There were 49 businesses created or renewed in February — all but eight new businesses. It’s an unusually high percent of new businesses — 84 percent, compared with 67 percent in January.

February is also the fourth month in a row in which the total figure lands close to where it was five years ago. Last month matches exactly recorded business creation or renewal in February 2006.

In January, the figure was 45 compared with 46 five years ago; for December, 55 compared with 50 in 2006, and for November, 60 compared with 59 in 2006.

In the intervening time, there were 64 businesses created or renewed in February a year ago; 69 in February 2008; and 52 in February 2007. The current “Great Recession” began 10 months later, in December 2007.