Southampton VS Bournemouth

Southampton and Bournemouth are similarly sized business centres with 22,872 and 14,289 active companies respectively. This close match makes their industry mix, growth trajectory, and formation history all the more interesting to compare. Both cities share strength in Activities of other holding companies n.e.c. and Buying and selling of own real estate.

Key Figures

Southampton
Active22,872
Total28,476
2020s Growth52.7%
Oldest Co.1871
Bournemouth
Active14,289
Total17,319
2020s Growth50.4%
Oldest Co.1864

Head-to-Head

Active Companies
22,872
14,289
Total Registered
28,476
17,319
Dissolved Companies
2,090
1,184
2020s Growth Rate
527%
504%
SouthamptonBournemouth

Company Formation by Decade

Southampton
Pre-1990
798
1990s
922
2000s
2,808
2010s
8,890
2020s
14,726
Bournemouth
Pre-1990
649
1990s
562
2000s
1,882
2010s
5,254
2020s
8,792

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city has more registered companies, Southampton or Bournemouth?

Southampton has 22,872 active companies compared to 14,289 in Bournemouth — 8,583 more.

Which is growing faster, Southampton or Bournemouth?

Southampton has a higher 2020s company formation rate (52.7%) compared to Bournemouth (50.4%).

What industries do Southampton and Bournemouth have in common?

Both cities share these top industries: Activities of other holding companies n.e.c., Buying and selling of own real estate, Development of building projects, Information technology consultancy activities, Management consultancy activities other than financial management. Southampton is uniquely strong in Freight transport by road, while Bournemouth stands out in Management of real estate on a fee or contract basis.