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See where aspiring entrepreneurs are showing the most interest in starting a business, ranked

See where aspiring entrepreneurs are showing the most interest in starting a business, ranked

Tristin Hoffman Business 02 Sep, 2026 Americas

Los Angeles County and the small Wyoming county of Sheridan don't share many similarities, except in one area: a lot of business applications.

A woman walks through a shopping center with rainbow umbrellas hanging from above.
A shopper walks through Santee Alley in downtown Los Angeles on July 28, 2026.

Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

  • US Census Bureau data shows the number of business applications filed in 2025 by county.
  • Overall, the US saw an 8% increase in 2025, possibly fueled by layoffs and the AI boom.
  • Most were in places with big cities, though a small county in Wyoming made the top 20.

Los Angeles County and Sheridan County, Wyoming, don't share many similarities, except for one main area: a high volume of business applications.

That's one of several findings from the US Census Bureau's most recent business application data release in June. The data track applications for Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) submitted to the Internal Revenue Service.

Business Insider sorted the data by which US counties saw the most EIN applications and calculated the percent change compared to 2024 data, while also cross-referencing with the agency's 2025 county population dataset to determine the rate of applications per 1,000 residents. These applications did not necessarily result in a business being formed.

Overall, the US saw a roughly 8% increase in business applications in 2025, rising to 5.6 million from 5.2 million in 2024. That could be loosely tied to an economic shift during President Donald Trump's first year of his non-consecutive second term, including a weaker labor market that may have pushed some laid-off or out-of-work Americans toward entrepreneurship.

The boom in artificial intelligence, too, has torn down some obstacles that previously barred entrepreneurs from starting and running a business, ushering in an AI startup golden age.

While most of the top counties include large metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and Miami, a small county called Sheridan in the US' least-populated state, Wyoming, ranked 16th, with 47,787 business applications in 2025; its population is just 33,241 residents. That's more than half of the state's 79,024 applications overall.

George Mocsary, a professor and corporate and small-business law expert at the University of Wyoming, told Business Insider that Wyoming is attractive to entrepreneurs because it has an industry built around simple, low-cost business formation services, particularly for small LLCs, including registered agents that provide designated addresses for receiving official notices.

When applying for an EIN, he said businesses can use an address associated with their registered agent, in this case, Sheridan, making it appear as though tens of thousands of businesses are opening in the small Wyoming county when they may actually operate elsewhere.

"You've got an entire industry in the state, and in Sheridan in particular, that's set up to let you [start a company]," Moscary said.

Here are the 25 US counties with the most business applications in 2025.

25. Philadelphia County, PA
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

f11photo/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Business applications in 2025: 31,924

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 5.0% increase

Population as of 2025: 1,574,281 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 20.3

24. Queens County, NY
People walk on a busy sidewalk under a bridge in New York.
People walk through Corona, Queens, on Aug. 10.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 34,304

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 3.1% decrease

Population as of 2025: 2,358,182 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 14.5

23. Sacramento County, CA
People sit at an outside patio.
Patrons eat lunch at a restaurant in the downtown area of Sacramento.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 35,789

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 14.6% increase

Population as of 2025: 1,618,460 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 22.1

22. Pinellas County, FL
People stand on a beach taking photos.
Jeremiah Poole watches his wife Ashley take photos of their daughter on Clearwater Beach, Florida in Pinellas County where the government is preparing for the potential impact of Hurricane Ian that is headed for the Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday, September 26, 2022.

The Washington Post/Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 38,333

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 10.8% increase

Population as of 2025: 948,563

Applications per 1,000 residents: 40.4

21. Wayne County, MI
Cars drive through a downtown area at night.
Lights are strung across the street at night as cars move along Monroe Avenue in the Greektown neighborhood of downtown Detroit, Michigan, U.S., on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015. Ten months after emerging from a record $18 billion municipal bankruptcy, Detroit is functioning in ways unseen for months and even years -- street lights are on, parks

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 39,517

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 10.1% increase

Population as of 2025: 1,769,038

Applications per 1,000 residents: 22.3

20. Tarrant County, TX
The downtown area of Fort Worth, Texas, during blue hour.
People wearing masks walk downtown Fort Worth, Texas on July 20, 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic. - President Donald Trump changed his tune in favor of face masks as a tool to combat the coronavirus in the United States, as European leaders on July 21 agreed on a massive aid package for their pandemic-ravaged economies.

VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 39,814

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 13.2% increase

Population as of 2025: 2,248,466 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 17.7

19. Hillsborough County, FL
Pedestrians walk along a sidewalk next to water.
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 30: National Football League fans walk along the Riverwalk in downtown Tampa ahead of Super Bowl LV during the COVID-19 pandemic on January 30, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will play the Kansas City Chiefs in Raymond James Stadium for Super Bowl LV on February 7. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)

Octavio Jones/Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 43,619

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 6.7% increase

Population as of 2025: 1,574,115 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 27.7

18. San Diego County, CA
Pedestrians walk along a path next to a sunny beach.
Pedestrians enjoying a leisurely walk along the beachfront boardwalk with palm trees and a high-rise building in the background at sunset, Coronado Island, San Diego, California, December 26, 2023. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 45,546

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 8.1% increase

Population as of 2025: 3,282,248 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 13.9

17. King County, WA
Pedestrians walk in the downtown area of a city.
Pedestrians in downtown Seattle, Washington, US, on Friday, May 17, 2024. With daily worker foot traffic at half of pre-pandemic levels and office vacancy rates nearing 30%, Seattle hopes it can count on attracting more residents to fill the void left by a remote-work world. Photographer: M. Scott Brauer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 46,989

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 25.3% increase

Population as of 2025: 2,344,939 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 20.0

16. Sheridan County, WY
A small town sits below snow-capped mountains.
Sheridan, WY - FEBRUARY 8: The town of Sheridan, WY, population 18,000, sits against the eastern base of the Bighorn Mountain Range in northern Wyoming, on February 8, 2022. (Photo by Tony Bynum for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Tony Bynum for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 47,787

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 25.1% increase

Population as of 2025: 33,241 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 1,438

15. Palm Beach County, FL
A sailboat approaches a drawbridge and nearby downtown area.
West Palm Beach skyline features Royal Park Draw Bridge, West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by: Visions of America/Joseph Sohm/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

: Visions of America/Joseph Sohm/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 48,510

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 1% decrease

Population as of 2025: 1,575,726 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 30.8

14. Kings County, NY
A woman walks on a sidewalk with two brick buildings in the background.
Residential apartment buildings in the Brooklyn borough of New York, US, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. President Joe Biden is calling on Congress to pass a form of national rent control for some 20 million apartment units nationwide, a dramatic federal intervention in the housing market on behalf of current tenants. Photographer: Yuki

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 48,687

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 0.3% decrease

Population as of 2025: 2,653,963 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 18.3

13. Travis County, TX
People walk over a rainbow crosswalk in the downtown area of a city.
AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 4: Pedestrians walk across the faded rainbow crosswalk on 4th Street in Downtown Austin, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (Photo by Mikala Compton/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images)

Mikala Compton/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 48,974

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 15.2% increase

Population as of 2025: 1,389,670

Applications per 1,000 residents: 35.2

12. Orange County, FL
A farmer's market during the daytime.
Florida, Orlando, Farmers' Market, vendors around shade tree. (Photo by: Jeff Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

: Jeff Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 49,392

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 2.4% increase

Population as of 2025: 1,528,002

Applications per 1,000 residents: 32.3

11. Fulton County, GA
People walk on a street in a downtown section of a city during the day.
Pedestrians in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, US, on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. Inflation rates fell under 2% in Atlanta for the first time in almost four years and dropped significantly across the South, providing some relief to consumers, and potential voters, in regions that will be key to the outcome of the US presidential election.

