The Small Business Administration backed loans worth $27.5 billion through its primary lending program in 2023—rising well above pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels as government officials aim to stabilize the economy.
Many small businesses get their start and scale up with SBA loans, which increased lending to Black, Latino, and women entrepreneurs in the past few years in step with efforts to become more equitable.
Recommended Videos
Flippa found the county in Texas where applicants were approved for the most SBA loan funds per capita in fiscal year 2023, which ended in September. The analysis was based on the SBA's most common loan program, known as 7(a) loans. SBA's 7(a) program provides extra security to lenders when they loan money to small businesses that might otherwise be considered too risky to grant. Loans can be for up to $5 million, but in 2023, nearly 7 in 10 loans were for amounts of $350,000 or less. Small businesses can use these funds for real estate acquisitions or improvements, working capital, supplies and equipment, and for other business startup or acquisition purposes.
Barriers do still exist for eligibility, including income, credit history, and location, but SBA loans can be fruitful for founders who don't qualify for conventional business financing. They can also provide protection against high and volatile interest rates, as SBA-backed loans have maximum interest rates that are predictable and often lower than other loans.
In a national analysis of the #1 ranked counties in every state, all but two counties had populations of less than 500,000—most smaller than 100,000. That's not surprising, as the Census Bureau classifies about 99% of U.S. counties as small. Still, it signifies that these smaller communities are building successful entrepreneurial environments. In most cases, their small businesses are able to succeed beyond those within the major U.S. population centers—at least in terms of success in gaining SBA funding.
Read on to see whether your county ranks among those receiving the most SBA loans.
#50. Clay County
- SBA approved about $134.72 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $1.4 million - Number of loans: 3
#49. Kaufman County
- SBA approved about $135.52 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $19.0 million - Number of loans: 24
#48. Palo Pinto County
- SBA approved about $137.01 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $3.9 million - Number of loans: 3
#47. Midland County
- SBA approved about $137.65 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $23.0 million - Number of loans: 25
#46. Moore County
- SBA approved about $138.94 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $3.0 million - Number of loans: 3
#45. Travis County
- SBA approved about $140.69 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $178.4 million - Number of loans: 251
#44. Burnet County
- SBA approved about $141.19 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $6.8 million - Number of loans: 9
#43. Williamson County
- SBA approved about $143.94 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $85.2 million - Number of loans: 150
#42. Burleson County
- SBA approved about $144.17 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $2.6 million - Number of loans: 2
#41. Hunt County
- SBA approved about $146.27 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $14.4 million - Number of loans: 12
#40. Wise County
- SBA approved about $148.37 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $10.1 million - Number of loans: 10
#39. Falls County
- SBA approved about $149.35 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $2.6 million - Number of loans: 1
#38. Hays County
- SBA approved about $149.76 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $35.1 million - Number of loans: 49
#37. Chambers County
- SBA approved about $152.68 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $6.9 million - Number of loans: 7
#36. Shelby County
- SBA approved about $153.09 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $3.7 million - Number of loans: 2
#35. Victoria County
- SBA approved about $153.40 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $14.0 million - Number of loans: 10
#34. Fannin County
- SBA approved about $155.13 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $5.5 million - Number of loans: 3
#33. Bandera County
- SBA approved about $155.87 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $3.2 million - Number of loans: 2
#32. Comal County
- SBA approved about $156.21 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $24.4 million - Number of loans: 32
#31. Andrews County
- SBA approved about $156.52 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $2.8 million - Number of loans: 3
#30. Calhoun County
- SBA approved about $158.59 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $3.2 million - Number of loans: 1
#29. Denton County
- SBA approved about $158.71 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $140.5 million - Number of loans: 207
#28. Waller County
- SBA approved about $159.22 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $8.8 million - Number of loans: 4
#27. Rockwall County
- SBA approved about $162.56 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $17.1 million - Number of loans: 22
#26. Milam County
- SBA approved about $169.71 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $4.2 million - Number of loans: 2
#25. Hill County
- SBA approved about $175.33 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $6.3 million - Number of loans: 6
#24. Limestone County
- SBA approved about $176.66 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $3.9 million - Number of loans: 4
#23. Bailey County
- SBA approved about $186.57 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $1.3 million - Number of loans: 1
#22. Collin County
- SBA approved about $190.95 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $198.6 million - Number of loans: 306
#21. Colorado County
- SBA approved about $192.32 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $4.0 million - Number of loans: 3
#20. Jackson County
- SBA approved about $194.05 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $2.9 million - Number of loans: 1
#19. Frio County
- SBA approved about $198.62 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $3.7 million - Number of loans: 1
#18. Eastland County
- SBA approved about $201.21 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $3.6 million - Number of loans: 4
#17. Sabine County
- SBA approved about $211.55 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $2.1 million - Number of loans: 1
#16. Nolan County
- SBA approved about $217.29 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $3.2 million - Number of loans: 1
#15. Gillespie County
- SBA approved about $221.66 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $5.9 million - Number of loans: 8
#14. Ward County
- SBA approved about $225.05 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $2.6 million - Number of loans: 1
#13. San Augustine County
- SBA approved about $227.27 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $1.8 million - Number of loans: 1
#12. Lampasas County
- SBA approved about $229.39 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $4.9 million - Number of loans: 6
#11. Robertson County
- SBA approved about $242.00 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $4.1 million - Number of loans: 2
#10. Deaf Smith County
- SBA approved about $251.61 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $4.7 million - Number of loans: 2
#9. Marion County
- SBA approved about $268.47 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $2.6 million - Number of loans: 2
#8. Crane County
- SBA approved about $290.22 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $1.4 million - Number of loans: 1
#7. Somervell County
- SBA approved about $331.52 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $3.0 million - Number of loans: 1
#6. Real County
- SBA approved about $347.83 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $992,000 - Number of loans: 2
#5. Fayette County
- SBA approved about $372.06 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $9.1 million - Number of loans: 3
#4. Wheeler County
- SBA approved about $392.85 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $2.0 million - Number of loans: 1
#3. Leon County
- SBA approved about $542.29 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $8.6 million - Number of loans: 3
#2. Karnes County
- SBA approved about $632.19 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $9.4 million - Number of loans: 4
#1. Menard County
- SBA approved about $745.00 per resident in 7(a) loans in 2023. - Total approved funds: $1.5 million - Number of loans: 1
This story features data reporting and writing by Paxtyn Merten and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
This story originally appeared on Flippa and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
