Census Bureau Reports 18 Percent Increase in Woman-Owned Businesses in Fairfax County; Fairfax Firms Lead Washington, D.C., Area, Virginia in Numbers, Employees, Payroll, Sales.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. -- The U.S. Census Bureau reported today that 29,857 woman-owned businesses operated in Fairfax County in 2002, an 18.5 percent increase since 1997 when the last count was taken. The 2002 figure is about 21.2 percent of the woman-owned businesses in the Washington, D.C., area and 19 percent of all the woman-owned businesses in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The results are among the latest findings of the 2002 Economic Census. The number of woman-owned businesses grew 20 percent between 1997 and 2002, twice the national average for all businesses, according to the report.

The Census Bureau found that about 86 percent of Fairfax County's woman-owned firms are sole proprietorships. Woman-owned firms in Fairfax County with employee payrolls totaled 4,182, a 17.2 percent increase since 1997. The 2002 figure was 22.5 percent of the Washington area total and 17.7 percent of the Virginia total.

Woman-owned companies in Fairfax County employed 32,691 people in 2002, up 29.3 percent since 1997. The 2002 figure was 20.7 percent of the total for the Washington area and 18.5 percent of the Virginia total, according to census figures.

"The numbers tell a story that woman-owned companies thrive in Fairfax County and are a huge contributor to the economic strength and health of the county," said Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority.

Other Fairfax County findings from the 2002 Economic Census:

* Woman-owned firms had $4.08 billion in sales and receipts, a 45.7 percent increase above the 1997 total adjusted for inflation. The 2002 figure was 20.3 percent of the Washington area total and 17.4 percent of the Virginia total.

* Woman-owned firms with employees had payrolls totaling more than $1.1 billion, a 54.3 percent increase above the 1997 total adjusted for inflation. The 2002 figure was 23.7 percent of the Washington area total and 24 percent of the Virginia total.

Business growth helps Fairfax County, minutes from Washington, D.C., fund public services such as a top-ranked public school system and library, public safety, social services and park systems that improve the quality of life. Fairfax County offers diverse real estate options, access to domestic and international markets through Washington Dulles International Airport, a business community based on technology and professional services, and a well-educated workforce.

About the FCEDA (www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org)

The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The FCEDA assists businesses by identifying possible sites and facilities, and is a source for up-to-date demographic and economic information. The FCEDA maintains overseas marketing offices in Bangalore, Frankfurt, London, Seoul and Tel Aviv.