The 1982 Characteristics of Business Owners dataset

The 1982 Characteristics of Business Owners (CBO) dataset is a microdata file containing data on approximately 91,000 small businesses and 100,000 owners of those businesses. This dataset is unique in that it unites information on the personal attributes of business owners with information on various attributes of their businesses. The CBO dataset is also distinguished by the large volume of data that it contains on minority and female business owners and their businesses. This paper provides an overview of the coverage and contents of the dataset, and the design of the survey upon which it is based. In addition, the strengths and limitations of the CBO dataset are discussed and illustrated through synopses of studies that made use of these data.Economist, U.S. Small Business Administration, Washington, D.C. The views expressed in this paper are the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Small Business Administration.