The small area estimation from the Entrepreneurship in the Population (EPOP) Survey provide more precise information on entrepreneurial activities than would be available from direct survey data alone. These estimates are available at the State and Metropolitan Statistical Area levels, both overall as well as by race/ethnicity and gender subgroups. Estimates are currently available for EPOP:2022 and EPOP:2023.
Small area estimation “borrows strength” across domains and from additional data sources to improve inference over direct survey estimates. Estimation methods vary by year of data release. To learn more, refer to the small area estimation methodology reports below.
Small Area Estimation Methodology Report: 2022, 2023
Small area estimates can be downloaded from the link below. Each file contains two tabs for each geographic level of estimation (State and MSA), and each tab contains overall estimates by geographic area as well as by demographic subgroups. Each download includes a file with data documentation.
Small Area Estimation Data and Documentation (zip file): 2022, 2023
For any questions about EPOP, please contact EPOPresearch@norc.org.
Expertise regarding Small Area Estimation for EPOP is provided by Carolina Franco, Principal Statistician at NORC.
We want to hear about your research and analysis using EPOP Survey data. Let us know about your presentations, reports, and publications, and we will add them to Publications.
Contact us at EPOPresearch@norc.org.
Using EPOP:2024 data, the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) presents a profile of women business owners and their impact on the economy.
Using EPOP:2024 data, the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) highlights the significant contributions of Black entrepreneurs and opportunities for support.
Using EPOP:2023 data, the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) calls attention to Latino business owners’ contributions to the U.S. economy and the unique challenges they face. AEO uses EPOP:2023 data to study Latino entrepreneurs—to quantify their numbers, recognize the priority they place on growing their businesses, and note that they face inequitable access to resources and support.
The EPOP Survey Project has released the 2024 data on entrepreneurship in America and a new research brief focusing on challenges with obtaining capital to start new businesses. Exploring both traditional and emerging sources of capital, the EPOP:2024 data reveals that most business owners rely on their personal assets—credit cards in particular--to fund their start-ups. Entrepreneurs frequently apply for capital from external sources, but relatively few ultimately receive this funding.
The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) examined minority entrepreneurs in the retail industry using EPOP:2023 data. Their report “Assessing Challenges and Opportunities for Minority Business Retail Growth” focuses on small Black-owned retail businesses. This analysis utilizes EPOP data to underscore obstacles for Black retailers, such as, finding customers, doing taxes, and networking.
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