United States
Still open after 1 year77.9%
Still open after 5 years51.4%
Still open after 10 years34.7%
Of 767,573 establishments that opened in the U.S. between April 2019 and March 2020, 394,689 were still open in March 2025.
Cite these figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/
Highest at 5 years: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting61.8%
All industries at 5 years51.4%
Lowest at 5 years: Information45.7%
These are establishment-based rates from BLS. Pick a state to see firm-based rates from the Census Bureau for that state.
Cite these figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 by industry (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/
Applications in 20255,671,836
Per 1,000 residents, 202516.59
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+15.3%
Change since 2019+62.1%
High-propensity share of 2025 applications30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)5.9%
Applicants filed 5,671,836 applications in 2025 and 4,927,840 in January to September 2026, against 4,273,086 in the same months of 2025.
Cite these figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 202236,186,089
Businesses, 202336,364,950
Per 1,000 residents, 2023108
Without employees, share of all businesses83.7%
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202245.9%
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees86.4%
The U.S. had 36,186,089 small businesses in 2022: 6,374,594 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 29,811,495 firms without employees.
The U.S. had 36,364,950 businesses in 2023: 5,934,950 with employees and 30,430,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
Cite these figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There in the U.S.," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/
Startup rate, 20239.1%
Startup rate, 20198.5%
Owners aged 55 or older51.3%
Owners under 355.7%
Owners on their first business48.7%
Owners born outside the U.S.19.5%
In 2023, 508,777 of the U.S.'s 5,593,727 employer firms were startups, a rate of 9.1%.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: the U.S. rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.35% and 79.2% of new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: the median state's current-performance index was 58.0, ranging from 50.7 (Delaware) to 63.7 (Mississippi).
In fiscal 2025 the SBA approved 63,561 7(a) loans for $31.96 billion and 6,466 504 loans for projects in the 50 states and D.C.
Cite these figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/
Women-owned firms, 202314,236,990
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex40.3%
Share of classifiable employer firms23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,729,183
Women owned 14,236,990 U.S. firms in 2023, 40.3% of the 35,367,068 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 1,356,990 were employer firms and 12,880,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms employed 11,686,613 people. Their average receipts were $1,729,183, against $4,057,734 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite these figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/
Alabama
Still open after 1 year77.1%
U.S. 77.9%rank 25 of 51
Still open after 5 years51.4%
U.S. 51.4%rank 24 of 51
Still open after 10 years36.4%
U.S. 34.7%rank 15 of 51
Of 8,908 establishments that opened in Alabama between April 2019 and March 2020, 4,580 were still open in March 2025.
Alabama's five-year rate matches the U.S. rate.
Cite Alabama's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Alabama," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#al
Highest: Health care and social assistance67.5%
Next highest: Other services (except public administration)63.9%
Next highest: Finance and insurance63.0%
Lowest: Arts, entertainment, and recreation48.5%
Next lowest: Transportation and warehousing50.2%
Next lowest: Accommodation and food services54.7%
Alabama has a five-year rate for 15 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (13 in Alabama).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Alabama, 7.9% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Alabama's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Alabama," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#al
Applications in 202570,466
rank 27 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202513.57
U.S. 16.59rank 34 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+17.6%
U.S. +15.3%rank 21 of 51
Change since 2019+69.8%
U.S. +62.1%rank 14 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications25.7%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)5.0%
U.S. 5.9%
Alabama had 70,466 applications in 2025 and 60,621 in January to September 2026, against 51,530 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Alabama in 2025: Jefferson County (12,309), Mobile County (6,320), Madison County (6,207).
Cite Alabama's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Alabama," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#al
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022465,610
rank 25 of 51
Businesses, 2023459,676
rank 25 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202389.8
Median state 103.7rank 43 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses84.6%
Median state 82.2%rank 7 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202246.0%
U.S. 45.9%rank 32 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees89.5%
U.S. 86.4%
Alabama had 465,610 small businesses in 2022: 75,382 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 390,228 firms without employees.
Alabama had 459,676 businesses in 2023: 70,676 with employees and 389,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 105,720 business locations with paid employees in Alabama in 2023, in 67 counties.
Cite Alabama's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Alabama," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#al
Startup rate, 20237.96%
Median state 7.96%rank 26 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.97%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older51.7%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 354.7%
U.S. 5.7%rank 38 of 51
Owners on their first business48.5%
U.S. 48.7%rank 26 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.9.3%
U.S. 19.5%
Alabama had 5,688 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 71,429 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.96%, which ranks 26 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Alabama's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.26% (rank 39 of 51) and 77.2% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Alabama's current-performance index was 61.4 (rank 7 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 44.0.
The SBA approved 476 7(a) loans for $298.2 million and 56 504 loans for projects in Alabama in fiscal 2025.
Cite Alabama's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Alabama," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#al
Women-owned firms, 2023190,219
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex42.3%
U.S. 40.3%rank 10 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms20.0%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees46.1%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts11.3%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$2,056,139
U.S. $1,729,183
Alabama had 190,219 women-owned firms in 2023, 42.3% of the 449,909 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 13,219 were employer firms and 177,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Alabama employed 130,481 people. Their average receipts were $2,056,139, against $4,886,664 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Alabama's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Alabama," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#al
Alaska
Still open after 5 years50.8%
U.S. 51.4%rank 28 of 51
Still open after 10 years33.4%
U.S. 34.7%rank 32 of 51
Still open after 1 year74.4%
U.S. 77.9%rank: see the note below
Of 1,277 establishments that opened in Alaska between April 2019 and March 2020, 649 were still open in March 2025.
Alaska's five-year rate is 0.6 points below the U.S. rate.
†Alaska's rank moves 15 or more places when the latest three groups of openings are averaged instead of using only the latest one. Three-group averages: one year 73.3% (rank 49), five years 54.9% (rank 5).
†Alaska's one-year survival rate swings more than most states' from one opening year to the next (standard deviation 3.03 points across the 2015 to 2024 groups; U.S. 1.17).
Cite Alaska's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Alaska," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#ak
Highest: Professional, scientific and technical services65.1%
Next highest: Health care and social assistance62.8%
Next highest: Accommodation and food services58.5%
Lowest: Retail trade51.5%
Next lowest: Construction55.0%
Alaska has a five-year rate for 11 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (5 in Alaska).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Alaska, 9.4% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Alaska's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Alaska," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#ak
Applications in 202510,531
rank 49 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202514.28
U.S. 16.59rank 27 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+48.1%
U.S. +15.3%rank 1 of 51
Change since 2019+30.2%
U.S. +62.1%rank 49 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications27.4%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)9.6%
U.S. 5.9%
Alaska had 10,531 applications in 2025 and 11,351 in January to September 2026, against 7,664 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Alaska in 2025: Anchorage Municipality (5,174), Matanuska-Susitna Borough (1,699), Fairbanks North Star Borough (1,173).
Cite Alaska's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Alaska," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#ak
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 202277,814
rank 51 of 51
Businesses, 202377,722
rank 51 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023105.8
Median state 103.7rank 24 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses79.1%
Median state 82.2%rank 43 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202254.2%
U.S. 45.9%rank 8 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees88.5%
U.S. 86.4%
Alaska had 77,814 small businesses in 2022: 17,343 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 60,471 firms without employees.
Alaska had 77,722 businesses in 2023: 16,222 with employees and 61,500 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 22,178 business locations with paid employees in Alaska in 2023, in 30 counties.
Cite Alaska's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Alaska," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#ak
Startup rate, 20238.23%
Median state 7.96%rank 22 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.77%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older47.8%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 354.7%
U.S. 5.7%rank 38 of 51
Owners on their first business44.4%
U.S. 48.7%rank 46 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.9.4%
U.S. 19.5%
Alaska had 1,222 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 14,857 employer firms, a startup rate of 8.23%, which ranks 22 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Alaska's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.42% (rank 8 of 51) and 77.6% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Alaska's current-performance index was 60.7 (rank 10 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 39.8.
The SBA approved 86 7(a) loans for $60.2 million and 12 504 loans for projects in Alaska in fiscal 2025.
Cite Alaska's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Alaska," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#ak
Women-owned firms, 202329,906
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex39.7%
U.S. 40.3%rank 22 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms29.9%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees42.1%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts12.0%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,362,189
U.S. $1,729,183
Alaska had 29,906 women-owned firms in 2023, 39.7% of the 75,325 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 4,406 were employer firms and 25,500 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Alaska employed 31,159 people. Their average receipts were $1,362,189, against $5,321,575 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Alaska's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Alaska," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#ak
Arizona
Still open after 1 year79.0%
U.S. 77.9%rank 13 of 51
Still open after 5 years52.1%
U.S. 51.4%rank 22 of 51
Still open after 10 years34.3%
U.S. 34.7%rank 27 of 51
Of 13,685 establishments that opened in Arizona between April 2019 and March 2020, 7,133 were still open in March 2025.
Arizona's five-year rate is 0.7 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite Arizona's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Arizona," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#az
Highest: Construction61.3%
Next highest: Educational services58.9%
Next highest: Health care and social assistance58.8%
Lowest: Arts, entertainment, and recreation42.4%
Next lowest: Transportation and warehousing46.9%
Next lowest: Administrative and support and waste management51.0%
Arizona has a five-year rate for 15 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (15 in Arizona).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Arizona, 9.0% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Arizona's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Arizona," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#az
Applications in 2025135,679
rank 15 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202517.80
U.S. 16.59rank 11 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+22.7%
U.S. +15.3%rank 12 of 51
Change since 2019+77.0%
U.S. +62.1%rank 10 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications27.3%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)5.5%
U.S. 5.9%
Arizona had 135,679 applications in 2025 and 123,141 in January to September 2026, against 100,393 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Arizona in 2025: Maricopa County (98,384), Pima County (13,903), Pinal County (7,421).
Cite Arizona's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Arizona," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#az
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022706,640
rank 16 of 51
Businesses, 2023717,314
rank 16 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202396.3
Median state 103.7rank 38 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses83.4%
Median state 82.2%rank 15 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202242.6%
U.S. 45.9%rank 47 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees88.2%
U.S. 86.4%
Arizona had 706,640 small businesses in 2022: 121,389 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 585,251 firms without employees.
Arizona had 717,314 businesses in 2023: 119,314 with employees and 598,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 162,845 business locations with paid employees in Arizona in 2023, in 15 counties.
Cite Arizona's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Arizona," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#az
Startup rate, 202310.58%
Median state 7.96%rank 5 of 51
Startup rate, 20199.29%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older49.7%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 354.4%
U.S. 5.7%rank 42 of 51
Owners on their first business46.2%
U.S. 48.7%rank 35 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.14.0%
U.S. 19.5%
Arizona had 11,411 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 107,886 employer firms, a startup rate of 10.58%, which ranks 5 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Arizona's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.39% (rank 11 of 51) and 78.4% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Arizona's current-performance index was 56.5 (rank 33 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 43.2.
The SBA approved 1,367 7(a) loans for $748.5 million and 218 504 loans for projects in Arizona in fiscal 2025.
Cite Arizona's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Arizona," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#az
Women-owned firms, 2023287,447
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex41.0%
U.S. 40.3%rank 17 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms24.3%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees44.3%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts11.5%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,340,150
U.S. $1,729,183
Arizona had 287,447 women-owned firms in 2023, 41.0% of the 700,509 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 27,447 were employer firms and 260,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Arizona employed 230,296 people. Their average receipts were $1,340,150, against $4,401,234 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Arizona's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Arizona," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#az
Arkansas
Still open after 1 year76.6%
U.S. 77.9%rank 29 of 51
Still open after 5 years48.0%
U.S. 51.4%rank 39 of 51
Still open after 10 years31.8%
U.S. 34.7%rank 42 of 51
Of 6,153 establishments that opened in Arkansas between April 2019 and March 2020, 2,951 were still open in March 2025.
Arkansas's five-year rate is 3.4 points below the U.S. rate.
Cite Arkansas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Arkansas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#ar
Highest: Health care and social assistance66.4%
Next highest: Wholesale trade66.0%
Next highest: Real estate and rental and leasing60.4%
Lowest: Accommodation and food services48.3%
Next lowest: Transportation and warehousing49.7%
Next lowest: Retail trade52.8%
Arkansas has a five-year rate for 15 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (11 in Arkansas).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Arkansas, 8.3% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Arkansas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Arkansas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#ar
Applications in 202539,512
rank 36 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202512.69
U.S. 16.59rank 38 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+25.7%
U.S. +15.3%rank 8 of 51
Change since 2019+54.9%
U.S. +62.1%rank 30 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications29.6%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)6.1%
U.S. 5.9%
Arkansas had 39,512 applications in 2025 and 37,035 in January to September 2026, against 29,463 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Arkansas in 2025: Pulaski County (7,128), Benton County (4,798), Washington County (3,523).
Cite Arkansas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Arkansas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#ar
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022292,728
rank 33 of 51
Businesses, 2023294,201
rank 33 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202395.8
Median state 103.7rank 39 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses83.3%
Median state 82.2%rank 16 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202246.1%
U.S. 45.9%rank 31 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees88.0%
U.S. 86.4%
Arkansas had 292,728 small businesses in 2022: 51,109 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 241,619 firms without employees.
Arkansas had 294,201 businesses in 2023: 49,201 with employees and 245,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 70,452 business locations with paid employees in Arkansas in 2023, in 75 counties.
Cite Arkansas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Arkansas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#ar
Startup rate, 20238.08%
Median state 7.96%rank 25 of 51
Startup rate, 20197.19%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older49.5%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 356.8%
U.S. 5.7%rank 4 of 51
Owners on their first business47.2%
U.S. 48.7%rank 31 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.7.3%
U.S. 19.5%
Arkansas had 3,866 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 47,875 employer firms, a startup rate of 8.08%, which ranks 25 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Arkansas's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.35% (rank 19 of 51) and 93.1% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Arkansas's current-performance index was 61.8 (rank 4 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 41.3.
The SBA approved 333 7(a) loans for $216.1 million and 20 504 loans for projects in Arkansas in fiscal 2025.
Cite Arkansas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Arkansas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#ar
Women-owned firms, 2023114,605
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex40.0%
U.S. 40.3%rank 21 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms21.1%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees43.6%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts14.7%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$2,169,273
U.S. $1,729,183
Arkansas had 114,605 women-owned firms in 2023, 40.0% of the 286,635 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 9,605 were employer firms and 105,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Arkansas employed 98,295 people. Their average receipts were $2,169,273, against $4,103,022 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Arkansas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Arkansas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#ar
California
Still open after 1 year80.3%
U.S. 77.9%rank 4 of 51
Still open after 5 years53.7%
U.S. 51.4%rank 12 of 51
Still open after 10 years34.1%
U.S. 34.7%rank 28 of 51
Of 142,133 establishments that opened in California between April 2019 and March 2020, 76,308 were still open in March 2025.
California's five-year rate is 2.3 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite California's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: California," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#ca
Highest: Health care and social assistance61.9%
Next highest: Educational services57.9%
Next highest: Construction55.2%
Lowest: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting40.0%
Next lowest: Information43.1%
Next lowest: Arts, entertainment, and recreation48.7%
California has a five-year rate for 17 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (16 in California).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in California, 9.7% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite California's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: California," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#ca
Applications in 2025553,931
rank 2 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202514.08
U.S. 16.59rank 30 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+18.1%
U.S. +15.3%rank 18 of 51
Change since 2019+51.7%
U.S. +62.1%rank 35 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications38.9%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)9.0%
U.S. 5.9%
California had 553,931 applications in 2025 and 497,172 in January to September 2026, against 421,051 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in California in 2025: Los Angeles County (172,540), Orange County (49,945), San Diego County (45,546).
Cite California's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: California," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#ca
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 20224,340,784
rank 1 of 51
Businesses, 20234,328,791
rank 1 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023110.5
Median state 103.7rank 15 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses81.7%
Median state 82.2%rank 28 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202247.4%
U.S. 45.9%rank 27 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees86.5%
U.S. 86.4%
California had 4,340,784 small businesses in 2022: 837,834 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 3,502,950 firms without employees.
California had 4,328,791 businesses in 2023: 791,791 with employees and 3,537,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 1,029,689 business locations with paid employees in California in 2023, in 58 counties.
Cite California's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: California," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#ca
Startup rate, 20239.65%
Median state 7.96%rank 10 of 51
Startup rate, 20199.60%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older50.8%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 356.3%
U.S. 5.7%rank 9 of 51
Owners on their first business49.2%
U.S. 48.7%rank 20 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.36.4%
U.S. 19.5%
California had 70,055 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 725,847 employer firms, a startup rate of 9.65%, which ranks 10 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: California's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.43% (rank 5 of 51) and 77.6% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: California's current-performance index was 53.4 (rank 48 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 40.2.
The SBA approved 7,779 7(a) loans for $4.07 billion and 1,335 504 loans for projects in California in fiscal 2025.
Cite California's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: California," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#ca
Women-owned firms, 20231,655,543
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex39.4%
U.S. 40.3%rank 25 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms24.8%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees42.7%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts14.3%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,775,611
U.S. $1,729,183
California had 1,655,543 women-owned firms in 2023, 39.4% of the 4,197,905 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 189,543 were employer firms and 1,466,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in California employed 1,466,949 people. Their average receipts were $1,775,611, against $4,173,188 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite California's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: California," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#ca
Colorado
Still open after 1 year75.9%
U.S. 77.9%rank 38 of 51
Still open after 5 years48.5%
U.S. 51.4%rank 36 of 51
Still open after 10 years31.9%
U.S. 34.7%rank 40 of 51
Of 18,478 establishments that opened in Colorado between April 2019 and March 2020, 8,960 were still open in March 2025.
Colorado's five-year rate is 2.9 points below the U.S. rate.
Cite Colorado's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Colorado," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#co
Highest: Health care and social assistance62.7%
Next highest: Manufacturing60.9%
Next highest: Wholesale trade59.9%
Lowest: Information42.4%
Next lowest: Arts, entertainment, and recreation45.5%
Next lowest: Administrative and support and waste management49.5%
Colorado has a five-year rate for 17 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (15 in Colorado).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Colorado, 11.0% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Colorado's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Colorado," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#co
Applications in 2025143,807
rank 12 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202523.92
U.S. 16.59rank 5 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+24.5%
U.S. +15.3%rank 10 of 51
Change since 2019+66.3%
U.S. +62.1%rank 18 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications29.9%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)5.6%
U.S. 5.9%
Colorado had 143,807 applications in 2025 and 136,993 in January to September 2026, against 110,009 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Colorado in 2025: Denver County (30,899), Arapahoe County (17,176), El Paso County (16,529).
Cite Colorado's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Colorado," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#co
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022730,887
rank 15 of 51
Businesses, 2023748,658
rank 14 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023126.6
Median state 103.7rank 4 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses81.2%
Median state 82.2%rank 30 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202248.6%
U.S. 45.9%rank 21 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees85.3%
U.S. 86.4%
Colorado had 730,887 small businesses in 2022: 146,901 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 583,986 firms without employees.
Colorado had 748,658 businesses in 2023: 140,658 with employees and 608,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 182,486 business locations with paid employees in Colorado in 2023, in 64 counties.
Cite Colorado's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Colorado," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#co
Startup rate, 20239.26%
Median state 7.96%rank 12 of 51
Startup rate, 20199.50%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older47.4%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 356.1%
U.S. 5.7%rank 11 of 51
Owners on their first business48.2%
U.S. 48.7%rank 28 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.10.7%
U.S. 19.5%
Colorado had 11,839 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 127,843 employer firms, a startup rate of 9.26%, which ranks 12 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Colorado's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.42% (rank 7 of 51) and 72.6% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Colorado's current-performance index was 53.3 (rank 49 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 39.3.
The SBA approved 1,881 7(a) loans for $1.08 billion and 161 504 loans for projects in Colorado in fiscal 2025.
Cite Colorado's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Colorado," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#co
Women-owned firms, 2023295,397
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex40.5%
U.S. 40.3%rank 19 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms26.5%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees43.7%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts15.2%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,341,084
U.S. $1,729,183
Colorado had 295,397 women-owned firms in 2023, 40.5% of the 728,594 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 35,397 were employer firms and 260,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Colorado employed 238,066 people. Their average receipts were $1,341,084, against $3,281,109 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Colorado's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Colorado," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#co
Connecticut
Still open after 1 year78.2%
U.S. 77.9%rank 21 of 51
Still open after 5 years51.1%
U.S. 51.4%rank 25 of 51
Still open after 10 years31.2%
U.S. 34.7%rank 45 of 51
Of 7,828 establishments that opened in Connecticut between April 2019 and March 2020, 4,001 were still open in March 2025.