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 49,873

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 5.3% increase

Population as of 2025: 1,098,791 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 45.4

10. Orange County, CA
Pedestrians walk on a sidewalk during a sunny day.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA - AUGUST 12, 2020 - - Pedestrians dont heed the, Masks Up, Surf City, banner campaign to prevent coronavirus on Main Street in Huntington Beach on August 12, 2020. The campaign, a play on the phrase Surfs Up, includes 100 pennants, a banner at the pier and digital displays citywide, Huntington Beach

Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 49,945

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 6.6% increase

Population as of 2025: 3,149,507 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 15.9

9. Clark County, NV
The Las Vegas skyline, with a crowd of people crossing a sidewalk below.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 07: Pedestrians cross Las Vegas Boulevard along the Las Vegas Strip with the Trump International Hotel visible one day before midterms Election Day on November 7, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Several races in the swing state of Nevada, including the Senate race, are close as former President Donald Trump

Mario Tama/Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 51,725

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 7.7% increase

Population as of 2025: 2,407,226 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 21.5

8. New York County, NY
Pedestrians cross the sidewalk in downtown New York City.
Pedestrians cross a street after a rainfall in Times Square, New York City on August 27, 2026. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)

CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 54,695

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 5.2% increase

Population as of 2025: 1,664,862 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 32.9

7. Dallas County, TX
The early morning sunshine shines on a city skyline.
Early morning view of the Dallas, TX skyline. (Photo by: HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

: HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 61,000

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 8.3% increase

Population as of 2025: 2,661,397 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 22.9

6. Broward County, FL
Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Business applications in 2025: 72,422

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 1.4% decrease

Population as of 2025: 2,013,317 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 36.0

5. Maricopa County, AZ
The skyline of a city at golden hour.
OENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 15: In an aerial view, the downtown skyline is seen during a heat wave on July 15, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. Weather forecasts today are expecting temperatures to reach 115 degrees. The Phoenix area is grappling with record-breaking temperatures as prolonged heat waves continue soaring across the Southwest.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 98,384

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 14.5% increase

Population as of 2025: 4,689,558 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 21.0

4. Cook County, IL
People walk in a downtown area with brick buildings in the background.
Tourists in the downtown area of Chicago, Illinois, US, on Sunday, May 26, 2024. The Bureau of Economic Analysis is scheduled to release personal consumption figures on May 31. Photographer: Jamie Kelter Davis/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Bloomberg/Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 99,217

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 8.1% increase

Population as of 2025: 5,194,625 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 19.1

3. Harris County, TX
People walk on a sidewalk next to a vendor cart that says "Downtown Houston."
OUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 29: People pass by a Downtown Houston ambassador and their cart along the new permanent car-free Main Street Promenade where sidewalk pavers, landscaping and other features have been added ahead of the World Cup in Houston Friday, May 29, 2026. (Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 99,688

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 6.5% increase

Population as of 2025: 5,045,026 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 19.8

2. Miami-Dade County, FL
People walk through a busy downtown with palm trees in the background.
Miami, Florida, Brickell Financial District, Brickell City center, shopping mall, The Henry bistro Quinto restaurant Sephora, Victoria's Secret, Chanel, Lululemon and pedestrian skywalk bridge. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 135,758

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 2% decrease

Population as of 2025: 2,802,029

Applications per 1,000 residents: 48.4

1. Los Angeles County, CA
People walk along a sunny boardwalk with palm trees to the left.
OS ANGELES, USA - OCTOBER 1: Venice Beach Boardwalk promenade on October 1, 2025 in Los Angeles, USA. (Photo by Thomas Imo/Photothek via Getty Images)

Thomas Imo/Photothek via Getty Images

Business applications in 2025: 172,540

Percent change from 2024 to 2025: 4.1% increase

Population as of 2025: 9,694,934 residents

Applications per 1,000 residents: 17.8

Read the original article on Business Insider

Tristin Hoffman

Source: Business Insider

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