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.
These statistics are important because they offer timely insights into economic activity by tracking how many new businesses are being created each month. This information helps policymakers, researchers, and the public understand trends in entrepreneurship and economic growth.
The monthly release includes a comprehensive dataset with twelve series: four related to business applications and eight focused on business formations. Data is provided at the national, regional, and state levels. Additionally, four monthly business application series are reported specifically for Puerto Rico as part of the standard product offering. Both seasonally adjusted and unadjusted figures are included in the release.
The Business Formation Statistics are a standard product from the Census Bureau developed through collaboration with economists from several institutions: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, University of Maryland, and University of Notre Dame.
No separate news release was issued for this announcement; instead, it was distributed as a tip sheet.
