Godaddy has published its list of the most entrepreneurial cities of 2025 and reveals that both large urban centers and smaller suburban communities increase an increase in creation of small businesses in the United States.
The ranking based on data from the Godaddy Small Business Research Lab underlines the top 10 US cities, in which the highest number of new companies occurred in the previous year. Leadership on the list is San Francisco, California, which was added to over 173,000 new companies in 2024, which corresponds to an increase of 122% compared to the previous year. Los Angeles followed with 153,681 new companies and a growth rate of 50%.
Smaller cities also recorded significant growth. Alameda, California, reported 6,300 new companies – an increase of 83% – while Ontario, California, rose by 100% with 9,789. Other high -ranking cities are Frankfort, Illinois (10,370 new companies) and Katy, Texas (6,660 new companies).
Two cities called Wilmington – Delaware and North Carolina – made the top 10 with 8,811 and 6,734. This trend underlines the growing entrepreneurial activity in less traditional locations.
The full top 10 list is as follows:
| City | Created new shops | Growth year over the year |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, approx. | 173.054 | 122% |
| Los Angeles, approx. | 153,681 | 50% |
| Denver what | 63.010 | 56% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 11.180 | 21% |
| Frankfct, the | 10,370 | 16% |
| Ontario, approx. | 9.789 | 100% |
| Wilmington, de | 8.811 | 14% |
| Wilmington, NC | 6.734 | 36% |
| Katy, TX | 6.660 | 12% |
| Alameda, approx. | 6,300 | 83% |
“Small companies are crucial for growth in the whole country, but they are not always recognized for how much they are beating over their weight,” said Gourav Pani, President of Independents at Godaddy. “These ranking lists show new companies from every corner of the country, and entrepreneurs prove that they can be successful anywhere.”
According to Godaddy, the data show that California continues to be a stronghold for new companies, with four cities being among the top 10 despite the high costs of the state. The advancement of the suburban markets and unexpected entries such as Frankfort and Ontario demand the assumptions where entrepreneurship flourishes.
Godaddy's Small Business Research Lab, previously known as Venture Forward, has been analyzing small business trends in the USA for seven years.
Image: Canva