Companies in York

United Kingdom|46.3% formed since 2020|6% inactive|Data updated 8 Sept 2026
16,661
Active

16,661 active companies are based in York according to Companies House records. Out of 19,024 companies ever registered here, 1,161 are no longer active — a 88% survival rate. Business formation remains steady, with 46.3% of current companies established since 2020. Over half (54%) 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 1,057 companies. The area hosts 193 large enterprises, 172 small firms. York is home to 370 FCA-regulated firms and 224 registered charities. Companies here hold 2,924 government contracts worth £8.5B in total. The average company age is 10.7 years. The earliest company registration in York dates back to 1869.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, September 2026

16,661
Active Companies
19,024
Total Registered
1869
Oldest Company
46.3%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
13%
32%
47%
Pre-1990: 793
1990s: 592
2000s: 2,400
2010s: 6,099
2020s: 8,936

Data Signals

Governance
52,9796 src
Financial
38,77811 src
Compliance
12,81518 src
Risk
9,60610 src
growth
2,9782 src
quality
1,5295 src
Trade
1,3012 src
innovation
1,0032 src
ESG
4446 src
operational
2251 src
corporate_structure
1081 src
regulatory
111 src

Business Landscape

The average active company in York is 10.7 years old. There are 370 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 224 registered charities operate locally.

10.7 yrs
Avg company age
370
FCA regulated
224
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 172 (45%)Medium: 19 (5%)Large: 193 (50%)

Government Investment

Companies in York have been awarded 2,924 government contracts with a combined value of £8494.1M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in York?

There are 16,661 active companies registered in York, out of 19,024 total. 1,161 (6%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in York?

The top industries in York include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (1,057 companies), Management consultancy activities other than financial management (889 companies), Residents property management (817 companies).

How fast is York growing as a business hub?

46.3% of currently active companies in York were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in York?

Our database contains 121,777 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in York. The largest category is Governance with 52,979 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in York?

The oldest company registration in York dates back to 1869, spanning over 157 years of business history.

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