Mintmead Funding, a small-business funding service in Louisville, Kentucky, sets Jefferson County's Census business counts beside the six funding structures: employer and nonemployer counts, size classes, permits, leading sectors, a St. Matthews, KY section, development and advising contacts to check, and buying a business.
At a glance
- Employer establishments, Jefferson County, KY
20,164 (CBP 2023)
- Businesses without paid employees
75,642 (NES 2024)
- Employers under 5 employees
48.9% (CBP 2023)
- Housing units permitted, 2025
3,001 (BPS)
Jefferson County, KY Employers, Workers and Payroll in 2023
Jefferson County had 20,164 employer establishments in 2023, with 470,153 paid employees in the March pay period and $30.32 billion in annual payroll (U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023). Establishments under five employees numbered 9,864 (48.9%), and those under twenty numbered 16,352 (81.1%).
Nonemployer Statistics, a separate Census program, counted 75,642 businesses without paid employees in the county in 2024, with $3.88 billion in receipts. Because the two programs cover different years and industry codes, the figures are shown side by side rather than combined.
Building permits authorized 3,001 new housing units in the county in 2025, after 3,713 in 2023 and 2,863 in 2024 (Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey). The series counts new homes only, not commercial work or remodels.
Among Jefferson County residents with jobs, 8.1% (+/- 0.4) were self-employed, against 8.6% (+/- 0.2) across Kentucky (American Community Survey 2020-2024).
Sectors that lead Jefferson County, KY
| Sector (NAICS) | Employer establishments | Share under 5 employees |
|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance (62) | 2,796 | 43.3% |
| Retail trade (44-45) | 2,538 | 42.5% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services (54) | 2,267 | 64.4% |
| Other services (81) | 1,894 | 56.0% |
| Accommodation and food services (72) | 1,880 | 22.1% |
| Finance and insurance (52) | 1,486 | 59.0% |
| Construction (23) | 1,481 | 57.1% |
Health care also carried the largest payroll, $4.90 billion. Each of these sectors has a different cash calendar: practices wait on insurance claims, contractors on draws, restaurants on card settlements. The industry pages take fourteen of them in turn, and the six structures compared page shows which structure fits which kind of cost.
St. Matthews, KY and ZIP 40207 around Mintmead's listing
Mintmead Funding's listing is 4122 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville, KY 40207. The U.S. Census geocoder places that address inside the city of St. Matthews, KY, one of the incorporated cities within Jefferson County, so the postal city and the municipality differ. About 82.4% of St. Matthews' land lies in ZIP 40207, and St. Matthews covers 30.7% of that ZIP's land (2020 ZCTA-place relationship file).
ZIP 40207 held 1,543 employer establishments in 2023, with 24,457 employees, and 51.6% had fewer than five employees (ZIP Code Business Patterns 2023). Health care and social assistance led with 366 establishments, followed by retail trade with 267 and professional services with 165. These are ZIP figures, not St. Matthews city figures. Among St. Matthews residents with jobs, 8.2% (+/- 2.1) were self-employed (ACS 2020-2024).
The St. Matthews, KY city website is at http://www.stmatthews.org/ (the city's site as listed in Wikidata, checked 2026-10-20). Questions about a business license or local rules inside St. Matthews belong with the city; confirm with each office.
Small business development center in Louisville, KY: what owners compare
A small business development center offers advising on plans, projections and loan packages. Owners comparing advisors can ask what the center reviews, whether it helps assemble a loan request, and whether any fees apply; ask the center about any fees before booking.
Louisville, KY small businesses for sale: a quick orientation
Buying an existing business turns a funding question into a purchase question: what the price includes, what the business earns and how much of your own money goes in. A term loan is the structure built for a lump-sum purchase. Commercial property for sale is a separate, mortgage-type question outside the six structures here; buying the business that operates in a space is not.
Economic development cabinet for Louisville, KY: where to look first
Kentucky's state economic development agency, the Cabinet for Economic Development, runs programs aimed at businesses that expand or relocate. Before counting on any incentive in a funding plan, read the program's own rules for timing: some require an application before the spending starts.
Louisville, KY small business portal: a quick orientation
Louisville Metro government publishes business registration, tax and permit information online. Two records topics have plain-language guides on this site: the occupational license tax and the Land Development Code and zoning.
Louisville, KY economic development corporation: timing your funding around it
Local development organizations can help with site searches, workforce programs and introductions. If one is part of your plan, line up the funding timetable with theirs: a partner reviewing a request will want to know whether any outside money is committed or only applied for.
Louisville, KY economic development council: timing your funding around it
A council or chamber meeting may produce a lead or a program, but the funding request still stands on the business's own records. Keep bank statements and tax returns current so a request can move when the timing is right. Requests from the river towns across the Ohio and from Prospect, KY are covered on the service areas page.
Companies served near Louisville, KY
Partners review Louisville, KY enterprises in a broad mix of sectors: think of contractors and construction trades, restaurants and food service, medical and dental practices or retailers and wholesalers that carry stock. The reviewing partner weighs the details and makes its own call.
Papers and statements Louisville, KY owners can prepare
- Business bank statements (three to six months is a common request)
- The latest business tax return, and the owners' personal returns if needed
- A current profit and loss statement with a balance sheet, even a self-prepared one
- Formation papers such as articles of organization and proof of your EIN
- A list of current business debts, with lender names and payment amounts
- For equipment requests, the seller's quote with price, model and seller details
Partners set their own document lists, so expect a few extra questions.
The handoff after a message from Louisville, KY
- Start with a call to (502) 280-3487 or send the form with a line about the purpose and timing.
- The request goes to partners that work with businesses like yours.
- A partner reviews the request and sets any terms itself.
- If an offer comes back, compare the total cost, payment schedule and terms; the decision to accept stays with you.
Owners in Louisville, KY can do everything by phone or online, with no visit needed.
By Mintmead Funding · Updated