Find clients for your agency in Raleigh
The Raleigh–Cary metro area counts 4,902 local businesses of the kinds agencies sell websites, SEO and ads to. The biggest groups: 1,227 real estate agents and brokers, 1,167 full-service restaurants and 606 remodelers. 74 advertising agencies compete for them.
The local businesses agencies sell to in Raleigh
Counts of establishments by trade in the Raleigh–Cary metro area, per 10,000 residents, against the median of the 50 largest US metro areas.
| Trade | Businesses | Per 10,000 residents | vs median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real estate agents and brokers | 1,227 | 7.7 | +56% |
| Electricians | 425 | 2.7 | +16% |
| Plumbing and HVAC contractors | 566 | 3.5 | +14% |
| Hair and beauty salons | 456 | 2.9 | +8% |
| Remodelers | 606 | 3.8 | at the median |
| Full-service restaurants | 1,167 | 7.3 | at the median |
| Auto repair shops | 363 | 2.3 | −3% |
| Nail salons | 92 | 0.6 | −44% |
Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023; population 1,595,720 (Census Bureau estimate, July 2025). Counts change as businesses open and close.
Where Raleigh stands out
- Real estate agents and brokers: 7.7 per 10,000 residents, 56% above the median of the 50 largest US metro areas (rank 11 of 50).
- Electricians: 2.7 per 10,000 residents, 16% above the median (rank 11).
- Nail salons: scarcer here (44% below the median), so fewer prospects, each with fewer rivals.
- Competition: 74 advertising agencies for 39,252 businesses of all kinds, one for every 530. The median across the 50 largest US metro areas is one for every 512, so Raleigh ranks 22 of 50 on businesses per agency (1 is the least crowded): more businesses per agency than most, more room for you.
How Raleigh compares with nearby and similar cities
Of these 7 cities, Raleigh has the most of these businesses per resident and Memphis the most businesses per agency.
| City | Local businesses | Per 10,000 residents | Businesses per agency | Strongest trade, vs median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh | 4,902 | 31 | 530 | Real estate agents and brokers (+56%) |
| Charlotte | 8,953 | 30 | 549 | Real estate agents and brokers (+66%) |
| Milwaukee | 4,032 | 26 | 487 | Nail salons (+35%) |
| Oklahoma City | 4,061 | 27 | 518 | Electricians (+37%) |
| Louisville | 3,497 | 25 | 411 | Plumbing and HVAC contractors (at the median) |
| Richmond | 4,160 | 30 | 517 | Hair and beauty salons (+20%) |
| Memphis | 2,380 | 18 | 901 | Full-service restaurants (−13%) |
Your first three lists in Raleigh
- Real estate agents and brokers: 1,227 businesses, 56% more per resident than the median city, so owners compete hard for customers (rank 11 of 50).
- Full-service restaurants: 1,167 businesses, close to the median per resident, so the volume is the reason to start here (rank 25 of 50).
- Plumbing and HVAC contractors: 566 businesses, close to the median per resident, so the volume is the reason to start here (rank 10 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 Raleigh?
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023 counts 4,902 establishments in the trades on this page in the Raleigh–Cary metro area, including 1,227 real estate agents and brokers, 1,167 full-service restaurants and 606 remodelers.
How many marketing agencies are there in Raleigh?
74 advertising agencies in the Raleigh–Cary metro area (US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023), one for every 530 businesses, against a median of one for every 512 across the 50 largest US metro areas.
Which trade should an agency target first in Raleigh?
By volume, real estate agents and brokers (1,227). Relative to its size, Raleigh stands out most on real estate agents and brokers: 7.7 per 10,000 residents, rank 11 of 50.