Women own 8.1 million businesses in the United States, and new business starts exceed the rate for all groups, according to a study released Thursday by American Express.

The study, based on U.S. Census Bureau data, found the rate of increase for women-owned businesses in Washington and Idaho trails the national average, but revenues are growing at a significantly faster pace.

The number of business owned by women increased 50 percent from 1997 to 2011, the study says.

The rate of increase in Washington, with 86,700 businesses, was 35.1 percent. In Idaho, where women own 36,300 businesses, was 40.9 percent.

Nationally, revenues grew 53 percent, to $1.3 trillion. Revenues in Washington increase 65.4 percent to $25 billion. In Idaho, the total $4.2 billion was an 75.7 percent jump.

Women-owned businesses employ 7.7 million workers; 439,600 in Washington, 120,600 in Idaho.

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