Montgomery County Isn't A Great Place To Start A Pennsylvania Business, Study Says

Conshohocken is the 7th best place to start a business in Pennsylvania, according to a new study, but much of Montgomery County, including Norristown, ranks in or near the bottom half of that list.

Consumer finance site NerdWallet analyzed census data from 145 locations across Pennsylvania with a population of at least 5,000, and found that the borough neighboring Norristown was among the most favorable for new businesses in the entire state.

The methodology for the rankings looked at two key metrics, the study states:

• Business climate: average revenue of businesses, percentage of businesses with paid employees and businesses per 100 people
• Local economic health: median annual income, median monthly housing costs and unemployment rate

The study’s authors had the following to say about Conshohocken:

Conshohocken is a western suburb of Philadelphia that lies on the Schuylkill River. Conshohocken businesses bring in an average of nearly $2.87 million annually. In this borough, there are over 15 businesses per 100 people. The borough, nicknamed “Conshy,” is home to several corporate headquarters including Saladworks, David’s Bridal and Ikea USA.

One of Conshohocken’s most impressive statistics was its businesses per 100 people. It placed fifth overall in that category.

West Mifflin was ranked first, followed by Moosic. Media, in Delaware County, was a rare southeastern Pennsylvania town ranked near the top, placing third.

The study specifically cited the Pittsburgh area.

“The Pittsburgh area dominated,” the study states. “Pittsburgh has achieved employment growth year over year, and consistently experiences statistical increases in gross domestic product.”

The rest of Montgomery County’s towns with a population of at least 5,000 did not fare as well. Of the 145 locations ranked, here were the local placings:

71. Lansdale

81. Hatboro

95. Pottstown

99. Collegeville

101. Norristown

133. Souderton

Communities with fewer than 500 businesses were not included in the study.