When it comes to one big area of diversity – women among among business owners – Raleigh has a long way to go, according to a new survey. But there’s a caveat …

Much of the Triangle isn’t included.

As for the rest of North Carolina, Greensboro, Winston-Salem and Charlotte all rank higher.

Even with the caveat, it’s a bit jarring to find Raleigh so far down a “Best of” list since Forbes and so many often rate the Capital as a best place to work or live or retire …

The new survey is from financial services site Wallet Hub. The focus is “2016’s Best & Worst Cities for Women-Owned Businesses.”

Taking into account three metrics, Wallet Hub studied the top 100 metros in terms of size. Raleigh ranks 46th, according to 2014 Census data.

However in the overall “Best & Worst” survey, the Capital City ranks 63rd.

The City of Oaks’ best ranking is 31st in “female entrepreneurship rank.” But it is 40th in “Business Climate for Women” and 63rd in “Overall New Business Friendliness” for a combined score of 47.83.

Please note, however: Since Durham-Chapel Hill isn’t part of the standard Raleigh-Cary MSA, much of the Triangle isn’t included.

Given the efforts made by various groups such as The American Underground to increase opportunities for female entrepreneurs, perhaps a combined Raleigh-Cary-Durham-Chapel Hill MSA might score higher. But a Wallet Hub spokesperson said Durham-Chapel Hill wasn’t studied since it’s not a top 100 MSA.

But the study is the study, so Raleigh considered alongside Greensboro-High Point, Winston-Salem and Charlotte-Gastonia doesn’t stand up well.

  • Greensboro came in at No. 9 (64,57 score)
  • Winston-Salem is 24 (59.92 score)
  • Charlotte is 49 (53.34 score)

Data analyzed came from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Small Business Administration and WalletHub research.

Here are the top 10 – and the bottom 10:

  • Best Metro Areas for Women-Owned Businesses

1 Nashville, TN
2 Chattanooga, TN
3 Columbus, OH
4 Memphis, TN
5 Milwaukee, WI
6 Rochester, NY
7 Kansas City, MO
8 Spokane, WA
9 Greensboro, NC
10 Honolulu, HI

  • Worst Metro Areas for Women-Owned Businesses

91 Portland, OR
92 San Diego, CA
93 Scranton, PA
94 Provo, UT
95 North Port, FL
96 Pittsburgh, PA
97 Columbia, SC
98 Greenville, SC
99 Oxnard, CA
100 San Jose, CA

Read the full study at:

https://wallethub.com/edu/best-places-for-women-owned-businesses/19254/#bonnie-canziani