Naples–Marco Island has been ranked the No. 1 metro in the United States for women-owned businesses among small markets, according to a new national study analyzing more than 200 metros.

The ranking is driven by a combination of strong self-employment rates, business formation activity, and overall economic conditions that continue to position Southwest Florida as a powerful environment for entrepreneurship.

📊 By the Numbers

  • Self-employment rate: 18% — highest of any metro across all size categories

  • Business formations: 2,409 per 100,000 residents

  • Pay equity ratio: 82.4¢ on the dollar

  • Population growth since 2020: 10.8%

  • Regional price parity: 103.2 (near national average)

What Drove Naples to #1

The study, conducted by Coworking Cafe, evaluated metros across three core pillars:

  • Women’s entrepreneurship activity (40%)

  • Economic environment (30%)

  • Labor and talent pool strength (30%)

Naples stood out not just among small metros, but in some cases outperformed larger markets as well.

The Market Behind the Growth

A key factor behind Naples’ ranking is its rapid population growth and evolving demographics.

Post-pandemic migration has brought:

  • Wealthy retirees

  • Remote workers

  • High-spending residents

This shift is creating strong demand for:

  • boutique businesses

  • service-based companies

  • luxury offerings

At the same time, Naples offers a relatively balanced cost structure compared to major coastal cities, making it more attractive for entrepreneurs to launch and scale businesses.

How Naples Compares Nationally

Naples ranked #1 among all small U.S. metros, beating out more than 200 markets included in the study.

Florida also showed strong overall performance, with multiple metros ranking near the top, reinforcing the region’s broader momentum in entrepreneurship.

The Local Support System

Naples’ ranking is also supported by a growing network of organizations that help women start and scale businesses locally, including:

  • Women in Business SWFL

  • NAWBO Southwest Florida

  • Women’s Network of Collier County

  • Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce

  • mentorship

  • networking

  • business resources

  • community support

The Bigger Picture

The data points to something larger than just rankings.

A self-employment rate of 18% — the highest across all metro categories — reflects a local economy where entrepreneurship is a defining characteristic, not an exception.

Naples continues to evolve into a market where:

  • people build businesses

  • demand supports growth

  • and community infrastructure helps sustain it

Bottom Line

Naples’ top ranking for women-owned businesses highlights the city’s continued growth as a hub for entrepreneurship — driven by strong economic conditions, population trends, and a supportive local business community.

Sources

Coworking Cafe — Women Mean Business: Best U.S. Metros to Launch & Grow in 2026
U.S. Census data (via study)