Which states have a thriving small-business landscape, according to data?

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. Defined by the Small Business Administration as firms with fewer than 500 employees, small businesses make up 99.9% of all companies. They also fuel employment, with nearly half (46%) of private sector workers employed at small businesses, accounting for 43.5% of the country’s overall economic output. U.S. NAICS Codes analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to see which states have the healthiest environments for small businesses. In the United States, around 4 in 5 small businesses are solo ventures without employees, which can include real estate brokerages, construction contractors, freelance artists, and small online retailers. Small businesses with employees tend to be more dynamic than their larger counterparts, accounting for at least 3 in 5 (63%) new jobs in America between 1995 and 2021. The demographics of who owns small businesses reveal disparities along gender and racial lines, according to SBA data. Women tend to be underrepresented, making up less than half (42%) of solo business owners and merely 22% of businesses that employ workers. Black Americans, comprising 14% of the population, own 12% of solo ventures but just 2.4% of those with employees. An important distinction for BLS data is that it covers establishments rather than firms. This means the numbers correspond to individual physical locations and include big corporations with many small locations–think Starbucks or McDonald’s–each accounting for a single establishment. Even so, the numbers still indicate how small businesses are faring. States were ranked by the percentage change in the number of small establishments between 2022 and 2023. Montana did the best in 2023 by this measure, with small establishments in the Treasure State growing by 12.1%. Small businesses also boomed in Virginia and Oregon. In contrast, Washington state saw a 15% decline in small establishments in 2023, indicating a less hospitable environment for small enterprises. Read on to see how small businesses fared nationwide in 2023. #50. Washington Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 231,670 — 15.2% decrease from 2022 — 98.3% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 1,643,020 (55.5% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,300 — $470 a week below state private sector average #49. New Mexico Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 61,010 — 4.3% decrease from 2022 — 98.5% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 426,590 (63.7% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $0,960 — $120 a week below state private sector average #48. Nebraska Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 70,880 — 4.1% decrease from 2022 — 98.5% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 515,080 (62.1% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,030 — $140 a week below state private sector average #47. Iowa Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 102,170 — 0.5% increase from 2022 — 98.3% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 788,220 (61.4% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,020 — $170 a week below state private sector average #46. Indiana Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 178,890 — 0.9% increase from 2022 — 97.7% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 1,508,550 (55.1% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,040 — $170 a week below state private sector average #45. Maryland Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 179,250 — 1.2% increase from 2022 — 98.2% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 1,270,900 (59.0% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,320 — $160 a week below state private sector average #44. New York Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 667,110 — 1.3% increase from 2022 — 98.4% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 4,151,540 (52.1% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,510 — $570 a week below state private sector average #43. Pennsylvania Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 365,180 — 1.7% increase from 2022 — 97.9% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 3,012,770 (57.5% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,230 — $190 a week below state private sector average #42. Illinois Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 378,550 — 2.3% increase from 2022 — 97.9% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 2,550,780 (49.4% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,330 — $270 a week below state private sector average #41. Wyoming Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 28,000 — 2.8% increase from 2022 — 99.3% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 166,260 (80.7% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,080 — $80 a week below state private sector average #40. Massachusetts Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 282,200 — 3.3% increase from 2022 — 98.4% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 1,705,560 (54.3% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,590 — $390 a week below state private sector average #39. Nevada Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 102,830 — 3.7% increase from 2022 — 98.2% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 740,510 (55.6% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,210 — $20 a week below state private sector average #38. Louisiana Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 143,700 — 3.8% increase from 2022 — 98.5% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 1,023,080 (64.3% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,020 — $150 a week below state private sector average #37. Florida Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 852,840 — 4.0% increase from 2022 — 98.6% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 5,051,490 (59.0% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,260 — $80 a week below state private sector average #36. Wisconsin Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 188,200 — 4.0% increase from 2022 — 98.0% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 1,452,070 (58.1% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,050 — $180 a week below state private sector average #35. Texas Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 788,810 — 4.0% increase from 2022 — 97.8% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 6,374,040 (54.8% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,290 — $240 a week below state private sector average #34. New Jersey Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 303,870 — 4.1% increase from 2022 — 98.3% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 2,087,160 (58.3% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,410 — $310 a week below state private sector average #33. North Dakota Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 32,260 — 4.3% increase from 2022 — 98.7% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 233,120 (68.8% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,150 — $100 a week below state private sector average #32. South Dakota Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 36,510 — 4.4% increase from 2022 — 98.8% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 246,920 (67.6% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,010 — $90 a week below state private sector average #31. Utah Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 126,230 — 4.5% increase from 2022 — 98.4% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 856,000 (60.4% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,120 — $140 a week below state private sector average #30. Arkansas Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 96,100 — 4.6% increase from 2022 — 98.5% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 654,600 (60.9% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $0,980 — $180 a week below state private sector average #29. Maine Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 59,830 — 4.7% increase from 2022 — 