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Census of Finance,
Insurance, and Real Estate
Purpose: To
provide periodic and comprehensive statistics about financial, insurance, and real estate
establishments and their activities. The United States Code, Title 13, requires this
census and provides for mandatory responses.
Coverage: All
domestic establishments that provide financial, insurance, or real estate services. These
are businesses classified in SIC Division H. Prior to 1992, land subdividers and
developers, except cemeteries (SIC 6552), were covered by the census of construction. In
1992, there were an estimated 2.5 million employer and nonemployer establishments in these
industries, with total receipts of $1.9 trillion.
Content: Basic
data obtained for all reporting units include kind of business; geographic location;
revenue; annual and first quarter payroll; and the number of employees for the pay period
including March 12. Establishments receiving a census form provide additional data such as
revenue by source and other industry-specific measures. Multi-unit firms in certain
industries report revenue and related output measures consolidated to the state level.
These industries are commercial banks; savings institutions; credit unions; life
insurance; hospital and medical service plans; fire, marine, and casualty insurance; and
surety insurance.
Frequency: Every
5 years, beginning in 1992, for years ending in "2" and "7." Data
collection begins in December of the census year and reports are due in about 8 weeks.
Data are requested for activities taking place during the census calendar year.
Methods: A
mail-out/mail-back data collection for all establishments of multi-unit companies and most
single- establishment employers; administrative records data for some small employers and
all nonemployers. Most multi-unit firms receive a census form for each establishment;
however, multi-unit firms in selected industries receive only a census report for each
state in which the firm operates. Single establishment employer firms receive a census
form if they are not classified as insurance agents and brokers (SIC 64), or if they are
classified in this industry and have annualized payrolls above a size cutoff. Employer
establishments in SIC 64 that are below the size cutoff are sampled using a stratified
sample with strata based on kind of business and geography. Basic data for small employers
not selected in this sample and all nonemployers are obtained from Federal administrative
records. For SIC 64, estimates of revenue by source and other industry-specific data are
based partly on small employer sample results.
Products: Geographic
Area Series reports will consist of one publication with data by kind of business for the
U.S., each state, the District of Columbia, and metropolitan areas. Tabulations will
present statistics for establishments with payroll, including number of establishments,
revenue, annual and first quarter payroll, and employment.
The Nonemployer Statistics Series will consist of one publication. Tabulations for the
U.S. and states will show number of establishments and revenue by kind of business for all
establishments, establishments with payroll, and establishments without payroll.
Tabulations for metropolitan areas will summarize these data only for establishments
without payroll.
Subject Series reports will consist of 3 volumes: Establishment and Firm Size, Sources of
Revenue, and Miscellaneous Subjects.
Uses: The
Bureau of Economic Analysis will use the data to benchmark the national income and product
accounts and input-output tables. The Bureau of Labor Statistics will use data in
developing productivity measures. The Census Bureau will use the data in sampling and
benchmarking coverage of real estate agents and managers in the service annual survey.
Trade associations will use census data to analyze their industry. Financial, insurance,
and real estate enterprises will use census data to determine their market share, evaluate
their performance relative to the rest of the industry, and develop marketing strategies.
Special Features: The
first complete enumeration of key service industries, and only source of detailed industry
and geographic data.
Related Programs: Service
Annual Survey, Enterprise Statistics, and Census Nonemployer Statistics
Census
of Retail Trade
Purpose: To
provide periodic and comprehensive statistics about retail establishments and activities.
The United States Code, Title 13, requires this census and provides for mandatory
responses.
Coverage: Domestic
establishments that sell merchandise and related services to the public for personal or
household consumption. These are all establishments classified in SIC Division G,
excluding nonemployers engaged in direct selling (SIC 5963). In 1992, over 1.5 million
employer establishments accounted for retail sales of nearly $1.9 trillion.
Content: Basic
data obtained for all establishments include kind of business, geographic location, dollar
volume of sales, annual and first quarter payroll, and employment for the pay period
including March 12. Establishments receiving a census form provide additional data on
organizational status, sales by class of customer, sales by merchandise line, method of
selling, and industry-specific measures (such as number of prescriptions by drug stores).
Frequency: Every
5 years since 1972, for years ending in "2" and "7." From 1929 through
1967, retail trade statistics were published periodically as part of the census of
business. Data collection begins in December of the census year and responses are due in
about 8 weeks. Data are requested for activities taking place during the census calendar
year.
