Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Stores — Business Survival Rate

An estimated 67% of nursery, garden center, and farm supply stores businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 7.6%.

67%
5-Year Survival Rate
+0.1%
Net Growth Rate
11,332
Total Firms
985
Annual Firm Deaths

Is Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Stores a Good Business to Start?

With a 67% five-year survival rate, nursery, garden center, and farm supply stores has an above-average survival rate compared to the national average of roughly 50%. This makes it a relatively safe industry to enter — businesses here tend to find stable demand and sustainable economics.

The annual exit rate of 7.6% is lower than many sectors, suggesting that once established, these businesses have staying power. That said, lower failure rates often correlate with higher barriers to entry or established competition.

Entry vs. Exit Rates

Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.

Entry Rate (new businesses)7.0%
Exit Rate (closures)7.6%

Net negative: more businesses closing than opening (-0.6 pp spread).

Job Creation & Destruction

10.8%
Job Creation Rate
10.7%
Job Destruction Rate
+0.1%
Net Job Growth

The industry is adding jobs faster than losing them — a positive sign for both workers and new business owners looking to hire. Total employment: 176,588 workers across 11,332 firms.

Want to know how much nursery, garden center, and farm supply stores businesses actually make?

See full revenue benchmarks for Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Stores →

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of nursery, garden center, and farm supply stores businesses fail?
Approximately 33% of nursery, garden center, and farm supply stores businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 7.6%, with 985 firms closing permanently in 2023.
Is the nursery, garden center, and farm supply stores industry growing or shrinking?
The nursery, garden center, and farm supply stores industry is currently stable with a net job creation rate of +0.1% per year. New businesses are entering at 7.0% while 7.6% close annually.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (2023). Survival rate estimated from annual exit rates.