(FORTUNE Small Business) – Which states are the most entrepreneurial?

This map shows the rate of entrepreneurship across the country; each state shows the number of residents out of 100,000 who have started their own business.

Higher

476–550 people

401–475

326–400

251–325

176–250

0–175

Lower

In 2005, SAN JOSE's individuals and small businesses won 732 utility patents, the most of any city in the country.

SOUTH DAKOTA boasts the friendliest policy environment for entrepreneurship, according to the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, which calculates its rankings based on taxes and regulatory burdens.

In the third quarter of 2006, TEXAS companies received $534 million in venture funding, $144 million more than the New York metropolitan area and up 54% from the previous year.

DETROIT has the lowest rate of entrepreneurial activity of any large city; 160 out of every 100,000 adults have started a business.

While in a low-entrepreneurship state, ATLANTA has the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity of any large city; 430 out of every 100,000 adults have started a business.

State with the highest rate of entrepreneurial activity: VERMONT

State with the lowest rate of entrepreneurial activity: DELAWARE

The number of woman-owned businesses in FLORIDA grew 84% from 1997 to 2006, the highest figure in the country, compared with a 42% increase nationally.

The average number of small businesses created nationwide

290 per 100,000 people

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