Business Establishment Size & Age

Barnstable County’s economy is characterized by a strong small business community, reflective of a broader culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Establishments with less than 5 employees comprise approximately 62% of the region’s establishments, compared to 53% in Massachusetts and 55% in the United States, and the average number of employees per establishment has consistently been lower in Barnstable County than in the state or nation since 1978. Across all three geographies, the greatest share of establishments have been in operation for 11 years or longer, with approximately 57% of establishments in Barnstable County falling into this category.