Employer & Nonemployer Businesses

In 2023, the number of employer business establishments in Cochise County was up by 27 or 1.2% to 2,189. The number of employer businesses in 2023 was at its highest level since 2014 and reflected the second consecutive year of growth following four straight years of decline. The number of paid employees at businesses countywide in 2023 was up by 77 or 0.3% to 26,077--the highest since 2019. Annual payroll grew by 2.8% from 2022 to 2023 reaching $1.18 billion, the highest on record (with records back to 2003).

See spreadsheets, below, for annual Cochise County employer business establishment data (number of employer businesses by industry, total number of employees, and first-quarter & annual total payroll).

Businesses for sale in Cochise County

• According to recently released U.S. Census Bureau data, Cochise County has seen a steady rise in the number of small, self-run businesses over the past 20 years. In 2002, there were about 5,500 nonemployer businesses, and by 2023, that number had grown to over 7,650—a 39% increase. The total sales for these businesses nearly doubled, from about $155 million in 2002 to over $300 million in 2023, a 95% increase. However, these changes are not adjusted for inflation, so some of the growth in sales is due to rising prices over time.
• When we compare these sales numbers to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), which rose about 70% from 2002 to 2023, we see that inflation explains most—but not all—of the increase in sales. After adjusting for inflation, real sales are up about 15% over the two decades. This means that while more people are running their own businesses and bringing in more money, the actual buying power of those sales has grown more slowly.
• Looking at recent years, from 2021 to 2023, the number of nonemployer businesses increased by 3.5%, and sales rose by 16%. During the same period, CPI-U went up about 13%, so real sales growth was only about 3%. In the most recent year, sales actually dropped by 1.5% while inflation rose by about 3%, meaning the real value of sales fell by roughly 5%.
• Certain industries stand out as the biggest contributors to nonemployer business activity. In 2023, construction led with 823 businesses making $44.4 million, followed by real estate and rental with 605 businesses earning $41.4 million. Professional, scientific, and technical services had 779 businesses and $31.6 million in sales, and transportation and warehousing had 712 businesses and $31.3 million in sales. Transportation and warehousing saw the biggest jump over the past two decades, with both sales and the number of businesses tripling. Construction and professional services also grew strongly, both in the number of businesses and in sales.
• Overall, Cochise County’s nonemployer business scene has grown steadily, with more people starting their own businesses and bringing in more money, especially in construction, real estate, and professional services. But when you factor in inflation, the real gains are more modest, and the most recent year shows that rising prices have outpaced sales growth.

See spreadsheets, below, for annual Cochise County nonemployer business establishment data (number of businesses and total sales/revenue).