Economic Censuses and Related Publications

What are the economic censuses?

The economic censuses are comprehensive canvasses of industrial and business activities. They are conducted every 5 years, in years ending in 2 and 7. The economic censuses include

Census of Retail Trade
Census of Wholesale Trade
Census of Service Industries
Census of Manufactures
Census of Mineral Industries
Census of Construction Industries
Census of Transportation, Communications and Utilities
Census of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate

Most economic censuses provide detailed data in three categories

Geographic Area Series provides detail for establishments with employees for the nation, states and substate areas. Zip Code Statistics are also published for most sectors.
Industry Series provides national totals for individual industries and their products, with limited data for states.
Subject Series provides national and limited state and metropolitan area data on special topics

Key statistics are tabulated for all industries

Number of establishments
Number of employees
Payroll
Measure of output (sales, receipts, revenues, value of shipments, etc.)

History

The first economic census of the United States was conducted as part of the 1810 decennial census.

Minerals data were first collected in 1840
The first censuses of construction, and retail and wholesale trades were taken in 1929
The first census of service industries in 1933
Transportation was first included with the 1963 censuses
Construction industries were added in 1967
Minority-owned businesses were added in 1972 and women-owned businesses in 1977
The Census of Transportation was expanded in 1992 to include Communications and Utilities
The Census of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate was added in 1992

How Statistics are Collected

1997 economic census forms will be mailed to over 5 million companies. These companies are required by law to respond, but information from the questionnaire can only be used for the census and cannot be used for the purposes of taxation, investigation or regulation. As with other censuses, no data is published that could reveal the identity of a specific individual or firm.

Basic data obtained for all establishments include kind of business, geographic location, type of ownership, total revenue, annual and first quarter payroll, and employees in the pay period including March 12.
- Although some details vary among the various economic censuses, generally data is collected by mail-out/mail-back forms.
- Data for smaller establishments are obtained from Federal income tax records and additional data items are estimated using industry averages.
- A sample of small employers also receives a census form. Basic data for non- selected small employers and nonemployers are obtained from Federal administrative records.
- Estimates for sales by merchandise line and other industry-specific data are based partly on small employer sample results.

How Statistics are Reported

Establishments

Statistics for the economic censuses are collected and summarized in terms of the "establishment." An establishment is defined as a business or industrial unit at a single geographic location which produces or distributes goods or performs services. For instance, the sales of sporting goods stores, the production of fertilizer plants, or employment in electronic repair shops.

When more than one economic activity is conducted at a single location, each activity is treated as a separate establishment if separate records are available and if the size of the individual activities is significant.

Industrial Classification

The 1997 economic censuses will classify statistics primarily using the 1997 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and to a lesser extent the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. Both NAICS and SIC categorize establishments by the principal activity in which they are engaged.

A limited amount of data from the 1997 census will be published according to the old Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system: certain national preliminary totals in the first publications (early 1999), a detailed "bridge table" showing the relationships between NAICS and SIC categories a year later, and state level statistics based on SIC, also in 2000, but after publication of geographic area data by NAICS.

For more information, see How NAICS Will Affect Data Users.

NAICS, the North American Industry Classification System

The North American Industry Classification System was developed in cooperation with Canada and Mexico. It classifies North America's economic activities at 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-digit levels of detail. The U.S. version of NAICS further defines some industries to a sixth digit.

SIC, the Standard Industrial Classification System

In previous economic censuses, except for portions of the census of transportation, data have been tabulated on the basis of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. The SIC divided economic activities into broad industrial divisions, such as manufacturing and retail trade, 2-digit major groups, 3-digit industry subgroups, and 4-digit detailed industries. In some cases, more detailed classification was devised so that additional industries, kinds of business or specific products can be identified within SIC categories.

The 1987 SIC Manual, which is the one currently in use, is on Quick Reference, PREX 2.6/2:In 27/987. We also have earlier SIC manuals in the stacks at the same call number stem.. A searchable WWW version is available from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Geography

In general the most detailed data are published at the national level. Most statistics are available for states, and many are shown for cities and other places, counties and defined statistical areas. Only recent and limited data are provided by ZIP Codes. Statistics for smaller areas are sometimes withheld to avoid disclosing information about individual firms.