Connecticut's five-year rate is 0.3 points below the U.S. rate.
†Connecticut's one-year survival rate swings more than most states' from one opening year to the next (standard deviation 4.35 points across the 2015 to 2024 groups; U.S. 1.17).
Cite Connecticut's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Connecticut," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#ct
Highest: Manufacturing73.4%
Next highest: Health care and social assistance65.6%
Next highest: Wholesale trade63.3%
Lowest: Real estate and rental and leasing46.5%
Next lowest: Transportation and warehousing47.3%
Next lowest: Construction53.5%
Connecticut has a five-year rate for 15 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (12 in Connecticut).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Connecticut, 8.4% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Connecticut's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Connecticut," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#ct
Applications in 202549,834
rank 34 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202513.51
U.S. 16.59rank 35 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+19.1%
U.S. +15.3%rank 15 of 51
Change since 2019+51.4%
U.S. +62.1%rank 36 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications29.3%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)5.3%
U.S. 5.9%
Connecticut had 49,834 applications in 2025 and 44,391 in January to September 2026, against 37,284 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Connecticut in 2025: Capitol Planning Region (12,797), Western Connecticut Planning Region (11,937), South Central Connecticut Planning Region (7,415).
Cite Connecticut's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Connecticut," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#ct
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022381,129
rank 29 of 51
Businesses, 2023391,346
rank 29 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023107.5
Median state 103.7rank 19 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses83.3%
Median state 82.2%rank 16 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202248.1%
U.S. 45.9%rank 22 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees86.8%
U.S. 86.4%
Connecticut had 381,129 small businesses in 2022: 68,418 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 312,711 firms without employees.
Connecticut had 391,346 businesses in 2023: 65,346 with employees and 326,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 89,234 business locations with paid employees in Connecticut in 2023, in 9 counties.
Cite Connecticut's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Connecticut," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#ct
Startup rate, 20236.87%
Median state 7.96%rank 46 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.43%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older58.6%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.1%
U.S. 5.7%rank 33 of 51
Owners on their first business47.5%
U.S. 48.7%rank 30 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.19.5%
U.S. 19.5%
Connecticut had 4,349 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 63,314 employer firms, a startup rate of 6.87%, which ranks 46 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Connecticut's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.31% (rank 26 of 51) and 69.4% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Connecticut's current-performance index was 58.9 (rank 20 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 39.2.
The SBA approved 805 7(a) loans for $308.9 million and 86 504 loans for projects in Connecticut in fiscal 2025.
Cite Connecticut's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Connecticut," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#ct
Women-owned firms, 2023148,939
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex39.2%
U.S. 40.3%rank 28 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms21.3%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees42.6%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts12.0%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,707,053
U.S. $1,729,183
Connecticut had 148,939 women-owned firms in 2023, 39.2% of the 379,741 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 12,939 were employer firms and 136,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Connecticut employed 114,624 people. Their average receipts were $1,707,053, against $4,175,442 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Connecticut's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Connecticut," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#ct
Delaware
Still open after 1 year72.8%
U.S. 77.9%rank 49 of 51
Still open after 5 years48.1%
U.S. 51.4%rank 37 of 51
Still open after 10 years29.6%
U.S. 34.7%rank 48 of 51
Of 2,583 establishments that opened in Delaware between April 2019 and March 2020, 1,242 were still open in March 2025.
Delaware's five-year rate is 3.3 points below the U.S. rate.
Cite Delaware's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Delaware," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#de
Highest: Health care and social assistance67.0%
Next highest: Construction58.0%
Next highest: Other services (except public administration)56.5%
Lowest: Professional, scientific and technical services51.8%
Next lowest: Accommodation and food services53.9%
Next lowest: Retail trade56.2%
Delaware has a five-year rate for 14 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (6 in Delaware).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Delaware, 10.2% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Delaware's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Delaware," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#de
Applications in 202560,132
rank 31 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202556.73
U.S. 16.59rank 2 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+4.1%
U.S. +15.3%rank 49 of 51
Change since 2019+132.3%
U.S. +62.1%rank 3 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications34.6%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)3.6%
U.S. 5.9%
Delaware had 60,132 applications in 2025 and 47,277 in January to September 2026, against 45,406 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Delaware in 2025: New Castle County (28,427), Kent County (24,828), Sussex County (6,877).
†Delaware (56.73 per 1,000 residents) is far above the U.S. rate of 16.59. Census does not publish how it assigns an application to a state, and we have not established why Wyoming and Delaware stand out, so compare per-resident figures for these two states with caution.
Cite Delaware's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Delaware," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#de
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022111,346
rank 45 of 51
Businesses, 2023115,350
rank 45 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023111.4
Median state 103.7rank 14 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses80.6%
Median state 82.2%rank 32 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202250.6%
U.S. 45.9%rank 14 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees70.7%
U.S. 86.4%
Delaware had 111,346 small businesses in 2022: 22,816 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 88,530 firms without employees.
Delaware had 115,350 businesses in 2023: 22,350 with employees and 93,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 29,706 business locations with paid employees in Delaware in 2023, in 3 counties.
Cite Delaware's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Delaware," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#de
Startup rate, 202310.85%
Median state 7.96%rank 3 of 51
Startup rate, 20198.15%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older53.8%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.8%
U.S. 5.7%rank 17 of 51
Owners on their first business44.6%
U.S. 48.7%rank 43 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.21.0%
U.S. 19.5%
Delaware had 2,248 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 20,713 employer firms, a startup rate of 10.85%, which ranks 3 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Delaware's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.26% (rank 40 of 51) and 80.0% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Delaware's current-performance index was 50.7 (rank 51 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 36.1.
The SBA approved 223 7(a) loans for $75.2 million and 6 504 loans for projects in Delaware in fiscal 2025.
Cite Delaware's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Delaware," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#de
Women-owned firms, 202337,989
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex37.6%
U.S. 40.3%rank 35 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms19.8%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees42.1%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts16.0%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,999,080
U.S. $1,729,183
Delaware had 37,989 women-owned firms in 2023, 37.6% of the 100,959 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 3,989 were employer firms and 34,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Delaware employed 34,438 people. Their average receipts were $1,999,080, against $2,870,982 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Delaware's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Delaware," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#de
District of Columbia
Still open after 1 year67.1%
U.S. 77.9%rank 51 of 51
Still open after 5 years42.4%
U.S. 51.4%rank 50 of 51
Still open after 10 years27.3%
U.S. 34.7%rank 51 of 51
Of 3,621 establishments that opened in the District of Columbia between April 2019 and March 2020, 1,536 were still open in March 2025.
D.C.'s five-year rate is 9.0 points below the U.S. rate.
†D.C.'s one-year survival rate swings more than most states' from one opening year to the next (standard deviation 3.63 points across the 2015 to 2024 groups; U.S. 1.17).
Cite D.C.'s figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: District of Columbia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#dc
Highest: Professional, scientific and technical services57.2%
Next highest: Accommodation and food services54.9%
Next highest: Other services (except public administration)49.6%
District of Columbia has a five-year rate for 10 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (3 in the District of Columbia).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In D.C., 8.9% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite D.C.'s figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: District of Columbia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#dc
Applications in 202514,945
rank 45 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202521.55
U.S. 16.59rank 7 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+8.5%
U.S. +15.3%rank 47 of 51
Change since 2019+21.7%
U.S. +62.1%rank 51 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications29.4%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)3.2%
U.S. 5.9%
The District of Columbia had 14,945 applications in 2025 and 12,387 in January to September 2026, against 11,418 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in the District of Columbia in 2025: District of Columbia (14,945).
Cite D.C.'s figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: District of Columbia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#dc
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 202282,666
rank 47 of 51
Businesses, 202379,583
rank 49 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023116.6
Median state 103.7rank 8 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses81.7%
Median state 82.2%rank 28 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202249.1%
U.S. 45.9%rank 17 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees88.8%
U.S. 86.4%
The District of Columbia had 82,666 small businesses in 2022: 17,536 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 65,130 firms without employees.
The District of Columbia had 79,583 businesses in 2023: 14,583 with employees and 65,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 23,801 business locations with paid employees in the District of Columbia in 2023, in 1 county.
Cite D.C.'s figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: District of Columbia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#dc
Startup rate, 20236.50%
Median state 7.96%rank 51 of 51
Startup rate, 20197.02%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older49.2%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 353.1%
U.S. 5.7%rank 51 of 51
Owners on their first business57.2%
U.S. 48.7%rank 1 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.25.4%
U.S. 19.5%
The District of Columbia had 1,129 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 17,380 employer firms, a startup rate of 6.50%, which ranks 51 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: D.C.'s rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.22% (rank 45 of 51) and 76.6% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: D.C.'s current-performance index was 57.6 (rank 28 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 49.0.
The SBA approved 147 7(a) loans for $66.4 million and 6 504 loans for projects in the District of Columbia in fiscal 2025.
Cite D.C.'s figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: District of Columbia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#dc
Women-owned firms, 202335,403
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex47.5%
U.S. 40.3%rank 1 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms29.1%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees51.0%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts14.0%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,727,455
U.S. $1,729,183
The District of Columbia had 35,403 women-owned firms in 2023, 47.5% of the 74,481 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 3,403 were employer firms and 32,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in the District of Columbia employed 33,272 people. Their average receipts were $1,727,455, against $5,378,841 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite D.C.'s figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: District of Columbia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#dc
Florida
Still open after 1 year76.0%
U.S. 77.9%rank 36 of 51
Still open after 5 years49.5%
U.S. 51.4%rank 34 of 51
Still open after 10 years34.0%
U.S. 34.7%rank 29 of 51
Of 64,451 establishments that opened in Florida between April 2019 and March 2020, 31,912 were still open in March 2025.
Florida's five-year rate is 1.9 points below the U.S. rate.
Cite Florida's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Florida," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#fl
Highest: Health care and social assistance58.2%
Next highest: Educational services57.4%
Next highest: Manufacturing57.4%
Lowest: Transportation and warehousing46.0%
Next lowest: Information46.7%
Next lowest: Accommodation and food services47.2%
Florida has a five-year rate for 17 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (15 in Florida).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Florida, 10.2% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Florida's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Florida," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#fl
Applications in 2025647,734
rank 1 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202527.61
U.S. 16.59rank 3 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+15.7%
U.S. +15.3%rank 28 of 51
Change since 2019+65.2%
U.S. +62.1%rank 19 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications31.4%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)4.3%
U.S. 5.9%
Florida had 647,734 applications in 2025 and 577,694 in January to September 2026, against 499,328 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Florida in 2025: Miami-Dade County (135,758), Broward County (72,422), Orange County (49,392).
Cite Florida's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Florida," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#fl
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 20223,485,976
rank 3 of 51
Businesses, 20233,617,294
rank 2 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023157.8
Median state 103.7rank 1 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses86.2%
Median state 82.2%rank 3 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202239.6%
U.S. 45.9%rank 51 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees81.7%
U.S. 86.4%
Florida had 3,485,976 small businesses in 2022: 517,775 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 2,968,201 firms without employees.
Florida had 3,617,294 businesses in 2023: 500,294 with employees and 3,117,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 645,575 business locations with paid employees in Florida in 2023, in 67 counties.
Cite Florida's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Florida," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#fl
Startup rate, 202311.31%
Median state 7.96%rank 1 of 51
Startup rate, 201910.51%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older52.2%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.6%
U.S. 5.7%rank 23 of 51
Owners on their first business46.8%
U.S. 48.7%rank 32 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.29.0%
U.S. 19.5%
Florida had 51,518 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 455,648 employer firms, a startup rate of 11.31%, which ranks 1 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Florida's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.61% (rank 1 of 51) and 86.1% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Florida's current-performance index was 53.8 (rank 46 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 37.8.
The SBA approved 4,907 7(a) loans for $2.72 billion and 667 504 loans for projects in Florida in fiscal 2025.
Cite Florida's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Florida," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#fl
Women-owned firms, 20231,453,751
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex41.9%
U.S. 40.3%rank 12 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms24.9%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees44.6%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts13.8%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,065,951
U.S. $1,729,183
Florida had 1,453,751 women-owned firms in 2023, 41.9% of the 3,473,381 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 120,751 were employer firms and 1,333,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Florida employed 676,858 people. Their average receipts were $1,065,951, against $2,890,088 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Florida's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Florida," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#fl
Georgia
Still open after 1 year75.1%
U.S. 77.9%rank 43 of 51
Still open after 5 years49.9%
U.S. 51.4%rank 32 of 51
Still open after 10 years32.1%
U.S. 34.7%rank 39 of 51
Of 24,232 establishments that opened in Georgia between April 2019 and March 2020, 12,089 were still open in March 2025.
Georgia's five-year rate is 1.5 points below the U.S. rate.
Cite Georgia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Georgia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#ga
Highest: Health care and social assistance63.1%
Next highest: Manufacturing61.8%
Next highest: Wholesale trade57.4%
Lowest: Information42.6%
Next lowest: Transportation and warehousing46.7%
Next lowest: Real estate and rental and leasing47.4%
Georgia has a five-year rate for 16 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (15 in Georgia).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Georgia, 8.9% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Georgia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Georgia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#ga
Applications in 2025254,582
rank 5 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202522.52
U.S. 16.59rank 6 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+16.1%
U.S. +15.3%rank 26 of 51
Change since 2019+47.9%
U.S. +62.1%rank 37 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications27.6%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)3.7%
U.S. 5.9%
Georgia had 254,582 applications in 2025 and 224,142 in January to September 2026, against 193,077 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Georgia in 2025: Fulton County (49,873), Gwinnett County (28,636), DeKalb County (20,941).
Cite Georgia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Georgia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#ga
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 20221,374,972
rank 5 of 51
Businesses, 20231,352,525
rank 6 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023122.2
Median state 103.7rank 6 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses86.1%
Median state 82.2%rank 4 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202242.5%
U.S. 45.9%rank 49 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees89.5%
U.S. 86.4%
Georgia had 1,374,972 small businesses in 2022: 199,431 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 1,175,541 firms without employees.
Georgia had 1,352,525 businesses in 2023: 188,525 with employees and 1,164,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 261,320 business locations with paid employees in Georgia in 2023, in 159 counties.
Cite Georgia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Georgia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#ga
Startup rate, 202310.05%
Median state 7.96%rank 8 of 51
Startup rate, 20199.17%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older53.2%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 354.6%
U.S. 5.7%rank 41 of 51
Owners on their first business49.3%
U.S. 48.7%rank 19 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.19.7%
U.S. 19.5%
Georgia had 17,841 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 177,543 employer firms, a startup rate of 10.05%, which ranks 8 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Georgia's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.47% (rank 3 of 51) and 81.6% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Georgia's current-performance index was 56.0 (rank 37 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 40.6.
The SBA approved 1,865 7(a) loans for $1.31 billion and 178 504 loans for projects in Georgia in fiscal 2025.
Cite Georgia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Georgia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#ga
Women-owned firms, 2023605,374
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex45.6%
U.S. 40.3%rank 2 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms25.8%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees48.7%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts13.6%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,573,444
U.S. $1,729,183
Georgia had 605,374 women-owned firms in 2023, 45.6% of the 1,326,786 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 46,374 were employer firms and 559,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Georgia employed 342,970 people. Their average receipts were $1,573,444, against $4,252,730 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Georgia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Georgia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#ga
Hawaii
Still open after 1 year77.1%
U.S. 77.9%rank 25 of 51
Still open after 5 years51.0%
U.S. 51.4%rank 26 of 51
Still open after 10 years41.9%
U.S. 34.7%rank 1 of 51
Of 2,719 establishments that opened in Hawaii between April 2019 and March 2020, 1,386 were still open in March 2025.
Hawaii's five-year rate is 0.4 points below the U.S. rate.
Cite Hawaii's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Hawaii," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#hi
Highest: Health care and social assistance63.8%
Next highest: Professional, scientific and technical services57.2%
Next highest: Retail trade53.6%
Lowest: Real estate and rental and leasing47.3%
Next lowest: Administrative and support and waste management48.2%
Next lowest: Construction50.5%
Hawaii has a five-year rate for 13 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (8 in Hawaii).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Hawaii, 8.6% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Hawaii's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Hawaii," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#hi
Applications in 202519,558
rank 42 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202513.65
U.S. 16.59rank 33 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025−7.1%
U.S. +15.3%rank 50 of 51
Change since 2019+34.8%
U.S. +62.1%rank 46 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications29.7%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)4.8%
U.S. 5.9%
Hawaii had 19,558 applications in 2025 and 14,053 in January to September 2026, against 15,127 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Hawaii in 2025: Honolulu County (12,822), Hawaii County (3,007), Maui County (2,582).
Cite Hawaii's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Hawaii," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#hi
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022144,375
rank 41 of 51
Businesses, 2023144,211
rank 42 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023100.5
Median state 103.7rank 29 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses83.9%
Median state 82.2%rank 11 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202249.6%
U.S. 45.9%rank 16 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees89.7%
U.S. 86.4%
Hawaii had 144,375 small businesses in 2022: 24,728 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 119,647 firms without employees.
Hawaii had 144,211 businesses in 2023: 23,211 with employees and 121,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 32,911 business locations with paid employees in Hawaii in 2023, in 4 counties.
Cite Hawaii's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Hawaii," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#hi
Startup rate, 20237.49%
Median state 7.96%rank 35 of 51
Startup rate, 20197.12%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older58.4%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 353.8%
U.S. 5.7%rank 49 of 51
Owners on their first business42.5%
U.S. 48.7%rank 49 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.25.2%
U.S. 19.5%
Hawaii had 1,736 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 23,176 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.49%, which ranks 35 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Hawaii's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.35% (rank 20 of 51) and 79.8% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Hawaii's current-performance index was 60.3 (rank 15 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 41.3.
The SBA approved 185 7(a) loans for $42.4 million and 23 504 loans for projects in Hawaii in fiscal 2025.
Cite Hawaii's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Hawaii," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#hi
Women-owned firms, 202360,007
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex43.0%
U.S. 40.3%rank 6 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms26.0%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees46.1%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts16.3%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,335,918
U.S. $1,729,183
Hawaii had 60,007 women-owned firms in 2023, 43.0% of the 139,455 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 5,507 were employer firms and 54,500 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Hawaii employed 34,563 people. Their average receipts were $1,335,918, against $3,138,028 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Hawaii's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Hawaii," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#hi
Idaho
Still open after 5 years45.6%
U.S. 51.4%rank 48 of 51
Still open after 10 years33.3%
U.S. 34.7%rank 33 of 51
Still open after 1 year76.6%
U.S. 77.9%rank: see the note below
Of 6,537 establishments that opened in Idaho between April 2019 and March 2020, 2,978 were still open in March 2025.
Idaho's five-year rate is 5.8 points below the U.S. rate.
†Idaho's rank moves 15 or more places when the latest three groups of openings are averaged instead of using only the latest one. Three-group averages: one year 73.6% (rank 48), five years 46.9% (rank 47).
†Idaho's one-year survival rate swings more than most states' from one opening year to the next (standard deviation 3.22 points across the 2015 to 2024 groups; U.S. 1.17).
Cite Idaho's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Idaho," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#id
Highest: Health care and social assistance64.5%
Next highest: Real estate and rental and leasing59.5%
Next highest: Professional, scientific and technical services59.1%
Lowest: Administrative and support and waste management47.3%
Next lowest: Accommodation and food services49.3%
Next lowest: Transportation and warehousing50.0%
Idaho has a five-year rate for 16 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (10 in Idaho).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Idaho, 10.5% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Idaho's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Idaho," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#id
Applications in 202533,267
rank 39 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202516.39
U.S. 16.59rank 17 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+19.7%
U.S. +15.3%rank 14 of 51
Change since 2019+53.9%
U.S. +62.1%rank 31 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications31.2%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)9.0%
U.S. 5.9%
Idaho had 33,267 applications in 2025 and 30,567 in January to September 2026, against 25,536 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Idaho in 2025: Ada County (10,169), Kootenai County (4,441), Canyon County (4,263).
