IN THE NEWS:
A Profile on U.S. Business Owners: Examining Trends by Gender and Racial Identities
A new NORC research brief “A Profile on U.S. Business Owners: Examining Trends by Gender and Racial Identities” highlights the rising diversity in this population. Based on EPOP:2022 Survey data, this report shows greater levels of diversity among business owners who opened their businesses in recent years. Non-Hispanic Black women and Hispanic individuals (men and women) are becoming business owners at significantly higher rates than in the past (since 2020). Furthermore, EPOP data indicates that the number of non-Hispanic Black female business owners will continue to grow.
View the report on gender and racial trends among business owners
IN THE NEWS:
EPOP in Indiana
Based on the national EPOP Survey, the Entrepreneurship in the Population: Indiana (EPOP-IN) project focuses on experiences with and interest in entrepreneurship in Indiana. The Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) conducted EPOP-IN to learn about self-employment and business formation issues specific to residents in their state. The study collected data from August to November 2022. Click here for EPOP-IN information, data, and reports about the study.
If you are interested in learning more about conducting an EPOP study at the state, regional, or local level, please contact us at EPOPresearch@norc.org.
IN THE NEWS:
NORC Release Brief
NORC's initial research brief highlights the EPOP study's broad scope and detailed findings on entrepreneurship in the US. The EPOP survey captures the full range of business ownership experiences from start-up successes and challenges through business changes and closures. This research brief presents data on a variety of entrepreneurial categories--prospective business owners, gig workers, current or former freelancers, passive or withdrawn owners, and multiple others. By these specific categories, the brief offers insights on demographics, work status, motivations, business operations, financial support, and more.
IN THE NEWS:
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs: Removing Barriers (2023)
The Kauffman Foundation continues to recognize, with urgency, the significance of the role new and existing businesses play in local, regional, and the national economy. This report continues their series of sharing the state of capital access for entrepreneurs highlighting the need for innovative products and models to improve capital delivery systems.
ACCESS THE DATA
The EPOP survey is a cross-sectional annual survey – nationally representative of adults residing in the U.S. – which measures the interest in, involvement with, and experiences with entrepreneurship across the population. Public Use data files and Restricted Use data files are available.
Public Use Files
- For general use without restriction
- Comprehensive data set
- Supports national, state, and regional analysis
- Data and documentation available
- Emailed to you directly
Restricted Use Files
- For specific research needs
- Adhere to strict data security procedures
- Requires an application process
- Requires data security training
- Requires signing a Data Use Agreement
DATA IN ACTION
Click on an image to interact with the data
State-Level Data
Demographic Data
MSA-Level Data
UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS
January 5-7, 2024: 2024 Labor and Employment Relations Association (LERA) Conference
OUR METHODOLOGY
EPOP is a five-year, cross-sectional, nationally representative survey which measures entrepreneurship status and activity in the US. From 2022 to 2026, NORC will collect 31,000 completed surveys per year. The results will support estimation by key demographic subgroups and by each of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the 50 most populous metropolitan areas.
