Florida Business Registrations — May 2026
May 2026 · 65,930 new business registrations
Florida Business Registrations recorded 65,930 total filings in May 2026, representing a significant 14.6% decline from April 2026's 77,190 filings. The downturn marks the steepest month-over-month decrease in recent reporting periods, driven by reduced activity across nearly all business categories. Despite the pullback, Florida's registration landscape remains dominated by service-oriented and real estate-focused enterprises, with Miami continuing its commanding lead as the state's primary business registration hub.
Highlights
- May 2026 filings dropped 14.6% compared to April 2026, falling from 77,190 to 65,930 registrations—the most significant monthly decline in the recent reporting cycle.
- Miami accounts for nearly 11.1% of all May registrations with 7,320 filings, more than double the second-place city of St. Petersburg (3,830 filings), underscoring Miami's dominance in Florida's business registration market.
- Professional Services leads all industries with 8,352 registrations, followed by General Business (7,243) and Holding Company (4,364), indicating sustained demand for service-based and investment-oriented business structures.
- Florida Limited Liability Companies (FLALs) comprise 86.2% of all filings (56,825 registrations), demonstrating the overwhelming preference for LLC structures among Florida business registrants.
- Cleaning services and home-based businesses dominate keyword usage with 924 and 915 mentions respectively, reflecting strong demand for service economy registrations despite the overall monthly decline.
Filing Type Distribution
| Filing Type | Count | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Limited Liability Company | 56,825 | 86.2% |
| Domestic Profit Corporation | 5,231 | 7.9% |
| Foreign Limited Liability Company | 1,675 | 2.5% |
| Domestic Non-Profit Corporation | 1,488 | 2.3% |
| Foreign Profit Corporation | 582 | 0.9% |
| DOMLP | 60 | 0.1% |
| Foreign Non-Profit Corporation | 38 | 0.1% |
| Foreign Registered Limited Liability Partnership | 24 | 0.0% |
| AGENT | 6 | 0.0% |
| Trust | 1 | 0.0% |
Top Cities
| Rank | City | New Businesses |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MIAMI | 7,320 |
| 2 | ST. PETERSBURG | 3,830 |
| 3 | ORLANDO | 3,277 |
| 4 | TAMPA | 2,566 |
| 5 | JACKSONVILLE | 1,895 |
| 6 | HIALEAH | 1,076 |
| 7 | FORT LAUDERDALE | 1,013 |
| 8 | BOCA RATON | 970 |
| 9 | NAPLES | 949 |
| 10 | KISSIMMEE | 908 |
Top Industries
| Rank | Industry | Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Professional Services | 8,352 |
| 2 | General Business | 7,243 |
| 3 | Holding Company | 4,364 |
| 4 | Investment Firm | 2,156 |
| 5 | Cleaning Service | 1,283 |
| 6 | Property Management | 1,148 |
| 7 | Retail | 1,064 |
| 8 | Business Consulting | 928 |
| 9 | Construction Company | 925 |
| 10 | Real Estate Investment | 860 |
Trends
May 2026's performance represents a notable contraction from April 2026, with filings declining by 11,260 registrations (14.6% decrease). This represents a more pronounced pullback than the 5.0% decline seen from March to April, suggesting potential seasonal softening or economic headwinds affecting business formation decisions in early summer. The consecutive month-over-month declines warrant monitoring to determine whether this trend represents a temporary dip or signals shifting business registration patterns.
Trending Business Name Keywords
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Florida's total business registration count for May 2026?
Florida recorded 65,930 total business filings in May 2026, down 14.6% from April 2026's 77,190 filings.
Which cities saw the most business registrations in May 2026?
Miami dominated with 7,320 registrations, followed by St. Petersburg (3,830), Orlando (3,277), Tampa (2,566), and Jacksonville (1,895). These five cities accounted for approximately 58% of all May filings.
What business types were most commonly registered in May 2026?
Professional Services led with 8,352 registrations, followed by General Business (7,243) and Holding Company (4,364). Additionally, 86.2% of all filings were Florida Limited Liability Companies (FLALs), reflecting the strong preference for this entity structure.