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Commercial Auto July 11, 2026

Where America's waste-collection businesses are: the top states

By Dave Benson · Edited by Justin Marks · Reviewed by Jason Wootton, NPN 7694718 Verify NPN ↗

The U.S. has about 10,982 solid-waste-collection establishments (2023 Census). California (907), Texas (786) and Florida (576) lead — the trade tracks population and route density fairly evenly.

There are roughly 10,982 solid-waste-collection establishments in the U.S. (NAICS 562111, 2023 Census County Business Patterns). Unlike some trades, waste collection spreads fairly evenly with population and route density: California leads with 907, then Texas 786, with Florida and New York tied at 576. Pennsylvania follows with 540, then Ohio 421, North Carolina 393, and Illinois 389.

Why it matters for insurance: waste hauling is a heavy commercial-auto and workers'-comp risk (large trucks, hydraulic equipment, roadside exposure). See how commercial-auto profitability varies by state on our market profitability pages.

Solid-waste-collection establishments by state — top 8 (2023 Census CBP)
Solid-waste-collection establishments by state — top 8 (2023 Census CBP)California907Texas786Florida576New York576Pennsylvania540Ohio421North Carolina393Illinois389
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 County Business Patterns (NAICS 562111)

Full state breakdown

Every state with a reported count, ranked — U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 County Business Patterns.

Rank State businesses
1 California 907
2 Texas 786
3 Florida 576
4 New York 576
5 Pennsylvania 540
6 Ohio 421
7 North Carolina 393
8 Illinois 389
9 Georgia 361
10 New Jersey 313
11 Michigan 296
12 Minnesota 279
13 Massachusetts 273
14 Missouri 272
15 Indiana 252
16 Tennessee 251
17 Colorado 247
18 Virginia 239
19 Washington 229
20 Maryland 210
21 Wisconsin 208
22 Arizona 201
23 South Carolina 191
24 Iowa 176
25 Oregon 173
26 Connecticut 160
27 Kentucky 146
28 Louisiana 145
29 Alabama 139
30 Oklahoma 131
31 Arkansas 128
32 Kansas 126
33 Nebraska 123
34 Utah 106
35 New Hampshire 102
36 Mississippi 99
37 Maine 97
38 West Virginia 80
39 Nevada 77
40 New Mexico 71
41 South Dakota 67
42 Idaho 65
43 Rhode Island 64
44 North Dakota 53
45 Hawaii 48
46 Vermont 45
47 Montana 41
48 Alaska 33
49 Delaware 33
50 Wyoming 32
51 District of Columbia 12

Frequently asked questions

How many waste-collection businesses are there in the U.S.?
About 10,982 solid-waste-collection establishments operate nationwide (NAICS 562111, 2023 Census County Business Patterns).
Which state has the most waste-collection businesses?
California leads with 907, then Texas (786), with Florida and New York tied at 576 — 2023 Census CBP.
What insurance does a waste-hauling business need?
Commercial auto is the heaviest piece — large trucks with hydraulic lift equipment and constant roadside exposure — alongside general liability and workers' compensation. Pollution/environmental liability is also common for the class.
Why is waste-hauling insurance expensive?
Heavy trucks, hydraulic equipment, frequent stops, and roadside operation make commercial auto and workers' comp the dominant, higher-severity cost drivers for the trade.

Methodology

Counts are establishments classified under NAICS 562111 (Solid Waste Collection) in the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns, the most recent CBP release. An establishment is a single physical location, so a business operating in several states is counted once per location; figures count establishments, not vehicles or employees. State rows exclude cells the Census suppressed for disclosure.

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