In the second quarter of 2024, 61 percent of surveyed small business owners indicated that the health of their business was in good shape. A further 24 percent of respondents said the health of their business was about average. At the end of 2019, small businesses in "very good" health peaked at 43 percent. By the end of 2020, this number fell to 25 percent in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, about **** million small business firms with employees were counted in the United States. That same year, there were around ** million non-employer small businesses.

During a survey on small businesses in the U.S. in August 2024, about 21 percent of the respondents stated that the most important problem for small businesses was quality of labor. Additionally, around 24 percent of survey participants said that inflation was the most important problem for their business, a slight increase from August 2023, when inflation was the biggest concern for 23 percent of businesses.

The Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB) provides detailed annual data for all U.S. business establishments with paid employees by geography, industry, and enterprise size. This program covers all NAICS industries except crop and animal production; rail transportation; National Postal Service; pension, health, welfare, and vacation funds; trusts, estates, and agency accounts; private households; and public administration. The SUSB also excludes most government employees. Further, SUSB data for years 1988-1997 were tabulated based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. The SUSB features several arts-related NAICS industries, including the following: Arts, entertainment, and recreation (NAICS Code 71) Performing arts companies Spectator sports Promoters of performing arts, sports, and similar events Independent artists, writers, and performers Museums, historical sites, and similar institutions Amusement parks and arcades Professional, scientific, and technical services (NAICS Code 54) Architectural services Graphic Design Services Landscape architectural services Photographic services Retail trade (NAICS Code 44-45) Sporting goods, hobby, and musical instrument stores Sewing, needlework, and piece goods stores Book stores Art dealers Also, the SUSB features several arts related SIC industries, including the following: Commercial photography (SIC Code 7335) Commercial art and graphic design (SIC Code 7336) Museums and art galleries (SIC Code 8412) Dance studios, schools, and halls (SIC Code 7911) Theatrical producers and services (SIC Code 7922) Sports clubs, managers, & promoters (SIC Code 7941) Motion Picture Production & Services (SIC Code 7810) Data compiled for the SUSB are extracted from the Business Register (BR). The BR contains continuously updated data from the Census Bureau's economic censuses and currently business surveys, quarterly and annual Federal tax records and other department and federal statistics. SUSB data are available approximately 24 months after each reference year and are available for the United States, each state, and Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA). The annual SUSB consist of number of firms, number of establishments, annual payroll, and employment during the week of March 12. In addition, estimated receipts data are included for years ending in 2 and 7. Dynamic data, which are created from the Business Information Tracking Series (BITS), consist of the number of establishments and corresponding employment change for births, deaths, expansions, and contractions. The SUSB is important because it provides the only source of annual, complete, and consistent enterprise-level data for U.S. businesses, with industry detail. Private businesses use the data for market research, strategic business planning, and managing sales territories. State and local governments, as well as, budget, economic development, and planning offices use the data to assess business changes, develop fiscal policies, and plan future policies and programs. In addition, the data are the standard reference source for small business statistics. Users can view the latest SUSB annual data and employment change data on the main SUSB page. For more detailed industry and employment size classes, users can download additional data in comma-delimited format. Annual data are tabulated back to 1988 and employment change data back to 1989-1990. Data users can find news and updates about the SUSB data via the News & Updates section.

Key small business statistics for 2025, covering total businesses, AI adoption, job creation, employment share, failure rates, non-employer firms, and top US states.

This survey shows an assessment of small business owners on what the most important challenges for small business owners in the United States were in 2020. In the survey conducted in November 2020, about ** percent of the surveyed small business owners stated that their most important challenge was the impact from the coronavirus.

