Business ownership increases for Native Americans

Recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau (the Bureau) reveal a dramatic increase in business ownership for Native Americans and Alaska Natives between 1992 and 1997.

According to American Indian Report, data from the Bureau's 1997 Economic Census Survey of Minority-Owned Business Enterprises show 197,300 businesses owned by American Indians and Alaska Natives in 1997. The number represents an 84 percent increase over the 1992 total. In comparison, the overall number of U.S. businesses increased by only 7 percent during the same time period.