A HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) is a geographic area designated by the SBA as economically distressed. They include qualified census tracts, qualified non-metropolitan counties, Indian reservations, and base closure areas. The HUBZone program encourages investment in these areas by giving certified firms preferential access to federal contracts.

What are the benefits of HUBZone certification?

HUBZone firms receive a 10% price preference in full-and-open competitive federal contracts, access to HUBZone sole-source contracts up to $5 million (construction), and participation in HUBZone set-aside contracts. These benefits can significantly improve win rates for firms pursuing federal construction work.

What are the HUBZone certification requirements?

To qualify for HUBZone certification, your business must: be a small business under SBA size standards, be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens, have its principal office in a HUBZone, and employ at least 35% of employees who live in a HUBZone.

How often does the HUBZone map change?

The HUBZone map is updated periodically based on new census data and base closure designations. An address that qualifies today may not qualify after the next map update. SBA provides transition periods for firms that lose HUBZone eligibility due to map changes.

HUBZone Address Checker | Free SBA Zone Lookup Tool

The HUBZone Address Checker verifies whether a business address falls within an SBA-designated HUBZone area. HUBZone certification gives small businesses a 10% price preference and access to set-aside federal construction contracts.

What is the HUBZone Program?

The Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program, administered by the SBA, helps small businesses in distressed communities win federal contracts. Certified HUBZone businesses receive competitive advantages including sole-source contracts, set-asides, and a 10% price evaluation preference in open competitions.

$4.5M

Sole-source contracts (non-mfg)

$7M

Sole-source (manufacturing)

10%

Price evaluation preference

Check Your Address on the SBA HUBZone Map →

The official SBA map is the only authoritative source for HUBZone designation. Enter your business address to see if your location qualifies.

Types of HUBZone Designated Areas

Qualified Census Tract: Low-income census tracts designated by HUD.

Qualified Non-Metropolitan County: Rural counties with high unemployment or low median income.

Redesignated Area: Areas that previously qualified and retain HUBZone status for 3 years.

Qualified Base Closure Area: Former military bases closed under BRAC.

Qualified Disaster Area: Areas affected by a presidentially declared disaster.

Qualified Native American Area: Indian reservations and Alaska Native Corporation lands.

Qualified Governor-Designated Community: Communities designated by state governors meeting poverty and employment criteria.

Self-Assessment Checklist

Check all requirements your business currently meets. HUBZone certification requires all four criteria to be satisfied simultaneously.

My business qualifies as a small business under SBA size standardsThe business is at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizensOur principal office (main place of business) is located in a HUBZone areaAt least 35% of our employees reside in a HUBZone area

Key Things to Know

•Principal office means the location where the largest number of employees work — not just your mailing address.
•Employee residency is based on home address, not work location. Employees must live in a HUBZone, not just work there.
•Maps change. HUBZone designations are updated periodically. Verify your address on the official SBA map before applying and at each annual recertification.
•Annual recertification is required. If your principal office or employee residency changes, you must re-certify or risk decertification.

SBA HUBZone Map →SBA HUBZone Program →Apply at certify.sba.gov →

Example

A plumbing subcontractor (NAICS 238220) is considering HUBZone certification. Their shop is in a designated HUBZone census tract, they have 8 employees and 3 live in HUBZone areas, and they are 100% citizen-owned.

Small business?Yes — revenue well under SBA size standard

51% citizen-owned?Yes — 100% owner is a U.S. citizen

Principal office in HUBZone?Yes — confirmed on SBA map

Employee HUBZone residency3 of 8 employees = 37.5% — exceeds 35% threshold

AssessmentAll 4 requirements met — eligible to apply through certify.sba.gov

How to Use This Tool

1Enter your business address — the address where your firm maintains its principal office.
2Click "Check HUBZone Status" to see if the address falls in a qualified HUBZone area.
3Review the result and the zone type if it qualifies.
4Follow the link to the official SBA HUBZone map to verify and explore neighboring zones.

How to Apply the Results

If your address is in a HUBZone, visit the SBA HUBZone map to confirm and then begin your HUBZone certification application through SBA's certify.sba.gov portal. If your address is not in a HUBZone, check whether your employees' primary residences qualify — HUBZone requires at least 35% of employees to live in a HUBZone.

Frequently Asked Questions

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