Methods: A
mail-out/mail-back data collection for establishments of multi-unit companies, large
single-unit employers, and a sample of small employers; and administrative records data
for non-selected small employers and all nonemployers. All establishments of multi-unit
firms and single-unit employers with annualized payroll above a size cutoff (for most
industries, equivalent to about 3 employees) receive a census form. A sample of small
employers also receives a census form. This sample is selected using a stratified sampling
procedure with strata based on industry and geography. 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.
Products: Geographic
Area Series reports consist of 52 volumes, one for the U.S., each state, and the District
of Columbia. Volumes tabulate data for establishments with payroll by kind of business for
the U.S., states, metropolitan areas, counties, and places with 2,500 inhabitants or more.
The ZIP Code Statistics Series summarizes data for retail employers by 5-digit ZIP Code
and gives kind-of-business detail for establishments by sales and employment size
category. Data are only available on CD-ROMs.
Nonemployer Statistics Series reports include data on the number of establishments and
receipts by kind of business, establishments with and without payroll, and number of
proprietorships and partnerships. Data and detail vary by geographic area for the U.S.,
states, and metropolitan areas. Similar data is available only on CD-ROMs for counties and
places with 2,500 or more inhabitants.
Subject Series reports consist of 4 volumes presenting tabulations for the U.S. with some
additional geographic detail. Titles include: Establishment and Firm Size (Including Legal
Form of Organization); Merchandise Line Sales; Measures of Value Produced, Capital
Expenditures, Depreciable Assets, and Operating Expenses; and Miscellaneous Subjects.
Uses: The
Bureau of Economic Analysis uses retail census data to benchmark the national income and
product accounts and input-output tables. The Department of Agriculture uses retail food
sales data for marketing analysis. The Census Bureau uses retail data in sampling and
benchmarking activities for current surveys. A national trade association uses restaurant
data for analysis, marketing, and publicity. A publisher of magazines, sold at retail
stores, uses the number of retail stores by ZIP Code to design sales territories.
Special Features: The
only source of detailed industry and geographic data on sales, sales by merchandise line,
and key industry-specific measures.
Related Programs: Advance
Monthly Retail Sales Survey, Monthly Retail Trade Survey, Annual Retail Trade Survey,
Assets and Expenditures Survey, Census Nonemployer Statistics, and Enterprise Statistics
Census of
Services Industries
Purpose: To
provide periodic and comprehensive data about service establishments and their activities.
The United States Code, Title 13, requires this census and provides for mandatory
responses.
Coverage: Domestic
establishments that provide services to consumers, businesses, governments, and other
organizations. These include all taxable establishments and tax-exempt establishments with
payroll classified in SIC Division I except: academic and professional schools (SIC
821-2); labor, political, and religious organizations (SIC 863 and 865-6); and households
(SIC 88). In 1992, over 8.7 million employer and nonemployer establishments reported
receipts or revenues of some $1.6 trillion.
Content: Basic
data obtained for all establishments include kind of business, Federal income tax status,
geographic location, taxable operating receipts (revenue for tax-exempt establishments),
annual and first quarter payroll, and employment for the pay period including March 12.
Establishments receiving a census form provide additional data on operational and
organizational status, sources of receipts, business characteristics, and industry
specific measures such as exports and the number of hotel accommodations. Other measures
for tax-exempt organizations include gifts and endowment income.
Frequency: Every
5 years since 1972, for years ending in "2" and "7". From 1933 through
1967, selected service industries statistics were published periodically as part of the
census of business. Industry coverage has broadened over time; a major expansion in 1977
added coverage of many tax-exempt activities. Data collection begins at the end of
December of the census year and responses are due in about 8 weeks. Data are requested for
activities taking place during the census calendar year.
Methods: A
mail-out/mail-back data collection of all establishments of multi-unit companies, all
large single-unit employer firms, and selected small employers; plus administrative
records data for non-selected employers and taxable nonemployers. All establishments of
multi-unit firms and single-establishment employers with annualized payroll above a size
cutoff (cutoffs vary by industry, but include all employers with 10 or more employees)
receive a census form. A sample of small employers also receive a census form and are
selected using a stratified sample based on industry and geography. Basic data for
non-selected small employers and taxable non-employers are obtained from Federal
administrative records. Estimates for industry-specific data are based partly on small
employer sample results.
Products: Geographic
Area Series reports consist of 52 publications, one for the U.S., each state, and the
District of Columbia. These reports summarize data by kind of business and Federal income
tax status for the U.S., states, and metropolitan areas and for counties and places having
2,500 inhabitants or more. Tabulations present basic data compiled from establishments
with payroll.
