Assets and Expenditures Survey

Purpose:  To provide periodic estimates on capital expenditures, depreciable assets, and operating expenses for retail, merchant wholesale, and selected service firms. The United States Code, Title 13, authorizes this survey and provides for mandatory responses.
Coverage:  Firms and legal entities classified as wholesale merchants (SIC Division F), retail trade (SIC Division G), or selected service industries (most of SIC Division I). In 1987, retail and service non-employer firms were added to the universe.
Content:  Data are collected on operating expenses, capital expenditures, and depreciable assets. Data on operating expenses include payroll and fringe benefits, taxes and license fees, depreciation and amortization charges, computer-related costs, lease and rental payments, utilities, advertising, accounting, and legal services. Data on capital expenditures and depreciable assets include capital expenditures by type, changes in depreciable asset accounts, capital and operating leases, and capitalized interest.
Frequency:  Every 5 years since 1958, for years ending in "2" and "7." Firms are contacted early in the year following the reporting period. Data are requested for activities taking place during the census calendar year.
Methods:  A mail-out/mail-back survey of 54,000 firms and Employer Identification Numbers (EINs) selected in samples for the Service Annual Survey; the Annual Trade Survey; and the Annual Retail Trade Survey. EINs may represent one or more establishments and firms may have one or more EINs. Samples for each of the component programs are stratified probability samples of employer businesses drawn after the preceding 5-year censuses, supplemented by area samples to identify new businesses and nonemployers in retail trade and selected service industries. Samples are revised to reflect known changes in business and organization structure. National estimates are developed to supplement 5-year census data. Estimates (except for sales and receipts) are developed from the summation of weighted information adjusted by a process that benchmarks them to the corresponding economic censuses. The weights are the inverse of the probability of selection (or sampling rate) of sampling units in the survey.
Products:  Three reports are published 3 to 4 years after the census year with 3- and 4-digit industry detail. The wholesale and retail reports are published with their respective Economic Census Subject Series, Measures of Value Produced, Capital Expenditures, Depreciable Assets, and Operating Expenses. The service report is published in the census of service industries Subject Series, Capital Expenditures, Depreciable Assets, and Operating Expenses. Measures of value produced are estimated only for retail trade and merchant wholesale trade. Separate estimates for non-employers are not published.
Uses:  The Bureau of Economic Analysis uses the estimates for benchmarking the national income and product accounts, capital stock accounts, and input-output tables. The Department of Health and Human Services uses the expense estimates to forecast rising medical costs. The Department of Labor uses the capital expenditures estimates for projecting industry spending and future employment. Market research firms use the estimates for market research and analysis. Trade and professional associations use the estimates for trade analysis.
Special Features:  The only source of periodic industry statistics on major economic inputs by type for covered trade areas.
Related Programs:  Annual Retail Trade Survey, Annual Trade Survey, Service Annual Survey, Enterprise Statistics, Quarterly Financial Report, and Annual Capital Expenditures Survey

Characteristics of Business Owners Survey

Purpose:  To provide periodic data that describe and compare women, minority, and nonminority male business owners and their businesses. The United States Code, Title 13 and 26, authorizes this survey and provides for mandatory responses. The Minority Business Development Agency and the Small Business Administration partially fund the survey.
Coverage:  Owners and activities of businesses that filed Internal Revenue Service tax forms for sole proprietorships or the self-employed (Form 1040, Schedule C), partnerships (Form 1065), or subchapter S corporations (Form 1120S); and operated in an industry covered by an economic census (excluding farms and ranches). Businesses that are at least one-half owned by women, Blacks, Hispanics, other minorities, and nonminority males are identified and reported separately.
Content:  Owners report data on personal characteristics and business acquisitions, financing, and operations. Characteristics data include age, marital status, education, work experience, and veterans status. Business acquisition and financing data include method of acquiring ownership, and sources of capital. Business operations data include owner hours worked, assets and liabilities, net income, employee and customer profiles, and volume of exports.
Frequency:  Every 5 years since 1982, for years ending in "2" and "7" as part of the economic censuses. For 1977, a survey of women business owners characteristics was conducted. Data are for activities taking place during the census calendar year; data collection follows the women- and minority-owned businesses surveys, begins about 3 years after the census year, and continues for about 6 months.
Methods:  A mail-out/mail-back survey of some 125,000 selected minority and nonminority owners, plus data for the surveyed businesses from economic census files. The survey is conducted as a follow-on to the 5-year economic censuses and related women- and minority-owned businesses surveys. Firms are selected for the survey using a multistage sampling procedure. In the first stage, firms are placed in one of 5 sample frames (Black-, Hispanic-, other minority-, women-, and nonminority male-owned firms). Minority- and women-owned firms are identified from those preceding surveys; firms eligible for more than one frame are placed in a single frame using a specified hierarchical procedure. In the second stage, panels of businesses are selected from each frame using a stratified random sampling procedure; strata reflect major industry group, and receipts size class. Survey forms are sent to up to 10 owners of each selected firm; responses are matched to economic censuses data about the firm (which were also compiled for the women- and minority-owned businesses surveys); and the results are compiled and published by sex and race ownership group.
Products:  Characteristics of Business Owners reports provide summary data for each of the 5 ownership groups, and owner and business characteristics, about 4 years after the reference year. Data by ownership group include national summaries of firms and receipts by SIC Division and major industry group; national summaries by owner characteristic (such as age, education, and marital status) and business characteristics (such as size, organization, starting capital, and net income); and tabulations of the number of firms and total receipts by state.
Uses:  The Minority Business Development Agency and Small Business Administration use these data to analyze the business ownership, status and trends by ownership group; help document the conditions of smaller business success; and develop policies and programs to promote women- and minority-owned businesses. Trade Associations use the data to study trends by industry and type of business ownership; private businesses use the data to analyze market opportunities and operating strengths and weaknesses; educators use them for instructional and research purposes; and the news media use them in a variety of general and special reports.
Special Features:  Provides the only source of comprehensive and comparative data on small business owners, their business financial and operating characteristics, and changes in women- and minority-owned versus nonminority male-owned business activities.
Related Programs:  Women- and Minority-Owned Business Surveys and Economic Censuses

