In 2007 (latest figures available), there were 15,246 women-owned firms in North Dakota, which is up 15 percent from 13,203 women-owned firms in 2002. The rate of growth for North Dakota women-owned firms is nearly twice as high as the growth in all firms statewide (9 percent from 2002 to 2007).

“What is impressive is the diversification of women-owned businesses, specifically away from the traditional areas of services into health care and social assistance, now the largest category of women-owned businesses in North Dakota,” says Richard Rathge, director of the North Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University.

This month’s “Economic Briefs,” a monthly publication from the North Dakota State Data Center, focuses on the number of women-owned firms in North Dakota. The survey of business owners is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau every five years and focuses on nonfarm business organizations (companies with one or more establishments).

The survey defines women-owned firms as companies in which women own 51 percent or more of the interest or stock of the business. According to the 2007 survey, the women-owned firms in North Dakota generated $1.8 billion in receipts.

Of the total number of women-owned firms in the state, 15 percent had paid employees (2,266 firms). These women-owned firms with paid employees had 16,004 employees with an annual payroll of $310 million.

Women owned 25 percent of all North Dakota firms in 2007, which is up from 23 percent in 2002. Nationally, 29 percent of all firms were owned by women, up from 28 percent in 2002.

In 2007, 26 percent of women-owned firms in North Dakota operated in health care and social assistance. These firms accounted for 9 percent of women-owned business receipts. In contrast, 16 percent of women-owned firms operated in retail trade and accounted for 26 percent of women-owned business receipts.

In addition to the 15,246 women-owned firms statewide in 2007, there were 14,733 equally male/female-owned firms with $3.2 billion in receipts.

NDSU Agriculture Communication