The U.S. Census Bureau has published the latest Business Formation Statistics (BFS) for January 2026, providing updated information on new business applications and formations across the United States and Puerto Rico.
The BFS offers monthly data that includes both seasonally adjusted and non-adjusted figures. The statistics cover national, regional, and state levels. For Puerto Rico, four monthly business application series are also included as part of the standard product.
According to the Census Bureau, “The BFS provide timely and high frequency information on new business applications and formations in the United States and Puerto Rico.” The agency further stated, “The BFS are a standard data product of the Census Bureau, developed in research collaboration with economists affiliated with 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 full dataset consists of twelve series—four related to applications and eight related to formations—which are made available each month.
No additional news release was issued alongside this announcement; only a tip sheet was provided.