Nonemployer Statistics is an annual series that provides statistics on U.S. businesses with no paid employees or payroll, are subject to federal income taxes, and have receipts of $1,000 or more ($1 or more for the Construction sector). This program is authorized by the United States Code, Titles 13 and 26. Also, the collection provides data for approximately 450 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) industries at the national, state, county, metropolitan statistical area, and combined statistical area geography levels. The majority of NAICS industries are included with some exceptions as follows: crop and animal production; investment funds, trusts, and other financial vehicles; management of companies and enterprises; and public administration. Data are also presented by Legal Form of Organization (LFO) (U.S. and state only) as filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Most nonemployers are self-employed individuals operating unincorporated businesses (known as sole proprietorships), which may or may not be the owner's principal source of income. Nonemployers Statistics features nonemployers in several arts-related industries and occupations, including the following: Arts, entertainment, and recreation (NAICS Code 71) Performing arts companies Spectator sports Promoters of performing arts, sports, and similar events Independent artists, writers, and performers Museums, historical sites, and similar institutions Amusement parks and arcades Professional, scientific, and technical services (NAICS Code 54) Architectural services Landscape architectural services Photographic services Retail trade (NAICS Code 44-45) Sporting goods, hobby, and musical instrument stores Sewing, needlework, and piece goods stores Book stores Art dealers Nonemployer Statistics data originate from statistical information obtained through business income tax records that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides to the Census Bureau. The data are processed through various automated and analytical review to eliminate employers from the tabulation, correct and complete data items, remove anomalies, and validate geography coding and industry classification. Prior to publication, the noise infusion method is applied to protect individual businesses from disclosure. Noise infusion was first applied to Nonemployer Statistics in 2005. Prior to 2005, data were suppressed using the complementary cell suppression method. For more information on the coverage and methods used in Nonemployer Statistics, refer to NES Methodology. The majority of all business establishments in the United States are nonemployers, yet these firms average less than 4 percent of all sales and receipts nationally. Due to their small economic impact, these firms are excluded from most other Census Bureau business statistics (the primary exception being the Survey of Business Owners). The Nonemployers Statistics series is the primary resource available to study the scope and activities of nonemployers at a detailed geographic level. For complementary statistics on the firms that do have paid employees, refer to the County Business Patterns. Additional sources of data on small businesses include the Economic Census, and the Statistics of U.S. Businesses. The annual Nonemployer Statistics data are available approximately 18 months after each reference year. Data for years since 2002 are published via comma-delimited format (csv) for spreadsheet or database use, and in the American FactFinder (AFF). For help accessing the data, please refer to the Data User Guide.

The Economic Census is the U.S. Government's official five-year measure of American business and the economy. It is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, and response is required by law. In October through December of the census year, forms are sent out to nearly 4 million businesses, including large, medium and small companies representing all U.S. locations and industries. Respondents were asked to provide a range of operational and performance data for their companies. This dataset presents company, establishments, value of shipments, value of product shipments, percentage of product shipments of the total value of shipments, and percentage of distribution of value of product shipments.

In July 2025, a net ** percent of surveyed small business owners in the United States had plans to increase employment in the coming three months. Additionally, around ** percent of said that they had current job openings.

U.S. Small Business Loan Market size was valued at USD 30,833.44 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 56,135.67 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.94% during the forecast period 2024-2031.The U.S. Small Business Loan Executive SummaryA small business loan is a form of financing offered to small businesses by banks, credit unions, or alternative lenders for a variety of uses, including beginning a new business, growing an existing one, buying inventory or equipment, paying for operating costs, or fulfilling other financial requirements. These loans often have terms and circumstances that are different from those of loans provided to larger firms, and they are designed specifically to meet the needs of small enterprises. There are several methods to organize small business loans: SBA (Small Business Administration) loans, invoice financing, term loans, credit lines, equipment financing, and more. The borrower's creditworthiness, the lender's policies, and the loan's intended use are some of the variables that affect the conditions of the loan, including interest rates, payback schedules, and collateral requirements. These loans are essential in helping small business owners and entrepreneurs launch, grow, and maintain their enterprises, which promotes economic growth and employment generation. But getting a small company loan frequently calls for thorough preparation, supporting documentation, and a strong business plan that demonstrates the borrower's capacity to pay back the loan.The growing need for U.S. Small Business Loan Market is driven by several factors, including the increasing number of start-ups and small businesses, availability of a variety of loan options tailored to meet the unique needs of small businesses, technological advancements in financial services, and changing consumer behavior. The United States has a supportive ecosystem for small businesses, with resources such as business incubators, accelerators, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities. These resources provide guidance, funding, and support services to aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the complexities of starting and growing a business. Thus, the number of small businesses is continuously growing in the United States. However, high interest rates act as a significant constraint on the growth of U.S. Small Business Loan Market. Businesses can be discouraged from taking out loans, leading to reduced borrowing activity and slower market growth.

