Companies in Harpenden

United Kingdom|49.4% formed since 2020|7% inactive|Data updated 13 Sept 2026
3,020
Active

3,020 active companies are registered in Harpenden with Companies House. Out of 3,483 companies ever registered here, 261 are no longer active — a 87% survival rate. Business formation remains steady, with 49.4% of current companies established since 2020. Over half (57%) 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 315 companies. Harpenden is home to 47 FCA-regulated firms and 34 registered charities. Companies here hold 81 government contracts worth £25.5M in total. The average company age is 9.7 years. The earliest company registration in Harpenden dates back to 1920.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, September 2026

3,020
Active Companies
3,483
Total Registered
1920
Oldest Company
49.4%
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: 125
1990s: 102
2000s: 350
2010s: 1,138
2020s: 1,726

Data Signals

Governance
9,4176 src
Financial
6,7398 src
Compliance
2,12314 src
Risk
1,2749 src
Trade
1841 src
quality
1845 src
innovation
1052 src
growth
862 src
ESG
265 src
operational
181 src
corporate_structure
31 src

Business Landscape

The average active company in Harpenden is 9.7 years old. There are 47 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 34 registered charities operate locally.

9.7 yrs
Avg company age
47
FCA regulated
34
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There are 3,020 active companies registered in Harpenden, out of 3,483 total. 261 (7%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Harpenden?

The top industries in Harpenden include Management consultancy activities other than financial management (315 companies), Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (163 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (145 companies).

How fast is Harpenden growing as a business hub?

49.4% 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 20,159 data signals across 11 categories for active companies in Harpenden. The largest category is Governance with 9,417 signals from 6 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.