Select Beacons
of Rural Entrepreneurship
This map highlights 17 illustrative beacon counties, offering a snapshot of the broader set of rural communities with strong entrepreneurship outcomes.
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Lincoln County, ME
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Sheridan County, WY
Click pinpoints to learn more about each location
Ringgold County, IA
Ringgold County, IA
Known for its rolling hills, lakes and wildlife areas — and its rare greater prairie-chicken population.
Rural entrepreneurship index:
92nd percentile
total businesses (2023)
105
population (2023)
4,700
Sheridan County, WY
At the foot of the Bighorn Mountains, with deep ranching roots and a rich Western frontier history.
Rural entrepreneurship index:
100th percentile
total businesses (2023)
1,900
population (2023)
32,000
Lincoln County, ME
Home to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse, with a rocky Midcoast shoreline, oyster farms and a long lobster-fishing and shipbuilding heritage.
Rural entrepreneurship index:
93rd percentile
total businesses (2023)
1,100
population (2023)
36,000
15 Rural Entrepreneurship Beacons
Use the map to explore 15 rural counties with vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Teton County, ID
Set beneath the western slopes of the Tetons, with a farming and ranching heritage and year-round appeal for outdoor enthusiasts.
Rural entrepreneurship index:
98th percentile
total businesses (2023)
542
population (2023)
12,000
Chaffee County, CO
In the heart of the Rockies, with more 14,000-foot peaks than any other Colorado county and thrilling whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River.
Rural entrepreneurship index:
97th percentile
total businesses (2023)
938
population (2023)
20,000
Lamoille County, VT
Home to Stowe and Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak, with an economy shaped by skiing, tourism and maple sugaring.
Rural entrepreneurship index:
89th percentile
total businesses (2023)
881
population (2023)
26,000
Bayfield County, WI
Home to part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, with 100+ miles of Lake Superior shoreline, apple orchards and berry farms.
Rural entrepreneurship index:
89th percentile
total businesses (2023)
396
population (2023)
16,000
Troup County, GA
Located on the Chattahoochee River, with deep textile roots and a strong manufacturing base led by automotive production.
Rural entrepreneurship index:
96th percentile
total businesses (2023)
1,500
population (2023)
70,000
Brunswick County, VA
Home of Brunswick stew, with deep agricultural and forestry roots, historic sites and recreation along Lake Gaston.
Rural entrepreneurship index:
94th percentile
total businesses (2023)
236
population (2023)
16,000
Gallatin County, MT
Home to Bozeman and part of Big Sky, with mountain landscapes, year-round outdoor recreation and a growing high-tech economy.
Rural entrepreneurship index:
98th percentile
total businesses (2023)
5,600
population (2023)
122,000
Lincoln County, NM
Known for its Wild West history, ties to Billy the Kid and Smokey Bear and scenic mountain recreation.
Rural entrepreneurship index:
93rd percentile
total businesses (2023)
634
population (2023)
20,000
McKenzie County, ND
Known for its rugged Badlands, the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ranching heritage and oil and gas production.
Rural entrepreneurship index:
97th percentile
total businesses (2023)
521
population (2023)
14,000
Houston County, TN
Bordering the Tennessee River, with a distinctive Irish heritage, historic lime kilns and an economy rooted in timber and cattle.
Rural entrepreneurship index:
94th percentile
total businesses (2023)
106
population (2023)
8,300
Lamoille County, VT
Brunswick County, VA
Houston County, TN
Troup County, GA
Bayfield County, WI
Hood County, TX
Somervell, TX
Lincoln County, NM
Chaffee County, CO
McKenzie County, ND
Wasatch County, UT
Summit County, UT
Teton County, ID
Gallatin County, MT
Sheridan County, WY
teton county, id
chaffee county, co
lincoln county, me
lamoille county, vt
bayfield county, wi
summit county, ut
wasatch county, ut
somervell county, tx
hood county, tx
troup county, ga
brunswick county, va
ringgold county, ia
gallatin county, mt
lincoln county, nm
Mckenzie county, nd
houston county, tn
Wasatch County, UT
Deep agricultural roots and known for outdoor recreation.
Rural entrepreneurship index:
100th percentile
total businesses (2023)
1,100
population (2023)
36,000
Summit County, UT
Anchored by Park City, with a silver-mining heritage and world-class skiing.
Rural entrepreneurship index:
97th percentile
total businesses (2023)
2,400
population (2023)
43,000
Somervell County, TX
Home to Dinosaur Valley State Park, known for its preserved dinosaur tracks.
Rural entrepreneurship index:
95th percentile
total businesses (2023)
230
population (2023)
9,400
Hood County, TX
Home to historic Granbury and Lake Granbury, with tourism centered on recreation and its historic downtown.
Rural entrepreneurship index:
93rd percentile
total businesses (2023)
1,400
population (2023)
64,000
