Explore Microbusiness Data

On this page you can explore several aspects of the more than 20 million microbusinesses Venture Forward captures. Start by examining your county by numbers, view a custom dashboard on microbusiness impact, dig into entrepreneur attitudes and behaviors, or view Venture Forward reports and use cases from across the country.

National Microbusiness Activity Data

Enter your county below to look at the community by numbers:
    Note: this tool only displays the ~2100 counties made up of 5 or more zip codes. To view data for all counties, click here.

    Looks like we don’t have info on "" published yet. Would you like to request it?

    Request County right arrow
    selected county

    Associated Metro:
    GoDaddy has captured the presence and impact of more than 20 million online microbusinesses in the U.S. Each one helps create jobs, boosts annual household income growth, and supports economic resiliency.

    Current Active Microbusinesses

    Measured as online ventures with predominantly less than 10 employees. For every microbusiness in a community, data shows that the average median household income goes up and unemployment goes down.

    Microbusiness Activity Index Score

    A composite score created by UCLA economists to track and compare the health of microbusiness communities over time, on a quarterly basis. Learn more about MAI.

    Microbusiness Density
    Bottom 20%
    20% to 40%
    40% to 60%
    60% to 80%
    Top 20%

    Measured as microbusinesses per 100 people,

    shaded by zip code percentile as of Q1 2023.

    Download this in Microbusiness Data HubDownload this in Microbusiness Data Hubright arrow

    What's the Health of Microbusinesses?

    Developed in partnership with UCLA Anderson Forecast economists to measure and compare microbusiness activity across communities, over time.
    86.3 National Low
    National Average
    122.4 National High

    YourMicrobusinessActivity Index

    0 Composite Score
    0 132
    86.3 National Low
    National Average
    122.4 National High
    US AVG
    *US National High is 142.1
    0 142.1*

    Subindex Infrastructure

    Does this community have the physical and intellectual infrastructure needed to access and use the internet?
    Proportion of residents with broadband subscriptions, home computers, and varying education attainment.
    US AVG
    *US National High is 109.3
    0 109.3*

    Subindex Participation

    What is the number of GoDaddy online microbusinesses created and run by residents in the area?
    Volume and monthly change or growth rate in the number of GoDaddy customers and microbusinesses per capita.

    Composite Activity Index Score Comparison

    Developed in partnership with UCLA Anderson Forecast economists to measure and compare microbusiness prevalence and activity across communities, over time. The Microbusiness Activity Index is a composite index comprised of three subindices that correlate with healthy microbusiness activity and growth: Infrastructure, Participation and Engagement.

    My Score

    U.S. National Average for Counties

    Download this in Microbusiness Data HubDownload this in Microbusiness Data Hubright arrow

    Microbusiness Impact Report

    Developed in partnership with mySidewalk, a leader in holistic data-driven and community-focused storytelling, this customizable report combines microbusiness data and GoDaddy indices with 3rd party datasets to offer the most insight on any community and empower policymakers to design targeted programs and track progress.

    Godaddy Brand My Sidewalk Brand

    Assess Regional Strengths

    Get the latest microbusiness activity in your community to identify opportunities for scaling, programs, and resources.

    Identify Potential Gaps

    Uncover insights relating to microbusiness entrepreneurs' access to federal programs, capital, and technical support.

    Establish a Baseline

    Get your community's microbusiness activity index score to compare against the national average and similar populations.

    Build a Use Case

    Use the report to provide a narrative for building strategic programs, partnerships, and funding.

    How it Works

    Select one or multiple counties or metro areas below, then click the Request button to generate a custom Microbusiness Impact Report from mySidewalk.

    Venture Forward National Survey Results

    30,000+ Entrepreneurs Surveyed Since 2019

    Venture Forward connected with entrepreneurs across four national surveys and 23 individual city surveys to better understand and capture the trends, needs, demographics, and insights around what's happening with microbusinesses. Below are some highlights from the most recent August 2023 national survey.
    I didn't find it easy to raise capital even though I only needed less than $5k.
    I left my job to start my microbusiness to be my own boss.
    I could really use help with marketing and getting online.
    I plan on increasing the size of my business and hours I put into it soon.
    Key Findings

    Microbusinesses

    • Started in 2020 or later
      30%
    • Required less than $5k to start
      66%
    • Less than 10 employees
      95%
    • Generated over $5k last month
      28%
    • Saw revenue grow in last 6 months
      28%
    • Started in 2020 or later
      30%
    • Required less than $5k to start
      66%
    • Less than 10 employees
      95%
    • Generated over $5k last month
      28%
    • Saw revenue grow in last 6 months
      28%
    * August 2022 GoDaddy National Survey
    Key Findings

    Long-Term Goal

    • Want to stay a solopreneur
      34%
    • Want to stay small with a physical location
      32%
    • Want to grow their business into a large corporation/unicorn
      11%
    • Want to stay a solopreneur
      34%
    • Want to stay small with a physical location
      32%
    • Want to grow their business into a large corporation/unicorn
      11%
    * August 2022 GoDaddy National Survey
    Key Findings

    Obstacles & Needs

    • Unaware of business assistance, funding, and government programs
      67%
    • Positive about how local policies support their business
      24%
    • Would like government help with marketing to succeed
      38%
    • Would like government help with capital to succeed
      37%
    • Unaware of business assistance, funding, and government programs
      67%
    • Positive about how local policies support their business
      24%
    • Would like government help with marketing to succeed
      38%
    • Would like government help with capital to succeed
      37%
    * August 2022 GoDaddy National Survey

    Explore National Survey Results by Question or Topic

    To get custom views, select a survey question you're interested in by first picking a category tab and then choosing a question from the dropdown menu.
    1.
    To get custom views, select a survey question you're interested in by first picking a category tab and then choosing a question from the dropdown menu.
    2.
    For the raw data, comprehensive breakdown of questions, or to look at other surveys by year or by one of the 20 specific cities, download the full dataset by visiting the Data Hub via the button below.
    Download Survey DataDownload File

    Connect With Us

    Can Venture Forward data support decision making in your community? We’re here to help.
    Send a MessageSend a Message