98.9% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 352,420 (67.9% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,100 — $100 a week below state private sector average #28. Kansas Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 88,750 — 4.8% increase from 2022 — 98.1% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 685,240 (59.0% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,080 — $110 a week below state private sector average #27. Ohio Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 315,070 — 5.0% increase from 2022 — 97.8% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 2,643,430 (56.4% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,090 — $180 a week below state private sector average #26. Alaska Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 22,420 — 5.0% increase from 2022 — 98.6% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 149,880 (63.8% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,080 — $240 a week below state private sector average #25. New Hampshire Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 59,930 — 5.1% increase from 2022 — 98.7% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 386,820 (65.8% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,450 — $60 a week below state private sector average #24. Alabama Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 145,220 — 5.4% increase from 2022 — 98.3% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 1,040,560 (61.7% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,050 — $100 a week below state private sector average #23. Georgia Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 362,270 — 5.6% increase from 2022 — 98.2% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 2,256,480 (54.8% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,210 — $200 a week below state private sector average #22. South Carolina Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 166,680 — 5.9% increase from 2022 — 98.4% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 1,128,300 (60.6% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,070 — $70 a week below state private sector average #21. California Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 1,686,450 — 6.0% increase from 2022 — 98.8% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 8,917,840 (58.5% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,300 — $440 a week below state private sector average #20. Missouri Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 227,770 — 6.2% increase from 2022 — 98.6% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 1,458,010 (59.7% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,070 — $190 a week below state private sector average #19. Rhode Island Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 46,610 — 6.2% increase from 2022 — 98.9% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 262,810 (63.1% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,170 — $140 a week below state private sector average #18. Oklahoma Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 120,120 — 6.4% increase from 2022 — 98.5% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 850,080 (63.9% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $0,970 — $150 a week below state private sector average #17. West Virginia Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 53,310 — 6.9% increase from 2022 — 98.7% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 360,760 (66.3% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $0,960 — $110 a week below state private sector average #16. Delaware Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 41,540 — 6.9% increase from 2022 — 98.7% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 217,470 (55.0% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,190 — $280 a week below state private sector average #15. Connecticut Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 140,030 — 7.1% increase from 2022 — 98.6% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 858,450 (60.4% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,670 — $220 a week below state private sector average #14. Minnesota Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 197,620 — 7.3% increase from 2022 — 98.1% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 1,328,920 (53.9% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,220 — $270 a week below state private sector average #13. Mississippi Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 79,780 — 7.7% increase from 2022 — 98.4% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 577,820 (62.4% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $0,870 — $60 a week below state private sector average #12. Kentucky Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 140,900 — 7.9% increase from 2022 — 98.2% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 936,050 (56.2% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,030 — $130 a week below state private sector average #11. North Carolina Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 350,010 — 8.2% increase from 2022 — 98.4% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 2,397,490 (58.8% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,140 — $230 a week below state private sector average #10. Vermont Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 29,450 — 8.5% increase from 2022 — 99.0% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 170,000 (67.3% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,140 — $60 a week below state private sector average #9. Arizona Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 208,240 — 8.5% increase from 2022 — 97.9% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 1,347,950 (48.9% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,220 — $120 a week below state private sector average #8. Idaho Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 87,120 — 8.7% increase from 2022 — 99.0% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 479,600 (69.0% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,020 — $80 a week below state private sector average #7. Tennessee Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 204,360 — 8.8% increase from 2022 — 98.0% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 1,548,890 (55.8% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,160 — $120 a week below state private sector average #6. Hawai’i Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 52,830 — 9.7% increase from 2022 — 98.8% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 334,170 (65.1% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,100 — $80 a week below state private sector average #5. Michigan Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 300,020 — 10.1% increase from 2022 — 98.1% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 1,900,220 (50.8% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,110 — $200 a week below state private sector average #4. Colorado Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 255,660 — 10.5% increase from 2022 — 98.7% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 1,529,230 (63.7% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,430 — $170 a week below state private sector average #3. Oregon Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 188,600 — 11.0% increase from 2022 — 98.9% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 1,100,840 (65.3% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,130 — $180 a week below state private sector average #2. Virginia Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 337,210 — 11.5% increase from 2022 — 98.6% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 1,989,420 (60.5% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,270 — $230 a week below state private sector average #1. Montana Canva – Small establishments, 2023: 61,460 — 12.1% increase from 2022 — 99.3% of all establishments – Total small establishment workers: — 317,570 (77.1% of total private sector) – Average weekly small establishment wages in 2023: $1,000 — $80 a week below state private sector average Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on U.S. NAICS Codes and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.