Cite Idaho's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Idaho," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#id
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022207,670
rank 36 of 51
Businesses, 2023211,244
rank 36 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023107.2
Median state 103.7rank 21 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses78.1%
Median state 82.2%rank 46 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202256.0%
U.S. 45.9%rank 6 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees85.0%
U.S. 86.4%
Idaho had 207,670 small businesses in 2022: 46,756 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 160,914 firms without employees.
Idaho had 211,244 businesses in 2023: 46,244 with employees and 165,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 58,100 business locations with paid employees in Idaho in 2023, in 44 counties.
Cite Idaho's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Idaho," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#id
Startup rate, 20239.80%
Median state 7.96%rank 9 of 51
Startup rate, 20199.97%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older40.8%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 357.9%
U.S. 5.7%rank 2 of 51
Owners on their first business44.5%
U.S. 48.7%rank 44 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.5.5%
U.S. 19.5%
Idaho had 4,074 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 41,589 employer firms, a startup rate of 9.80%, which ranks 9 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Idaho's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.33% (rank 25 of 51) and 89.3% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Idaho's current-performance index was 57.4 (rank 30 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 44.8.
The SBA approved 738 7(a) loans for $267.1 million and 86 504 loans for projects in Idaho in fiscal 2025.
Cite Idaho's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Idaho," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#id
Women-owned firms, 202377,088
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex37.5%
U.S. 40.3%rank 36 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms19.8%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees42.2%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts9.4%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,013,193
U.S. $1,729,183
Idaho had 77,088 women-owned firms in 2023, 37.5% of the 205,743 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 8,588 were employer firms and 68,500 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Idaho employed 56,044 people. Their average receipts were $1,013,193, against $3,246,868 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Idaho's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Idaho," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#id
Illinois
Still open after 1 year79.7%
U.S. 77.9%rank 6 of 51
Still open after 5 years55.6%
U.S. 51.4%rank 3 of 51
Still open after 10 years38.4%
U.S. 34.7%rank 7 of 51
Of 20,261 establishments that opened in Illinois between April 2019 and March 2020, 11,256 were still open in March 2025.
Illinois's five-year rate is 4.2 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite Illinois's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Illinois," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#il
Highest: Health care and social assistance66.3%
Next highest: Manufacturing61.3%
Next highest: Wholesale trade61.2%
Lowest: Administrative and support and waste management51.8%
Next lowest: Arts, entertainment, and recreation52.3%
Next lowest: Information52.5%
Illinois has a five-year rate for 15 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (15 in Illinois).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Illinois, 7.9% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Illinois's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Illinois," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#il
Applications in 2025189,879
rank 6 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202514.93
U.S. 16.59rank 25 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+9.2%
U.S. +15.3%rank 44 of 51
Change since 2019+61.9%
U.S. +62.1%rank 22 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications30.8%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)5.5%
U.S. 5.9%
Illinois had 189,879 applications in 2025 and 150,514 in January to September 2026, against 137,809 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Illinois in 2025: Cook County (99,217), DuPage County (15,622), Will County (10,298).
Cite Illinois's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Illinois," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#il
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 20221,353,957
rank 6 of 51
Businesses, 20231,358,091
rank 5 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023107.5
Median state 103.7rank 19 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses82.5%
Median state 82.2%rank 21 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202243.7%
U.S. 45.9%rank 44 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees83.3%
U.S. 86.4%
Illinois had 1,353,957 small businesses in 2022: 253,302 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 1,100,655 firms without employees.
Illinois had 1,358,091 businesses in 2023: 238,091 with employees and 1,120,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 322,415 business locations with paid employees in Illinois in 2023, in 102 counties.
Cite Illinois's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Illinois," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#il
Startup rate, 20237.22%
Median state 7.96%rank 38 of 51
Startup rate, 20197.12%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older53.5%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 354.9%
U.S. 5.7%rank 35 of 51
Owners on their first business53.1%
U.S. 48.7%rank 4 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.22.0%
U.S. 19.5%
Illinois had 16,056 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 222,365 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.22%, which ranks 38 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Illinois's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.28% (rank 37 of 51) and 73.7% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Illinois's current-performance index was 58.2 (rank 24 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 41.6.
The SBA approved 2,309 7(a) loans for $1.11 billion and 286 504 loans for projects in Illinois in fiscal 2025.
Cite Illinois's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Illinois," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#il
Women-owned firms, 2023520,815
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex39.6%
U.S. 40.3%rank 23 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms23.3%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees43.0%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts16.4%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$2,554,521
U.S. $1,729,183
Illinois had 520,815 women-owned firms in 2023, 39.6% of the 1,315,305 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 52,815 were employer firms and 468,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Illinois employed 501,504 people. Their average receipts were $2,554,521, against $4,399,670 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Illinois's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Illinois," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#il
Indiana
Still open after 1 year79.5%
U.S. 77.9%rank 8 of 51
Still open after 5 years54.3%
U.S. 51.4%rank 9 of 51
Still open after 10 years38.5%
U.S. 34.7%rank 5 of 51
Of 10,082 establishments that opened in Indiana between April 2019 and March 2020, 5,471 were still open in March 2025.
Indiana's five-year rate is 2.9 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite Indiana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Indiana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#in
Highest: Educational services68.3%
Next highest: Health care and social assistance65.3%
Next highest: Finance and insurance64.1%
Lowest: Transportation and warehousing49.4%
Next lowest: Retail trade54.5%
Next lowest: Accommodation and food services56.1%
Indiana has a five-year rate for 15 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (14 in Indiana).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Indiana, 8.1% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Indiana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Indiana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#in
Applications in 202589,768
rank 20 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202512.87
U.S. 16.59rank 37 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+17.8%
U.S. +15.3%rank 19 of 51
Change since 2019+66.9%
U.S. +62.1%rank 16 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications30.1%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)5.7%
U.S. 5.9%
Indiana had 89,768 applications in 2025 and 80,688 in January to September 2026, against 68,514 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Indiana in 2025: Marion County (22,308), Lake County (6,991), Hamilton County (6,762).
Cite Indiana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Indiana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#in
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022591,671
rank 19 of 51
Businesses, 2023589,466
rank 19 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202385.7
Median state 103.7rank 48 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses82.4%
Median state 82.2%rank 24 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202243.2%
U.S. 45.9%rank 45 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees87.8%
U.S. 86.4%
Indiana had 591,671 small businesses in 2022: 110,750 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 480,921 firms without employees.
Indiana had 589,466 businesses in 2023: 103,466 with employees and 486,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 155,692 business locations with paid employees in Indiana in 2023, in 92 counties.
Cite Indiana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Indiana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#in
Startup rate, 20237.88%
Median state 7.96%rank 27 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.52%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older51.7%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 356.0%
U.S. 5.7%rank 14 of 51
Owners on their first business50.2%
U.S. 48.7%rank 14 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.7.6%
U.S. 19.5%
Indiana had 8,106 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 102,872 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.88%, which ranks 27 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Indiana's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.23% (rank 44 of 51) and 76.3% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Indiana's current-performance index was 60.6 (rank 12 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 45.2.
The SBA approved 1,042 7(a) loans for $490.2 million and 126 504 loans for projects in Indiana in fiscal 2025.
Cite Indiana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Indiana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#in
Women-owned firms, 2023225,054
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex39.1%
U.S. 40.3%rank 30 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms21.8%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees42.6%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts11.9%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,871,477
U.S. $1,729,183
Indiana had 225,054 women-owned firms in 2023, 39.1% of the 575,125 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 21,054 were employer firms and 204,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Indiana employed 221,523 people. Their average receipts were $1,871,477, against $4,572,684 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Indiana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Indiana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#in
Iowa
Still open after 1 year80.2%
U.S. 77.9%rank 5 of 51
Still open after 5 years53.7%
U.S. 51.4%rank 12 of 51
Still open after 10 years39.9%
U.S. 34.7%rank 3 of 51
Of 6,130 establishments that opened in Iowa between April 2019 and March 2020, 3,291 were still open in March 2025.
Iowa's five-year rate is 2.3 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite Iowa's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Iowa," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#ia
Highest: Health care and social assistance71.6%
Next highest: Manufacturing70.5%
Next highest: Transportation and warehousing61.4%
Lowest: Retail trade48.7%
Next lowest: Accommodation and food services54.5%
Next lowest: Real estate and rental and leasing55.5%
Iowa has a five-year rate for 16 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (11 in Iowa).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Iowa, 8.2% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Iowa's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Iowa," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#ia
Applications in 202535,038
rank 38 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202510.82
U.S. 16.59rank 48 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+13.6%
U.S. +15.3%rank 35 of 51
Change since 2019+59.1%
U.S. +62.1%rank 26 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications28.0%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)7.8%
U.S. 5.9%
Iowa had 35,038 applications in 2025 and 30,457 in January to September 2026, against 26,809 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Iowa in 2025: Polk County (7,953), Linn County (2,621), Scott County (2,022).
Cite Iowa's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Iowa," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#ia
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022289,962
rank 34 of 51
Businesses, 2023286,666
rank 34 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202389.2
Median state 103.7rank 45 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses79.9%
Median state 82.2%rank 37 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202246.0%
U.S. 45.9%rank 32 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees85.7%
U.S. 86.4%
Iowa had 289,962 small businesses in 2022: 61,829 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 228,133 firms without employees.
Iowa had 286,666 businesses in 2023: 57,666 with employees and 229,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 83,321 business locations with paid employees in Iowa in 2023, in 99 counties.
Cite Iowa's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Iowa," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#ia
Startup rate, 20236.59%
Median state 7.96%rank 49 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.09%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older50.4%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 356.2%
U.S. 5.7%rank 10 of 51
Owners on their first business51.7%
U.S. 48.7%rank 8 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.4.8%
U.S. 19.5%
Iowa had 3,717 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 56,436 employer firms, a startup rate of 6.59%, which ranks 49 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Iowa's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.22% (rank 46 of 51) and 86.9% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Iowa's current-performance index was 58.7 (rank 23 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 43.5.
The SBA approved 383 7(a) loans for $157.4 million and 59 504 loans for projects in Iowa in fiscal 2025.
Cite Iowa's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Iowa," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#ia
Women-owned firms, 2023102,700
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex37.0%
U.S. 40.3%rank 39 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms20.3%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees40.9%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts8.3%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,445,235
U.S. $1,729,183
Iowa had 102,700 women-owned firms in 2023, 37.0% of the 277,532 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 10,700 were employer firms and 92,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Iowa employed 91,967 people. Their average receipts were $1,445,235, against $5,060,000 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Iowa's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Iowa," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#ia
Kansas
Still open after 1 year76.4%
U.S. 77.9%rank 31 of 51
Still open after 5 years47.4%
U.S. 51.4%rank 43 of 51
Still open after 10 years34.6%
U.S. 34.7%rank 25 of 51
Of 5,804 establishments that opened in Kansas between April 2019 and March 2020, 2,753 were still open in March 2025.
Kansas's five-year rate is 4.0 points below the U.S. rate.
Cite Kansas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Kansas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#ks
Highest: Health care and social assistance65.8%
Next highest: Retail trade61.9%
Next highest: Real estate and rental and leasing58.5%
Lowest: Accommodation and food services49.3%
Next lowest: Construction54.0%
Next lowest: Transportation and warehousing54.3%
Kansas has a five-year rate for 15 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (10 in Kansas).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Kansas, 7.8% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Kansas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Kansas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#ks
Applications in 202537,534
rank 37 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202512.61
U.S. 16.59rank 40 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+23.9%
U.S. +15.3%rank 11 of 51
Change since 2019+66.6%
U.S. +62.1%rank 17 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications29.0%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)8.1%
U.S. 5.9%
Kansas had 37,534 applications in 2025 and 33,984 in January to September 2026, against 27,438 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Kansas in 2025: Johnson County (9,801), Sedgwick County (7,848), Wyandotte County (2,562).
Cite Kansas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Kansas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#ks
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022273,419
rank 35 of 51
Businesses, 2023271,627
rank 35 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202392.1
Median state 103.7rank 41 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses80.6%
Median state 82.2%rank 32 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202248.9%
U.S. 45.9%rank 18 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees87.0%
U.S. 86.4%
Kansas had 273,419 small businesses in 2022: 56,401 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 217,018 firms without employees.
Kansas had 271,627 businesses in 2023: 52,627 with employees and 219,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 76,139 business locations with paid employees in Kansas in 2023, in 105 counties.
Cite Kansas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Kansas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#ks
Startup rate, 20237.52%
Median state 7.96%rank 34 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.56%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older46.9%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.7%
U.S. 5.7%rank 20 of 51
Owners on their first business47.7%
U.S. 48.7%rank 29 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.7.5%
U.S. 19.5%
Kansas had 3,975 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 52,865 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.52%, which ranks 34 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Kansas's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.28% (rank 35 of 51) and 86.3% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Kansas's current-performance index was 60.4 (rank 14 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 44.4.
The SBA approved 414 7(a) loans for $211.5 million and 24 504 loans for projects in Kansas in fiscal 2025.
Cite Kansas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Kansas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#ks
Women-owned firms, 2023100,499
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex38.1%
U.S. 40.3%rank 33 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms21.9%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees41.7%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts14.2%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,919,297
U.S. $1,729,183
Kansas had 100,499 women-owned firms in 2023, 38.1% of the 263,631 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 10,499 were employer firms and 90,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Kansas employed 85,746 people. Their average receipts were $1,919,297, against $3,856,803 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Kansas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Kansas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#ks
Kentucky
Still open after 1 year78.7%
U.S. 77.9%rank 16 of 51
Still open after 5 years54.1%
U.S. 51.4%rank 11 of 51
Still open after 10 years36.4%
U.S. 34.7%rank 15 of 51
Of 7,961 establishments that opened in Kentucky between April 2019 and March 2020, 4,305 were still open in March 2025.
Kentucky's five-year rate is 2.7 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite Kentucky's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Kentucky," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#ky
Highest: Finance and insurance67.7%
Next highest: Manufacturing65.5%
Next highest: Administrative and support and waste management61.3%
Lowest: Accommodation and food services51.9%
Next lowest: Transportation and warehousing52.6%
Next lowest: Professional, scientific and technical services53.8%
Kentucky has a five-year rate for 15 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (12 in Kentucky).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Kentucky, 7.8% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Kentucky's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Kentucky," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#ky
Applications in 202564,042
rank 29 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202513.90
U.S. 16.59rank 31 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+34.0%
U.S. +15.3%rank 3 of 51
Change since 2019+94.6%
U.S. +62.1%rank 6 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications24.9%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)6.2%
U.S. 5.9%
Kentucky had 64,042 applications in 2025 and 61,730 in January to September 2026, against 46,080 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Kentucky in 2025: Jefferson County (15,979), Fayette County (7,030), Madison County (3,170).
Cite Kentucky's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Kentucky," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#ky
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022393,860
rank 28 of 51
Businesses, 2023398,546
rank 27 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202387.6
Median state 103.7rank 47 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses84.3%
Median state 82.2%rank 9 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202242.6%
U.S. 45.9%rank 47 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees88.2%
U.S. 86.4%
Kentucky had 393,860 small businesses in 2022: 65,803 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 328,057 firms without employees.
Kentucky had 398,546 businesses in 2023: 62,546 with employees and 336,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 94,402 business locations with paid employees in Kentucky in 2023, in 120 counties.
Cite Kentucky's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Kentucky," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#ky
Startup rate, 20237.76%
Median state 7.96%rank 28 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.92%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older52.1%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.2%
U.S. 5.7%rank 32 of 51
Owners on their first business48.4%
U.S. 48.7%rank 27 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.10.0%
U.S. 19.5%
Kentucky had 4,803 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 61,917 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.76%, which ranks 28 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Kentucky's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.30% (rank 27 of 51) and 72.3% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Kentucky's current-performance index was 62.6 (rank 2 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 44.4.
The SBA approved 486 7(a) loans for $236.4 million and 18 504 loans for projects in Kentucky in fiscal 2025.
Cite Kentucky's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Kentucky," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#ky
Women-owned firms, 2023not published
Share of firms classifiable by owner sexnot published
Share of classifiable employer firmsnot published
Share of classifiable firms without employees40.7%
Share of classifiable firms' receiptsnot published
Average receipts, women-owned employer firmnot published
The Census Bureau did not publish the total or employer count of women-owned firms for Kentucky in 2023 because the estimates did not meet its publication standards (flag S). It did publish 135,000 women-owned firms without employees, 40.7% of the firms without employees that it could classify by owner sex. Kentucky had 398,546 firms: 225,101 owned by men and 16,934 equally owned. Kentucky is not ranked and no missing figure is estimated.
Cite Kentucky's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Kentucky," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#ky
Louisiana
Still open after 1 year80.4%
U.S. 77.9%rank 3 of 51
Still open after 5 years52.9%
U.S. 51.4%rank 17 of 51
Still open after 10 years35.6%
U.S. 34.7%rank 22 of 51
Of 7,245 establishments that opened in Louisiana between April 2019 and March 2020, 3,834 were still open in March 2025.
Louisiana's five-year rate is 1.5 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite Louisiana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Louisiana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#la
Highest: Finance and insurance72.0%
Next highest: Health care and social assistance65.8%
Next highest: Arts, entertainment, and recreation60.2%
Lowest: Transportation and warehousing38.9%
Next lowest: Retail trade52.6%
Next lowest: Other services (except public administration)53.1%
Louisiana has a five-year rate for 17 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (13 in Louisiana).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Louisiana, 8.2% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Louisiana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Louisiana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#la
Applications in 202575,620
rank 23 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202516.37
U.S. 16.59rank 18 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+15.2%
U.S. +15.3%rank 29 of 51
Change since 2019+39.8%
U.S. +62.1%rank 41 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications25.2%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)3.7%
U.S. 5.9%
Louisiana had 75,620 applications in 2025 and 63,227 in January to September 2026, against 54,890 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Louisiana in 2025: East Baton Rouge Parish (8,971), Orleans Parish (8,448), Jefferson Parish (7,348).
Cite Louisiana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Louisiana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#la
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022511,235
rank 23 of 51
Businesses, 2023496,611
rank 24 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023108.0
Median state 103.7rank 18 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses84.4%
Median state 82.2%rank 8 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202254.1%
U.S. 45.9%rank 9 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees89.0%
U.S. 86.4%
Louisiana had 511,235 small businesses in 2022: 81,011 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 430,224 firms without employees.
Louisiana had 496,611 businesses in 2023: 77,611 with employees and 419,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 108,561 business locations with paid employees in Louisiana in 2023, in 64 counties.
Cite Louisiana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Louisiana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#la
Startup rate, 20237.28%
Median state 7.96%rank 37 of 51
Startup rate, 20197.00%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older53.3%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 354.1%
U.S. 5.7%rank 47 of 51
Owners on their first business46.3%
U.S. 48.7%rank 34 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.9.4%
U.S. 19.5%
Louisiana had 5,480 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 75,251 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.28%, which ranks 37 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Louisiana's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.37% (rank 17 of 51) and 82.5% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Louisiana's current-performance index was 59.3 (rank 18 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 45.2.
The SBA approved 475 7(a) loans for $286.2 million and 18 504 loans for projects in Louisiana in fiscal 2025.
Cite Louisiana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Louisiana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#la
Women-owned firms, 2023212,973
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex44.0%
U.S. 40.3%rank 3 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms22.0%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees47.9%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts13.9%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$2,132,053
U.S. $1,729,183
Louisiana had 212,973 women-owned firms in 2023, 44.0% of the 484,103 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 15,973 were employer firms and 197,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Louisiana employed 181,030 people. Their average receipts were $2,132,053, against $4,316,976 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Louisiana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Louisiana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#la
Maine
Still open after 1 year76.9%
U.S. 77.9%rank 28 of 51
Still open after 5 years54.9%
U.S. 51.4%rank 5 of 51
Still open after 10 years37.6%
U.S. 34.7%rank 10 of 51
Of 3,243 establishments that opened in Maine between April 2019 and March 2020, 1,781 were still open in March 2025.
Maine's five-year rate is 3.5 points above the U.S. rate.
†Maine's one-year survival rate swings more than most states' from one opening year to the next (standard deviation 4.13 points across the 2015 to 2024 groups; U.S. 1.17).
