Business start-ups and closures

Source: City of Seattle Department of Finance and Administrative Services (March 2012)

Key Findings

In 2011, Seattle reported 9,100 new business licenses, up 15% from 2010. Business closures in 2011 totaled 3,100, down 16% since 2010.

The total net number of citywide businesses increased from 2010 to 2011 by 40% (1,700 businesses) based on current Opening and Closing records. Net license count shows a more modest 0.5% increase (300 licenses).

Approximately 55,700 businesses are located in the City of Seattle, as of December 31st, 2011, based on City of Seattle business license records.

Notes:

• Citywide business license estimates are based on the total number of businesses with a Seattle address that have paid license fees within a given year. Openings represent businesses reporting a start date in that year, and closures represent business licenses that have been terminated within a given year. Data for 2012 do not reflect a complete count of licensed businesses, only those that have paid to date. Additionally, data processing lag may attribute a large number of closures in years later than actual close-of-business.
• Historical business license data are continually updated with new information on business openings, closures and licensing renewals. All historical estimates are subject to revision as new data become available. Net change in total businesses varies from the net change in openings and closures for a given year due to data limitations, such a lags in reporting and lags in processing license reports.