Nearly a quarter of Americans run or are trying to run a business
Core finding
Verasight surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults from August 12 to 18, 2026. 23.1% of Americans are trying to start a business or are an owner-manager, including self-employment and selling goods or services.
The remaining 76.9% say neither description applies. The question combines people starting a business with current owner-managers, so it does not provide a separate count for either group.
Topline distribution
Nearly a quarter of Americans run or are trying to run a business.
Are you, alone or with others, currently trying to start a new business, including any self-employment or selling any goods or services to others, or currently the owner-manager of a business that you help run?
n = 1,000 · Aug 12–18, 2026 · MoE ±3.2%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | Aug 12–18, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.2% |
| Module | AOM Survey #2026-152 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026
Are you, alone or with others, currently trying to start a new business, including any self-employment or selling any goods or services to others, or currently the owner-manager of a business that you help run?
Cite this question
AOM Omnibus, fielded August 12-18, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.2%.