Cite Maine's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Maine," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#me
Highest: Health care and social assistance66.9%
Next highest: Administrative and support and waste management65.1%
Next highest: Construction61.8%
Lowest: Accommodation and food services54.5%
Next lowest: Retail trade57.5%
Next lowest: Real estate and rental and leasing58.9%
Maine has a five-year rate for 15 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (8 in Maine).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Maine, 9.0% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Maine's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Maine," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#me
Applications in 202514,186
rank 46 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202510.03
U.S. 16.59rank 50 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+18.2%
U.S. +15.3%rank 17 of 51
Change since 2019+42.0%
U.S. +62.1%rank 40 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications35.1%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)11.3%
U.S. 5.9%
Maine had 14,186 applications in 2025 and 12,796 in January to September 2026, against 10,826 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Maine in 2025: Cumberland County (3,769), York County (2,600), Penobscot County (1,371).
Cite Maine's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Maine," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#me
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022160,215
rank 39 of 51
Businesses, 2023159,944
rank 39 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023114.1
Median state 103.7rank 10 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses79.4%
Median state 82.2%rank 42 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202254.5%
U.S. 45.9%rank 7 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees88.5%
U.S. 86.4%
Maine had 160,215 small businesses in 2022: 34,292 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 125,923 firms without employees.
Maine had 159,944 businesses in 2023: 32,944 with employees and 127,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 43,345 business locations with paid employees in Maine in 2023, in 16 counties.
Cite Maine's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Maine," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#me
Startup rate, 20237.44%
Median state 7.96%rank 36 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.73%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older56.6%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 354.2%
U.S. 5.7%rank 44 of 51
Owners on their first business51.1%
U.S. 48.7%rank 10 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.4.9%
U.S. 19.5%
Maine had 2,288 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 30,735 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.44%, which ranks 36 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Maine's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.42% (rank 9 of 51) and 79.1% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Maine's current-performance index was 58.9 (rank 20 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 35.6.
The SBA approved 339 7(a) loans for $89.5 million and 51 504 loans for projects in Maine in fiscal 2025.
Cite Maine's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Maine," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#me
Women-owned firms, 202357,595
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex36.9%
U.S. 40.3%rank 42 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms21.7%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees40.6%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts16.8%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,809,908
U.S. $1,729,183
Maine had 57,595 women-owned firms in 2023, 36.9% of the 156,154 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 6,595 were employer firms and 51,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Maine employed 46,310 people. Their average receipts were $1,809,908, against $2,844,582 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Maine's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Maine," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#me
Maryland
Still open after 1 year75.5%
U.S. 77.9%rank 41 of 51
Still open after 5 years50.1%
U.S. 51.4%rank 31 of 51
Still open after 10 years34.6%
U.S. 34.7%rank 25 of 51
Of 10,757 establishments that opened in Maryland between April 2019 and March 2020, 5,393 were still open in March 2025.
Maryland's five-year rate is 1.3 points below the U.S. rate.
Cite Maryland's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Maryland," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#md
Highest: Health care and social assistance63.3%
Next highest: Manufacturing61.1%
Next highest: Educational services59.6%
Lowest: Transportation and warehousing43.7%
Next lowest: Real estate and rental and leasing53.8%
Next lowest: Retail trade54.0%
Maryland has a five-year rate for 15 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (14 in Maryland).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Maryland, 8.6% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Maryland's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Maryland," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#md
Applications in 2025101,253
rank 18 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202516.16
U.S. 16.59rank 21 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+13.6%
U.S. +15.3%rank 35 of 51
Change since 2019+34.2%
U.S. +62.1%rank 47 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications29.1%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)3.9%
U.S. 5.9%
Maryland had 101,253 applications in 2025 and 87,179 in January to September 2026, against 76,753 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Maryland in 2025: Prince George's County (20,166), Montgomery County (17,206), Baltimore County (13,851).
Cite Maryland's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Maryland," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#md
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022696,710
rank 17 of 51
Businesses, 2023703,496
rank 17 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023113.4
Median state 103.7rank 12 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses85.1%
Median state 82.2%rank 6 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202247.9%
U.S. 45.9%rank 24 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees89.4%
U.S. 86.4%
Maryland had 696,710 small businesses in 2022: 110,383 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 586,327 firms without employees.
Maryland had 703,496 businesses in 2023: 104,496 with employees and 599,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 142,967 business locations with paid employees in Maryland in 2023, in 24 counties.
Cite Maryland's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Maryland," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#md
Startup rate, 20237.75%
Median state 7.96%rank 29 of 51
Startup rate, 20197.13%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older55.6%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 354.7%
U.S. 5.7%rank 38 of 51
Owners on their first business55.1%
U.S. 48.7%rank 2 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.22.2%
U.S. 19.5%
Maryland had 7,811 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 100,768 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.75%, which ranks 29 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Maryland's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.29% (rank 30 of 51) and 80.7% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Maryland's current-performance index was 57.0 (rank 31 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 40.6.
The SBA approved 1,201 7(a) loans for $446.0 million and 32 504 loans for projects in Maryland in fiscal 2025.
Cite Maryland's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Maryland," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#md
Women-owned firms, 2023294,129
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex42.9%
U.S. 40.3%rank 7 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms25.6%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees45.7%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts13.5%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,387,514
U.S. $1,729,183
Maryland had 294,129 women-owned firms in 2023, 42.9% of the 686,309 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 25,129 were employer firms and 269,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Maryland employed 232,034 people. Their average receipts were $1,387,514, against $3,768,708 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Maryland's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Maryland," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#md
Massachusetts
Still open after 1 year76.4%
U.S. 77.9%rank 31 of 51
Still open after 5 years52.7%
U.S. 51.4%rank 18 of 51
Still open after 10 years36.2%
U.S. 34.7%rank 18 of 51
Of 18,136 establishments that opened in Massachusetts between April 2019 and March 2020, 9,557 were still open in March 2025.
Massachusetts's five-year rate is 1.3 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite Massachusetts's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Massachusetts," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#ma
Highest: Educational services67.4%
Next highest: Health care and social assistance64.6%
Next highest: Manufacturing64.1%
Lowest: Information47.5%
Next lowest: Administrative and support and waste management51.6%
Next lowest: Wholesale trade51.9%
Massachusetts has a five-year rate for 15 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (15 in Massachusetts).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Massachusetts, 8.2% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Massachusetts's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Massachusetts," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#ma
Applications in 202579,139
rank 21 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202511.06
U.S. 16.59rank 47 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+14.1%
U.S. +15.3%rank 34 of 51
Change since 2019+38.2%
U.S. +62.1%rank 44 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications37.0%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)8.8%
U.S. 5.9%
Massachusetts had 79,139 applications in 2025 and 68,670 in January to September 2026, against 60,191 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Massachusetts in 2025: Middlesex County (19,183), Suffolk County (13,092), Essex County (8,613).
Cite Massachusetts's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Massachusetts," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#ma
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022756,096
rank 13 of 51
Businesses, 2023770,011
rank 13 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023108.9
Median state 103.7rank 17 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses82.2%
Median state 82.2%rank 26 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202244.7%
U.S. 45.9%rank 39 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees88.0%
U.S. 86.4%
Massachusetts had 756,096 small businesses in 2022: 143,964 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 612,132 firms without employees.
Massachusetts had 770,011 businesses in 2023: 137,011 with employees and 633,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 183,767 business locations with paid employees in Massachusetts in 2023, in 14 counties.
Cite Massachusetts's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Massachusetts," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#ma
Startup rate, 20237.61%
Median state 7.96%rank 30 of 51
Startup rate, 20197.04%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older57.4%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.1%
U.S. 5.7%rank 33 of 51
Owners on their first business54.3%
U.S. 48.7%rank 3 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.20.1%
U.S. 19.5%
Massachusetts had 9,985 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 131,145 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.61%, which ranks 30 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Massachusetts's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.27% (rank 38 of 51) and 68.7% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Massachusetts's current-performance index was 57.9 (rank 27 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 41.3.
The SBA approved 1,718 7(a) loans for $507.9 million and 233 504 loans for projects in Massachusetts in fiscal 2025.
Cite Massachusetts's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Massachusetts," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#ma
Women-owned firms, 2023283,190
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex37.9%
U.S. 40.3%rank 34 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms22.0%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees41.3%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts11.4%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,654,340
U.S. $1,729,183
Massachusetts had 283,190 women-owned firms in 2023, 37.9% of the 746,227 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 28,190 were employer firms and 255,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Massachusetts employed 219,859 people. Their average receipts were $1,654,340, against $4,356,457 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Massachusetts's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Massachusetts," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#ma
Michigan
Still open after 1 year77.6%
U.S. 77.9%rank 24 of 51
Still open after 5 years55.0%
U.S. 51.4%rank 4 of 51
Still open after 10 years35.7%
U.S. 34.7%rank 20 of 51
Of 16,031 establishments that opened in Michigan between April 2019 and March 2020, 8,815 were still open in March 2025.
Michigan's five-year rate is 3.6 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite Michigan's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Michigan," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#mi
Highest: Finance and insurance61.5%
Next highest: Wholesale trade61.2%
Next highest: Health care and social assistance61.0%
Lowest: Information44.4%
Next lowest: Real estate and rental and leasing49.3%
Next lowest: Transportation and warehousing51.1%
Michigan has a five-year rate for 16 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (15 in Michigan).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Michigan, 8.2% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Michigan's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Michigan," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#mi
Applications in 2025152,060
rank 11 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202515.01
U.S. 16.59rank 24 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+17.7%
U.S. +15.3%rank 20 of 51
Change since 2019+60.9%
U.S. +62.1%rank 23 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications26.3%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)4.9%
U.S. 5.9%
Michigan had 152,060 applications in 2025 and 131,698 in January to September 2026, against 111,873 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Michigan in 2025: Wayne County (39,517), Oakland County (25,780), Macomb County (14,265).
Cite Michigan's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Michigan," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#mi
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022983,079
rank 11 of 51
Businesses, 2023978,461
rank 11 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202397.2
Median state 103.7rank 37 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses83.3%
Median state 82.2%rank 16 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202247.7%
U.S. 45.9%rank 25 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees87.3%
U.S. 86.4%
Michigan had 983,079 small businesses in 2022: 173,653 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 809,426 firms without employees.
Michigan had 978,461 businesses in 2023: 163,461 with employees and 815,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 229,564 business locations with paid employees in Michigan in 2023, in 83 counties.
Cite Michigan's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Michigan," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#mi
Startup rate, 20237.58%
Median state 7.96%rank 32 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.66%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older53.2%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.9%
U.S. 5.7%rank 15 of 51
Owners on their first business49.9%
U.S. 48.7%rank 17 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.12.6%
U.S. 19.5%
Michigan had 11,814 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 155,861 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.58%, which ranks 32 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Michigan's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.29% (rank 29 of 51) and 65.1% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Michigan's current-performance index was 59.2 (rank 19 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 42.7.
The SBA approved 2,117 7(a) loans for $872.2 million and 140 504 loans for projects in Michigan in fiscal 2025.
Cite Michigan's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Michigan," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#mi
Women-owned firms, 2023390,872
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex40.8%
U.S. 40.3%rank 18 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms21.9%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees44.5%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts11.8%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,808,674
U.S. $1,729,183
Michigan had 390,872 women-owned firms in 2023, 40.8% of the 957,018 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 33,872 were employer firms and 357,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Michigan employed 345,258 people. Their average receipts were $1,808,674, against $4,440,461 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Michigan's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Michigan," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#mi
Minnesota
Still open after 1 year79.4%
U.S. 77.9%rank 10 of 51
Still open after 5 years54.9%
U.S. 51.4%rank 5 of 51
Still open after 10 years41.9%
U.S. 34.7%rank 1 of 51
Of 9,685 establishments that opened in Minnesota between April 2019 and March 2020, 5,313 were still open in March 2025.
Minnesota's five-year rate is 3.5 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite Minnesota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Minnesota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#mn
Highest: Health care and social assistance69.3%
Next highest: Manufacturing65.6%
Next highest: Wholesale trade64.9%
Lowest: Transportation and warehousing46.8%
Next lowest: Professional, scientific and technical services51.4%
Next lowest: Retail trade54.8%
Minnesota has a five-year rate for 15 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (14 in Minnesota).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Minnesota, 7.7% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Minnesota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Minnesota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#mn
Applications in 202573,825
rank 24 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202512.66
U.S. 16.59rank 39 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+12.7%
U.S. +15.3%rank 41 of 51
Change since 2019+60.4%
U.S. +62.1%rank 24 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications30.3%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)6.8%
U.S. 5.9%
Minnesota had 73,825 applications in 2025 and 63,322 in January to September 2026, against 56,168 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Minnesota in 2025: Hennepin County (22,561), Ramsey County (7,534), Dakota County (5,697).
Cite Minnesota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Minnesota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#mn
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022560,428
rank 21 of 51
Businesses, 2023563,485
rank 21 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202397.9
Median state 103.7rank 35 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses80.4%
Median state 82.2%rank 36 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202245.8%
U.S. 45.9%rank 35 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees87.4%
U.S. 86.4%
Minnesota had 560,428 small businesses in 2022: 118,083 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 442,345 firms without employees.
Minnesota had 563,485 businesses in 2023: 110,485 with employees and 453,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 154,455 business locations with paid employees in Minnesota in 2023, in 87 counties.
Cite Minnesota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Minnesota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#mn
Startup rate, 20237.03%
Median state 7.96%rank 43 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.48%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older47.3%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.7%
U.S. 5.7%rank 20 of 51
Owners on their first business50.3%
U.S. 48.7%rank 13 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.7.9%
U.S. 19.5%
Minnesota had 7,296 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 103,804 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.03%, which ranks 43 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Minnesota's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.20% (rank 48 of 51) and 76.3% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Minnesota's current-performance index was 57.6 (rank 28 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 41.8.
The SBA approved 1,399 7(a) loans for $613.0 million and 228 504 loans for projects in Minnesota in fiscal 2025.
Cite Minnesota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Minnesota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#mn
Women-owned firms, 2023203,346
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex37.0%
U.S. 40.3%rank 39 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms22.7%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees40.3%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts12.4%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,594,351
U.S. $1,729,183
Minnesota had 203,346 women-owned firms in 2023, 37.0% of the 549,418 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 23,346 were employer firms and 180,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Minnesota employed 216,831 people. Their average receipts were $1,594,351, against $3,781,425 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Minnesota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Minnesota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#mn
Mississippi
Still open after 1 year77.9%
U.S. 77.9%rank 22 of 51
Still open after 5 years53.5%
U.S. 51.4%rank 15 of 51
Still open after 10 years35.9%
U.S. 34.7%rank 19 of 51
Of 3,966 establishments that opened in Mississippi between April 2019 and March 2020, 2,120 were still open in March 2025.
Mississippi's five-year rate is 2.1 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite Mississippi's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Mississippi," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#ms
Highest: Finance and insurance68.8%
Next highest: Health care and social assistance66.1%
Next highest: Administrative and support and waste management65.9%
Lowest: Transportation and warehousing46.4%
Next lowest: Retail trade49.3%
Next lowest: Real estate and rental and leasing51.8%
Mississippi has a five-year rate for 14 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (10 in Mississippi).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Mississippi, 8.4% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Mississippi's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Mississippi," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#ms
Applications in 202552,467
rank 33 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202517.76
U.S. 16.59rank 13 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+30.0%
U.S. +15.3%rank 5 of 51
Change since 2019+67.2%
U.S. +62.1%rank 15 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications26.8%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)3.4%
U.S. 5.9%
Mississippi had 52,467 applications in 2025 and 50,522 in January to September 2026, against 38,872 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Mississippi in 2025: Hinds County (5,622), Harrison County (4,162), DeSoto County (3,773).
Cite Mississippi's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Mississippi," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#ms
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022294,768
rank 32 of 51
Businesses, 2023294,925
rank 32 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023100.2
Median state 103.7rank 31 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses85.8%
Median state 82.2%rank 5 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202247.0%
U.S. 45.9%rank 29 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees90.8%
U.S. 86.4%
Mississippi had 294,768 small businesses in 2022: 43,596 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 251,172 firms without employees.
Mississippi had 294,925 businesses in 2023: 41,925 with employees and 253,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 60,465 business locations with paid employees in Mississippi in 2023, in 82 counties.
Cite Mississippi's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Mississippi," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#ms
Startup rate, 20237.56%
Median state 7.96%rank 33 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.56%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older55.6%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 354.3%
U.S. 5.7%rank 43 of 51
Owners on their first business44.9%
U.S. 48.7%rank 42 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.6.9%
U.S. 19.5%
Mississippi had 3,132 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 41,438 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.56%, which ranks 33 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Mississippi's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.37% (rank 15 of 51) and 81.9% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Mississippi's current-performance index was 63.7 (rank 1 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 47.3.
The SBA approved 277 7(a) loans for $174.6 million and 8 504 loans for projects in Mississippi in fiscal 2025.
Cite Mississippi's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Mississippi," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#ms
Women-owned firms, 2023126,756
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex43.9%
U.S. 40.3%rank 4 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms22.6%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees47.2%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts13.9%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,913,097
U.S. $1,729,183
Mississippi had 126,756 women-owned firms in 2023, 43.9% of the 288,458 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 8,756 were employer firms and 118,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Mississippi employed 109,028 people. Their average receipts were $1,913,097, against $4,122,745 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Mississippi's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Mississippi," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#ms
Missouri
Still open after 1 year74.1%
U.S. 77.9%rank 46 of 51
Still open after 5 years42.9%
U.S. 51.4%rank 49 of 51
Still open after 10 years29.7%
U.S. 34.7%rank 47 of 51
Of 17,768 establishments that opened in Missouri between April 2019 and March 2020, 7,618 were still open in March 2025.
Missouri's five-year rate is 8.5 points below the U.S. rate.
†Missouri's one-year survival rate swings more than most states' from one opening year to the next (standard deviation 3.86 points across the 2015 to 2024 groups; U.S. 1.17).
Cite Missouri's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Missouri," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#mo
Highest: Manufacturing62.0%
Next highest: Finance and insurance61.5%
Next highest: Wholesale trade59.8%
Lowest: Health care and social assistance17.3%
Next lowest: Accommodation and food services47.5%
Next lowest: Professional, scientific and technical services47.9%
Missouri has a five-year rate for 16 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (13 in Missouri).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Missouri, 9.4% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Missouri's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Missouri," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#mo
Applications in 2025101,393
rank 17 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202516.17
U.S. 16.59rank 20 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+30.3%
U.S. +15.3%rank 4 of 51
Change since 2019+72.6%
U.S. +62.1%rank 13 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications25.6%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)6.4%
U.S. 5.9%
Missouri had 101,393 applications in 2025 and 96,509 in January to September 2026, against 74,042 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Missouri in 2025: St. Louis County (18,891), Jackson County (14,901), St. Louis city (6,806).
Cite Missouri's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Missouri," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#mo
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022590,131
rank 20 of 51
Businesses, 2023587,850
rank 20 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202394.7
Median state 103.7rank 40 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses82.5%
Median state 82.2%rank 21 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202244.4%
U.S. 45.9%rank 40 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees88.5%
U.S. 86.4%
Missouri had 590,131 small businesses in 2022: 114,694 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 475,437 firms without employees.
Missouri had 587,850 businesses in 2023: 102,850 with employees and 485,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 151,475 business locations with paid employees in Missouri in 2023, in 115 counties.
Cite Missouri's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Missouri," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#mo
Startup rate, 20238.26%
Median state 7.96%rank 20 of 51
Startup rate, 20198.66%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older53.2%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.6%
U.S. 5.7%rank 23 of 51
Owners on their first business46.1%
U.S. 48.7%rank 38 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.7.7%
U.S. 19.5%
Missouri had 8,453 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 102,345 employer firms, a startup rate of 8.26%, which ranks 20 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Missouri's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.37% (rank 14 of 51) and 81.7% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Missouri's current-performance index was 58.8 (rank 22 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 42.8.
The SBA approved 1,016 7(a) loans for $618.1 million and 81 504 loans for projects in Missouri in fiscal 2025.
