Texas has crossed a major economic threshold, surpassing 3 million registered business entities for the first time in state history. Governor Greg Abbott and Secretary of State Jane Nelson announced the milestone Tuesday in Austin.
The record number represents more than double the 1.4 million businesses registered when Abbott took office in 2015. It signals continued confidence in Texas’ business-friendly environment despite national economic uncertainties.
“Texas now has more than 3 million registered businesses, more than double from when I took office,” said Governor Abbott. “This milestone shows the true strength of the Texas economy. Texas is the land of freedom and opportunity where businesses and workers can chart their own path to succeed and thrive.”
The governor credited the state’s lack of corporate or personal income taxes alongside its skilled workforce. “With no corporate or personal income tax, a highly skilled and diverse workforce, and the best business climate in the nation, Texas attracts innovators and entrepreneurs from across the country and around the world,” Abbott said.
Secretary Nelson struck a similarly optimistic tone about the achievement. “This is a proud moment, and I congratulate all the entrepreneurs who are choosing to do business here in Texas,” said Nelson.
“Reaching the 3 million active entities mark demonstrates the strong confidence the business community has in our state, and there are no signs of this trend slowing down,” she added. “My office remains committed to delivering efficient, reliable service to support business formations and operations in Texas.”
Economists note the surge reflects both Texas’ rapid population growth and the state’s appeal to relocating entrepreneurs from high-tax states like California and New York.
As The Dallas Express previously reported, New York’s sharp political turn under newly elected socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani has accelerated the migration of capital and talent from Wall Street to Texas. Major firms including Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo have expanded operations in Dallas, Austin, and Houston — citing the state’s low taxes and pro-business policies. Analysts suggest that national realignments like these continue to fuel Texas’s record business growth.
The total includes both Texas-incorporated businesses and out-of-state entities operating locally. Limited liability companies formed in-state comprise the largest category.
To handle the surge, the Secretary of State’s office launched Texas Express in September. The service provides same-day and next-day processing for many business filings.
The office continues modernizing services and expanding online resources to accommodate growing demand. A decade ago, the state counted just over 1.4 million registered entities — less than half of today’s total.