Minority Business Ownership
Date posted: 07/24/2004
Quick Data Links
Chart Directory:
Firms by Race/Ethnicity
- Minority-Owned Firms
- Minority-Owned Firms & Minority Population
- Firm Ownership by Race/Ethnicity - Larimer County
- Distribution of Industries by Race/Ethnicity - Colorado
- Proportion of Minority-Owned Firms by Industry
Firms by Gender
In 1997, Colorado ranked 20th in the nation for number of minority-owned firms (United States Department of Commerce). The United States Economic Census measures the number of minority- and women-owned firms in relation to universal firms. Universal firms are all businesses, without regard to the race, ethnicity, or gender of the business owners. Total minority-owned firms refer to businesses owned by Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders, American Indians, and Alaska Natives (United States Economic Census 1997).
What this chart shows: Minority Owned Firms

Data Source: 1997 United States Economic Census - Surveys of Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises
What these data tell us:
In 1997, the United States had a higher percentage of minority-owned firms than Colorado and Larimer County. This could be due to the fact that Colorado, Larimer County, Fort Collins, and Loveland have lower percentages of minorities in the total population than the nation as a whole (See Population by Ethnicity for 2000).What this chart shows: Minority Owned Firms & Minority Population

Data Source:
- 1990 United States Census - Population Estimates Archives
- 1997 United States Economic Census - Survey of Minority-Owned Business Enterprises
What these data tell us:
Compared to the five states with the highest percentage of minority-owned firms in 1997, both Colorado and Larimer County had fewer minority-owned firms and lower percentages of minorities in the total population. On average, the percent of minority firms for Colorado and Larimer County was approximately three times lower than that of the top five states. Population percentages were about seven times lower in Colorado and Larimer County.What this chart shows: Firm Ownership by Race/Ethnicity

*Black data were not reported (there were fewer than 100 Black-owned firms in Larimer County)
Data Source: United States Economic Census 1997 - Surveys of Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises
What these data tell us:
In 1997, 94.4% of Larimer County firms were owned by White residents. The majority of minority firm owners, 50.9%, were Hispanic. This is not surprising as Hispanics represented 73.5% of Larimer County's total minority population in 1997 (United States Census). Together, American Indian and Asian firm ownership constituted 2.4% of total firms in the county.Additional Information:
The United States Economic Census is updated every five years. Historical information from 1987 and 1992 is available on their website. The Economic Census 2002 will be available between late 2004 and 2005.
On Compass -
- Citizens Perception of Tolerance & Diversity
- Employment & Wages by Industry
- Language Spoken at Home
- Drop-out Rates - by Ethnicity
- High School Graduation Rates - by Ethnicity
- Population by Ethnicity
- Unemployment Rate
Outside Compass -
- Northern Colorado Multicultural Corporation - an ethnic resource guide.
- United States Department of Commerce - Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
- The State of Minority Business - published by the MBDA, analyses the 1997 Survey of Minority-Owned Business Enterprises
Industry Standards or Targets:
n/aData Tables:
|
Area |
Universal Firms |
Number of Minority Firms |
Percent Minority Firms |
|
United States |
20,821,935 |
3,039,033 |
14.6% |
|
Colorado |
410,249 |
37,021 |
9.0% |
|
Larimer County |
25,563 |
1,429 |
5.6% |
|
Fort Collins |
11,200 |
883 |
7.9% |
|
Loveland |
5,140 |
235 |
4.6% |
Minority-Owned Firms & Minority Population
|
Area |
Number Total Firms |
Number Minority Firms |
Percent Minority Firms |
Percent Minority Population |
|
California |
2,565,734 |
738,000 |
28.8% |
48.8% |
|
Texas |
1,525,972 |
365,450 |
23.9% |
43.6% |
|
New York |
1,509,829 |
296,523 |
19.6% |
34.1% |
|
Florida |
1,301,920 |
286,885 |
22.0% |
30.9% |
|
Illinois |
882,053 |
110,340 |
12.5% |
27.9% |
|
Colorado |
410,249 |
37,021 |
9.0% |
7.5% |
|
Larimer County |
25,563 |
1,429 |
5.6% |
3.2% |
Firm Ownership by Race/Ethnicity
|
Race/Ethnicity |
Number of Firms |
Percent of Total Firms |
|
White |
24,134 |
94.4% |
|
Total Minority |
1,429 |
5.6% |
|
American Indian |
142 |
0.6% |
|
Asian |
457 |
1.8% |
|
Hispanic |
729 |
2.9% |
|
Other |
101 |
0.4% |
*Data for Black business-owners were not provided.