Cite Missouri's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Missouri," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#mo
Women-owned firms, 2023223,632
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex39.0%
U.S. 40.3%rank 31 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms23.5%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees42.2%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts14.3%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,886,514
U.S. $1,729,183
Missouri had 223,632 women-owned firms in 2023, 39.0% of the 572,698 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 22,632 were employer firms and 201,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Missouri employed 198,110 people. Their average receipts were $1,886,514, against $4,079,921 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Missouri's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Missouri," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#mo
Montana
Still open after 1 year78.3%
U.S. 77.9%rank 20 of 51
Still open after 5 years53.0%
U.S. 51.4%rank 16 of 51
Still open after 10 years38.5%
U.S. 34.7%rank 5 of 51
Of 3,539 establishments that opened in Montana between April 2019 and March 2020, 1,874 were still open in March 2025.
Montana's five-year rate is 1.6 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite Montana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Montana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#mt
Highest: Health care and social assistance71.5%
Next highest: Retail trade63.4%
Next highest: Administrative and support and waste management63.2%
Lowest: Other services (except public administration)51.2%
Next lowest: Accommodation and food services53.0%
Next lowest: Professional, scientific and technical services54.0%
Montana has a five-year rate for 13 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (8 in Montana).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Montana, 9.6% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Montana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Montana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#mt
Applications in 202529,887
rank 40 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202526.11
U.S. 16.59rank 4 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+14.9%
U.S. +15.3%rank 30 of 51
Change since 2019+111.2%
U.S. +62.1%rank 4 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications26.3%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)8.2%
U.S. 5.9%
Montana had 29,887 applications in 2025 and 25,904 in January to September 2026, against 22,554 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Montana in 2025: Flathead County (8,727), Missoula County (4,030), Gallatin County (3,641).
Cite Montana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Montana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#mt
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022141,011
rank 42 of 51
Businesses, 2023144,269
rank 41 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023127.6
Median state 103.7rank 3 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses76.2%
Median state 82.2%rank 51 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202266.3%
U.S. 45.9%rank 1 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees82.5%
U.S. 86.4%
Montana had 141,011 small businesses in 2022: 35,077 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 105,934 firms without employees.
Montana had 144,269 businesses in 2023: 34,269 with employees and 110,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 42,566 business locations with paid employees in Montana in 2023, in 56 counties.
Cite Montana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Montana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#mt
Startup rate, 20238.80%
Median state 7.96%rank 15 of 51
Startup rate, 20197.56%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older49.5%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 356.1%
U.S. 5.7%rank 11 of 51
Owners on their first business45.0%
U.S. 48.7%rank 41 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.4.7%
U.S. 19.5%
Montana had 2,708 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 30,773 employer firms, a startup rate of 8.80%, which ranks 15 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Montana's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.36% (rank 18 of 51) and 75.8% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Montana's current-performance index was 62.5 (rank 3 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 40.7.
The SBA approved 217 7(a) loans for $117.2 million and 52 504 loans for projects in Montana in fiscal 2025.
Cite Montana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Montana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#mt
Women-owned firms, 202351,749
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex37.0%
U.S. 40.3%rank 39 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms22.8%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees41.1%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts18.6%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,394,022
U.S. $1,729,183
Montana had 51,749 women-owned firms in 2023, 37.0% of the 140,050 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 7,249 were employer firms and 44,500 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Montana employed 51,050 people. Their average receipts were $1,394,022, against $2,041,849 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Montana's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Montana," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#mt
Nebraska
Still open after 1 year78.8%
U.S. 77.9%rank 14 of 51
Still open after 5 years50.9%
U.S. 51.4%rank 27 of 51
Still open after 10 years32.6%
U.S. 34.7%rank 38 of 51
Of 4,648 establishments that opened in Nebraska between April 2019 and March 2020, 2,364 were still open in March 2025.
Nebraska's five-year rate is 0.5 points below the U.S. rate.
Cite Nebraska's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Nebraska," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#ne
Highest: Health care and social assistance73.0%
Next highest: Other services (except public administration)64.1%
Next highest: Real estate and rental and leasing63.7%
Lowest: Accommodation and food services48.7%
Next lowest: Administrative and support and waste management53.6%
Next lowest: Transportation and warehousing57.4%
Nebraska has a five-year rate for 14 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (10 in Nebraska).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Nebraska, 8.0% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Nebraska's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Nebraska," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#ne
Applications in 202522,876
rank 41 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202511.34
U.S. 16.59rank 45 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+9.2%
U.S. +15.3%rank 44 of 51
Change since 2019+52.9%
U.S. +62.1%rank 33 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications29.3%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)8.9%
U.S. 5.9%
Nebraska had 22,876 applications in 2025 and 18,643 in January to September 2026, against 17,070 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Nebraska in 2025: Douglas County (8,583), Lancaster County (3,992), Sarpy County (2,100).
Cite Nebraska's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Nebraska," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#ne
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022193,495
rank 37 of 51
Businesses, 2023196,718
rank 37 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202398.9
Median state 103.7rank 32 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses78.8%
Median state 82.2%rank 44 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202247.5%
U.S. 45.9%rank 26 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees84.6%
U.S. 86.4%
Nebraska had 193,495 small businesses in 2022: 43,375 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 150,120 firms without employees.
Nebraska had 196,718 businesses in 2023: 41,718 with employees and 155,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 56,503 business locations with paid employees in Nebraska in 2023, in 93 counties.
Cite Nebraska's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Nebraska," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#ne
Startup rate, 20237.15%
Median state 7.96%rank 41 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.11%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older49.5%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.3%
U.S. 5.7%rank 28 of 51
Owners on their first business50.2%
U.S. 48.7%rank 14 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.3.9%
U.S. 19.5%
Nebraska had 2,871 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 40,134 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.15%, which ranks 41 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Nebraska's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.28% (rank 34 of 51) and 77.5% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Nebraska's current-performance index was 55.1 (rank 42 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 37.7.
The SBA approved 287 7(a) loans for $140.3 million and 27 504 loans for projects in Nebraska in fiscal 2025.
Cite Nebraska's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Nebraska," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#ne
Women-owned firms, 202370,354
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex36.8%
U.S. 40.3%rank 44 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms20.3%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees41.0%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts8.1%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,292,782
U.S. $1,729,183
Nebraska had 70,354 women-owned firms in 2023, 36.8% of the 190,925 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 7,854 were employer firms and 62,500 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Nebraska employed 61,196 people. Their average receipts were $1,292,782, against $5,049,160 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Nebraska's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Nebraska," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#ne
Nevada
Still open after 1 year75.9%
U.S. 77.9%rank 38 of 51
Still open after 5 years47.6%
U.S. 51.4%rank 41 of 51
Still open after 10 years32.9%
U.S. 34.7%rank 35 of 51
Of 8,350 establishments that opened in Nevada between April 2019 and March 2020, 3,975 were still open in March 2025.
Nevada's five-year rate is 3.8 points below the U.S. rate.
Cite Nevada's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Nevada," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#nv
Highest: Health care and social assistance56.6%
Next highest: Real estate and rental and leasing55.4%
Next highest: Construction55.3%
Lowest: Arts, entertainment, and recreation38.3%
Next lowest: Manufacturing42.5%
Next lowest: Retail trade46.8%
Nevada has a five-year rate for 15 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (13 in Nevada).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Nevada, 9.6% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Nevada's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Nevada," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#nv
Applications in 202564,781
rank 28 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202519.74
U.S. 16.59rank 9 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+9.7%
U.S. +15.3%rank 43 of 51
Change since 2019+52.8%
U.S. +62.1%rank 34 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications27.7%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)5.8%
U.S. 5.9%
Nevada had 64,781 applications in 2025 and 54,415 in January to September 2026, against 49,585 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Nevada in 2025: Clark County (51,725), Washoe County (8,544), Carson City (1,021).
Cite Nevada's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Nevada," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#nv
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022353,621
rank 31 of 51
Businesses, 2023359,486
rank 31 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023112.0
Median state 103.7rank 13 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses83.5%
Median state 82.2%rank 13 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202245.0%
U.S. 45.9%rank 38 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees85.3%
U.S. 86.4%
Nevada had 353,621 small businesses in 2022: 59,092 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 294,529 firms without employees.
Nevada had 359,486 businesses in 2023: 59,486 with employees and 300,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 77,297 business locations with paid employees in Nevada in 2023, in 17 counties.
Cite Nevada's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Nevada," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#nv
Startup rate, 202310.87%
Median state 7.96%rank 2 of 51
Startup rate, 201910.52%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older47.9%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 356.7%
U.S. 5.7%rank 6 of 51
Owners on their first business40.8%
U.S. 48.7%rank 50 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.21.6%
U.S. 19.5%
Nevada had 5,829 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 53,623 employer firms, a startup rate of 10.87%, which ranks 2 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Nevada's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.34% (rank 22 of 51) and 76.4% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Nevada's current-performance index was 53.1 (rank 50 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 40.6.
The SBA approved 720 7(a) loans for $343.5 million and 98 504 loans for projects in Nevada in fiscal 2025.
Cite Nevada's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Nevada," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#nv
Women-owned firms, 2023143,541
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex41.6%
U.S. 40.3%rank 14 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms24.3%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees45.0%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts11.8%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,500,094
U.S. $1,729,183
Nevada had 143,541 women-owned firms in 2023, 41.6% of the 344,868 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 13,541 were employer firms and 130,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Nevada employed 106,384 people. Their average receipts were $1,500,094, against $4,615,330 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Nevada's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Nevada," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#nv
New Hampshire
Still open after 1 year75.1%
U.S. 77.9%rank 43 of 51
Still open after 5 years47.7%
U.S. 51.4%rank 40 of 51
Still open after 10 years31.5%
U.S. 34.7%rank 44 of 51
Of 4,083 establishments that opened in New Hampshire between April 2019 and March 2020, 1,948 were still open in March 2025.
New Hampshire's five-year rate is 3.7 points below the U.S. rate.
Cite New Hampshire's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: New Hampshire," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#nh
Highest: Health care and social assistance67.0%
Next highest: Construction59.5%
Next highest: Accommodation and food services59.1%
Lowest: Professional, scientific and technical services50.0%
Next lowest: Other services (except public administration)55.2%
Next lowest: Retail trade56.4%
New Hampshire has a five-year rate for 14 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (7 in New Hampshire).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in New Hampshire, 8.7% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite New Hampshire's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: New Hampshire," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#nh
Applications in 202517,046
rank 43 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202512.04
U.S. 16.59rank 42 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+28.4%
U.S. +15.3%rank 7 of 51
Change since 2019+53.0%
U.S. +62.1%rank 32 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications30.5%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)8.5%
U.S. 5.9%
New Hampshire had 17,046 applications in 2025 and 16,348 in January to September 2026, against 12,734 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in New Hampshire in 2025: Hillsborough County (5,180), Rockingham County (4,767), Merrimack County (1,808).
Cite New Hampshire's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: New Hampshire," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#nh
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022145,314
rank 40 of 51
Businesses, 2023145,391
rank 40 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023103.7
Median state 103.7rank 26 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses79.8%
Median state 82.2%rank 38 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202250.3%
U.S. 45.9%rank 15 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees88.0%
U.S. 86.4%
New Hampshire had 145,314 small businesses in 2022: 30,411 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 114,903 firms without employees.
New Hampshire had 145,391 businesses in 2023: 29,391 with employees and 116,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 39,298 business locations with paid employees in New Hampshire in 2023, in 10 counties.
Cite New Hampshire's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: New Hampshire," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#nh
Startup rate, 20237.13%
Median state 7.96%rank 42 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.67%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older55.3%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 356.7%
U.S. 5.7%rank 6 of 51
Owners on their first business53.0%
U.S. 48.7%rank 5 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.10.9%
U.S. 19.5%
New Hampshire had 2,040 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 28,617 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.13%, which ranks 42 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: New Hampshire's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.29% (rank 33 of 51) and 72.3% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: New Hampshire's current-performance index was 58.0 (rank 26 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 42.1.
The SBA approved 519 7(a) loans for $167.6 million and 68 504 loans for projects in New Hampshire in fiscal 2025.
Cite New Hampshire's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: New Hampshire," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#nh
Women-owned firms, 202350,943
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex36.2%
U.S. 40.3%rank 46 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms18.5%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees40.3%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts13.6%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,952,519
U.S. $1,729,183
New Hampshire had 50,943 women-owned firms in 2023, 36.2% of the 140,817 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 4,943 were employer firms and 46,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in New Hampshire employed 46,248 people. Their average receipts were $1,952,519, against $3,352,175 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite New Hampshire's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: New Hampshire," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#nh
New Jersey
Still open after 1 year79.3%
U.S. 77.9%rank 11 of 51
Still open after 5 years50.5%
U.S. 51.4%rank 29 of 51
Still open after 10 years34.0%
U.S. 34.7%rank 29 of 51
Of 27,130 establishments that opened in New Jersey between April 2019 and March 2020, 13,697 were still open in March 2025.
New Jersey's five-year rate is 0.9 points below the U.S. rate.
Cite New Jersey's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: New Jersey," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#nj
Highest: Manufacturing69.4%
Next highest: Health care and social assistance66.7%
Next highest: Other services (except public administration)56.5%
Lowest: Information39.1%
Next lowest: Transportation and warehousing47.2%
Next lowest: Real estate and rental and leasing48.6%
New Jersey has a five-year rate for 15 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (15 in New Jersey).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in New Jersey, 9.3% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite New Jersey's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: New Jersey," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#nj
Applications in 2025161,138
rank 10 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202516.88
U.S. 16.59rank 16 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+16.1%
U.S. +15.3%rank 26 of 51
Change since 2019+43.4%
U.S. +62.1%rank 39 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications29.2%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)5.2%
U.S. 5.9%
New Jersey had 161,138 applications in 2025 and 141,921 in January to September 2026, against 122,196 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in New Jersey in 2025: Bergen County (18,711), Essex County (17,350), Hudson County (14,746).
Cite New Jersey's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: New Jersey," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#nj
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 20221,051,630
rank 10 of 51
Businesses, 20231,069,622
rank 10 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023113.8
Median state 103.7rank 11 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses82.6%
Median state 82.2%rank 20 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202248.8%
U.S. 45.9%rank 19 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees83.9%
U.S. 86.4%
New Jersey had 1,051,630 small businesses in 2022: 194,859 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 856,771 firms without employees.
New Jersey had 1,069,622 businesses in 2023: 185,622 with employees and 884,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 237,968 business locations with paid employees in New Jersey in 2023, in 21 counties.
Cite New Jersey's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: New Jersey," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#nj
Startup rate, 20238.30%
Median state 7.96%rank 18 of 51
Startup rate, 20197.77%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older56.2%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 354.8%
U.S. 5.7%rank 37 of 51
Owners on their first business48.9%
U.S. 48.7%rank 23 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.30.4%
U.S. 19.5%
New Jersey had 14,547 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 175,347 employer firms, a startup rate of 8.30%, which ranks 18 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: New Jersey's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.37% (rank 13 of 51) and 72.3% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: New Jersey's current-performance index was 56.2 (rank 34 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 40.2.
The SBA approved 2,261 7(a) loans for $1.02 billion and 79 504 loans for projects in New Jersey in fiscal 2025.
Cite New Jersey's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: New Jersey," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#nj
Women-owned firms, 2023377,402
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex36.4%
U.S. 40.3%rank 45 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms21.7%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees39.4%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts14.2%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,955,308
U.S. $1,729,183
New Jersey had 377,402 women-owned firms in 2023, 36.4% of the 1,037,154 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 38,402 were employer firms and 339,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in New Jersey employed 373,413 people. Their average receipts were $1,955,308, against $3,745,486 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite New Jersey's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: New Jersey," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#nj
New Mexico
Still open after 1 year77.0%
U.S. 77.9%rank 27 of 51
Still open after 5 years46.3%
U.S. 51.4%rank 46 of 51
Still open after 10 years27.4%
U.S. 34.7%rank 50 of 51
Of 4,531 establishments that opened in New Mexico between April 2019 and March 2020, 2,097 were still open in March 2025.
New Mexico's five-year rate is 5.1 points below the U.S. rate.
Cite New Mexico's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: New Mexico," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#nm
Highest: Health care and social assistance64.2%
Next highest: Construction60.6%
Next highest: Administrative and support and waste management59.0%
Lowest: Accommodation and food services52.8%
Next lowest: Professional, scientific and technical services54.3%
Next lowest: Other services (except public administration)54.8%
New Mexico has a five-year rate for 14 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (8 in New Mexico).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in New Mexico, 8.8% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite New Mexico's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: New Mexico," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#nm
Applications in 202540,758
rank 35 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202519.18
U.S. 16.59rank 10 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+14.6%
U.S. +15.3%rank 32 of 51
Change since 2019+133.4%
U.S. +62.1%rank 2 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications25.8%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)5.5%
U.S. 5.9%
New Mexico had 40,758 applications in 2025 and 35,083 in January to September 2026, against 30,607 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in New Mexico in 2025: Bernalillo County (22,406), Santa Fe County (2,695), Doña Ana County (2,589).
Cite New Mexico's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: New Mexico," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#nm
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022172,113
rank 38 of 51
Businesses, 2023172,406
rank 38 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202381.3
Median state 103.7rank 50 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses81.2%
Median state 82.2%rank 30 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202253.3%
U.S. 45.9%rank 11 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees89.4%
U.S. 86.4%
New Mexico had 172,113 small businesses in 2022: 33,556 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 138,557 firms without employees.
New Mexico had 172,406 businesses in 2023: 32,406 with employees and 140,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 44,861 business locations with paid employees in New Mexico in 2023, in 33 counties.
Cite New Mexico's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: New Mexico," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#nm
Startup rate, 20238.29%
Median state 7.96%rank 19 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.99%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older54.5%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 354.2%
U.S. 5.7%rank 44 of 51
Owners on their first business46.2%
U.S. 48.7%rank 35 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.10.6%
U.S. 19.5%
New Mexico had 2,617 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 31,579 employer firms, a startup rate of 8.29%, which ranks 19 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: New Mexico's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.55% (rank 2 of 51) and 83.1% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: New Mexico's current-performance index was 55.7 (rank 41 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 43.6.
The SBA approved 271 7(a) loans for $167.0 million and 32 504 loans for projects in New Mexico in fiscal 2025.
Cite New Mexico's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: New Mexico," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#nm
Women-owned firms, 202372,260
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex43.2%
U.S. 40.3%rank 5 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms26.3%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees46.8%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts20.0%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,886,627
U.S. $1,729,183
New Mexico had 72,260 women-owned firms in 2023, 43.2% of the 167,324 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 7,760 were employer firms and 64,500 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in New Mexico employed 76,932 people. Their average receipts were $1,886,627, against $3,180,452 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite New Mexico's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: New Mexico," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#nm
New York
Still open after 1 year79.6%
U.S. 77.9%rank 7 of 51
Still open after 5 years51.9%
U.S. 51.4%rank 23 of 51
Still open after 10 years33.7%
U.S. 34.7%rank 31 of 51
Of 39,833 establishments that opened in New York between April 2019 and March 2020, 20,664 were still open in March 2025.
New York's five-year rate is 0.5 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite New York's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: New York," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#ny
Highest: Health care and social assistance60.2%
Next highest: Manufacturing60.2%
Next highest: Educational services56.9%
Lowest: Information35.5%
Next lowest: Transportation and warehousing47.6%
Next lowest: Professional, scientific and technical services50.6%
New York has a five-year rate for 17 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (15 in New York).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in New York, 8.4% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite New York's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: New York," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#ny
Applications in 2025301,047
rank 4 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202515.05
U.S. 16.59rank 23 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+12.0%
U.S. +15.3%rank 42 of 51
Change since 2019+31.7%
U.S. +62.1%rank 48 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications39.4%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)6.4%
U.S. 5.9%
New York had 301,047 applications in 2025 and 255,797 in January to September 2026, against 228,328 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in New York in 2025: New York County (54,695), Kings County (48,687), Queens County (34,304).
Cite New York's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: New York," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#ny
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 20222,378,996
rank 4 of 51
Businesses, 20232,412,227
rank 4 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023121.9
Median state 103.7rank 7 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses82.3%
Median state 82.2%rank 25 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202246.6%
U.S. 45.9%rank 30 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees79.7%
U.S. 86.4%
New York had 2,378,996 small businesses in 2022: 455,479 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 1,923,517 firms without employees.
