City of Edmonton
City of Edmonton
12/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/16/2025 14:16
Business census helps Edmonton’s small business community thrive
December 16, 2025
New data from the City of Edmonton's third annual business census shows a vibrant and inclusive local economy.
The business census represents a highly accurate count of businesses in Edmonton through in-person visits to all commercial, industrial and institutional areas in the city. This data informs City services to better meet the needs of Edmonton's business community while providing small businesses with a valuable tool to support their growth.
"We want our local business community to feel supported, and the business census is one more tool to ensure they have what they need to thrive," said Alisa Laliberte, Branch Manager, Economic Investment Services. "By making this data open and accessible, the City is fostering a business-friendly environment where entrepreneurs can build stronger, more resilient businesses."
Local businesses can use the data for various purposes to help advance their business goals, including identifying local suppliers to reduce costs, mapping competitors when considering new locations and spotting trends that support expansion goals.
"It's helpful to understand what businesses are around us, especially in the downtown core," said Kelly Dyer, Audrey's Books store manager. "It is encouraging to see other businesses that are successful here and new ones entering the market."
In 2025, information was collected from across the entire city, identifying 29,894 businesses, which employed 575,197 people. Small businesses - those with fewer than 100 employees - accounted for 97 per cent of all businesses surveyed. Home-based businesses were not included. Retail, services (barbers, beauty shops, mechanics, etc.), accommodation and food services, real estate and rental and health care and social assistance comprise the city's largest industries. Combined, these sectors represent 62 per cent of all businesses in the city and provide 43 per cent of jobs.
The census data is compiled each year from May to August, when the City hires local post-secondary students to conduct in-person visits, online reporting and phone calls.
"We want our local business community to feel supported, and the business census is one more tool to ensure they have what they need to thrive," said Alisa Laliberte, Branch Manager, Economic Investment Services. "By making this data open and accessible, the City is fostering a business-friendly environment where entrepreneurs can build stronger, more resilient businesses."
Local businesses can use the data for various purposes to help advance their business goals, including identifying local suppliers to reduce costs, mapping competitors when considering new locations and spotting trends that support expansion goals.
"It's helpful to understand what businesses are around us, especially in the downtown core," said Kelly Dyer, Audrey's Books store manager. "It is encouraging to see other businesses that are successful here and new ones entering the market."
In 2025, information was collected from across the entire city, identifying 29,894 businesses, which employed 575,197 people. Small businesses - those with fewer than 100 employees - accounted for 97 per cent of all businesses surveyed. Home-based businesses were not included. Retail, services (barbers, beauty shops, mechanics, etc.), accommodation and food services, real estate and rental and health care and social assistance comprise the city's largest industries. Combined, these sectors represent 62 per cent of all businesses in the city and provide 43 per cent of jobs.
The census data is compiled each year from May to August, when the City hires local post-secondary students to conduct in-person visits, online reporting and phone calls.
City of Edmonton published this content on December 16, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 16, 2025 at 20:17 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]