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     There were 201,387 American Indian- and Alaska native-owned businesses in 2002 -- with receipts of $26.9 billion -- according to a new report, Survey of Business Owners: American Indian- and Alaska Native-Owned Firms: 2002 [PDF] released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.

     The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, Calif., combined statistical area had the highest number of American Indian- and Alaska native-owned firms (20,380) and receipts (nearly $1.6 billion). Among counties, Los Angeles had the highest number of firms (13,061).

     The information in the tabulations today excludes businesses owned by an American Indian tribal entity, which are considered to be government-owned entities and are therefore excluded from the estimates. Since this distinction was not made in the 1997 survey, prior data are not directly comparable.

     Other highlights:

• States accounting for the highest number of American Indian- and Alaska native-owned firms included California, Oklahoma, Texas, New York and Florida.
• Nearly 3-in-10 American Indian- and Alaska native-owned firms operated in construction and other services (such as personal services, and repair and maintenance).
• Almost 1-in-8 American Indian- and Alaska native-owned firms had paid employees. These 24,498 businesses employed more than 191,270 people and generated revenues of nearly $22 billion, or about $897,489 per firm.
• There were 3,631 American Indian- and Alaska native-owned firms with receipts of $1 million or more. These firms accounted for 1.8 percent of the total number of American Indian- and Alaska native-owned firms and more than 64 percent of their total receipts.
• There were 178 American Indian- and Alaska native-owned firms with 100 employees or more, generating nearly $5.3 billion in gross receipts (24 percent of the total revenue for American Indian- and Alaska native-owned employer firms).
• American Indian- and Alaska native-owned businesses with no paid employees numbered 176,889 with receipts of $4.9 billion. Average receipts of these businesses were $27,623 per firm.

*States With the Largest Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native- (AIAN) Owned Firms Compared to All Firms: 2002

*Combined Statistical Areas With the Largest Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-Owned Firms: 2002

*County With the Largest Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-Owned Firms Compared to American Indian- and Alaska Native-Owned Firms in the State: 2002

*Cities With the Largest Number of American Indian- and Alaska Native-Owned Firms Compared to American Indian- and Alaska Native-Owned Firms in the State: 2002

     The 2002 Survey of Business Owners (SBO) defines American Indian- and Alaska native-owned businesses as firms in which American Indians and Alaska natives own 51 percent or more of the stock or equity of the business. Data by gender of ownership by all race groups and people of Hispanic or Latino origin will be issued in August.

     Later this year, information will be released for the first time in more than a decade on the characteristics of businesses and their owners. Information will be provided on home-based, family-owned and franchised businesses as well as information about sources of capital. For business owners, the Census Bureau will provide information about their age, hours worked, educational attainment and veteran status.