Tallahassee Ranks High for Black-Owned Businesses

Tallahassee has been recognized as a leading city for Black-owned businesses, ranking ninth nationally according to a recent report. The findings highlight a thriving entrepreneurial landscape within the city.

National Ranking of Black-Owned Businesses

A LendingTree report analyzed data to determine the percentage of Black-owned businesses in 100 metropolitan areas. Tallahassee secured the ninth position, with 7.6% of businesses being Black-owned. This figure surpasses the national average of 4.2%. The report utilized 2023 data from the 2024 U.S. Census Bureau Annual Business Survey. Cities such as Atlanta, Fayetteville, N.C., Washington D.C., and Memphis, Tenn., held the top spots in the ranking.

Local Business Data

The Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) provided local data using Data Axle–Reference Solutions, a database of businesses nationwide. According to OEV, there are 337 Black-owned businesses in Leon County, with 188 of those being owned by Black women. Of the 337 businesses, 238 have details available regarding their business type. Professional services, personal care services, and retailers collectively represent approximately half of these businesses. Specific examples include beauty salons (11%), clothing and clothing accessories retailers (9%), and janitorial services (6%).

Fifth Annual Black Business Expo

The city is preparing to host the Fifth Annual Black Business Expo on February 28. The event, presented by the OEV and Mega Ace Media, will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Moon, located at 1105 E. Lafayette St. The expo is designed to support entrepreneurs and those interested in starting businesses, offering opportunities for networking and access to approximately $15,000 in grants. Registration is required and tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite.