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Minority-Owned Firm Trends by Industry (2021)



By: Jack Nicholaisen author image
Business Initiative

article summaryKey Takeaways

  • Discover that 8.5 million minority-owned businesses span the top 10 industries, led by Accommodation & Food with 1.9 million firms.
  • Analyze how Health Care ranks second with 1.6 million minority-owned firms, followed by Professional Services.
  • Compare race and ethnicity breakdowns in Professional Services where Black or African American owners lead with 133,255 firms.
  • Identify Professional Services and Other Services as high-growth sectors with 1.3 million and 987,016 minority firms respectively.
  • Learn how diverse ownership in Professional Services drives innovation—[Take Initiative Now](https://businessinitiative.org/register/).

🚀 Top 10 Industries by Minority-Owned Firms (2021)

Insight: These industries host 8,510,964 minority-owned businesses. Find your niche with Business Initiative’s registration!

Take Initiative: Start in a thriving sector—get started.


minority-owned firm trends analysis

📈 Minority-Owned Firms in Professional Services by Race/Ethnicity (2021)

Insight: Professional Services has a diverse mix of minority-owned businesses. Ride the wave—Business Initiative helps you start strong.

Take Initiative: Register in a growing industry—we’ve got your back.

minority-owned firm trends analyzing trends
Business FAQs


Where does this statistics data come from?

The data comes from official or cited sources such as government agencies, surveys, and industry reports; check the article and sources section for specifics.

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Many business statistics use U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, BEA, or other federal data.

Industry and trade groups often publish benchmarks and surveys.

Always verify the date and scope of the data when applying it to your situation.

How can I use these statistics for my business?

Use them to benchmark your performance, plan strategy, understand market and industry trends, and support decisions with evidence.

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Compare your metrics (e.g., revenue, employment, growth) to industry or regional norms.

Use trends to anticipate demand, hiring, or investment needs.

Cite statistics in business plans, pitches, and internal planning.

How often is this data updated?

Update frequency depends on the source; government data is often annual or quarterly. Check the article or source for the latest vintage.

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Census and BLS data often have a lag of several months to a year.

Some dashboards and tools are updated more frequently.

When in doubt, go to the primary source for release schedules.

What should I be careful about when using business statistics?

Be aware of definitions (e.g., what counts as a small business), geography and time period, and whether the data applies to your industry or situation.

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Definitions of firm size, industry, and geography vary by dataset.

Averages and aggregates can hide variation; look at breakdowns when available.

Use statistics as one input alongside your own data and judgment.

Who can help me apply this to my situation?

Consultants, accountants, and industry advisors can help you interpret data and apply it to your business; Business Initiative offers consultations for strategy and planning.

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A consultant can help you find the right benchmarks and set realistic targets.

For tax and structure questions, work with a qualified professional.

Use the data to ask better questions in those conversations.



Source: U.S. Census Bureau Annual Business Survey (ABS) API.
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About the Author

jack nicholaisen
Jack Nicholaisen

Jack Nicholaisen is the founder of Businessinitiative.org. After acheiving the rank of Eagle Scout and studying Civil Engineering at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), he has spent the last 5 years dissecting the mess of informaiton online about LLCs in order to help aspiring entrepreneurs and established business owners better understand everything there is to know about starting, running, and growing Limited Liability Companies and other business entities.