Home » Kentucky has an estimated 97,800 women-owned firms, employing more than 85,000

Kentucky has an estimated 97,800 women-owned firms, employing more than 85,000

March 21, 2012—

Kentucky has an estimated 97,800 women-owned firms, employing 85,500 and attributing to roughly $13 billion according to the State of Women-Owned Businesses Report, commissioned by American Express OPEN, a comprehensive study released today analyzing data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Similar to the first report released this time last year, the unique analysis, reported by industry, revenue and employment size at the national, state and top 25 metropolitan levels, shares a new and nuanced investigation into the growth trends among the 8.3 million women-owned enterprises over the past 15 years.

Nationally, the number of women-owned businesses has increased by 54% since 1997.  Kentucky is ranked 24th (48.3%) in growth of number of firms over the past 15 years and 45th (39.4%) in growth of firm revenue between 1997 and 2012.
Below is a table comparing Kentucky’s women-owned firm’s data to the national numbers.
Trend in Women-Owned Firms by State, 1997-2012
Women-Owned Firms % Change, 1997-2012
1997 2002 2007 2012 (est.)
Total US
Number of Firms 5,417,034  6,489,483  7,793,139  8,345,600 54.1%
Employment 7,076,081  7,146,229  7,579,876  7,697,000 8.8%
Sales ($000) $818,669,084 $940,774,986 $1,202,115,758 $1,291,267,100 57.7%
Kentucky
Number of Firms 65,965  77,159  86,429  97,800 48.3%
Employment 95,453  84,096  89,059  85,500 -10.4%
Sales ($000) $9,876,600 $9,451,101 $12,381,271 $13,767,700 39.4%