This data set provides statistics about employer and nonemployer businesses from 2020 for the nation, states, and metropolitan statistical areas (MSA). It includes the number of firms, revenue, number of employees, and annual payroll, broken down by industry and owner demographics including as sex, ethnicity, race, and veteran status.About NES-DThe Nonemployer Statistics by Demographics series (NES-D) provides information on the demographic characteristics of nonemployer businesses. The NES-D is the result of a research project by the Census Bureau to complete the picture of U.S. business ownership by demographics for the United States. Historically, the quinquennial Survey of Business Owners (SBO) provided the only comprehensive source of information on both employer and nonemployer businesses by demographic characteristics of the business owners. In 2017, the SBO was replaced by the Annual Business Survey (ABS). The ABS is an annual survey that collects demographic characteristics from employer businesses. However, the ABS excludes the collection of demographic data from nonemployer businesses. The NES-D was developed to produce similar estimates as ABS on owner demographics for nonemployer businesses. The NES-D is not a survey; rather, it leverages existing individual-level administrative records to assign demographic characteristics to the universe of nonemployer businesses. Demographic characteristics including sex, ethnicity, race, veteran status, owner age, place of birth, and U.S. citizenship are assigned to nonemployer business owners.Together, the NES-D and the ABS will continue to provide the only source of detailed and comprehensive statistics on the scope, nature and activities of all U.S. businesses by the demographic characteristics of the business owners. NES-D data will be available annually by detailed geography and industry levels, receipt-size class, and legal form of organization (LFO). Beginning with the 2019 NES-D, the data will include urban and rural classification.

Nine in ten small business owners in the United States anticipated topping up their marketing and sales investments, according to a survey conducted in February 2022. Besides that primary goal, small firms also planned to increase their efforts in social and search engine marketing, with ** percent of respondents, while another ** percent intended to invest in their online presence, e-commerce sales channel, and website.

Nonemployer Statistics is an annual series that provides subnational economic data for businesses that have no paid employees and are subject to federal income tax. The data consist of the number of businesses and total receipts by industry. Most nonemployers are self-employed individuals operating unincorporated businesses (known as sole proprietorships), which may or may not be the owner's principal source of income. The majority of all business establishments in the United States are nonemployers, yet these firms average less than 4 percent of all sales and receipts nationally. Due to their small economic impact, these firms are excluded from most other Census Bureau business statistics (the primary exception being the Survey of Business Owners). The Nonemployers Statistics series is the primary resource available to study the scope and activities of nonemployers at a detailed geographic level. For complementary statistics on the firms that do have paid employees, refer to the County Business Patterns. Additional sources of data on small businesses include the Economic Census, and the Statistics of U.S. Businesses.

Outsourcing Statistics: In today's global economy, outsourcing plays a pivotal role in business operations, offering companies cost-effective solutions and access to specialized expertise. Recent statistics shed light on the widespread adoption and impact of outsourcing. According to data from Statista, the global outsourcing market was valued at USD 92.5 billion in 2021, with a projected growth rate of 5.84% from 2022 to 2028. Furthermore, a report by Deloitte revealed that 59% of companies outsource to cut costs, while 57% outsource to focus on core business functions. These figures underscore the significant role outsourcing plays in modern business strategies, driving efficiency and enabling organizations to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape. As we delve deeper into outsourcing statistics, it becomes evident that its influence extends across industries and geographies, shaping the way businesses operate and thrive in today's interconnected world. Editor’s Choice The global spending on outsourcing surged to approximately USD 731 billion in 2023, reflecting its significant economic impact and widespread adoption across industries. An overwhelming 92% of G2000 companies leverage IT outsourcing services, emphasizing the prevalent reliance on outsourcing to meet technological needs. Business process outsourcing contributes significantly to the Philippines' economy, accounting for 9% of its GDP, highlighting the country's pivotal role in the outsourcing landscape. Approximately 37% of small businesses outsource at least one business process, demonstrating the accessibility and benefits of outsourcing for organizations of varying sizes. China's services outsourcing industry witnesses a substantial influx of over one million new employees annually, indicating the sector's robust growth and employment opportunities. The global outsourcing industry was valued at USD 620.381 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 904.948 billion by 2027, showcasing its continuous expansion and market potential. India, known as the "Outsourcing Capital of the World," excels in various outsourcing domains, including IT services, software development, customer support, and back-office operations, leveraging its abundant talent pool and technological expertise. Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand specialize in IT outsourcing, business support functions, and digital marketing, offering competitive solutions to global businesses. The US market dominates the global outsourcing business, generating USD 62 billion of the total international income from the industry, underscoring its significance in the global outsourcing landscape. Information technology remains the most outsourced industry, with 37% of IT operations being outsourced, highlighting the sector's reliance on outsourcing for specialized services and expertise. The outsourcing industry is anticipated to witness a compound annual growth rate of 4% between 2021 and 2025, indicating steady expansion and opportunities for market players. Since the pandemic, 45% of businesses have expressed intentions to increase outsourcing, emphasizing the growing importance of outsourcing in business strategies, particularly in accessing specialized skill sets and enhancing efficiency. Cloud computing has opened up more outsourcing opportunities, with 90% of businesses able to leverage remote professionals, indicating the transformative impact of technology on the outsourcing landscape. You May Also Like To Read Business Intelligence Statistics Networking Statistics Diversity in Tech Statistics Robotics Industry Statistics

