The Edmonton Business Census is designed to help address gaps in available business and employment information. The data collected will shape how the City supports businesses, improves services and attracts investment.
The City is dedicated to supporting economic growth, and we are working hard to make it easier to do business in Edmonton.
How the Business Census Works
City staff will visit businesses in-person to count businesses and collect basic data through in-person interviews, emails and phone calls. Home-based businesses will not be visited.
From May through August, the City will collect data from businesses to provide a count of businesses and provide information such as economic sector, where businesses are, employment counts by establishment and business owner demographic information.
The information collected is kept strictly confidential. Publicly available data, such as the business name, phone number and website, are included in census reporting. Sensitive information such as employment and demographics will only be reported in aggregate.
After data collection concludes in August, the results will be analyzed and published.
2025 Census Results
Information about our business community supports ongoing discussions about the local economy. We encourage you to explore, analyze and share this information widely.
2025 Highlights:
- The study identified 29,894 businesses employing 575,197 people (with 76 per cent in full-time roles and 24 per cent in part-time roles).
- The average number of people employed per establishment is 19.
- Not including the Public Administration sector, small businesses (fewer than 100 employees) accounted for 97 per cent of all establishments and 61 per cent of employment in Edmonton.
- In-person surveys accounted for the majority of completed surveys at 52 per cent.
- The top five sectors by establishment count are: Retail Trade, Other Services (for example, barbers, personal services and repair shops), Accommodation and Food Services, Real Estate and Rental and Leasing, and Health Care and Social Assistance.
- These sectors represent 62 per cent of all businesses in the City and provide 43 per cent of the jobs in Edmonton.
Help Inform Policy
Data such as the number, location and variety of employment opportunities in Edmonton will help inform policy decisions that affect businesses.
Find Opportunities
Businesses can use the data to understand what is happening in the business community in Edmonton to support their business planning.
Support a Diverse Economy
Demographic information on business ownership will help the City support and celebrate its diverse and inclusive economy.
Improve Visibility
Businesses listed are easier to find in search engines and more easily discovered by suppliers and buyers.
Attract Investment
Providing prospective investors with more information they need to make decisions will give Edmonton a competitive edge in attracting foreign direct investment.