New York had 2,412,227 businesses in 2023: 427,227 with employees and 1,985,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 541,313 business locations with paid employees in New York in 2023, in 62 counties.
Cite New York's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: New York," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#ny
Startup rate, 20238.26%
Median state 7.96%rank 20 of 51
Startup rate, 20198.16%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older54.3%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.8%
U.S. 5.7%rank 17 of 51
Owners on their first business50.7%
U.S. 48.7%rank 11 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.30.0%
U.S. 19.5%
New York had 33,208 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 402,077 employer firms, a startup rate of 8.26%, which ranks 20 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: New York's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.38% (rank 12 of 51) and 81.9% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: New York's current-performance index was 55.0 (rank 43 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 41.4.
The SBA approved 4,257 7(a) loans for $1.48 billion and 203 504 loans for projects in New York in fiscal 2025.
Cite New York's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: New York," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#ny
Women-owned firms, 2023852,051
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex37.5%
U.S. 40.3%rank 36 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms24.0%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees40.4%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts14.1%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,520,971
U.S. $1,729,183
New York had 852,051 women-owned firms in 2023, 37.5% of the 2,274,136 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 98,051 were employer firms and 754,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in New York employed 795,053 people. Their average receipts were $1,520,971, against $3,377,931 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite New York's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: New York," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#ny
North Carolina
Still open after 5 years54.2%
U.S. 51.4%rank 10 of 51
Still open after 10 years37.2%
U.S. 34.7%rank 12 of 51
Still open after 1 year76.1%
U.S. 77.9%rank: see the note below
Of 20,736 establishments that opened in North Carolina between April 2019 and March 2020, 11,234 were still open in March 2025.
North Carolina's five-year rate is 2.8 points above the U.S. rate.
†North Carolina's rank moves 15 or more places when the latest three groups of openings are averaged instead of using only the latest one. Three-group averages: one year 77.2% (rank 19), five years 53.8% (rank 11).
Cite North Carolina's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: North Carolina," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#nc
Highest: Educational services68.5%
Next highest: Manufacturing67.7%
Next highest: Health care and social assistance67.1%
Lowest: Transportation and warehousing45.5%
Next lowest: Arts, entertainment, and recreation49.0%
Next lowest: Administrative and support and waste management52.1%
North Carolina has a five-year rate for 16 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (15 in North Carolina).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in North Carolina, 8.9% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite North Carolina's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: North Carolina," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#nc
Applications in 2025182,653
rank 7 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202516.31
U.S. 16.59rank 19 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+13.1%
U.S. +15.3%rank 40 of 51
Change since 2019+76.3%
U.S. +62.1%rank 11 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications28.5%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)5.6%
U.S. 5.9%
North Carolina had 182,653 applications in 2025 and 156,790 in January to September 2026, against 138,657 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in North Carolina in 2025: Mecklenburg County (30,212), Wake County (28,887), Guilford County (9,325).
Cite North Carolina's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: North Carolina," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#nc
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 20221,107,537
rank 8 of 51
Businesses, 20231,101,475
rank 8 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023101.3
Median state 103.7rank 28 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses83.5%
Median state 82.2%rank 13 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202244.2%
U.S. 45.9%rank 42 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees88.5%
U.S. 86.4%
North Carolina had 1,107,537 small businesses in 2022: 192,951 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 914,586 firms without employees.
North Carolina had 1,101,475 businesses in 2023: 181,475 with employees and 920,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 258,169 business locations with paid employees in North Carolina in 2023, in 100 counties.
Cite North Carolina's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: North Carolina," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#nc
Startup rate, 20239.27%
Median state 7.96%rank 11 of 51
Startup rate, 20198.30%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older52.4%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 354.9%
U.S. 5.7%rank 35 of 51
Owners on their first business48.6%
U.S. 48.7%rank 24 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.13.2%
U.S. 19.5%
North Carolina had 16,322 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 175,992 employer firms, a startup rate of 9.27%, which ranks 11 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: North Carolina's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.34% (rank 22 of 51) and 76.5% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: North Carolina's current-performance index was 56.0 (rank 37 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 38.9.
The SBA approved 1,561 7(a) loans for $1.06 billion and 82 504 loans for projects in North Carolina in fiscal 2025.
Cite North Carolina's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: North Carolina," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#nc
Women-owned firms, 2023456,704
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex42.4%
U.S. 40.3%rank 9 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms25.4%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees45.6%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts14.1%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,331,657
U.S. $1,729,183
North Carolina had 456,704 women-owned firms in 2023, 42.4% of the 1,078,123 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 43,704 were employer firms and 413,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in North Carolina employed 362,195 people. Their average receipts were $1,331,657, against $3,425,428 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite North Carolina's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: North Carolina," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#nc
North Dakota
Still open after 1 year79.1%
U.S. 77.9%rank 12 of 51
Still open after 5 years54.4%
U.S. 51.4%rank 7 of 51
Still open after 10 years32.8%
U.S. 34.7%rank 36 of 51
Of 1,876 establishments that opened in North Dakota between April 2019 and March 2020, 1,020 were still open in March 2025.
North Dakota's five-year rate is 3.0 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite North Dakota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: North Dakota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#nd
Highest: Other services (except public administration)64.8%
Next highest: Health care and social assistance63.7%
Next highest: Construction59.6%
Lowest: Professional, scientific and technical services55.3%
Next lowest: Accommodation and food services58.3%
North Dakota has a five-year rate for 12 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (5 in North Dakota).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in North Dakota, 7.9% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite North Dakota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: North Dakota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#nd
Applications in 20258,912
rank 50 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202511.15
U.S. 16.59rank 46 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+17.2%
U.S. +15.3%rank 22 of 51
Change since 2019+29.6%
U.S. +62.1%rank 50 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications32.3%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)9.9%
U.S. 5.9%
North Dakota had 8,912 applications in 2025 and 8,012 in January to September 2026, against 6,834 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in North Dakota in 2025: Cass County (2,650), Burleigh County (1,058), Williams County (749).
Cite North Dakota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: North Dakota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#nd
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 202278,219
rank 50 of 51
Businesses, 202379,019
rank 50 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023100.4
Median state 103.7rank 30 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses76.6%
Median state 82.2%rank 50 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202257.6%
U.S. 45.9%rank 5 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees83.0%
U.S. 86.4%
North Dakota had 78,219 small businesses in 2022: 19,113 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 59,106 firms without employees.
North Dakota had 79,019 businesses in 2023: 18,519 with employees and 60,500 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 25,402 business locations with paid employees in North Dakota in 2023, in 53 counties.
Cite North Dakota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: North Dakota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#nd
Startup rate, 20237.17%
Median state 7.96%rank 39 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.26%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older43.4%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.3%
U.S. 5.7%rank 28 of 51
Owners on their first business44.5%
U.S. 48.7%rank 44 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.2.1%
U.S. 19.5%
North Dakota had 1,287 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 17,941 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.17%, which ranks 39 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: North Dakota's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.29% (rank 32 of 51) and 91.3% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: North Dakota's current-performance index was 61.1 (rank 8 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 43.3.
The SBA approved 109 7(a) loans for $84.9 million and 55 504 loans for projects in North Dakota in fiscal 2025.
Cite North Dakota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: North Dakota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#nd
Women-owned firms, 202326,832
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex35.5%
U.S. 40.3%rank 47 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms20.2%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees39.8%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts9.6%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,366,375
U.S. $1,729,183
North Dakota had 26,832 women-owned firms in 2023, 35.5% of the 75,561 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 3,332 were employer firms and 23,500 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in North Dakota employed 26,525 people. Their average receipts were $1,366,375, against $3,833,350 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite North Dakota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: North Dakota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#nd
Ohio
Still open after 1 year78.7%
U.S. 77.9%rank 16 of 51
Still open after 5 years54.4%
U.S. 51.4%rank 7 of 51
Still open after 10 years38.4%
U.S. 34.7%rank 7 of 51
Of 17,578 establishments that opened in Ohio between April 2019 and March 2020, 9,564 were still open in March 2025.
Ohio's five-year rate is 3.0 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite Ohio's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Ohio," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#oh
Highest: Finance and insurance69.4%
Next highest: Health care and social assistance66.7%
Next highest: Manufacturing63.1%
Lowest: Information41.3%
Next lowest: Transportation and warehousing48.3%
Next lowest: Administrative and support and waste management51.7%
Ohio has a five-year rate for 15 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (15 in Ohio).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Ohio, 7.8% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Ohio's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Ohio," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#oh
Applications in 2025168,207
rank 8 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202514.13
U.S. 16.59rank 28 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+16.7%
U.S. +15.3%rank 25 of 51
Change since 2019+77.1%
U.S. +62.1%rank 9 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications25.5%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)4.7%
U.S. 5.9%
Ohio had 168,207 applications in 2025 and 142,973 in January to September 2026, against 122,493 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Ohio in 2025: Franklin County (28,573), Cuyahoga County (24,617), Hamilton County (14,070).
Cite Ohio's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Ohio," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#oh
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 20221,081,292
rank 9 of 51
Businesses, 20231,079,013
rank 9 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202391.4
Median state 103.7rank 42 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses84.2%
Median state 82.2%rank 10 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202243.8%
U.S. 45.9%rank 43 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees88.7%
U.S. 86.4%
Ohio had 1,081,292 small businesses in 2022: 182,841 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 898,451 firms without employees.
Ohio had 1,079,013 businesses in 2023: 170,013 with employees and 909,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 255,049 business locations with paid employees in Ohio in 2023, in 88 counties.
Cite Ohio's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Ohio," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#oh
Startup rate, 20237.16%
Median state 7.96%rank 40 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.34%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older55.5%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.6%
U.S. 5.7%rank 23 of 51
Owners on their first business50.1%
U.S. 48.7%rank 16 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.8.5%
U.S. 19.5%
Ohio had 11,994 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 167,526 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.16%, which ranks 40 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Ohio's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.28% (rank 36 of 51) and 73.8% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Ohio's current-performance index was 59.7 (rank 16 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 43.4.
The SBA approved 2,845 7(a) loans for $1.10 billion and 123 504 loans for projects in Ohio in fiscal 2025.
Cite Ohio's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Ohio," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#oh
Women-owned firms, 2023418,005
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex39.6%
U.S. 40.3%rank 23 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms22.0%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees42.8%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts14.3%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$2,362,058
U.S. $1,729,183
Ohio had 418,005 women-owned firms in 2023, 39.6% of the 1,054,712 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 35,005 were employer firms and 383,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Ohio employed 422,990 people. Their average receipts were $2,362,058, against $4,503,005 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Ohio's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Ohio," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#oh
Oklahoma
Still open after 5 years50.2%
U.S. 51.4%rank 30 of 51
Still open after 10 years31.9%
U.S. 34.7%rank 40 of 51
Still open after 1 year73.5%
U.S. 77.9%rank: see the note below
Of 7,745 establishments that opened in Oklahoma between April 2019 and March 2020, 3,886 were still open in March 2025.
Oklahoma's five-year rate is 1.2 points below the U.S. rate.
†Oklahoma's rank moves 15 or more places when the latest three groups of openings are averaged instead of using only the latest one. Three-group averages: one year 76.6% (rank 26), five years 50.5% (rank 27).
Cite Oklahoma's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Oklahoma," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#ok
Highest: Manufacturing68.3%
Next highest: Health care and social assistance62.9%
Next highest: Administrative and support and waste management59.6%
Lowest: Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction42.0%
Next lowest: Transportation and warehousing43.7%
Next lowest: Retail trade49.8%
Oklahoma has a five-year rate for 16 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (13 in Oklahoma).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Oklahoma, 8.7% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Oklahoma's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Oklahoma," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#ok
Applications in 202556,855
rank 32 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202513.79
U.S. 16.59rank 32 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+35.4%
U.S. +15.3%rank 2 of 51
Change since 2019+38.6%
U.S. +62.1%rank 43 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications29.3%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)5.7%
U.S. 5.9%
Oklahoma had 56,855 applications in 2025 and 58,049 in January to September 2026, against 42,887 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Oklahoma in 2025: Oklahoma County (14,756), Tulsa County (10,804), Cleveland County (5,002).
Cite Oklahoma's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Oklahoma," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#ok
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022395,520
rank 27 of 51
Businesses, 2023396,555
rank 28 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202397.6
Median state 103.7rank 36 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses82.5%
Median state 82.2%rank 21 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202250.8%
U.S. 45.9%rank 13 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees86.3%
U.S. 86.4%
Oklahoma had 395,520 small businesses in 2022: 72,456 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 323,064 firms without employees.
Oklahoma had 396,555 businesses in 2023: 69,555 with employees and 327,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 96,402 business locations with paid employees in Oklahoma in 2023, in 77 counties.
Cite Oklahoma's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Oklahoma," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#ok
Startup rate, 20238.16%
Median state 7.96%rank 24 of 51
Startup rate, 20197.59%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older52.9%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.3%
U.S. 5.7%rank 28 of 51
Owners on their first business43.5%
U.S. 48.7%rank 48 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.8.4%
U.S. 19.5%
Oklahoma had 5,463 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 66,967 employer firms, a startup rate of 8.16%, which ranks 24 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Oklahoma's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.44% (rank 4 of 51) and 84.6% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Oklahoma's current-performance index was 61.5 (rank 5 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 40.8.
The SBA approved 423 7(a) loans for $259.9 million and 35 504 loans for projects in Oklahoma in fiscal 2025.
Cite Oklahoma's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Oklahoma," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#ok
Women-owned firms, 2023151,501
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex39.2%
U.S. 40.3%rank 28 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms22.5%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees42.5%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts13.1%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,651,173
U.S. $1,729,183
Oklahoma had 151,501 women-owned firms in 2023, 39.2% of the 386,522 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 14,501 were employer firms and 137,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Oklahoma employed 120,072 people. Their average receipts were $1,651,173, against $3,825,334 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Oklahoma's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Oklahoma," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#ok
Oregon
Still open after 5 years45.8%
U.S. 51.4%rank 47 of 51
Still open after 10 years37.1%
U.S. 34.7%rank 13 of 51
Still open after 1 year73.3%
U.S. 77.9%rank: see the note below
Of 11,037 establishments that opened in Oregon between April 2019 and March 2020, 5,055 were still open in March 2025.
Oregon's five-year rate is 5.6 points below the U.S. rate.
†Oregon's rank moves 15 or more places when the latest three groups of openings are averaged instead of using only the latest one. Three-group averages: one year 74.9% (rank 42), five years 50.4% (rank 30).
†Oregon's one-year survival rate swings more than most states' from one opening year to the next (standard deviation 3.29 points across the 2015 to 2024 groups; U.S. 1.17).
Cite Oregon's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Oregon," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#or
Highest: Health care and social assistance65.7%
Next highest: Wholesale trade63.5%
Next highest: Administrative and support and waste management57.5%
Lowest: Information40.5%
Next lowest: Arts, entertainment, and recreation49.7%
Next lowest: Construction51.8%
Oregon has a five-year rate for 16 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (14 in Oregon).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Oregon, 9.4% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Oregon's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Oregon," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#or
Applications in 202562,652
rank 30 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202514.66
U.S. 16.59rank 26 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+6.0%
U.S. +15.3%rank 48 of 51
Change since 2019+59.7%
U.S. +62.1%rank 25 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications28.0%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)9.0%
U.S. 5.9%
Oregon had 62,652 applications in 2025 and 52,044 in January to September 2026, against 49,100 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Oregon in 2025: Multnomah County (16,110), Washington County (8,868), Clackamas County (6,338).
Cite Oregon's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Oregon," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#or
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022417,747
rank 26 of 51
Businesses, 2023420,384
rank 26 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202398.9
Median state 103.7rank 32 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses78.3%
Median state 82.2%rank 45 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202253.4%
U.S. 45.9%rank 10 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees87.8%
U.S. 86.4%
Oregon had 417,747 small businesses in 2022: 96,969 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 320,778 firms without employees.
Oregon had 420,384 businesses in 2023: 91,384 with employees and 329,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 122,451 business locations with paid employees in Oregon in 2023, in 36 counties.
Cite Oregon's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Oregon," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#or
Startup rate, 20238.38%
Median state 7.96%rank 17 of 51
Startup rate, 20198.26%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older48.3%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.9%
U.S. 5.7%rank 15 of 51
Owners on their first business48.6%
U.S. 48.7%rank 24 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.12.9%
U.S. 19.5%
Oregon had 7,399 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 88,326 employer firms, a startup rate of 8.38%, which ranks 17 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Oregon's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.34% (rank 24 of 51) and 76.6% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Oregon's current-performance index was 54.6 (rank 44 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 39.9.
The SBA approved 1,075 7(a) loans for $453.0 million and 71 504 loans for projects in Oregon in fiscal 2025.
Cite Oregon's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Oregon," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#or
Women-owned firms, 2023171,907
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex42.0%
U.S. 40.3%rank 11 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms25.6%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees46.3%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts15.3%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,451,613
U.S. $1,729,183
Oregon had 171,907 women-owned firms in 2023, 42.0% of the 409,560 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 21,907 were employer firms and 150,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Oregon employed 163,876 people. Their average receipts were $1,451,613, against $3,383,846 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Oregon's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Oregon," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#or
Pennsylvania
Still open after 1 year78.8%
U.S. 77.9%rank 14 of 51
Still open after 5 years57.1%
U.S. 51.4%rank 1 of 51
Still open after 10 years36.4%
U.S. 34.7%rank 15 of 51
Of 21,339 establishments that opened in Pennsylvania between April 2019 and March 2020, 12,178 were still open in March 2025.
Pennsylvania's five-year rate is 5.7 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite Pennsylvania's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Pennsylvania," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#pa
Highest: Educational services73.3%
Next highest: Manufacturing70.8%
Next highest: Health care and social assistance69.4%
Lowest: Transportation and warehousing50.2%
Next lowest: Information51.5%
Next lowest: Administrative and support and waste management53.3%
Pennsylvania has a five-year rate for 17 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (15 in Pennsylvania).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Pennsylvania, 7.4% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Pennsylvania's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Pennsylvania," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#pa
Applications in 2025161,275
rank 9 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202512.35
U.S. 16.59rank 41 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+9.0%
U.S. +15.3%rank 46 of 51
Change since 2019+57.0%
U.S. +62.1%rank 28 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications28.7%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)5.6%
U.S. 5.9%
Pennsylvania had 161,275 applications in 2025 and 131,016 in January to September 2026, against 120,192 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Pennsylvania in 2025: Philadelphia County (31,924), Allegheny County (15,915), Montgomery County (12,194).
Cite Pennsylvania's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Pennsylvania," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#pa
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 20221,169,008
rank 7 of 51
Businesses, 20231,167,827
rank 7 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202389.8
Median state 103.7rank 43 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses81.8%
Median state 82.2%rank 27 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202245.2%
U.S. 45.9%rank 37 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees86.8%
U.S. 86.4%
Pennsylvania had 1,169,008 small businesses in 2022: 230,244 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 938,764 firms without employees.
Pennsylvania had 1,167,827 businesses in 2023: 212,827 with employees and 955,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 307,065 business locations with paid employees in Pennsylvania in 2023, in 67 counties.
Cite Pennsylvania's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Pennsylvania," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#pa
Startup rate, 20236.77%
Median state 7.96%rank 47 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.48%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older54.2%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.6%
U.S. 5.7%rank 23 of 51
Owners on their first business52.0%
U.S. 48.7%rank 7 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.12.6%
U.S. 19.5%
Pennsylvania had 14,288 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 211,009 employer firms, a startup rate of 6.77%, which ranks 47 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Pennsylvania's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.17% (rank 50 of 51) and 77.9% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Pennsylvania's current-performance index was 59.6 (rank 17 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 43.1.
The SBA approved 2,237 7(a) loans for $1.05 billion and 127 504 loans for projects in Pennsylvania in fiscal 2025.
Cite Pennsylvania's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Pennsylvania," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#pa
Women-owned firms, 2023419,278
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex36.9%
U.S. 40.3%rank 42 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms21.7%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees40.1%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts13.9%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,959,950
U.S. $1,729,183
Pennsylvania had 419,278 women-owned firms in 2023, 36.9% of the 1,137,474 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 43,278 were employer firms and 376,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Pennsylvania employed 477,014 people. Their average receipts were $1,959,950, against $3,763,835 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Pennsylvania's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Pennsylvania," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#pa
Rhode Island
Still open after 1 year77.9%
U.S. 77.9%rank 22 of 51
Still open after 5 years48.1%
U.S. 51.4%rank 37 of 51
Still open after 10 years33.3%
U.S. 34.7%rank 33 of 51
Of 2,939 establishments that opened in Rhode Island between April 2019 and March 2020, 1,413 were still open in March 2025.
