Find clients for your agency in Chicago
The Chicago–Naperville–Elgin metro area counts 28,652 local businesses of the kinds agencies sell websites, SEO and ads to. The biggest groups: 7,371 full-service restaurants, 5,230 remodelers and 4,252 real estate agents and brokers. 595 advertising agencies compete for them.
The local businesses agencies sell to in Chicago
Counts of establishments by trade in the Chicago–Naperville–Elgin metro area, per 10,000 residents, against the median of the 50 largest US metro areas.
| Trade | Businesses | Per 10,000 residents | vs median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remodelers | 5,230 | 5.5 | +47% |
| Auto repair shops | 2,886 | 3.1 | +30% |
| Hair and beauty salons | 2,935 | 3.1 | +18% |
| Full-service restaurants | 7,371 | 7.8 | +7% |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 3,042 | 3.2 | +3% |
| Electricians | 2,079 | 2.2 | −4% |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 4,252 | 4.5 | −9% |
| Nail salons | 857 | 0.9 | −12% |
Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023; population 9,434,123 (Census Bureau estimate, July 2025). Counts change as businesses open and close.
Where Chicago stands out
- Remodelers: 5.5 per 10,000 residents, 47% above the median of the 50 largest US metro areas (rank 7 of 50).
- Auto repair shops: 3.1 per 10,000 residents, 30% above the median (rank 2).
- Nail salons: scarcer here (12% below the median), so fewer prospects, each with fewer rivals.
- Competition: 595 advertising agencies for 248,519 businesses of all kinds, one for every 418. The median across the 50 largest US metro areas is one for every 512, so Chicago ranks 36 of 50 on businesses per agency (1 is the least crowded): a crowded agency market, where niching on one trade and leading with proof wins.
How Chicago compares with nearby and similar cities
Of these 7 cities, Miami has the most of these businesses per resident and Washington the most businesses per agency.
| City | Local businesses | Per 10,000 residents | Businesses per agency | Strongest trade, vs median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 28,652 | 30 | 418 | Remodelers (+47%) |
| Dallas | 19,336 | 23 | 409 | Full-service restaurants (−9%) |
| Houston | 15,926 | 20 | 619 | Full-service restaurants (−10%) |
| Atlanta | 18,688 | 29 | 507 | Real estate agents and brokers (+40%) |
| Washington | 17,194 | 27 | 646 | Remodelers (+22%) |
| Miami | 24,269 | 38 | 366 | Real estate agents and brokers (+106%) |
| Philadelphia | 18,566 | 29 | 433 | Nail salons (+104%) |
Your first three lists in Chicago
- Full-service restaurants: 7,371 businesses, close to the median per resident, so the volume is the reason to start here (rank 15 of 50).
- Remodelers: 5,230 businesses, 47% more per resident than the median city, so owners compete hard for customers (rank 7 of 50).
- Real estate agents and brokers: 4,252 businesses, close to the median per resident, so the volume is the reason to start here (rank 27 of 50).
How to work a list, from the "No website" filter to the first call: LeadsIt for agencies.
Frequently asked questions
How many local businesses can an agency prospect in Chicago?
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 counts 28,652 establishments in the trades on this page in the Chicago–Naperville–Elgin metro area, including 7,371 full-service restaurants, 5,230 remodelers and 4,252 real estate agents and brokers.
How many marketing agencies are there in Chicago?
595 advertising agencies in the Chicago–Naperville–Elgin metro area (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023), one for every 418 businesses, against a median of one for every 512 across the 50 largest US metro areas.
Which trade should an agency target first in Chicago?
By volume, full-service restaurants (7,371). Relative to its size, Chicago stands out most on remodelers: 5.5 per 10,000 residents, rank 7 of 50.