By james art 
(Center Square), according to an article from Center Square, it states that a study released earlier this month ranked Washington as the #1 state for entrepreneurs in 2025.
Simplify LLC, an independent publication that provides free guides for small business owners, held its own “The Best and Worst Countries for Entrepreneurs in 2025.” Research by analyzing six categories of data from the Census Bureau, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Tax Foundation, and US Senate.
These six categories are job creation, consumer spending, inflation, business growth, corporate taxes, and migration of educated workers.
“[Washington’s] The #1 spot was driven by strong business growth and a lack of corporate income taxes, making it attractive to set up shop,” the report said.
According to the article, Washington has no personal or corporate income tax. However, according to the state Department of Revenuepeople or businesses doing business in Washington are subject to a business and occupation, or B&O, tax and/or utility tax. Gross receipts determine the amount of tax businesses need to pay.
Here’s how Washington scored in the six categories:
- Job creation rate: 16.55 (rank: 16)
- Consumer spending growth: 3.9% (rank: 1)
- Regional Inflation: 20% (Rank: 10)
- New Business Growth: 110.8% (Rank: 1)
- Maximum corporate tax rate: 0% (rank: 1)
- Net migration of educated workers: -508 (rank: 33)
Evergreen’s No. 1 overall ranking is a big improvement on the No. 8 ranking in 2024 survey.
Rounding up the five best countries for entrepreneurs in 2025 are Texas, Maine, Nevada and Oregon.
The five worst states are Alabama, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi and West Virginia.