Research shows that self-employment is among the fastest-growing segments of American business. Many look to entrepreneurship as a means of achieving professional freedom and creativity; others seek financial rewards; others want more time for their families; and still others simply want more control over their career path. Regardless of the reason, an increasing number of Americans, both young and old, are opting to start up their own businesses rather than join the ranks of corporate America.

But who are America's self-employed?

We looked at the Bureau of Census' Consumer Population Survey to identify the common characteristics of America's entrepreneurs. Through cross-tabulations and simulations focusing on the universe of the self-employed, we found several interesting qualities of the men and women who venture on their own.

• Our results show that the self-employed are typically married, representing about 73.8 percent of the total sample. A little more than a tenth (12.5 percent) have never been married, while those who are divorced constituted about 9.5 percent. 

• An overwhelming majority of entrepreneurs are white, comprising about 90 percent. Minorities comprise only a tenth of the entrepreneurs in America. · 

• Males dominate the entrepreneurial landscape, consisting of 65.6 percent of the total number of self-employed. Women make up the remaining third or about 34.4 percent.

• Entrepreneurs typically belong to the broad age group of 25-59 years old representing about 81.9 percent of the sample. Breaking down this wide age group, almost a third (30 percent) of the self-employed are in their 40s. Entrepreneurs in their 30s and 50s are almost equal in number, covering about 23.3 percent and 22.3 percent respectively. Those who are in their twenties and younger are fairly outnumbered, capturing only 8.8 percent of the population. 

• Most of those who started their own businesses are well educated. About 59.7 percent have received at least some college education, and more than a tenth of this group (12.6 percent) has graduate school and professional school degrees. A little less than two fifths have reached high school level (37.5 percent). 

• Majority of the entrepreneurs work for their business on a full time business. About 65.6 percent dedicated their entire working hours during the year to their businesses. Only about 13.7 percent work for their businesses part-time. 

• A significant number of the self-employed (about 70.3 percent) enjoys family income of $25,000 and higher a year. In fact, about 28 percent has income of more than $75,000 annually.

Distinguishing between those who incorporate their enterprises and those who do not, however, yields several interesting demographic differences.

While men outnumber women by 1 to 3, more women operate businesses that have not been incorporated. Of the women entrepreneurs, 37.6 percent run businesses either as sole proprietorship or partnerships; but only 26.6 percent incorporate their business. More business owners of unincorporated enterprises have also never been married (14.2 percent vis-à-vis 8.2 percent of incorporated businesses).

As expected, owners of corporations earn more, with about 44 percent enjoying family incomes of over $75,000 per annum. About half, or only 21.7 percent, of those with businesses that are not incorporated enjoy this same high income.

Owners of corporations appear to be better educated than those who operate smaller ventures. About 70.1 percent of those who incorporated their businesses have reached college level, compared to the 55.6 percent of those who don't incorporate.

While the statistics are fairly enlightening, one thing is clear. Business "winners" are not just those we read about in the business pages of newspapers, but also everyone whose vision and drive provides them with sustained financial independence