Statistics from the basic economic censuses for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands are published as the Census of Outlying Areas. These censuses have been taken in Puerto Rico since 1909, the Virgin Islands and Guam since 1958, and the Northern Mariana Islands since 1982.

Economic Surveys

Most censuses are updated by publications with data which are collected by surveys with samples which are reselected every five years. Reports based on sample surveys generally include measurements of sampling variability. Many monthly and quarterly survey results are adjusted for seasonality.

To the extent possible, concepts, definitions, and reporting units are consistent among the censuses, surveys and related programs. Census results supply the sample frames, benchmark statistics, and list of establishments and firms for surveys taken more frequently. Survey results can be reconciled with those from a census and vice-versa.

When you move from census data to survey data, detail is lost. The detail may be in terms of the number of variables used and almost always geographic detail.

Publications which update the economic censuses are listed under the sections below on individual economic censuses.

How Statistics are Published

The Census Bureau plans to publish only highlights of the 1997 Economic Census in paper reports. These will feature primarily national data and general statistics by state, and include illustration of some of the more detailed data, which will be available on CD-ROM and the Internet.

The Census Bureau has also said that with the 1997 Economic Census reports, the different sectors will no longer be treated as if they had a separate census, e.g., the Census of Manufactures, and all reports will be titled as the Economic Census.

Economic Censuses and Related Publications

Census of Retail Trade

Establishments that sell merchandise and related services to the public for personal or household consumption
Detailed data on sales, sales by merchandise line and key industry-specific measures
In 1992, over 1.5 million employer establishments which accounted for retail sales of over $1.9 trillion
Reports include Geographic Area Series; Establishment and Firm Size; Merchandise Line Sales; Nonemployer Statistics; Measures of Value Produced, Capital Expenditures, Depreciable Assets, and Operating Expenses; Miscellaneous Subjects
Updated by
- Advance Monthly Retail Trade only on Internet
- Monthly Retail Trade, also on Gov Docs Current Periodicals
- Annual Retail Trade Survey

Census of Wholesale Trade

Establishments with payrolls that sell merchandise to retailers or other wholesalers, industrial, commercial, farm, institutional, or professional users; or act as agents or brokers in buying or selling merchandise for such persons or companies
In 1992, over 495,000 establishments reported total wholesale sales of some $3.2 trillion.
Reports include Geographic Area Series, Establishment and Firm Size, Commodity Line Sales, Measures of Value Produced, Capital Expenditures, Depreciable Assets and Operating Expenses, Miscellaneous Subects Series.
Updated by
- Monthly Wholesale Trade: Sales and Inventories, also on Gov Docs Current Periodicals

Census of Service Industries

Businesses that provide services to consumers, businesses, governments, and other organizations
Detailed industry statistics for small geographic areas and industry-specific measures. Industry coverage has broadened over time; a major expansion in 1977 added coverage of many tax-exempt activities and was again broadened in 1992.
In 1992, over 8.7 million employer and nonemployer establishments reported receipts or revenues of some $1.6 trillion.
Reports include Establishment and Firm Size; Geographic Area Series; Hotels, Motels and Other Lodging Places; Nonemployer Statistics; Sources of Receipts or Revenues, Capital Expenditures, Depreciable Assets, and Operating Expenses; Miscellaneous Subject Series.
Updated by
- Service Annual Survey

Census of Manufactures

Provides the best single measure of current U.S. manufacturing industry outputs, inputs and operating status.
In 1992, the total value of shipments by manufacturers was $3 trillion.
Principal products and services covered are described in Numerical List of Manufactured and Mineral Products
Reports include Geographic Area Series; Industry Series
Updated by
- ANNUAL SURVEY OF MANUFACTURES
  - Provides detailed annual statistics on the location, activities, and products of manufacturers. Conducted annually since 1949. In census years, data collection is part of the census of manufactures. A new panel is selected every 5 years, most recently for the 1994 survey.
  - In 1993, the total value of shipments by manufacturing establishments was over $3 trillion.
  - Reports include: Statistics for Industry Groups and Industries; Geographic Area Statistics; Value of Product Shipments
- QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORT for Manufactures, Mining and Trade Corporations
  - Provides current statistics on financial performance and conditions. The only Census publication which collects profit and loss information. It is the sole source of current profits and comprehensive balance sheet data for major industries.
  - Includes sales, depreciation, before- and after-tax income, retained earnings, cash, investments, receivables, inventories, fixed assets, short- and long-term debt, accounts payable, and stockholders' equity
  - Almost 172,000 corporations with estimated assets of over $4.6 trillion.
- CURRENT INDUSTRIAL REPORTS
  - These commodity reports cover selected products providing monthly, quarterly, or annual measures of industrial activity, production and shipments. Current reports are no longer published in paper, and are available only on the Internet.
  - General reports not focused on a particular industry include: Manufacturers' Shipments to Federal Agencies; Survey of Plant Capacity Utilization;Manufacturing Profiles;Pollution Abatement Costs and Expenditures; and Survey of Manufacturing Technology. These are generally still received in paper.

