Study: Delaware ranks second in minority-owned businesses

Delaware has the second most minority- and female-owned small businesses per 1,000 residents in the U.S., according to Paychex, a payroll services company.

Delaware has 29 minority-owned firms per 1,000. Taking the top spot, Maryland boasts 41.9. Arkansas came in third with 17.7. The minority percentage of the population in Delaware is about 31 percent, suggesting there is still gap in representation among business owners.

Delaware also ranked first in minority female-owned firms, with 20.8 per 1,000, but did not make the top 10 states for female-owned businesses.

Paychex collected the data to better understand the economic impact of small businesses, which it says require diversity to succeed.