The Survey of Business Owners was a survey that collected data on selected economic and demographic characteristics for businesses and business owners every five years. This dataset has not been updated since 2012.

Data Collection

Primary Purpose of Database Method of Collection Type of Data Date Range Frequency of Collection
Research Survey Aggregate 1997-2012 Every 5 years

Ownership Information

Definition of Business Ownership Woman-Owned Information Included Other Ownership Attributes Included
Business ownership is defined as having 51 percent or more of the stock or equity in the business Yes Veteran status: Veteran-owned, Equally veteran-/nonveteran-owned, Nonveteran-owned.

Publicly held and other firms not classifiable by gender, ethnicity, race, and veteran status

Other Information

Types of Industry Included Business Category Identifier Used Other Reported Attributes Cost to Access Data
All except those classified in the following NAICS industries:

Crop and Animal Production (NAICS 111 and 112)
Rail Transportation (NAICS 482)
Postal Service (NAICS 491)
Monetary Authorities-Central Bank (NAICS 521)
Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (NAICS 525)
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (NAICS 813)
Private Households (NAICS 814)
Public Administration (NAICS 92)

NAICS code No cost