Companies in Harpenden

United Kingdom|48.8% formed since 2020|Data updated 17 Apr 2026
3,059
Active

3,059 active companies are registered in Harpenden with Companies House. Out of 3,304 companies ever registered here, 2 are no longer active — a 93% survival rate. Business formation remains steady, with 48.8% of current companies established since 2020. Over half (52%) of active companies were formed since 2020, making this one of the UK's fastest-growing business locations. The most common industry sector is management consultancy activities other than financial management, with 316 companies. Harpenden is home to 49 FCA-regulated firms and 36 registered charities. Companies here hold 83 government contracts worth £25.8M in total. The average company age is 9.6 years. The earliest company registration in Harpenden dates back to 1920.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, April 2026

3,059
Active Companies
3,304
Total Registered
1920
Oldest Company
48.8%
Growth (2020s)

A diverse local economy with no single sector accounting for more than 15% of businesses.

Incorporation by Decade
11%
35%
48%
Pre-1990: 123
1990s: 99
2000s: 356
2010s: 1,142
2020s: 1,584

Data Signals

Governance
9,5195 src
Financial
6,0649 src
Compliance
2,02613 src
Risk
1,1088 src
Trade
1891 src
quality
974 src
growth
852 src
innovation
442 src
ESG
255 src
operational
171 src
corporate_structure
21 src

Business Landscape

The average active company in Harpenden is 9.6 years old. There are 49 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 36 registered charities operate locally.

9.6 yrs
Avg company age
49
FCA regulated
36
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 29 (60%)Medium: 3 (6%)Large: 16 (33%)

Government Investment

Companies in Harpenden have been awarded 83 government contracts with a combined value of £25.8M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Harpenden?

There are 3,059 active companies registered in Harpenden, out of 3,304 total. 2 (0%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Harpenden?

The top industries in Harpenden include Management consultancy activities other than financial management (316 companies), Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (163 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (148 companies).

How fast is Harpenden growing as a business hub?

48.8% of currently active companies in Harpenden were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Harpenden?

Our database contains 19,176 data signals across 11 categories for active companies in Harpenden. The largest category is Governance with 9,519 signals from 5 sources.

When was the first company registered in Harpenden?

The oldest company registration in Harpenden dates back to 1920, spanning over 106 years of business history.

Data is updated daily from official UK government sources including Companies House. Information is provided for reference only.