Number of Businesses statistics on the Small Specialty Retail Stores industry in the US

In a 2020 online survey, ** percent of small business owners in the United States said they expected the economy to not recover from the impacts of COVID-19 until beyond 2021. Only ***** percent of respondents believed that the economy would be able to recover in a few more weeks.

Dataset contains micro-business activity across the United States, measured by the density of micro-businesses in US counties. Microbusinesses are often too small or too new to show up in traditional economic data sources, but microbusiness activity may be correlated with other economic indicators of general interest.

Feature Description

cfips - A unique identifier for each county using the Federal Information Processing System. The first two digits correspond to the state FIPS code, while the following 3 represent the county. county - The written name of the county. state - The name of the state. first_day_of_month - The date of the first day of the month. microbusiness_density - Microbusinesses per 100 people over the age of 18 in the given county. This is the target variable. The population figures used to calculate the density are on a two-year lag due to the pace of update provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, which provides the underlying population data annually. 2021 density figures are calculated using 2019 population figures, etc. active - The raw count of micro-businesses in the county. year - Year in which the record is published (YYYY) month - Month in which the record is published (MM) pct_broadband - The percentage of households in the county with access to broadband of any type. Derived from ACS table B28002: PRESENCE AND TYPES OF INTERNET SUBSCRIPTIONS IN HOUSEHOLD. pct_college - The percent of the population in the county over age 25 with a 4-year college degree. Derived from ACS table S1501: EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT. pct_foreign_born - The percent of the population in the county born outside of the United States. Derived from ACS table DP02: SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES. pct_IT_workers - The percent of the workforce in the county employed in information related industries. Derived from ACS table S2405: INDUSTRY BY OCCUPATION FOR THE CIVILIAN EMPLOYED POPULATION 16 YEARS AND OVER. median_income - The median household income in the county. Derived from ACS table S1901: INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS (IN 2021 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS).

United States SBOI: sa: OE: Uncertain Due To: Financial & Interest Rates data was reported at 3.000 % in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.000 % for Feb 2025. United States SBOI: sa: OE: Uncertain Due To: Financial & Interest Rates data is updated monthly, averaging 1.000 % from Jan 2014 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 131 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.000 % in Feb 2025 and a record low of 0.000 % in Jun 2022. United States SBOI: sa: OE: Uncertain Due To: Financial & Interest Rates data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Federation of Independent Business. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.S042: NFIB Index of Small Business Optimism. [COVID-19-IMPACT]

Business Inventories in the United States decreased 0 percent in August of 2025 over the previous month. This dataset provides - United States Business Inventories - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In August 2024, the U.S. Small Business Optimism Index amounted to 91.2. This is a slight decrease from a value of 93.7 in the previous month. The index consists of 10 indicators derived from questions addressing small business owners: Plans to create employment; plans to make capital outlays; plans to increase inventories; expect economy to improve; expect real sales higher; current inventory; current job openings; expected credit conditions; now a good time to expand; earnings trends.