The U.S. Census Bureau released new Business Formation Statistics for February 2026, according to a March 11 announcement. The data provide updated information on new business applications and formations across the United States and Puerto Rico.
The release of these statistics is important because it offers timely insights into trends in entrepreneurship and economic activity. Policymakers, researchers, and business leaders use this information to track changes in the business landscape.
The full dataset includes twelve series—four related to applications and eight to formations—and is published monthly with details at the national, regional, and state levels. Puerto Rico receives four monthly business application series as part of the standard product. Both seasonally adjusted and unadjusted data are available.
These statistics are developed through collaboration between the Census Bureau and economists from several institutions, including 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.
No additional news release accompanied this announcement; only a tip sheet was provided.
