The number of businesses without employees in America grew to 20.4 million in 2005 as 860,000 people went into business for themselves. These businesses, known in business circles as lone wolves, had total receipts of $951 billion.

Non-employer firms increased by 860,000, up 4.4 percent in a year, now making up approximately 78 percent of the nation’s 26 million-plus firms according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Non-employer firms may be run by one or more individuals and can range from home-based businesses to construction contractors or corner stores . These firms are often part-time ventures with owners operating more than one business.

Among the fastest-growing non-employer industries in the United States are Web search portals (41.2 percent), Internet service providers (16.6 percent), nail salons (18 percent), electronic shopping and mail-order houses (12 percent), recreational vehicle dealers (12.1 percent) and landscaping services (11.1 percent).

The District of Columbia led the nation in the growth of these small businesses with a 9.6 percent increase between 2004 and 2005, followed by Nevada at 7.7 percent and Florida with a 7.6 percent growth rate. Georgia and Utah had increases of 7.6 percent and 7.2 percent, respectively.