O.C. 4th in Nation in New Businesses

Reflecting a strong local economy, Orange County spawned more new businesses than almost any other county in the nation over a recent two-year period, according to a new government study.

Orange County added 2,176 businesses between 1996 and 1997, bringing the total to 73,959. That increase was the fourth highest in the country, the Census Bureau said in a report to be released today.

Los Angeles County added the most new businesses, 3,287, bringing its total to 218,878. Maricopa County, including Phoenix, in Arizona ranked second, adding 3,223 new businesses, bringing its total to 67,647. New York County came in third with 2,842 new firms, to 103,872. Clark County in Nevada, including Las Vegas, rounded out the top five with 2,062 new businesses, to 25,013.

Los Angeles County also topped the nation in employee growth, but New York led the way in payrolls.

The number of people working for private companies in Los Angeles jumped 118,761 between 1996 and 1997, the nation’s biggest gain.

The biggest growth in payrolls came in New York County, which saw a jump of $8.2 billion to $110.3 billion. New York County is one of five counties--called boroughs--within New York City.

The five biggest gainers in payroll are New York; Los Angeles, up $6.4 billion, to $115.8 billion; Cook (Chicago), Ill., up $5.3 billion, to $84.6 billion; Dallas, up $4.5 billion, to $46.8 billion; and Harris, Texas, up $4.2 billion, to $51.2 billion.