The number of women-owned businesses in Louisiana has grown by 76.6% in the past 18 years, ranking it No. 13 nationally for growth of such firms since 1997, according to a new analysis of U.S. Census Bureau figures by American Express.
Meanwhile, Louisiana ranks No. 6 nationally for growth of women-owned business revenues over the same time period, at 155.3%.
According to the 2015 State of Women-Owned Businesses Report—commissioned by American Express OPEN, the small-business services division of American Express—Louisiana had 70,550 women-owned firms in 1997, which generated roughly $11.5 billion in sales. This year, American Express estimates the 124,600 businesses in Louisiana owned by women will generate sales of $29.3 billion.
The growth of women-owned businesses in Louisiana has outpaced U.S. growth of such businesses since 1997. America is home to an estimated 9,410,800 businesses owned by women this year, a 73.7% increase since 1997, the data show. Sales at the businesses are expected to top $1.46 trillion this year, up from $818.7 billion in 1997.
California is home to the greatest number of women-owned businesses, with about 1.2 million, and Texas is ranked No. 2, with 825,400.
