Companies in Harlow

United Kingdom|57.3% formed since 2020|6% inactive|Data updated 5 Sept 2026
8,538
Active

8,538 active companies are based in Harlow according to Companies House records. Out of 9,986 companies ever registered here, 580 are no longer active — a 85% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 57.3% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (68%) of active companies were formed since 2020, making this one of the UK's fastest-growing business locations. The most common industry sector is residents property management, with 970 companies. 52 medium and large companies operate here, indicating a significant commercial presence. Harlow is home to 91 FCA-regulated firms and 73 registered charities. Companies here hold 309 government contracts worth £170.6M in total. The average company age is 8.2 years. The earliest company registration in Harlow dates back to 1907.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, September 2026

8,538
Active Companies
9,986
Total Registered
1907
Oldest Company
57.3%
Growth (2020s)

Harlow is a growth hotspot — over half of its active companies were formed since 2020.

Incorporation by Decade
29%
59%
Pre-1990: 278
1990s: 262
2000s: 719
2010s: 2,832
2020s: 5,775

Data Signals

Governance
26,5816 src
Financial
17,19610 src
Compliance
4,50915 src
Risk
3,4319 src
Trade
5982 src
quality
5225 src
growth
3262 src
ESG
1204 src
operational
851 src
innovation
722 src
corporate_structure
251 src
regulatory
31 src

Business Landscape

The average active company in Harlow is 8.2 years old. There are 91 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 73 registered charities operate locally.

8.2 yrs
Avg company age
91
FCA regulated
73
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 62 (54%)Medium: 3 (3%)Large: 49 (43%)

Government Investment

Companies in Harlow have been awarded 309 government contracts with a combined value of £170.6M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Harlow?

There are 8,538 active companies registered in Harlow, out of 9,986 total. 580 (6%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Harlow?

The top industries in Harlow include Residents property management (970 companies), General medical practice activities (449 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (420 companies).

How fast is Harlow growing as a business hub?

57.3% of currently active companies in Harlow were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Harlow?

Our database contains 53,468 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Harlow. The largest category is Governance with 26,581 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in Harlow?

The oldest company registration in Harlow dates back to 1907, spanning over 119 years of business history.

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