{"id":31623,"date":"2021-08-18T04:47:17","date_gmt":"2021-08-18T01:47:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.commercialcafe.com\/blog\/?p=31623"},"modified":"2026-03-18T13:08:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T10:08:40","slug":"us-total-active-businesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.commercialcafe.com\/blog\/us-total-active-businesses\/","title":{"rendered":"Hospitality, Health & Professional Services Lead Growth in Total Active U.S. Businesses 2008-2018"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Experts are still trying to gauge the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy. Even so, it\u2019s vital to have a good initial understanding of the state of business creation and longevity in the U.S. prior to the most recent disruption.<\/p>\n

For instance, the recession that began in 2008 led to many upheavals in the U.S. economy \u2014 from home foreclosures and major financial institutions defaulting to business closures throughout the nation. In fact, in 2008 alone, the country lost nearly 120,000 enterprises \u2014 and that downward trend continued for another few years. By 2018, the U.S. economy had recouped and increased its total number of active companies, but the progress proved to be uneven across industries, as well as states.<\/p>\n

Accordingly, this study provides an overview of the business landscape between 2008 and 2018 by focusing on net gains or losses in the total number of active businesses, as well as the specific industries and states in which these changes were most notable. In particular, this report compiles the latest U.S. Census data for the continental states and Washington, D.C. for the following metrics: the average age of businesses; the average size of businesses (number of employees) and the share of the employed labor force they utilize in each state; as well as the number and distribution of businesses across sectors of the economy.<\/em><\/p>\n

Key takeaways:<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • <\/li>\n
  • U. S. active business totals increased by 2.5% or 146,000 firms since 2008<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Washington, D.C., New York, and Texas had the fastest recovery in total firm numbers following the recession<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Businesses in educational services witnessed largest net gains by percentage \u2013 21.5% between 2008-2018<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • 72,000 additional accommodation and food service companies were established in the 2008-2018 decade \u2013 the highest increase in active businesses across all industrial sectors<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Keep reading to find out more about national trends in business creation and churn rates prior to the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, as well as state-level highlights.<\/p>\n

    2.5% Growth in Number of U.S. Businesses Between 2008 \u2013 2018; Accommodation & Food Service Gains Net Total 72,000 Firms<\/h2>\n

    Stability and predictability are essential for nurturing a healthy business environment. But, in the aftermath of the financial crisis and its domino effect on the rest of the economy, companies struggled to stay afloat. Moreover, until 2012 \u2013 when the trend slowly changed course and started inching closer to pre-recession values \u2013 the U.S. had witnessed the closure of roughly 204,000 companies.<\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n