FAQ / How many small businesses are there?

In 2007, there were 27.2 million businesses in the United
States, according to Offi ce of Advocacy estimates. Census
data show that there were 6.0 million fi rms with employees
and 20.4 million without employees in 2005. Small fi rms with
fewer than 500 employees represent 99.9 percent of the 27.2
million businesses (including both employers and nonemployers),
as the most recent data show there were slightly
more than 17,000 large businesses in 2005.
Source: Offi ce of Advocacy estimates based on data from the U.S. Dept. of
Commerce, Bureau of the Census, and U.S. Dept. of Labor, Employment and
Training Administration.