Companies in Harpenden

United Kingdom|48.7% formed since 2020|9% inactive|Data updated 19 Oct 2026
2,881
Active

2,881 active companies are registered in Harpenden with Companies House. Out of 3,379 companies ever registered here, 311 are no longer active — a 85% survival rate. Business formation remains steady, with 48.7% of current companies established since 2020. Over half (58%) 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 295 companies. Harpenden is home to 49 FCA-regulated firms and 33 registered charities. Companies here hold 81 government contracts worth £25.5M in total. The average company age is 9.9 years. The earliest company registration in Harpenden dates back to 1920.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026

2,881
Active Companies
3,379
Total Registered
1920
Oldest Company
48.7%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
10%
33%
50%
Pre-1990: 124
1990s: 101
2000s: 348
2010s: 1,103
2020s: 1,662

Data Signals

Governance
12,1605 src
Financial
10,1208 src
Risk
1,4398 src
Compliance
1,23014 src
Trade
3252 src
quality
1765 src
innovation
1122 src
growth
952 src
ESG
265 src
operational
181 src
corporate_structure
31 src

Business Landscape

The average active company in Harpenden is 9.9 years old. There are 49 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 33 registered charities operate locally.

9.9 yrs
Avg company age
49
FCA regulated
33
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 25 (61%)Medium: 2 (5%)Large: 14 (34%)

Government Investment

Companies in Harpenden have been awarded 81 government contracts with a combined value of £25.5M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Harpenden?

There are 2,881 active companies registered in Harpenden, out of 3,379 total. 311 (9%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Harpenden?

The top industries in Harpenden include Management consultancy activities other than financial management (295 companies), Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (157 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (139 companies).

How fast is Harpenden growing as a business hub?

48.7% 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 25,704 data signals across 11 categories for active companies in Harpenden. The largest category is Governance with 12,160 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.