Home

Starting a Small Business in Idaho

Welcome to the Small Business Startup Idaho Franchise Directory! Here, you’ll find everything you need to begin your journey to business ownership in The Gem State. If you’re considering starting a small business in Idaho, read on for an overview of the state economy. Afterward, explore business opportunities and franchises for sale with our Idaho Franchise Search Tool.

Idaho Industry Trends

If an industry is performing well, business opportunities within it are often worth exploring. Begin your market research with this list of the Idaho economy’s most prominent industries in 2022. Afterward, take your research one step further by investigating niche markets and B2B opportunities within one of these top revenue-generating industries.

New Car Dealers (Revenue: $7.2 billion)
Supermarkets & Grocery Stores (Revenue: $6.2 billion)
Hospitals (Revenue: $5.9 billion)
Soft Drinks, Baked Goods & Other Grocery Wholesaling (Revenue: $5.5 billion)
Drug, Cosmetic & Toiletry Wholesaling (Revenue: $5.3 billion)
Warehouse Clubs & Supercenters (Revenue: $4.7 billion)
Commercial Banking (Revenue: $4.2 billion)
Health & Medical Insurance (Revenue: $4.1 billion)
Frozen Food Wholesaling (Revenue: $3.9 billion)
Gas Stations with Convenience Stores (Revenue: $3.9 billion)

Idaho Sector Statistics

When starting a small business in Idaho, gross domestic product (GDP) is another tool entrepreneurs can use to make investment decisions. Generally, a steadily rising GDP means that people are spending more money and creating more jobs.

The three sectors that contributed most to Idaho’s GDP in 2022 were Real Estate, Rentals & Leasing; Manufacturing; and Retail Trade. Combined, these three sectors represented 36.8% of the state’s GDP. In 2022, the sectors that contributed most to Idaho’s GDP included:

Real Estate, Rentals & Leasing (Value: $10.2 billion* | Annual growth: 3.1%)
Manufacturing (Value: $9.5 billion* | Annual growth: 4.9%)
Retail Trade (Value: $6.9 billion* | Annual growth: 4.1%)
Healthcare and Social Assistance (Value: $6.8 billion* | Annual growth: 4.8%)
Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (Value: $5.7 billion* | Annual growth: 9.5%)
Wholesale Trade (Value: $5.4 billion* | Annual growth: 4.9%)
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (Value: $4.8 billion* | Annual growth: 17.7%)
Construction (Value: $3.9 billion* | Annual growth: 6.9%)
Finance and Insurance (Value: $3.7 billion* | Annual growth: 9.2%)
Administration, Business Support & Waste Management Services (Value: $3.3 billion* | Annual growth: 7.8%)
Information (Value: $2.4 billion* | Annual growth: 12.3%)
Accommodation & Food Services (Value: $2.0 billion* | Annual growth: 5.1%)
Transportation & Warehousing (Value: $2.0 billion* | Annual growth: 3.4%)
Other Services (except Public Administration) (Value: $1.3 billion* | Annual growth: 1.8%)
Management of Companies and Enterprises (Value: $1.2 billion* | Annual growth: 7.9%)

*Approximately

Idaho Population Statistics

A growing population often means greater demand and a steady flow of new customers. If you are undecided about the location of your new business, start by investigating population statistics. Afterward, take your research a step further by exploring population demographics. Doing so lets you decide whether a location is a good match for your target market.

In 2022, counties with the highest populations in Idaho included:

Ada (Population: 520,300 | Annual growth rate*: 2.6%)
Canyon (Population: 250,800 | Annual growth rate*: 2.8%)
Kootenai (Population: 180,100 | Annual growth rate*: 2.7%)
Bonneville (Population: 127,600 | Annual growth rate*: 2.2%)
Bannock (Population: 90,800 | Annual growth rate*: 1.1%)
Twin Falls (Population: 90,800 | Annual growth rate*: 1.3%)
Bonner (Population: 49,000 | Annual growth rate*: 2.3%)
Bingham (Population: 48,100 | Annual growth rate*: 1.0%)
Latah (Population: 41,600 | Annual growth rate*: 1.0%)
Nez Perce (Population: 41,100 | Annual growth rate*: 0.4%)
Madison (Population: 40,900 | Annual growth rate*: 0.7%)
Jefferson (Population: 31,900 | Annual growth rate*: 2.2%)
Elmore (Population: 27,800 | Annual growth rate*: 0.6%)
Payette (Population: 25,900 | Annual growth rate*: 2.3%)
Jerome (Population: 25,000 | Annual growth rate*: 0.9%)
Cassia (Population: 24,700 | Annual growth rate*: 0.9%)
Blaine (Population: 24,200 | Annual growth rate*: 1.5%)
Minidoka (Population: 21,700 | Annual growth rate*: 1.1%)
Gem (Population: 19,700 | Annual growth rate*: 2.6%)
Idaho (Population: 17,100 | Annual growth rate*: 0.9%)

*From 2017 to 2022.

Idaho Business Opportunities

We hope this snapshot of the Idaho economy helps as you investigate business opportunities in The Gem State! Starting a small business in Idaho is an exciting journey, and we know you’re probably eager to get started. But remember, take your time to explore all your options. While you’ll always have the “opportunity” to start your own business, sometimes, it makes more sense to invest in an opportunity that already exists. These are called “Franchise Opportunities,” and they offer several benefits, including the recognition of a well-established brand and a proven track record of success.

To learn more, start by exploring franchise opportunities in Idaho below!

Explore Opportunities and Insights

Sort by

Cooper's Scoopers

Ready for a rewarding new opportunity? Coopers Scoopers is growing nationwide Take control of your schedule, be your own boss, and make a difference in the lives of pet owners. Were here to guide you every step of the way

$40,000 Min Cash Required

Proper Ecom

We build and manage Amazon stores for you. You bring the startup capital. We set up your store, add high-demand products, and handle everythinglistings, shipping, customer support, and growth. You own the store and keep the profits. We run the business behind the scenes for you.

$100,000 Min Cash Required

American Business Systems

American Business Systems (ABS) is the fastest way to start your own medical billing business. 100 Money-Back Guarantee. Profit from ABS 25 years as America's leader in Medical Billing and get Live Online Training and Free Lifetime Support.

$35,000 Min Cash Required

PostalAnnex

Today's busy lifestyles demand the services PostalAnnex offers. Capitalize on this demand and open your own business After retiring from the printing business PostalAnnex founder Jack Lentz began working out of his home as a business consultant. He soon realized the need for mailing faxing copying shipping and other services to belong under one roof. As a result he created the first PostalAnnex store business franchise located next door to a post office in the University City neighborhood of San Diego CA. Our franchises serve a growing customer base of small and home-based businesses that lacks the resources our stores offer. Today's hectic lifestyle requires a one-stop service center for businesses that don't have an administrative assistant to take care of those daily errands. Saving our consumers time is what keeps them coming back. By being a local neighborhood business

$70,000 Min Cash Required

CartCapital - Subscription Based E-Commerce Store

Did you know you could partner with a company to build out your entire e-commerce store, from product research to inventory acquisition to marketing? Yep You can easily make 6-7 figures in passive income when we build your e-commerce empire and money-making machine from the ground up All it takes is an upfront investment, and our team will do the rest. By this time next year, you could be sitting on a 7 figure empire. Request more information now

$30,000 Min Cash Required

SiteSwan

Start your own web design business with SiteSwan. Create & sell websites to small businesses in your area with our easy-to-use, private label website builder. Set your own prices - keep 100 of the sales. Our turnkey platform is designed for anyone looking to sell websites to small businesses - no experience needed.

Starting a Small Business in Idaho