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Census Bureau data · October 2026

Where new businesses are being started

The Census Bureau counts applications for a new employer ID number, which most new businesses file. It's a sign of intent, not a count of companies actually formed. Figures are seasonally adjusted and compared with the same month a year earlier.

Change in business applications, year over year

Map of U.S. states shaded by the change in business applications from a year earlier. The same figures are in the table below the map.Alabama: 5,784 applications, −15.8%Alaska: 1,074 applications, +28.2%Arizona: 12,935 applications, +10.5%Colorado: 13,327 applications, +9.7%Florida: 58,917 applications, +1.8%Georgia: 21,619 applications, −3.4%Indiana: 7,815 applications, +0.3%Kansas: 3,401 applications, −10.1%Maine: 1,261 applications, +8.0%Massachusetts: 7,343 applications, +9.5%Minnesota: 6,215 applications, −0.5%New Jersey: 15,819 applications, +16.4%North Carolina: 16,220 applications, +3.8%North Dakota: 916 applications, +25.0%Oklahoma: 4,897 applications, −4.8%Pennsylvania: 13,973 applications, −2.0%South Dakota: 1,249 applications, +26.3%Texas: 39,085 applications, −22.9%Wyoming: 7,630 applications, +9.3%Connecticut: 4,709 applications, +4.8%Missouri: 11,854 applications, +14.1%West Virginia: 1,631 applications, +14.6%Illinois: 15,742 applications, −14.9%New Mexico: 3,913 applications, +18.2%Arkansas: 3,777 applications, +7.2%California: 51,285 applications, +3.8%Delaware: 4,979 applications, −4.2%District of Columbia: 1,149 applications, −2.0%Hawaii: 1,434 applications, −6.1%Iowa: 3,163 applications, +6.1%Kentucky: 6,604 applications, +4.4%Maryland: 8,909 applications, +4.0%Michigan: 13,094 applications, −8.6%Mississippi: 4,635 applications, −9.5%Montana: 3,174 applications, +24.8%New Hampshire: 1,835 applications, +27.2%New York: 27,656 applications, +9.5%Ohio: 14,519 applications, −17.8%Oregon: 5,686 applications, +18.2%Tennessee: 8,171 applications, −13.7%Utah: 7,703 applications, +16.3%Virginia: 12,652 applications, +1.4%Washington: 10,103 applications, +7.3%Wisconsin: 6,141 applications, −9.4%Nebraska: 1,950 applications, −3.5%South Carolina: 8,350 applications, +0.8%Idaho: 3,415 applications, +18.3%Nevada: 5,489 applications, +0.4%Vermont: 750 applications, +3.2%Louisiana: 6,536 applications, −17.9%Rhode Island: 1,121 applications, +7.6%
  • Down 10% or more
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See the figures for every state
StateApplications, October 2026Change on a year earlier
Alaska1,074+28.2%
New Hampshire1,835+27.2%
South Dakota1,249+26.3%
North Dakota916+25.0%
Montana3,174+24.8%
Idaho3,415+18.3%
Oregon5,686+18.2%
New Mexico3,913+18.2%
New Jersey15,819+16.4%
Utah7,703+16.3%
West Virginia1,631+14.6%
Missouri11,854+14.1%
Arizona12,935+10.5%
Colorado13,327+9.7%
Massachusetts7,343+9.5%
New York27,656+9.5%
Wyoming7,630+9.3%
Maine1,261+8.0%
Rhode Island1,121+7.6%
Washington10,103+7.3%
Arkansas3,777+7.2%
Iowa3,163+6.1%
Connecticut4,709+4.8%
Kentucky6,604+4.4%
Maryland8,909+4.0%
North Carolina16,220+3.8%
California51,285+3.8%
Vermont750+3.2%
Florida58,917+1.8%
Virginia12,652+1.4%
South Carolina8,350+0.8%
Nevada5,489+0.4%
Indiana7,815+0.3%
Minnesota6,215−0.5%
Pennsylvania13,973−2.0%
District of Columbia1,149−2.0%
Georgia21,619−3.4%
Nebraska1,950−3.5%
Delaware4,979−4.2%
Oklahoma4,897−4.8%
Hawaii1,434−6.1%
Michigan13,094−8.6%
Wisconsin6,141−9.4%
Mississippi4,635−9.5%
Kansas3,401−10.1%
Tennessee8,171−13.7%
Illinois15,742−14.9%
Alabama5,784−15.8%
Ohio14,519−17.8%
Louisiana6,536−17.9%
Texas39,085−22.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Formation Statistics, business applications, seasonally adjusted, October 2026. We read the Census file directly on Nov 13, 2026.

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