Rhode Island's five-year rate is 3.3 points below the U.S. rate.
Cite Rhode Island's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Rhode Island," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#ri
Highest: Professional, scientific and technical services54.4%
Next highest: Other services (except public administration)54.3%
Next highest: Accommodation and food services53.0%
Lowest: Administrative and support and waste management45.2%
Next lowest: Retail trade45.5%
Next lowest: Construction51.1%
Rhode Island has a five-year rate for 12 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (6 in Rhode Island).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Rhode Island, 8.5% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Rhode Island's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Rhode Island," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#ri
Applications in 202511,800
rank 48 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202510.59
U.S. 16.59rank 49 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+14.3%
U.S. +15.3%rank 33 of 51
Change since 2019+39.0%
U.S. +62.1%rank 42 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications34.7%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)9.4%
U.S. 5.9%
Rhode Island had 11,800 applications in 2025 and 10,347 in January to September 2026, against 9,056 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Rhode Island in 2025: Providence County (7,724), Kent County (1,629), Washington County (1,144).
Cite Rhode Island's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Rhode Island," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#ri
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022116,149
rank 44 of 51
Businesses, 2023118,020
rank 43 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023107.2
Median state 103.7rank 21 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses80.5%
Median state 82.2%rank 34 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202251.1%
U.S. 45.9%rank 12 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees87.8%
U.S. 86.4%
Rhode Island had 116,149 small businesses in 2022: 23,791 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 92,358 firms without employees.
Rhode Island had 118,020 businesses in 2023: 23,020 with employees and 95,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 29,510 business locations with paid employees in Rhode Island in 2023, in 5 counties.
Cite Rhode Island's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Rhode Island," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#ri
Startup rate, 20237.03%
Median state 7.96%rank 43 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.60%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older62.2%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 354.2%
U.S. 5.7%rank 44 of 51
Owners on their first business52.6%
U.S. 48.7%rank 6 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.14.6%
U.S. 19.5%
Rhode Island had 1,563 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 22,225 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.03%, which ranks 43 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Rhode Island's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.19% (rank 49 of 51) and 66.9% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Rhode Island's current-performance index was 60.7 (rank 10 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 39.7.
The SBA approved 284 7(a) loans for $92.6 million and 42 504 loans for projects in Rhode Island in fiscal 2025.
Cite Rhode Island's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Rhode Island," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#ri
Women-owned firms, 202345,076
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex39.3%
U.S. 40.3%rank 26 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms21.7%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees43.3%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts13.0%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,352,160
U.S. $1,729,183
Rhode Island had 45,076 women-owned firms in 2023, 39.3% of the 114,571 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 4,576 were employer firms and 40,500 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Rhode Island employed 31,858 people. Their average receipts were $1,352,160, against $2,998,752 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Rhode Island's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Rhode Island," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#ri
South Carolina
Still open after 5 years55.9%
U.S. 51.4%rank 2 of 51
Still open after 10 years35.7%
U.S. 34.7%rank 20 of 51
Still open after 1 year82.3%
U.S. 77.9%rank: see the note below
Of 11,535 establishments that opened in South Carolina between April 2019 and March 2020, 6,443 were still open in March 2025.
South Carolina's five-year rate is 4.5 points above the U.S. rate.
†South Carolina's rank moves 15 or more places when the latest three groups of openings are averaged instead of using only the latest one. Three-group averages: one year 79.0% (rank 4), five years 52.9% (rank 19).
Cite South Carolina's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: South Carolina," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#sc
Highest: Health care and social assistance63.7%
Next highest: Finance and insurance63.0%
Next highest: Wholesale trade59.7%
Lowest: Transportation and warehousing41.2%
Next lowest: Accommodation and food services51.2%
Next lowest: Administrative and support and waste management53.8%
South Carolina has a five-year rate for 16 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (13 in South Carolina).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in South Carolina, 8.2% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite South Carolina's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: South Carolina," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#sc
Applications in 202594,104
rank 19 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202516.89
U.S. 16.59rank 15 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+13.2%
U.S. +15.3%rank 39 of 51
Change since 2019+82.7%
U.S. +62.1%rank 7 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications26.2%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)4.8%
U.S. 5.9%
South Carolina had 94,104 applications in 2025 and 81,831 in January to September 2026, against 72,306 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in South Carolina in 2025: Charleston County (12,378), Greenville County (10,407), Richland County (8,654).
Cite South Carolina's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: South Carolina," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#sc
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022530,402
rank 22 of 51
Businesses, 2023532,169
rank 22 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202398.7
Median state 103.7rank 34 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses83.8%
Median state 82.2%rank 12 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202242.9%
U.S. 45.9%rank 46 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees89.3%
U.S. 86.4%
South Carolina had 530,402 small businesses in 2022: 90,365 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 440,037 firms without employees.
South Carolina had 532,169 businesses in 2023: 86,169 with employees and 446,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 122,958 business locations with paid employees in South Carolina in 2023, in 46 counties.
Cite South Carolina's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: South Carolina," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#sc
Startup rate, 20239.12%
Median state 7.96%rank 13 of 51
Startup rate, 20198.23%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older49.3%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.8%
U.S. 5.7%rank 17 of 51
Owners on their first business46.8%
U.S. 48.7%rank 32 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.11.8%
U.S. 19.5%
South Carolina had 7,641 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 83,764 employer firms, a startup rate of 9.12%, which ranks 13 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: South Carolina's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.29% (rank 30 of 51) and 84.0% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: South Carolina's current-performance index was 61.1 (rank 8 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 46.1.
The SBA approved 767 7(a) loans for $468.1 million and 41 504 loans for projects in South Carolina in fiscal 2025.
Cite South Carolina's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: South Carolina," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#sc
Women-owned firms, 2023223,720
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex42.9%
U.S. 40.3%rank 7 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms24.2%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees46.4%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts14.2%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,494,765
U.S. $1,729,183
South Carolina had 223,720 women-owned firms in 2023, 42.9% of the 521,482 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 19,720 were employer firms and 204,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in South Carolina employed 166,331 people. Their average receipts were $1,494,765, against $3,396,313 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite South Carolina's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: South Carolina," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#sc
South Dakota
Still open after 1 year78.5%
U.S. 77.9%rank 18 of 51
Still open after 5 years52.7%
U.S. 51.4%rank 18 of 51
Still open after 10 years38.8%
U.S. 34.7%rank 4 of 51
Of 2,236 establishments that opened in South Dakota between April 2019 and March 2020, 1,178 were still open in March 2025.
South Dakota's five-year rate is 1.3 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite South Dakota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: South Dakota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#sd
Highest: Professional, scientific and technical services60.9%
Next highest: Construction59.8%
Next highest: Accommodation and food services57.6%
Lowest: Retail trade50.8%
Next lowest: Other services (except public administration)56.3%
South Dakota has a five-year rate for 13 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (5 in South Dakota).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in South Dakota, 9.5% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite South Dakota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: South Dakota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#sd
Applications in 202512,092
rank 47 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202512.93
U.S. 16.59rank 36 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+18.6%
U.S. +15.3%rank 16 of 51
Change since 2019+55.0%
U.S. +62.1%rank 29 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications30.0%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)10.4%
U.S. 5.9%
South Dakota had 12,092 applications in 2025 and 10,965 in January to September 2026, against 9,243 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in South Dakota in 2025: Minnehaha County (3,113), Pennington County (1,690), Lincoln County (1,099).
Cite South Dakota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: South Dakota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#sd
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 202296,770
rank 46 of 51
Businesses, 202398,007
rank 46 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023106.8
Median state 103.7rank 23 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses77.0%
Median state 82.2%rank 49 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202258.0%
U.S. 45.9%rank 4 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees82.7%
U.S. 86.4%
South Dakota had 96,770 small businesses in 2022: 22,742 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 74,028 firms without employees.
South Dakota had 98,007 businesses in 2023: 22,507 with employees and 75,500 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 29,106 business locations with paid employees in South Dakota in 2023, in 66 counties.
Cite South Dakota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: South Dakota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#sd
Startup rate, 20237.60%
Median state 7.96%rank 31 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.44%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older46.4%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 356.8%
U.S. 5.7%rank 4 of 51
Owners on their first business39.7%
U.S. 48.7%rank 51 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.3.1%
U.S. 19.5%
South Dakota had 1,605 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 21,106 employer firms, a startup rate of 7.60%, which ranks 31 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: South Dakota's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.24% (rank 43 of 51) and 84.7% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: South Dakota's current-performance index was 54.0 (rank 45 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 44.8.
The SBA approved 144 7(a) loans for $73.7 million and 89 504 loans for projects in South Dakota in fiscal 2025.
Cite South Dakota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: South Dakota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#sd
Women-owned firms, 202332,586
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex34.4%
U.S. 40.3%rank 50 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms17.5%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees39.0%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts7.3%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,106,459
U.S. $1,729,183
South Dakota had 32,586 women-owned firms in 2023, 34.4% of the 94,825 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 3,586 were employer firms and 29,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in South Dakota employed 23,009 people. Their average receipts were $1,106,459, against $3,952,105 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite South Dakota's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: South Dakota," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#sd
Tennessee
Still open after 5 years46.4%
U.S. 51.4%rank 45 of 51
Still open after 10 years32.8%
U.S. 34.7%rank 36 of 51
Still open after 1 year70.7%
U.S. 77.9%rank: see the note below
Of 14,614 establishments that opened in Tennessee between April 2019 and March 2020, 6,778 were still open in March 2025.
Tennessee's five-year rate is 5.0 points below the U.S. rate.
†Tennessee's rank moves 15 or more places when the latest three groups of openings are averaged instead of using only the latest one. Three-group averages: one year 75.0% (rank 40), five years 50.4% (rank 30).
†Tennessee's one-year survival rate swings more than most states' from one opening year to the next (standard deviation 3.14 points across the 2015 to 2024 groups; U.S. 1.17).
Cite Tennessee's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Tennessee," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#tn
Highest: Manufacturing65.6%
Next highest: Other services (except public administration)62.3%
Next highest: Arts, entertainment, and recreation62.2%
Lowest: Transportation and warehousing46.5%
Next lowest: Information49.0%
Next lowest: Real estate and rental and leasing50.0%
Tennessee has a five-year rate for 15 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (14 in Tennessee).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Tennessee, 8.2% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Tennessee's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Tennessee," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#tn
Applications in 2025103,220
rank 16 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202514.11
U.S. 16.59rank 29 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+16.9%
U.S. +15.3%rank 24 of 51
Change since 2019+75.8%
U.S. +62.1%rank 12 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications29.5%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)5.9%
U.S. 5.9%
Tennessee had 103,220 applications in 2025 and 90,299 in January to September 2026, against 77,225 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Tennessee in 2025: Davidson County (17,739), Shelby County (16,497), Knox County (8,486).
Cite Tennessee's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Tennessee," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#tn
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022741,196
rank 14 of 51
Businesses, 2023745,320
rank 15 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023104.2
Median state 103.7rank 25 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses87.1%
Median state 82.2%rank 1 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202241.5%
U.S. 45.9%rank 50 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees91.7%
U.S. 86.4%
Tennessee had 741,196 small businesses in 2022: 103,856 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 637,340 firms without employees.
Tennessee had 745,320 businesses in 2023: 96,320 with employees and 649,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 150,129 business locations with paid employees in Tennessee in 2023, in 95 counties.
Cite Tennessee's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Tennessee," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#tn
Startup rate, 20238.92%
Median state 7.96%rank 14 of 51
Startup rate, 20197.70%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older51.0%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 356.1%
U.S. 5.7%rank 11 of 51
Owners on their first business46.2%
U.S. 48.7%rank 35 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.10.7%
U.S. 19.5%
Tennessee had 8,740 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 97,956 employer firms, a startup rate of 8.92%, which ranks 14 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Tennessee's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.35% (rank 21 of 51) and 81.1% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Tennessee's current-performance index was 58.2 (rank 24 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 41.7.
The SBA approved 829 7(a) loans for $480.8 million and 25 504 loans for projects in Tennessee in fiscal 2025.
Cite Tennessee's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Tennessee," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#tn
Women-owned firms, 2023304,693
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex41.7%
U.S. 40.3%rank 13 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms20.9%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees44.6%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts12.7%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,904,954
U.S. $1,729,183
Tennessee had 304,693 women-owned firms in 2023, 41.7% of the 730,861 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 18,693 were employer firms and 286,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Tennessee employed 187,584 people. Their average receipts were $1,904,954, against $4,152,541 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Tennessee's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Tennessee," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#tn
Texas
Still open after 1 year78.4%
U.S. 77.9%rank 19 of 51
Still open after 5 years52.5%
U.S. 51.4%rank 20 of 51
Still open after 10 years36.6%
U.S. 34.7%rank 14 of 51
Of 57,777 establishments that opened in Texas between April 2019 and March 2020, 30,314 were still open in March 2025.
Texas's five-year rate is 1.1 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite Texas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Texas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#tx
Highest: Health care and social assistance61.3%
Next highest: Manufacturing60.5%
Next highest: Wholesale trade60.2%
Lowest: Transportation and warehousing44.2%
Next lowest: Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction49.0%
Next lowest: Information50.6%
Texas has a five-year rate for all 19 industries. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (16 in Texas).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Texas, 8.8% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Texas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Texas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#tx
Applications in 2025544,146
rank 3 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202517.16
U.S. 16.59rank 14 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+13.6%
U.S. +15.3%rank 35 of 51
Change since 2019+78.3%
U.S. +62.1%rank 8 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications27.8%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)6.0%
U.S. 5.9%
Texas had 544,146 applications in 2025 and 457,383 in January to September 2026, against 402,643 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Texas in 2025: Harris County (99,688), Dallas County (61,000), Travis County (48,974).
Cite Texas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Texas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#tx
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 20223,517,343
rank 2 of 51
Businesses, 20233,563,732
rank 3 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023116.0
Median state 103.7rank 9 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses86.8%
Median state 82.2%rank 2 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202244.4%
U.S. 45.9%rank 40 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees90.1%
U.S. 86.4%
Texas had 3,517,343 small businesses in 2022: 493,818 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 3,023,525 firms without employees.
Texas had 3,563,732 businesses in 2023: 470,732 with employees and 3,093,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 670,878 business locations with paid employees in Texas in 2023, in 253 counties.
Cite Texas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Texas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#tx
Startup rate, 202310.51%
Median state 7.96%rank 6 of 51
Startup rate, 20199.84%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older48.8%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.3%
U.S. 5.7%rank 28 of 51
Owners on their first business45.2%
U.S. 48.7%rank 39 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.22.9%
U.S. 19.5%
Texas had 47,108 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 448,396 employer firms, a startup rate of 10.51%, which ranks 6 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Texas's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.37% (rank 15 of 51) and 79.6% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Texas's current-performance index was 55.9 (rank 39 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 42.3.
The SBA approved 5,123 7(a) loans for $3.49 billion and 338 504 loans for projects in Texas in fiscal 2025.
Cite Texas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Texas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#tx
Women-owned firms, 20231,445,124
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex41.5%
U.S. 40.3%rank 15 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms23.8%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees44.1%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts14.3%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$2,321,355
U.S. $1,729,183
Texas had 1,445,124 women-owned firms in 2023, 41.5% of the 3,482,253 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 107,124 were employer firms and 1,338,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Texas employed 1,111,984 people. Their average receipts were $2,321,355, against $5,237,331 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Texas's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Texas," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#tx
Utah
Still open after 1 year76.3%
U.S. 77.9%rank 33 of 51
Still open after 5 years49.7%
U.S. 51.4%rank 33 of 51
Still open after 10 years35.5%
U.S. 34.7%rank 23 of 51
Of 9,901 establishments that opened in Utah between April 2019 and March 2020, 4,918 were still open in March 2025.
Utah's five-year rate is 1.7 points below the U.S. rate.
Cite Utah's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Utah," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#ut
Highest: Health care and social assistance64.8%
Next highest: Educational services61.2%
Next highest: Arts, entertainment, and recreation60.8%
Lowest: Transportation and warehousing42.1%
Next lowest: Administrative and support and waste management47.6%
Next lowest: Accommodation and food services48.6%
Utah has a five-year rate for 15 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (15 in Utah).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Utah, 10.2% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Utah's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Utah," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#ut
Applications in 202572,787
rank 25 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202520.57
U.S. 16.59rank 8 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+29.5%
U.S. +15.3%rank 6 of 51
Change since 2019+46.5%
U.S. +62.1%rank 38 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications26.8%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)6.9%
U.S. 5.9%
Utah had 72,787 applications in 2025 and 69,052 in January to September 2026, against 53,312 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Utah in 2025: Salt Lake County (26,549), Utah County (18,001), Davis County (6,156).
Cite Utah's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Utah," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#ut
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022371,569
rank 30 of 51
Businesses, 2023380,759
rank 30 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023110.4
Median state 103.7rank 16 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses79.8%
Median state 82.2%rank 38 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202245.4%
U.S. 45.9%rank 36 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees77.4%
U.S. 86.4%
Utah had 371,569 small businesses in 2022: 76,760 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 294,809 firms without employees.
Utah had 380,759 businesses in 2023: 76,759 with employees and 304,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 95,494 business locations with paid employees in Utah in 2023, in 29 counties.
Cite Utah's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Utah," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#ut
Startup rate, 202310.63%
Median state 7.96%rank 4 of 51
Startup rate, 201910.15%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older37.3%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 357.5%
U.S. 5.7%rank 3 of 51
Owners on their first business43.9%
U.S. 48.7%rank 47 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.8.9%
U.S. 19.5%
Utah had 7,199 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 67,722 employer firms, a startup rate of 10.63%, which ranks 4 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Utah's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.25% (rank 42 of 51) and 91.4% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Utah's current-performance index was 56.1 (rank 36 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 39.9.
The SBA approved 1,161 7(a) loans for $530.7 million and 247 504 loans for projects in Utah in fiscal 2025.
Cite Utah's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Utah," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#ut
Women-owned firms, 2023129,705
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex35.1%
U.S. 40.3%rank 49 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms18.9%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees39.1%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts11.1%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,565,573
U.S. $1,729,183
Utah had 129,705 women-owned firms in 2023, 35.1% of the 369,147 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 13,705 were employer firms and 116,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Utah employed 123,190 people. Their average receipts were $1,565,573, against $3,614,090 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Utah's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Utah," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#ut
Vermont
Still open after 1 year75.9%
U.S. 77.9%rank 38 of 51
Still open after 5 years46.6%
U.S. 51.4%rank 44 of 51
Still open after 10 years35.4%
U.S. 34.7%rank 24 of 51
Of 1,407 establishments that opened in Vermont between April 2019 and March 2020, 656 were still open in March 2025.
Vermont's five-year rate is 4.8 points below the U.S. rate.
Cite Vermont's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Vermont," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#vt
Vermont has a five-year rate for 9 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (2 in Vermont).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Vermont, 9.2% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Vermont's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Vermont," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#vt
Applications in 20257,575
rank 51 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202511.75
U.S. 16.59rank 44 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+20.7%
U.S. +15.3%rank 13 of 51
Change since 2019+36.0%
U.S. +62.1%rank 45 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications33.4%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)8.9%
U.S. 5.9%
Vermont had 7,575 applications in 2025 and 6,992 in January to September 2026, against 5,794 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Vermont in 2025: Chittenden County (2,407), Windsor County (680), Washington County (674).
Cite Vermont's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Vermont," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#vt
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 202281,949
rank 48 of 51
Businesses, 202381,582
rank 48 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023126.0
Median state 103.7rank 5 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses79.7%
Median state 82.2%rank 40 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202262.1%
U.S. 45.9%rank 3 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees88.7%
U.S. 86.4%
Vermont had 81,949 small businesses in 2022: 17,019 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 64,930 firms without employees.
Vermont had 81,582 businesses in 2023: 16,582 with employees and 65,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 20,841 business locations with paid employees in Vermont in 2023, in 14 counties.
