The Best Places to Build a Lasting Business

Дата публикации: 20-07-2026 13:24:23

Lasting business success depends on more than just a great product or service. Many factors play a role, including the industry the business operates in, the community it builds, and the resources available to help it grow over time. Whether you’re launching your first business or looking to expand one you’ve already established, building a professional online presence can help build trust and support your growth over time.We analyzed business longevity rates across 19 industries using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify which sectors demonstrate the strongest business longevity. Our analysis compared 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year longevity rates, as well as overall average lifespan, to identify which industries consistently support long-term business success.Additionally, we analyzed business entry, exit, and net growth rates across all 50 states and the 50 largest U.S. metropolitan statistical areas using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's Business Dynamics Statistics to identify where businesses are launching, growing, and most likely to succeed.




Start With a Website Trial


Top 50 U.S. cities with longest business lifespans





































1. Hartford, CTHartford-West Hartford-East Hartford ranks as the #1 metropolitan area for average business longevity. With a business entry rate of 13.11% and an exit rate of 8.42%, the region achieves a healthy net business growth rate of 4.69%. Together, these figures indicate a strong environment for business growth and long-term success in this Connecticut metro area. 2. Austin, TXComing in strong at #2 is the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro area, reporting one of the highest business entry rates (14.04%) and a business exit rate of 9.96%, resulting in a net business growth rate of 4.07%. This balance of steady business creation and relatively low closures supports long-term business growth in the region. Among the top ten, four metropolitan areas are located in Texas, highlighting the strength of this state, where businesses can establish themselves, expand, and achieve success in the long-run.3. Nashville, TNThe Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin metro area ranks #3 with a business entry rate of 12.26% and an exit rate of 9.03%. This results in a healthy net business growth rate of 3.23%, showing that entrepreneurs are finding opportunities to successfully launch and sustain businesses in the region.







Where business growth is happening most





































Business entry ratesA strong business environment is often reflected in how quickly new businesses are created. Florida reports the highest entry rate among all states at 13.11%, followed by Delaware at 12.81%, showing substantial business growth in both states. Florida’s lack of a state income tax has drawn entrepreneurs and business owners for years. Delaware is also a popular choice for company incorporation because of its business-focused Court of Chancery. Among metropolitan areas, Orlando records the highest entry rate at 14.14%, slightly surpassing Austin, which also has no state income tax, at 14.04%. Like Florida, Texas does not have a state income tax, which has helped make Austin a popular spot for businesses and startups.Net business growthEntry rates measure the creation of new businesses, while net business growth shows the overall expansion of the business, based on openings and closures. Delaware leads all states with a net growth rate of 2.86%, followed by Texas at 2.46%, showing an increase in businesses in both states. When it comes to growth in metropolitan areas, Hartford reports the highest rate at 4.69%, with Austin closely following at 4.07%, reinforcing how these cities are dynamic environments for business expansion.Business activityBusiness activity is consistently evolving as companies enter and exit the market as industries grow and change. Statewide, Colorado reports the highest exit rate at 11.17%, followed by Florida at 10.91%. At the city level, Orlando exhibits both the highest business entry rate (14.14%) and the highest business exit rate (11.49%), showing that many of the country's fastest-growing markets also experience significant change, as new businesses continually enter and reshape local economies.




Try Squarespace


Industries that are built to last





































A single milestone doesn’t fully capture business longevity. While enduring the first year is an important achievement, sustaining momentum over the next ten years better reflects which industries are likely to endure. In our analysis, a handful of industries consistently rose to the top, highlighting the sectors with the strongest staying power. Making it past year oneThe first year is usually the biggest hurdle for new businesses; however, several industries demonstrate a notably strong early resilience. Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting have the highest one-year longevity rate at 85.7% as this industry fulfills the basic human needs of food and raw materials for shelter, followed by Accommodation and Food Services (85.3%) and Retail Trade (84.4%). Other Services (except Public Administration) (82.6%) and Health Care and Social Assistance (82.1%) also demonstrate high longevity rates, showing that the industries tied to everyday needs and essential services establish a strong foundation early on.Maintaining momentumIndustries that demonstrated strong initial performance tend to sustain their success as businesses mature. After three years, Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting maintained the highest longevity rate at 70.6%, with Retail Trade (68.5%) and Accommodation and Food Services (68.2%) remaining close behind. At the five-year mark, Agriculture remains in the lead at 61.8%, joined by Utilities (61.6%) and Other Services (60.6%), suggesting that industries with strong early performance often continue to demonstrate long-term resilience.Built to lastThe longevity data provide a clear overview of industry longevity. Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting have the highest average lifespan at 67.8% and the longest median business lifespan at 8.6 years with key factors that drive this sector’s success like high barriers to entry to business competition, technological advances, risk management and supply chain cornerstones. Meanwhile, Utilities has an average lifespan rate of 62.18 and a median business lifespan of 7.2 years, followed by Management of Companies and Enterprises at 63.23% and 6.9 years. The Agriculture industry leads in all measured longevity milestones from its start, while Utilities and Management of Companies and Enterprises improve their rankings over time. This indicates that industries with strong early performance often maintain their advantage for years after being established.Building a business that lastsEach business finds its way to succeed, but the ones that last the longest usually grow continuously, adapt to change, and have a strong support system. Knowing which industries are here to stay and where they do well can help business owners make better choices for their future.Wherever you choose to start your business, having a professional website helps you reach customers and build trust right away. Squarespace lets you easily create a website that shows off your brand and grows with you and your business.




Get Started






Methodology


To identify which businesses are most likely to have the longest lifespan and where, we combined three measures. From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Business Employment Dynamics data, we tracked the share of establishments in each industry that were still active 1, 3, 5, and 10 years after opening. Through a weighted index, we then took establishment entry and exit rates for the 50 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Dynamics Statistics to determine the cities where businesses are most likely to endure. Data is accurate as of June 22, 2026.







About the author


Maria Teresa Hart is the author of the book
Doll,
published by Bloomsbury, and her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Business Insider, and other outlets. She is a Content Manager with Squarespace, where she helps small businesses and creatives optimize their sites, marketing, customer relations, financial solutions, and tools for automation and growth.

Основное содержимое страницы с новостью.

Схожие новости

#	Наименование новости	Тональность	Информативность	Дата публикации
1	How to Show Up in AI Search in 2026, According to an SEO Expert	0	5.53	07-07-2026
2	What Is Brand Loyalty? How to Build Lasting Customer Trust	0	10.19	08-07-2026
3	Passion Project and Hobby Statistics 2026: How Americans Monetize Their Spare Time	0	6.7	06-07-2026
4	Freelancing Tips and Resources for Beginners	0	11.64	06-07-2026
5	Selling Limited Releases: How to Build Buzz, Drive Demand, and Sell More on Squarespace	0	8.61	14-07-2026
6	7 AI Myths That Keep Your Business From Growing	0	8.06	22-07-2026
7	How to Vibe Code a Website	0	12	21-07-2026
8	This Is the No. 1 City on the Rise for Job Opportunities in 2026, LinkedIn Says	0	10.23	22-07-2026
9	Not all failure is created equal: Three insights to strengthen entrepreneurship support	0	0	31-10-2025
10	Рег.решения: безопасность вышла на второе место у малого бизнеса при выборе онлайн-сервисов	0	7	30-06-2026

Классификация: МСП. Схожих патентов: 0. Схожих новостей: 10. Тональность: 0. Информативность: 7.82. Источник: www.squarespace.com.