Basic Facts About American Businesses

The United States 2012 Statistical Abstract providees valuable facts about American businesses derived from the various US Census databases.

A basic summary of the number of businesses without employees and with employees is provided below.

Under the category of Nonemployer Establishments (businesses with no paid employees):

TOTAL NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS

2000: 16,530,000

2007: 21,708,000

2008: 21,351,000

TOTAL RECEIPTS (millions of dollars)

2000: 709,379

2007: 991,792

2008: 962,792

Under the category of Establishments With Employeees

TOTAL NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS

1990: 6,176,000

2000: 7,070,000

2007: 7,705,000

2008: 7,601,000

TOTAL EMPLOYEES 

1990: 93,476,000

2000: 114,065,000

2007: 120,604,000

2008: 120,904,000

ANNUAL PAYROLL (billions of dollars)

1990: 2,104

2000: 3,879

2007: 5,027

2008: 5,131

These figures suggest an evident growth in the 1990s and part of the 2000s, as well as decrease in the number of establishment with employees by 2008, perhaps the prelude to the recession that intensified later that year and that has continued to this date.

For facts on small businesses and women and minority owned businesses, consult the appropriate page.