Women are changing the face of America’s economy. Women-owned businesses are increasing in number, range, diversity and earning power. As women business owners expand their companies, they contribute to the economic success of our
national economy.
  
 

(Thank you to the Center for Women's Business Research for the following stats.)

  

As of 2006, there are an estimated 10.4 million privately-held, 50% or more women-owned firms in the U.S., accounting for two in five (40.2%) of all businesses in the country. These firms generate $1.9 trillion in annual sales and employ 12.8 million people nationwide.

Between 1997 and 2006, the percent growth in the number of 51% (majority) or more women-owned firms was nearly twice that of all U.S. firms (42.3% vs. 23.3%). Employment among 51% or more women-owned firms grew 0.4%, and annual sales grew 4.4%.

The largest share of 51% or more women-owned firms is in the service sector. More than two-thirds (69.0%) of these firms (5.3 million) are in services; 14.4% (1.1 million) are in retail trade; and 7.7% (0.6 million) are in real estate, rental, and leasing. 

From 1997 to 2006, the greatest growth among 51% or more women-owned firms has been in:

  • Wholesale trade (283.4% growth);

  • Healthcare and social assistance services (130.0% growth);

  • Arts, entertainment, and recreation services (116.8% growth);

  • Professional, scientific, and technical services (82.7%).

As of 2006, there are an estimated 165,881privately-held, 50% or more women-owned firms in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington PA-NJ-DE-MD, generating nearly $34 billion in sales and employing 213,957 people. These firms account for 35.5% of all privately-held firms in the metropolitan area and include an estimated 130,202 privately-held, majority (51% or more) women-owned firms in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington PA-NJ-DE-MD, accounting for 27.8% of all privately-held firms in the metropolitan area.

The estimated 130,202 privately-held, majority (51% or more) women-owned firms in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington PA-NJ-DE-MD generate nearly $22 billion in sales and employ 137,602 people.

Between 1997 and 2006, the Center for Women's Business Research

estimates that the number of these firms in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington PA-NJ-DE-MD increased by 60.5%, employment grew

by 6.6%, and sales increased by 13.0%.

The Center for Women's Business Research estimates that in 2006 there are 19,322 privately-held, majority (51% or more) women-owned employer firms in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington PA-NJ-DE-MD.

The number of these firms grew by 20.6% from 1997 to 2006.

Among the top 50 MSAs, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington PA-NJ-DE-MD ranks 8th in the number of privately-held, majority (51% or more) women-owned firms in 2006, 6th in employment, and 7th in sales.

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington PA-NJ-DE-MD ranks 32nd in the growth in the number of privately-held, majority (51% or more)

women-owned firms between 1997 and 2006, 20th in employment growth, and 19th in sales growth among the top 50 MSAs.

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington PA-NJ-DE-MD ranks 8th among the top 50 metropolitan areas for average overall size and ranks 18th

for overall growth of 51% or more women-owned firms.

For 2006, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington PA-NJ-DE-MD ranks 44th among the top 50 MSAs in terms of the percent share of

privately-held, majority (51% or more) women-owned firms among all privately-held firms in the metropolitan area.