The ZIP Code Statistics Series summarizes basic statistics on service industry totals for
taxable employers by 5-digit ZIP Code and gives limited industry detail for number of
employer establishments by receipts size and employment size categories. It is only
available on CD-ROM and public use sales tapes.
Nonemployer Statistics Series reports include data on the number of establishments and
receipts by kind of business, establishments with and without payroll, and number of
proprietorships and partnerships. Data and detail vary by geographic area for the U.S.,
states, and metropolitan areas. Similar data is available only on CD-ROMs for counties and
places with 2,500 or more inhabitants.
Subject Series reports consist of 5 volumes presenting special interest tabulations for
the U.S. with additional geographic detail for some topics. Titles include: Hotels,
Motels, and Other Lodging Places; Establishment and Firm Size (Including Legal Form of
Organization); Miscellaneous Subjects; Capital Expenditures, Depreciable Assets, Sources
of Receipts or Revenue, and Operating Expenses.
Uses: Businesses
compare their sales to census totals for their industry or area to make plans and evaluate
performance. Companies use census data to lay out territories, allocate advertising, and
locate new stores or offices. Firms supplying goods and services to other businesses use
census data to target industries for marketing. Consultants and researchers use census
data to analyze changes in economic structure and location. Important measures of economic
activity, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), are based on census data. Associations and
news media study census data to find key business facts and project trends. Legislators
use census data in the preparation and evaluation of new laws. State and local governments
monitor census data to understand their economic base and attract new business. The Census
Bureau uses census data in sampling and benchmarking for surveys.
Special Features: The
only source of detailed industry statistics for small geographic areas and
industry-specific measures.
Related Programs: Service
Annual Survey, Enterprise Statistics, Assets and Expenditures Survey, and Census
Nonemployer Statistics
Census of
Transportation,
Communications, and Utilities
Purpose: To
provide periodic and comprehensive data about transportation, communications, and
utilities establishments and their activities. The United States Code, Title 13,
authorizes this census and provides for mandatory responses.
Coverage: Domestic
establishments that provide passenger and freight transportation; communication services;
and electricity, gas, steam, water, and sanitary services to the general public or other
businesses. These include all establishments classified in SIC Division E except railroads
(SIC 40), the U.S. Postal Service (SIC 43), and large certificated passenger air carriers
(part of SIC 4512). In 1987, only selected transportation industries (SIC 42, 44, and 47)
were covered. In 1992, the industries covered included some 900,000 employer and
nonemployer establishments with revenues of $892 billion.
Content: Basic
data obtained for all reporting units include kind of business; geographic location; total
operating revenue; annual and first quarter payroll; and number of employees for pay
period including March 12. Establishments receiving a census form provide additional data
on revenue by source and other industry-specific measures such as purchased transportation
expenses and revenue by class of customer. Multi-unit firms in certain industries report
revenue and related output measures consolidated to the state level. These industries
include pipelines, telephone and telegraph communications, and electric and gas services.
Frequency: This
expanded census began for 1992, and will continue every 5 years for years ending in
"2" and "7." From 1962 through 1987, transportation statistics were
published in a census of transportation. Data collection begins at the end of December of
the census year and responses are due in about 8 weeks. Data are requested for activities
taking place during the census calendar year.
Methods: A
mail-out/mail-back data collection for all multi-unit firms and most single- establishment
employers; administrative records data for small employers in SIC 421 and all
nonemployers. Most multi-unit firms received a census report for each establishment.
Multi-unit firms in some industries received a census report for each state in which the
firm operated. Single establishment employer firms received a census form if they were not
classified in SIC 421 (trucking and courier services) or if they were in SIC 421 and had
annualized payroll above a size cutoff. SIC 421 firms with payroll below the cutoff were
sampled using a stratified sample with strata based on kind of business and geography.
Basic data for small employers not selected in the SIC 421 sample and all nonemployers
were obtained from Federal administrative records. Sources of revenue and other
industry-specific data for unsampled SIC 421 firms were based partly on the small employer
sample results.
Products: The
Geographic Area Series consists of one printed report and data files on CD-ROMs, with data
by kind of business for the U.S., each state, and the District of Columbia and selected
metropolitan areas. Tabulations present statistics for establishments with payroll,
including number of establishments, revenue, annual and first quarter payroll, and
employment.
The Nonemployer Statistics Series consists of one printed report and data files on
CD-ROMs. Tabulations for the U.S. and states show number of establishments and
revenue by kind of business for all establishments, establishments with payroll, and
establishments without payroll.
