The U.S. Census Bureau released new Business Formation Statistics for March 2026, according to an April 8 announcement. The data provide information on new business applications and formations across the United States and Puerto Rico.
The Business Formation Statistics are intended to offer timely updates on economic activity related to business creation. This information is used by policymakers, researchers, and the public to track trends in entrepreneurship and economic development.
The dataset includes twelve series—four related to business applications and eight focused on formations—released monthly with details at national, regional, and state levels. Additionally, four monthly business application series are provided specifically for Puerto Rico as part of the standard release. Both seasonally adjusted and unadjusted data are available.
These statistics were developed through a research collaboration between the Census Bureau and economists from several institutions: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the University of Maryland, and the University of Notre Dame.
There was no separate news release associated with this announcement; instead, it was distributed as a tip sheet.
