Industry Research Using the Economic Census by
Many business researchers, from novice to expert, have been amazed to find that the answers to their questions could be found in the Economic Censuses provided by the U.S. government. Until now, there have been no comprehensive guides to this valuable resource. "Industry Research Using the Economic Census" explains Census concepts, methods, terminology, and data sources in an understandable manner, and assists Census users in locating needed Census data. Designed as a working handbook, it does not duplicate the data from the census, but introduces users to the features, uses, and formats of the data. This guidebook also discusses the important changes that the 1997 and 2002 Economic Censuses introduced from previous versions. Librarians, businesspeople, researchers, faculty, and students will find this guide valuable for mining the riches found in the Economic Censuses.
Along with the Decennial Census, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts two other censuses, the Economic Census and the Census of Governments. These, in addition to the Census of Agriculture now conducted by U.S. Department of Agriculture, provide a comprehensive measure of the U.S. economy, producing industry statistics at the national, state, and local levels.
Currently, the Census Bureau uses the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) to classify businesses by industry.
Annual statistics related to business establishments and owner demographics are published through products such as County Business Patterns (CBP) and American Business Survey (ABS). Businesses with no employees are captured separately using Nonemployer Statistics (NES) and Nonemployer Statistics by Demographic (NES-D).
Currently, the U.S. Census Bureau classifies businesses by industry using the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS). In 1997, NAICS replaced the Standard Industrial Classification System (SIC). SIC was created in 1939.
Currently, the U. S. Census Bureau conducts an economic census every five years, in years ending in 2 and 7. The Economic Census is an establishment-based survey, including those that:
This link opens in a new windowSome Census publications are not available online. The New Jersey State Library has a large collection of U.S. Census publications in print. Search our online catalog by Title Keyword for titles such as "1954 Census of Business" or "1992 Census of Retail Trade".
The Census of Governments (CoG) is a complete census of all state and local governments conducted once every five years on years ending in 2 and 7. The Census Bureau measures three components: organization (number of governments and characteristics), employment (number of employees and payroll), and finance (revenues, expenditures, debt, and assets).
The United States has collected agricultural data since 1840. Prior to 1997, the U.S. Census Bureau conducted agricultural censuses. Since 1997, the U.S. Department of Agriculture performs this operation. Like the Economic Census, the agriculture census is conducted every five years, in years ending in 2 and 7. The Agricultural Census produces data on farms and farmers, crops, livestock, and a host of related topics. For more information on the census, go to the United States Department of Agriculture
