8,699 active companies are based in Wakefield according to Companies House records. Out of 10,070 companies ever registered here, 45 are no longer active — a 86% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 53.5% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (60%) of active companies were formed since 2020, making this one of the UK's fastest-growing business locations. The most common industry sector is other letting and operating of own or leased real estate, with 561 companies. 82 medium and large companies operate here, indicating a significant commercial presence. Wakefield is home to 186 FCA-regulated firms and 98 registered charities. Companies here hold 270 government contracts worth £262.5M in total. The average company age is 8.5 years. The earliest company registration in Wakefield dates back to 1870.
Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, June 2026
Wakefield is a growth hotspot — over half of its active companies were formed since 2020.
The average active company in Wakefield is 8.5 years old. There are 186 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 98 registered charities operate locally.
Companies in Wakefield have been awarded 270 government contracts with a combined value of £262.5M. See the Top Government Contractors report.
There are 8,699 active companies registered in Wakefield, out of 10,070 total. 45 (0%) are no longer active.
The top industries in Wakefield include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (561 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (457 companies), Management consultancy activities other than financial management (282 companies).
53.5% of currently active companies in Wakefield were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.
Our database contains 56,654 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Wakefield. The largest category is Governance with 27,418 signals from 6 sources.
The oldest company registration in Wakefield dates back to 1870, spanning over 156 years of business history.