The Subject Series consists of 2 printed reports and selected data on CD-ROMs, with data
on employers for the U.S. and additional geographic detail for some topics. The report
titles are Establishment and Firm Size and Miscellaneous Subjects. The Miscellaneous
Subjects report includes data on sources of revenue.
Uses: The
Bureau of Economic Analysis uses the data to benchmark national income and product
accounts and input-output tables. The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses the data for
statistical research and benchmarking employment by industry. The Census Bureau uses the
data in sampling and benchmarking activities in annual surveys on communications and
trucking. The Department of Transportation uses the data for statistical research.
Trucking associations use the data for economic research.
Special Features: The
only source of detailed data for specific industries (such as passenger transportation,
water transportation, broadcast and cable services, and sanitary services) in states and
selected metropolitan areas.
Related Programs: Transportation
Annual Survey, Annual Survey of Communication Services, Commodity Flow Survey, Truck
Inventory and Use Survey, Nationwide Truck Activity and Commodity Survey, Census
Nonemployer Statistics, and Enterprise Statistics
Census of
Wholesale Trade
Purpose: To
provide periodic and comprehensive data about wholesale trade establishments and their
activities. The United States Code, Title 13, requires this census and provides for
mandatory responses.
Coverage: Domestic
establishments with payroll that sell merchandise to retailers or other wholesalers; sell
to industrial, commercial, farm, institutional, or professional users; or act as agents or
brokers in buying or selling merchandise for such persons or companies (SIC Division F).
In 1992, over 495,000 establishments reported total wholesale sales of some $3.2 trillion.
Content: All
establishments provide data on kind of business; type of operation; geographic location;
sales; gross sales value of goods sold by commissions; commissions; annual and first
quarter payroll; number of employees for the pay period including March 12; operating
expenses, previous and current end-of-year inventories; and total purchases.
Establishments receiving the standard form provide additional data on sales by commodity
line; employees by principal activity; and industry-specific measures, such as gallon
sales and storage capacity for petroleum products.
Frequency: Every
5 years since 1972, for years ending in "2" and "7." From 1929 through
1967, wholesale trade data were published periodically as part of the census of business.
Data collection begins at the end of December of the census year and responses are due in
about 8 weeks. Data are requested for activities taking place during the census calendar
year.
Methods: A
mail-out/mail-back census of all establishments with payroll using standard and short
forms that differ in scope and detail. All establishments of multi- unit firms and
single-establishment firms with annualized payroll above a size cutoff (for most
industries, equivalent to about 3 employees) receive a standard form. A sample of the
single-unit firms below the payroll cutoff also receive the standard form. Sample firms
are selected using a stratified sampling procedure with strata reflecting kind of business
and selected large states and metropolitan areas. All other small employers receive a
short form that does not have inquiries on sales by commodity line and employment by
principal activity. The sample results are used to estimate data not contained on the
short form.
Products: Geographic
Area Series reports consist of 52 volumes, one for the U.S., each state, and the District
of Columbia. Reports summarize data by kind of business and type of operation for the
U.S., states, metropolitan areas, and counties and places with 2,500 inhabitants or more.
Sales, payroll, and employment are summarized for all geographic areas. Operating expenses
and inventories are tabulated only at the national and state levels. Tabulations for all
counties and places having 2,500 inhabitants or more summarize data for two broad
type-of-operation categories: merchants versus other operating types. Tabulations for
places and counties having 200 wholesale establishments or more have additional industry
detail.
Subject Series reports consist of 4 volumes presenting special interest tabulations for
the U.S. and added geographic detail for some reports. Report titles include:
Establishment and Firm Size (Including Legal Form of Organization); Commodity Line Sales;
Measures of Value Produced, Capital Expenditures, Depreciable Assets, and Operating
Expenses; and Miscellaneous Subjects.
Primary Uses: The
Bureau of Economic Analysis uses the data to benchmark national income and product
accounts and input-output tables. The Department of Agriculture uses the data for tracking
sales of farm products. The Census Bureau uses the data in sampling and benchmarking
activities for current wholesale surveys. National associations use the data for
statistical and economic research, general planning, and marketing. An insurance company
used counts of establishments and sales by kind of business to redesign sales territories
and set quotas and incentive levels for agents.
Special Features: The
only comprehensive data on the geographic distribution of wholesalers; source of
statistics on sales by commodity line, sales by class of customer, and key
industry-specific measures; and source of data on wholesale operating types other than
merchants.
Related Programs: Annual
Trade Survey, Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey, Enterprise Statistics, and Assets and
Expenditures Survey
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