In April 2001 the U.S. Census Bureau issued data from its Survey of Women-Owned Business Enterprises, from the 1997 Economic Census. This is the most accurate and up-to-date information on women-owned businesses in the nation. The full report is available on-line at: http://www.census.gov/csd/mwb/
The survey found that in 1997 there were 5,417,034 women-owned businesses in the United States, accounting for 26% of all firms nationally. Women-owned businesses accounted for 4.4% of all gross sales in the United States, roughly $818.7 million sales. Between 1992 and 1997, there was a -15.5% decline in women-owned firms. States with the largest number of women-owned businesses are California (700,513), New York (394,014), Texas (381,453), Florida (337,811), and Illinois (239,725). In addition, California also had the largest gross sales from women-owned firms. Refer to Table 1 and Map 1.
| State | Firms | Percent of All Firms | Sales and Receipts ($1000s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 700,513 | 27.3% | $121,191,163 |
| New York | 394,014 | 26.1% | $59,496,722 |
| Texas | 381,453 | 25.0% | $65,065,262 |
| Florida | 337,811 | 26.0% | $48,261,328 |
| Illinois | 239,725 | 27.2% | $44,273,464 |
| U.S. TOTAL 1997 | 5,417,034 | 100.0% | $818,669,084 |
| U.S. TOTAL 1992 | 5,888,883 | 100.0% | $642,484,352 |
Counties with the largest number of women-owned businesses are dispersed throughout the United States. These include: Los Angeles County (CA), Cook County (IL), New York County (NY), Harris County (TX), and Orange County (CA). Los Angles County (CA) has the largest number of women-owned firms and the largest gross sales. Refer to Table 2.
| County, State | Firms | Sales and Receipts ($1000s) |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angles County, California | 200,793 | $32,300,000 |
| Cook County, Illinois | 99,604 | $20,485,000 |
| New York County, New York | 70,042 | $18,495,000 |
| Harris County, Texas | 65,372 | $13,687,000 |
| Orange County, California | 65,136 | $12,646,000 |
States with the highest percentage of women-owned businesses, as a percent of all firms, are diffused throughout the United States. These states include the District of Columbia (30.9%), New Mexico (29.4%), Maryland (28.9%), Colorado (28.0%) and Oregon (27.6%). Although the District of Columbia has the largest percentage of women firms, the actual number of firms and gross sales is substantially lower than in the other states. This is attributable to the District of Columbia's small overall firm base. For example, D.C. only has 45,297 total firms in the state, compared to 400,203 total firms in Maryland. Refer to Table 3 and Map 2.
Table 3
U.S. Women-Owned Businesses - Percent of Firms by State, 1997
| State | Percent of All Firms | Firms | Sales and Receipts ($1000s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 30.9% | 13,979 | $1,813,270 |
| New Mexico | 29.4% | 38,706 | $4,449,686 |
| Maryland | 28.9% | 115,801 | $14,657,414 |
| Colorado | 28.0% | 114,807 | $13,762,595 |
| Oregon | 27.6% | 80,543 | $10,334,626 |
In 1997, there were 103,626 women-owned businesses in Missouri, accounting for 25.2% of all firms statewide. Between 1992 and 1997, there was a -12.1% decline in women-owned firms in Missouri. Within Missouri, the largest concentration of women-owned businesses are located in the Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas: St. Louis County (21.3%), Jackson County (11.4%), St. Charles County (6.0%), St. Louis City (5.1%), and Greene County (4.5%).
In terms of total sales and receipts, the largest grossing areas are St. Louis County, Jackson County, and St. Louis City. It is important to note that although St. Charles County ranks third in percent of women-owned firms, it only ranks seventh in terms of gross sales. This indicates that the area's large number of firms generate a smaller economic impact in the state. Refer to Table 4 and Maps 3 and 4.
| Missouri County | Percent of All Firms | Firms | Sales and Receipts ($1000s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis County | 21.3% | 22,104 | $4,015,589 |
| Jackson County | 11.4% | 11,768 | $1,824,302 |
| St. Charles County | 6.0% | 6,213 | $502,938 |
| St. Louis City | 5.1% | 5,294 | $1,201,191 |
| Greene County | 4.5% | 4,623 | $1,039,181 |
| Clay County | 3.5% | 3,634 | $872,006 |
| Jefferson County | 3.3% | 3,436 | $522,654 |
| Boone County | 2.8% | 2,909 | $207,686 |
| Buchanan County | 1.8% | 1,904 | $200,921 |
| MISSOURI TOTAL 1997 | 25.2% | 103,626 | $15,002,981 |
| MISSOURI TOTAL 1992 | 33.8% | 117,885 | $11,074,872 |
Map 4
Women-Owned Firms by County, 1997
The majority of women-owned businesses in Missouri are concentrated in two main industry groups - services (53.5%) and retail trade (19.2%). Other sectors include finance, insurance and real estate (9.5%) and other industries not classified (6.4%). However, in terms of total sales and receipts, the largest grossing industries are wholesale trade, retail trade, services, and manufacturing. This indicates that although the trade and manufacturing sector has fewer firms, in terms of gross sales they have a larger impact on Missouri's economy. Refer to Table 5.
| Industry | Percent of All Firms | Firms | Sales and Receipts ($1000s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Mining | 1.5% | 1,586 | $132,877 |
| Construction | 3.7% | 3,830 | $1,230,230 |
| Manufacturing | 2.0% | 2,039 | $1,959,718 |
| Transportation, Communications & Utilities | 2.2% | 2,266 | $1,416,240 |
| Wholesale Trade | 2.0% | 2,072 | $3,934,548 |
| Retail Trade | 19.2% | 19,906 | $2,726,012 |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 9.5% | 9,853 | $881,688 |
| Services | 53.5% | 55,472 | $2,623,868 |
| Industries Not Classified | 6.4% | 6,646 | $97,799 |
