The U.S. Census Bureau has published its latest Business Formation Statistics (BFS) for January 2026, offering updated data on new business applications and formations across the United States and Puerto Rico.
According to the Census Bureau, the BFS provides frequent information on emerging businesses, supporting economic research and policy analysis. The statistics are compiled in partnership with 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.
The monthly release features a comprehensive dataset that covers 12 series—four related to business applications and eight focused on formations. Data is available at national, regional, and state levels. For Puerto Rico, four monthly business application series are included as part of the standard product. The BFS offers both seasonally adjusted and non-seasonally adjusted figures.
No news release accompanied this announcement; it was issued as a tip sheet only.
