Number of Women’s, Girls’, and Infants’ Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
3,332
women’s, girls’, and infants’ cut and sew apparel manufacturing businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The women’s, girls’, and infants’ cut and sew apparel manufacturing industry has declined 64.7% since 2000 (from 9,439 to 3,332 firms).
- •The peak year was 2000 with 9,439 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is shrinking (-16.5%).
- •Employment: 48,796 workers in 2023 (-86.5% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 40%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3,332 | 3,395 | 48,796 | 10.4% | 16.8% | -7.1% |
| 2022 | 3,573 | 3,641 | 52,321 | 16.9% | 13.2% | +5.2% |
| 2021 | 3,436 | 3,505 | 49,245 | 12.7% | 19.3% | -11.8% |
| 2020 | 3,677 | 3,738 | 56,468 | 14.2% | 20.8% | -10.0% |
| 2019 | 3,990 | 4,044 | 62,022 | 13.9% | 16.1% | -5.3% |
| 2018 | 4,051 | 4,101 | 65,459 | 14.5% | 18.1% | -10.2% |
| 2017 | 4,242 | 4,290 | 72,480 | 13.3% | 19.2% | -7.0% |
| 2016 | 4,604 | 4,650 | 76,253 | 14.2% | 18.1% | -7.3% |
| 2015 | 4,946 | 4,991 | 83,048 | 18.3% | 17.1% | -2.7% |
| 2014 | 4,923 | 4,969 | 86,014 | 17.9% | 16.1% | -5.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.