Hamilton’s Business Counts by Size
This page presents a breakdown of the number of businesses operating in Hamilton, as of the most recent Canadian Business Counts data release, by business size. These data are a timely and reliable insight on Hamilton’s businesses and the sectors in which they operate.
As of December 2020, Hamilton was home to 15,782 businesses with employees (noting that this includes not-for-profit businesses and registered charities) and 34,653 businesses operating with zero employees.
Hamilton’s Business Counts
City of Hamilton (CSD)
As of June 2021, Hamilton was home to approximately 15,714 businesses (including registered charities and not-for-profit organizations). Approximately 57.9% of Hamilton’s employers employ fewer than four people, and 76.2% of employers employ nine or fewer people. There are approximately 36,463 businesses operating without employees (i.e. establishments providing self-employment) in Hamilton.
| Micro (1-4 employees) | 9,102 |
|---|---|
| Small (5-99 employees) | 6,308 |
| Medium (100-499 employees) | 275 |
| Large (500+ employees) | 29 |
Canadian Business Counts, June 2021
Click here for a detailed breakdown of Hamilton’s business sectors
Top-5 Microbusiness Sectors
City of Hamilton (CSD)
A microbusiness is the smallest of small businesses, typically employing four people or fewer. These are also the most common type of business in both Hamilton and Canada. This table notes that the largest microbusiness sector in Hamilton is found in Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. Businesses in this sector account for 7.7% of all businesses in Hamilton.
| Professional services | 1209 |
|---|---|
| Ambulatory health care services | 1051 |
| Specialty trade contractors | 814 |
| Truck transportation | 638 |
| Real estate | 420 |
Canadian Business Counts, June 2021
Click here for a detailed breakdown of Hamilton’s business sectors
Top-5 Small Business Sectors
City of Hamilton (CSD)
While the specific definitions of a small business can fluctuate from one market to the next, it is generally seen as inclusive of businesses that employ between four and 99 people. The largest small business sector in Hamilton is Food Services and Drinking Places. Businesses in this sector account for 4.7% of all businesses in Hamilton.
| Food & beverage service | 736 |
|---|---|
| Specialty trade contractors | 499 |
| Ambulatory health care services | 453 |
| Professional services | 388 |
| Administrative and support services | 298 |
Canadian Business Counts, June 2021
Click here for a detailed breakdown of Hamilton’s business sectors
Top-5 Medium Business Sectors
City of Hamilton (CSD)
Medium-sized businesses typically employ between 100 and 499 people. Hamilton’s largest representation among this group of businesses is found in Food and Beverage Stores. Businesses in this sector account for 0.2% of all businesses in Hamilton.
| Food & beverage service | 25 |
|---|---|
| Administrative services | 25 |
| Nursing and residential care | 23 |
| Ambulatory health care services | 15 |
| Specialty trade contractors | 12 |
Canadian Business Counts, June 2021
Click here for a detailed breakdown of Hamilton’s business sectors
Top-5 Large Business Sectors
City of Hamilton (CSD)
Hamilton’s large businesses are, comparatively, few in number despite creating a very large economic and employment footprint within the city. A large-sized business employs at least 500 people. Hospitals are Hamilton’s largest sector at this size, and they account for 0.04% of all employers in Hamilton.
| Hospitals | 7 |
|---|---|
| Educational services | 4 |
| Primary metal manufacturing | 2 |
| Transportation equipment manufacturing | 2 |
| Postal service | 2 |
Canadian Business Counts, June 2021
Click here for a detailed breakdown of Hamilton’s business sectors
Top-5 Zero-Employee Business Sectors
City of Hamilton (CSD)
Hamilton is home to a range of zero-employee businesses that operate across the complete spectrum of goods and services-production. Insights on zero-employee businesses offer a key metric on local entrepreneurship activity. The largest sector in Hamilton for zero-employee businesses is Real Estate, which accounts for 26.1% of all zero-employee businesses.
| Real estate | 9518 |
|---|---|
| Professional services | 3627 |
| Ambulatory health care services | 2007 |
| Specialty trade contractors | 1996 |
| Securities and financial investment | 1542 |
Canadian Business Counts, June 2021
Click here for a detailed breakdown of Hamilton’s zero-employee business sectors
