While there’s always more room for growth, women business owners are increasing in numbers. Over the years, women’s role in our country’s entrepreneurship ventures has seen a lot of growth. According to BackgroundChecks.org, a recent study from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that women-owned businesses represent more than one in five businesses in the country. This is a trend that has been going up over the last few years. And Augusta has a good share of female business owners. Keep reading to see where we rank!

When it comes to women-owned businesses, they often look different than those owned by men. Women seem to opt for fields like health care, social assistance, or food service. Unfortunately, it seems, as a result, many women-owned businesses pay their employees less than the national average.

But you must also look at the reasoning for women getting into business to begin with. Often, women choose entrepreneurship to give them more flexibility with their time, which in turn, gives them more work-life balance. Men, on the other hand, are often more driven by the need for earning more or being their own boss.

Another difference between men and women when it comes to business? Women are more likely to stay with their first venture, whereas, men are more prone to sell their first and move on to other opportunities.

Interestingly, data from BackgroundChecks’ study shows Hawaii has the highest proportion of women-owned businesses.

So, where does Augusta land on the list of female business owners? We have actually done pretty well! Out of 100 cities, Augusta comes in at number 19. Augusta has 21.9 percent of women-owned businesses. That’s 1,797 total businesses. Those businesses employ almost 12,000 people.

Here are the top 10 cities with the most female business owners:

10. Richmond, Virginia
Percentage of businesses that are women-owned: 23.0%

Total businesses that are women-owned: 5,898

Total employment at women-owned businesses: 46,459

Total revenue at women-owned businesses: $5 billion or more
9. Jacksonville, Florida
Percentage of businesses that are women-owned: 23.0%

Total businesses that are women-owned: 6,805

Total employment at women-owned businesses: 50,424

Total revenue at women-owned businesses: $5 billion or more
8. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, Florida
Percentage of businesses that are women-owned: 23.0%

Total businesses that are women-owned: 39,597

Total employment at women-owned businesses: 213,294

Total revenue at women-owned businesses: $5 billion or more
7. Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Percentage of businesses that are women-owned: 23.4%

Total businesses that are women-owned: 2,458

Total employment at women-owned businesses: 14,403

Total revenue at women-owned businesses: $1 billion to less than $5 billion
6. New Orleans-Metairie, Louisiana
Percentage of businesses that are women-owned: 23.7%

Total businesses that are women-owned: 5,808

Total employment at women-owned businesses: 72,267

Total revenue at women-owned businesses: $5 billion or more
5. Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia-North Carolina
Percentage of businesses that are women-owned: 23.7%

Total businesses that are women-owned: 6,336

Total employment at women-owned businesses: 47,970

Total revenue at women-owned businesses: $5 billion or more
4. Albuquerque, New Mexico
Percentage of businesses that are women-owned: 23.8%

Total businesses that are women-owned: 3,583

Total employment at women-owned businesses: 29,324

Total revenue at women-owned businesses: $1 billion to less than $5 billion
3. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Percentage of businesses that are women-owned: 24.0%

Total businesses that are women-owned: 26,857

Total employment at women-owned businesses: 255,460

Total revenue at women-owned businesses: $5 billion or more
2. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colorado
Percentage of businesses that are women-owned: 24.4%

Total businesses that are women-owned: 17,045

Total employment at women-owned businesses: 131,685

Total revenue at women-owned businesses: $5 billion or more
1. Urban Honolulu, Hawaii
Percentage of businesses that are women-owned: 26.1%

Total businesses that are women-owned: 4,304

Total employment at women-owned businesses: 44,130

Total revenue at women-owned businesses: $5 billion or more