing 1,789,579 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Indiana's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Indiana with 450,914 jobs across 17,530 establishments and an entry risk score of 31.2.