Cite Vermont's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Vermont," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#vt
Startup rate, 20236.73%
Median state 7.96%rank 48 of 51
Startup rate, 20195.51%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older52.9%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.7%
U.S. 5.7%rank 20 of 51
Owners on their first business49.0%
U.S. 48.7%rank 21 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.8.6%
U.S. 19.5%
Vermont had 1,068 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 15,868 employer firms, a startup rate of 6.73%, which ranks 48 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Vermont's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.42% (rank 6 of 51) and 75.2% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Vermont's current-performance index was 56.8 (rank 32 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 47.2.
The SBA approved 176 7(a) loans for $56.3 million and 18 504 loans for projects in Vermont in fiscal 2025.
Cite Vermont's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Vermont," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#vt
Women-owned firms, 202330,325
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex38.6%
U.S. 40.3%rank 32 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms22.7%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees42.3%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts16.0%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,358,476
U.S. $1,729,183
Vermont had 30,325 women-owned firms in 2023, 38.6% of the 78,539 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 3,325 were employer firms and 27,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Vermont employed 23,153 people. Their average receipts were $1,358,476, against $2,278,095 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Vermont's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Vermont," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#vt
Virginia
Still open after 1 year76.0%
U.S. 77.9%rank 36 of 51
Still open after 5 years48.8%
U.S. 51.4%rank 35 of 51
Still open after 10 years30.4%
U.S. 34.7%rank 46 of 51
Of 20,074 establishments that opened in Virginia between April 2019 and March 2020, 9,805 were still open in March 2025.
Virginia's five-year rate is 2.6 points below the U.S. rate.
†Virginia's one-year survival rate swings more than most states' from one opening year to the next (standard deviation 4.17 points across the 2015 to 2024 groups; U.S. 1.17).
Cite Virginia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Virginia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#va
Highest: Health care and social assistance66.1%
Next highest: Educational services65.1%
Next highest: Finance and insurance61.6%
Lowest: Information45.1%
Next lowest: Transportation and warehousing48.9%
Next lowest: Administrative and support and waste management52.0%
Virginia has a five-year rate for 16 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (15 in Virginia).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Virginia, 8.4% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Virginia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Virginia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#va
Applications in 2025138,762
rank 14 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202515.63
U.S. 16.59rank 22 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+13.6%
U.S. +15.3%rank 35 of 51
Change since 2019+57.7%
U.S. +62.1%rank 27 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications27.4%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)5.1%
U.S. 5.9%
Virginia had 138,762 applications in 2025 and 118,488 in January to September 2026, against 104,279 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Virginia in 2025: Fairfax County (19,666), Henrico County (10,881), Prince William County (8,555).
Cite Virginia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Virginia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#va
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022880,366
rank 12 of 51
Businesses, 2023887,928
rank 12 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023101.7
Median state 103.7rank 27 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses83.3%
Median state 82.2%rank 16 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202245.9%
U.S. 45.9%rank 34 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees88.4%
U.S. 86.4%
Virginia had 880,366 small businesses in 2022: 157,804 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 722,562 firms without employees.
Virginia had 887,928 businesses in 2023: 147,928 with employees and 740,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 210,842 business locations with paid employees in Virginia in 2023, in 133 counties.
Cite Virginia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Virginia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#va
Startup rate, 20238.19%
Median state 7.96%rank 23 of 51
Startup rate, 20197.68%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older52.3%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 354.1%
U.S. 5.7%rank 47 of 51
Owners on their first business50.5%
U.S. 48.7%rank 12 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.23.7%
U.S. 19.5%
Virginia had 11,835 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 144,508 employer firms, a startup rate of 8.19%, which ranks 23 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Virginia's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.26% (rank 41 of 51) and 79.9% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Virginia's current-performance index was 56.2 (rank 34 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 41.1.
The SBA approved 1,192 7(a) loans for $655.3 million and 121 504 loans for projects in Virginia in fiscal 2025.
Cite Virginia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Virginia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#va
Women-owned firms, 2023359,471
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex41.5%
U.S. 40.3%rank 15 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms26.8%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees44.3%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts16.4%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,577,067
U.S. $1,729,183
Virginia had 359,471 women-owned firms in 2023, 41.5% of the 867,229 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 37,471 were employer firms and 322,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Virginia employed 360,701 people. Their average receipts were $1,577,067, against $3,514,183 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Virginia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Virginia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#va
Washington
Still open after 5 years42.2%
U.S. 51.4%rank 51 of 51
Still open after 10 years31.7%
U.S. 34.7%rank 43 of 51
Still open after 1 year82.5%
U.S. 77.9%rank: see the note below
Of 18,593 establishments that opened in Washington between April 2019 and March 2020, 7,844 were still open in March 2025.
Washington's five-year rate is 9.2 points below the U.S. rate.
†Washington's rank moves 15 or more places when the latest three groups of openings are averaged instead of using only the latest one. Three-group averages: one year 69.7% (rank 50), five years 42.2% (rank 51).
†Washington's one-year survival rate swings more than most states' from one opening year to the next (standard deviation 9.31 points across the 2015 to 2024 groups; U.S. 1.17).
†Washington's year-to-year cohort sizes vary unusually (for example, about 36,800 openings in the year to March 2022 against about 18,600 to 22,500 in neighboring years), so its single-year survival rates swing widely. Over the last three cohorts, Washington's average one-year survival was 69.7%. Use the five-year figure when describing Washington.
Cite Washington's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Washington," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#wa
Highest: Health care and social assistance64.9%
Next highest: Manufacturing61.6%
Next highest: Finance and insurance58.7%
Lowest: Information46.9%
Next lowest: Administrative and support and waste management49.9%
Next lowest: Construction50.4%
Washington has a five-year rate for 16 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (15 in Washington).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Washington, 10.4% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Washington's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Washington," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#wa
Applications in 2025142,196
rank 13 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202517.77
U.S. 16.59rank 12 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025−18.8%
U.S. +15.3%rank 51 of 51
Change since 2019+102.0%
U.S. +62.1%rank 5 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications22.8%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)8.7%
U.S. 5.9%
Washington had 142,196 applications in 2025 and 93,320 in January to September 2026, against 114,987 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Washington in 2025: King County (46,989), Pierce County (17,007), Snohomish County (14,411).
Cite Washington's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Washington," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#wa
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022695,695
rank 18 of 51
Businesses, 2023699,111
rank 18 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202389.2
Median state 103.7rank 45 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses78.1%
Median state 82.2%rank 46 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202248.7%
U.S. 45.9%rank 20 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees88.0%
U.S. 86.4%
Washington had 695,695 small businesses in 2022: 162,014 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 533,681 firms without employees.
Washington had 699,111 businesses in 2023: 153,111 with employees and 546,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 202,177 business locations with paid employees in Washington in 2023, in 39 counties.
Cite Washington's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Washington," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#wa
Startup rate, 20238.61%
Median state 7.96%rank 16 of 51
Startup rate, 20198.68%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older47.2%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 356.5%
U.S. 5.7%rank 8 of 51
Owners on their first business49.0%
U.S. 48.7%rank 21 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.19.4%
U.S. 19.5%
Washington had 12,280 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 142,661 employer firms, a startup rate of 8.61%, which ranks 16 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Washington's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.30% (rank 27 of 51) and 75.7% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Washington's current-performance index was 53.7 (rank 47 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 38.2.
The SBA approved 1,898 7(a) loans for $976.2 million and 115 504 loans for projects in Washington in fiscal 2025.
Cite Washington's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Washington," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#wa
Women-owned firms, 2023275,227
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex40.3%
U.S. 40.3%rank 20 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms25.0%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees44.5%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts12.4%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,283,531
U.S. $1,729,183
Washington had 275,227 women-owned firms in 2023, 40.3% of the 682,475 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 36,227 were employer firms and 239,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Washington employed 244,682 people. Their average receipts were $1,283,531, against $3,846,416 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Washington's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Washington," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#wa
West Virginia
Still open after 5 years53.6%
U.S. 51.4%rank 14 of 51
Still open after 10 years38.0%
U.S. 34.7%rank 9 of 51
Still open after 1 year76.3%
U.S. 77.9%rank: see the note below
Of 3,082 establishments that opened in West Virginia between April 2019 and March 2020, 1,653 were still open in March 2025.
West Virginia's five-year rate is 2.2 points above the U.S. rate.
†West Virginia's rank moves 15 or more places when the latest three groups of openings are averaged instead of using only the latest one. Three-group averages: one year 77.4% (rank 18), five years 56.1% (rank 2).
†West Virginia's one-year survival rate swings more than most states' from one opening year to the next (standard deviation 3.52 points across the 2015 to 2024 groups; U.S. 1.17).
Cite West Virginia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: West Virginia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#wv
Highest: Other services (except public administration)60.3%
Next highest: Retail trade58.7%
Next highest: Professional, scientific and technical services57.1%
Lowest: Accommodation and food services49.2%
Next lowest: Construction53.7%
Next lowest: Health care and social assistance57.0%
West Virginia has a five-year rate for 11 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (6 in West Virginia).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in West Virginia, 7.9% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite West Virginia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: West Virginia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#wv
Applications in 202516,387
rank 44 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 20259.28
U.S. 16.59rank 51 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+24.6%
U.S. +15.3%rank 9 of 51
Change since 2019+64.6%
U.S. +62.1%rank 20 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications30.8%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)6.5%
U.S. 5.9%
West Virginia had 16,387 applications in 2025 and 15,618 in January to September 2026, against 12,537 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in West Virginia in 2025: Kanawha County (1,645), Berkeley County (1,578), Monongalia County (1,172).
Cite West Virginia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: West Virginia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#wv
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022118,045
rank 43 of 51
Businesses, 2023117,445
rank 44 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202366.4
Median state 103.7rank 51 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses80.5%
Median state 82.2%rank 34 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202247.4%
U.S. 45.9%rank 27 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees88.7%
U.S. 86.4%
West Virginia had 118,045 small businesses in 2022: 24,376 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 93,669 firms without employees.
West Virginia had 117,445 businesses in 2023: 22,945 with employees and 94,500 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 35,839 business locations with paid employees in West Virginia in 2023, in 55 counties.
Cite West Virginia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: West Virginia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#wv
Startup rate, 20236.52%
Median state 7.96%rank 50 of 51
Startup rate, 20195.79%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older55.8%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 353.7%
U.S. 5.7%rank 50 of 51
Owners on their first business49.6%
U.S. 48.7%rank 18 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.6.4%
U.S. 19.5%
West Virginia had 1,532 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 23,492 employer firms, a startup rate of 6.52%, which ranks 50 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: West Virginia's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.17% (rank 51 of 51) and 82.3% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: West Virginia's current-performance index was 61.5 (rank 5 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 47.0.
The SBA approved 173 7(a) loans for $63.5 million and 3 504 loans for projects in West Virginia in fiscal 2025.
Cite West Virginia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: West Virginia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#wv
Women-owned firms, 202344,664
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex39.3%
U.S. 40.3%rank 26 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms20.4%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees43.5%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts9.0%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,066,240
U.S. $1,729,183
West Virginia had 44,664 women-owned firms in 2023, 39.3% of the 113,626 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 4,164 were employer firms and 40,500 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in West Virginia employed 32,095 people. Their average receipts were $1,066,240, against $3,573,286 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite West Virginia's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: West Virginia," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#wv
Wisconsin
Still open after 1 year79.5%
U.S. 77.9%rank 8 of 51
Still open after 5 years52.4%
U.S. 51.4%rank 21 of 51
Still open after 10 years37.4%
U.S. 34.7%rank 11 of 51
Of 11,391 establishments that opened in Wisconsin between April 2019 and March 2020, 5,973 were still open in March 2025.
Wisconsin's five-year rate is 1.0 points above the U.S. rate.
Cite Wisconsin's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Wisconsin," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#wi
Highest: Manufacturing75.8%
Next highest: Finance and insurance68.9%
Next highest: Health care and social assistance64.6%
Lowest: Arts, entertainment, and recreation56.1%
Next lowest: Transportation and warehousing56.7%
Next lowest: Accommodation and food services57.9%
Wisconsin has a five-year rate for 16 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (13 in Wisconsin).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Wisconsin, 8.1% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Wisconsin's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Wisconsin," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#wi
Applications in 202571,475
rank 26 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202511.97
U.S. 16.59rank 43 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+17.0%
U.S. +15.3%rank 23 of 51
Change since 2019+63.2%
U.S. +62.1%rank 21 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications27.4%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)6.3%
U.S. 5.9%
Wisconsin had 71,475 applications in 2025 and 60,944 in January to September 2026, against 52,067 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Wisconsin in 2025: Milwaukee County (16,408), Dane County (7,374), Waukesha County (4,720).
Cite Wisconsin's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Wisconsin," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#wi
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 2022497,370
rank 24 of 51
Businesses, 2023498,315
rank 23 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 202384.0
Median state 103.7rank 49 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses79.7%
Median state 82.2%rank 40 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202248.0%
U.S. 45.9%rank 23 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees87.8%
U.S. 86.4%
Wisconsin had 497,370 small businesses in 2022: 107,594 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 389,776 firms without employees.
Wisconsin had 498,315 businesses in 2023: 101,315 with employees and 397,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 144,774 business locations with paid employees in Wisconsin in 2023, in 72 counties.
Cite Wisconsin's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Wisconsin," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#wi
Startup rate, 20236.97%
Median state 7.96%rank 45 of 51
Startup rate, 20196.16%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older50.5%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 355.5%
U.S. 5.7%rank 27 of 51
Owners on their first business51.7%
U.S. 48.7%rank 8 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.6.9%
U.S. 19.5%
Wisconsin had 6,856 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 98,413 employer firms, a startup rate of 6.97%, which ranks 45 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Wisconsin's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.22% (rank 47 of 51) and 85.2% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Wisconsin's current-performance index was 60.5 (rank 13 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 47.1.
The SBA approved 956 7(a) loans for $499.9 million and 195 504 loans for projects in Wisconsin in fiscal 2025.
Cite Wisconsin's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Wisconsin," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#wi
Women-owned firms, 2023181,796
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex37.5%
U.S. 40.3%rank 36 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms21.0%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees41.5%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts12.0%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,983,427
U.S. $1,729,183
Wisconsin had 181,796 women-owned firms in 2023, 37.5% of the 484,875 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 19,796 were employer firms and 162,000 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Wisconsin employed 208,824 people. Their average receipts were $1,983,427, against $4,536,387 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Wisconsin's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Wisconsin," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#wi
Wyoming
Still open after 1 year75.2%
U.S. 77.9%rank 42 of 51
Still open after 5 years47.5%
U.S. 51.4%rank 42 of 51
Still open after 10 years28.9%
U.S. 34.7%rank 49 of 51
Of 1,950 establishments that opened in Wyoming between April 2019 and March 2020, 926 were still open in March 2025.
Wyoming's five-year rate is 3.9 points below the U.S. rate.
Cite Wyoming's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by State: Wyoming," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business Employment Dynamics, Establishment Age and Survival, Table 7 (data through March 2025). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-state/#wy
Highest: Construction56.4%
Next highest: Professional, scientific and technical services50.2%
Next highest: Accommodation and food services50.0%
Wyoming has a five-year rate for 11 of 19 industries. The rest are withheld by the Census Bureau or rest on fewer than 30 startups in 2018. The lists above use only industries with at least 100 startups in 2018 (3 in Wyoming).
Rates approximate the share of firms started in 2018 that were still operating in 2023: firms aged 5 in 2023 divided by firms aged 0 in 2018. They count firms, not locations, so they are not comparable with the national table.
In the median county in Wyoming, 9.6% of establishments closed in 2023.
Cite Wyoming's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Business Survival Rates by Industry: Wyoming," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics 2023, firm age by state and sector. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/business-survival-rates-by-industry/#wy
Applications in 202579,023
rank 22 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2025134.22
U.S. 16.59rank 1 of 51
January to September 2026 vs. 2025+14.7%
U.S. +15.3%rank 31 of 51
Change since 2019+301.9%
U.S. +62.1%rank 1 of 51
High-propensity share of 2025 applications26.0%
U.S. 30.1%
Became employers within four quarters (2022 applications)3.0%
U.S. 5.9%
Wyoming had 79,023 applications in 2025 and 67,486 in January to September 2026, against 58,849 in the same months of 2025.
Counties with the most applications in Wyoming in 2025: Sheridan County (47,787), Laramie County (14,904), Natrona County (7,711).
†Wyoming (134.22 per 1,000 residents) is far above the U.S. rate of 16.59. Census does not publish how it assigns an application to a state, and we have not established why Wyoming and Delaware stand out, so compare per-resident figures for these two states with caution.
Cite Wyoming's figures
Mainstay Filing, "New Business Applications: Wyoming," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics (data through September 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/new-business-applications/#wy
Small businesses (fewer than 500 employees), 202281,924
rank 49 of 51
Businesses, 202385,113
rank 47 of 51
Per 1,000 residents, 2023145.6
Median state 103.7rank 2 of 51
Without employees, share of all businesses77.5%
Median state 82.2%rank 48 of 51
Employment at firms under 500 employees, 202265.2%
U.S. 45.9%rank 2 of 51
Sole proprietorships, share of firms without employees66.9%
U.S. 86.4%
Wyoming had 81,924 small businesses in 2022: 19,173 employer firms with fewer than 500 employees and 62,751 firms without employees.
Wyoming had 85,113 businesses in 2023: 19,113 with employees and 66,000 without. Census rounds the count of firms without employees.
The Census Bureau's County Business Patterns counted 23,865 business locations with paid employees in Wyoming in 2023, in 23 counties.
Cite Wyoming's figures
Mainstay Filing, "How Many Small Businesses Are There: Wyoming," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023, Statistics of U.S. Businesses 2022, Nonemployer Statistics 2022 and 2023, and County Business Patterns 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/how-many-businesses/#wy
Startup rate, 202310.44%
Median state 7.96%rank 7 of 51
Startup rate, 20198.02%
Median state 7.12%
Owners aged 55 or older43.8%
U.S. 51.3%
Owners under 358.8%
U.S. 5.7%rank 1 of 51
Owners on their first business45.1%
U.S. 48.7%rank 40 of 51
Owners born outside the U.S.7.3%
U.S. 19.5%
Wyoming had 1,808 startup employer firms in 2023 out of 17,326 employer firms, a startup rate of 10.44%, which ranks 7 of 51 states and D.C. (median state 7.96%). State rates count a firm with employees in several states once in each of them, so they run lower than the national rate, which counts each firm once; compare a state with other states.
Kauffman Foundation, 2021: Wyoming's rate of new entrepreneurs was 0.41% (rank 10 of 51) and 85.2% of its new entrepreneurs started a business by choice rather than necessity.
Census Business Trends and Outlook Survey, collected September 21 to October 4, 2026: Wyoming's current-performance index was 55.9 (rank 39 of 51; median state 58.0) and its revenue index was 31.1.
The SBA approved 108 7(a) loans for $57.2 million and 22 504 loans for projects in Wyoming in fiscal 2025.
Cite Wyoming's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Entrepreneurship Statistics: Wyoming," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey 2023 and Business Dynamics Statistics 2023; Kauffman Foundation, Kauffman Indicators (2020 and 2021 data); Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey (through October 8, 2026); and SBA 7(a) and 504 loan data (as of June 30, 2026). https://mainstayfiling.com/research/entrepreneurship-statistics/#wy
Women-owned firms, 202327,533
Share of firms classifiable by owner sex35.4%
U.S. 40.3%rank 48 of 50
Share of classifiable employer firms23.0%
U.S. 23.8%
Share of classifiable firms without employees39.0%
U.S. 43.4%
Share of classifiable firms' receipts13.5%
U.S. 13.7%
Average receipts, women-owned employer firm$1,170,197
U.S. $1,729,183
Wyoming had 27,533 women-owned firms in 2023, 35.4% of the 77,757 firms the Census Bureau could classify by owner sex. 4,033 were employer firms and 23,500 had no employees.
Women-owned employer firms in Wyoming employed 24,727 people. Their average receipts were $1,170,197, against $2,864,082 for men-owned employer firms.
Cite Wyoming's figures
Mainstay Filing, "Women-Owned Business Statistics: Wyoming," updated October 18, 2026, using U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Business Survey and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics 2023. https://mainstayfiling.com/research/women-owned-business-statistics/#wy