Census of Mineral Industries

All domestic mining establishments that have at least one employee. Establishment coverage has been the same since 1967.
In 1992, mining establishments reported total shipments and receipts of more than $162 billion.
Principal products and services covered are described in Numerical List of Manufactured and Mineral Products
Reports include Geographic Area Series and Industry Series

Census of Construction Industries

All establishments, such as contractors and builders, engaged in residential and nonresidential building; heavy construction, such as highways and power plants; and special building trades, such as plumbing and demolition.
In 1992, nearly 2 million establishments reported value of construction work done of more than $605 billion.
Reports include Geographic Area Series and Industry Series
Updated by
- Current Construction Reports on Government Documents Current Periodicals
  - Titles include Housing Starts, New Residential Construction in Selected Metropolitan Areas, Housing Completions, New One-Family Houses Sold, Characterisitics of New Housing, Value of New Construction Put in Place, Expenditures for Residential Imporvements and Repairs, Housing Units Authorized by Building Permits

Census of Transportation, Communications and Utilities

From 1962 through 1987 this was the Census of Transportation, and only selected transportation industries were covered. It was expanded in 1992 to include communications and utilities.
In 1992, the industries covered included some 900,000 employer and nonemployer establishments with revenues of $892 billion.
Reports include Geographic Area Series, Nonemployer Statistics, Establishment and Firm Size, Truck Inventory and Use Survey; Miscellaneous Subject Series.
Updated by
- Annual Survey of Communication Services
- Motor Freight Transportation and Warehousing Survey (Transportation Annual Survey)

Census of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate

Begun in 1992, this is a complete enumeration of key service industries, and the only source of detailed industry and geographic data.
In 1992, there were an estimated 2.5 million employer and nonemployer establishments in these industries, with total receipts of $1.9 trillion.
Reports include Geographic Area Series; Nonemployer Statistics; Establishment and Firm Size; Sources of Revenue; Miscellaneous Subjects

Census of Outlying Areas

Economic census data for U.S. territories: the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Enterprise Statistics

This program regroups the establishment data records from the basic censuses to show common ownership or control in order to show various economic characteristics of the owning or controlling firms. It provides the only source of economy-wide company-level statistics, and data to relate the activities of companies and their affiliated establishments.
Selected establishment data from the censuses consolidated to the enterprise (company-wide) level; supplementary data for large multi-establishment companies; and establishment data for all company auxiliaries. Consolidated company data include sales, employment, payroll, form of organization and enterprise industry classification. Supplementary data for large companies include inventories, assets, fringe benefits, capital and research and development (R&D) expenditures, and depreciation. Data for auxiliaries include sales, employment and payroll, billings, inventories, capital and R&D expenditures, and selected purchased services.
Reports include Company Summary
Updated by Annual Capital Expenditures

Minority-Owned Business Enterprises and

Women-Owned Businesses

Basic statistics including information on sales, employment, payroll and legal form of organization, by industry and geographic area on firms that are at least one-half owned by women or minorities; file tax forms for individual proprietorships, partnerships, or subchapter S corporations; have annual receipts of at least $500; and are classified in any industry except farms and ranches, railroads, the postal service, membership orgainizations, private households, and governments.
- Minority-Owned Business Enterprises includes African Americans, persons of Spanish origin, Asian Americans, American Indians and other minorities.
Reports include Characteristics of Business Owners

County Business Patterns

County Business Patterns is an annual series providing economic profile of counties, states, and the United States. Data include employment, payroll, and number of establishments by industry. It updates some of the information found in the Economic Censuses.

Michigan State University Libraries
URL: http://www.lib.msu.edu/foxre/econ.census.html
Last updated: March 3, 1999
Page editor: Becky Fox