Commodity Flow Survey

Purpose:  To provide periodic detailed measures of commodity movements within the United States. The United States Code, Title 13, authorizes this survey and provides for mandatory responses. The Department of Transportation partially funds the survey.
Coverage:  Shipments of commodities by establishments with paid employees and engaged in manufacturing, mining, wholesale trade, or selected retail and services industries. Prior commodity surveys covered shipments only by manufacturing firms.
Content:  Data collected on individual shipments include total value, total weight, commodity type, modes of transport, domestic origin and destination; data for export shipments include the city and country of destination, mode and port of exit. Information also is obtained on whether shipments are containerized or a hazardous material. Some firms provide data concerning on-site shipping facilities and access to shipping facilities, plus data on ownership and leasing of transportation equipment.
Frequency:  Initiated for 1993, scheduled for 1997 and every 5 years thereafter for years ending in "2" and "7." Commodity surveys were conducted between 1963 and 1982, but data for 1982 were not published. No data were collected for 1987. Participants report for a sample of shipments during a 2-week period each quarter during the reporting year.
Methods:  A mail-out/mail-back survey of 200,000 sampled employer establishments in selected industries. Establishments are selected by stratified sample, with strata based on geographic location and industry. Geographic strata are the 89 National Transportation Analysis Regions (NTAR), which provide nationwide coverage and are composed of Bureau of Economic Analysis economic areas. Within the strata, all establishments with annualized employment above a specified cutoff are selected with certainty, and the remaining smaller establishments are sampled with probability proportional to annualized payroll. For 1993, each sampled establishment reported on a sample of individual shipments during a 2 week period in each calendar quarter. In addition, about 20,000 establishments provided information on transportation facilities and arrangements in their final reporting period.
Products:  Information is available in printed reports and electronic form. Planned tables include tons, miles, ton-miles, and shipment value by mode of transportation (including intermodal combinations), shipment distance, commodity, and weight. Geographic information is planned by State and NTAR of origin and destination. Expected commodity detail for national tables is the 5-digit Standard Transportation Commodity Code level (STCC). Data will be at the 3-digit STCC level for the NTAR (and state) reports.
Uses:  The Department of Transportation uses the updated and expanded information on commodity flows for policy development, assessing infrastructure needs, and safety issues. The Army Corps of Engineers uses the data for feasibility studies of navigation projects. The Bureau of Economic Analysis uses the data for improvements to the balance of payment accounts, national input-output accounts, and regional projections. Transportation carriers use these data to better understand their markets and more efficiently serve shippers. Manufacturers use the information to locate plants and to identify trends in transportation of their product.
Special Features:  Provides the only comprehensive and consistent statistics of commodity flows with product detail at the 5-digit STCC level.
Related Programs:  Motor Freight Transportation and Warehousing Survey, Truck Inventory and Use Survey, Nationwide Truck Activity and Commodity Survey, and Census of Transportation, Communications, and Utilities

Enterprise Statistics

Purpose:  To provide periodic and comprehensive company-wide data, including company support organizations and selected financial activities. The United States Code, Title 13, authorizes this program and provides for mandatory responses.
Coverage:  All multi establishment companies in industries covered in the economic censuses and auxiliary establishments of companies (e.g., headquarters, offices, research and development facilities, and data processing centers). For 1992, the economic censuses covered most businesses in 8 SIC Divisions: construction; finance; insurance; and real estate; manufacturing; mining; retail trade; services; transportation, communications, and utilities; and wholesale trade. For 1992, nearly 165,000 multi-establishment companies operated in about 1.3 million separate business locations.
Content:  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.
Frequency:  Every 5 years since 1967, for years ending in "2" and "7." Currently conducted as part of the economic censuses; similar data were produced for 1963, 1958, and 1954. Data collection begins in December of the reference year and continues for several months; data are for activities taking place during the census year.
Methods:  Separate mail-out/mail-back surveys of about 10,000 multi unit companies with 400 or more employees and 49,000 auxiliary establishments of multi unit companies; consolidation of selected economic census data to the company-wide level; and assignment of enterprise industry classifications for all companies. Data consolidated from the economic censuses include direct responses from companies and data from administrative records. The enterprise survey of large multi unit companies is a cutoff sample survey, with the cutoff based on employment size data from the latest company organization survey (COS). Large companies provide consolidated end-of-year company-wide totals. The auxiliary establishment survey covers establishments identified in the latest COS and requires information on their location, business activity, employment, and selected operations.
Products:  Large Companies reports provide national statistics for companies with 500 or more employees about two and one-half years after the reference year. Data include selected company operating and financial data by industry, industry diversification patterns, employment and asset size, and historical comparisons.
Auxiliary Establishment reports provide national and state data for auxiliary establishments about 3 years after the reference year. Statistics include location, primary functions, employment by type of work, and selected operating and financial data.Company Summary reports provide basic data for all census covered multi unit companies about three and one-half years after the reference year. For 1992, data previously published in these 3 separate reports were combined and published in a single volume.
Uses:  The Bureau of Economic Analysis uses these data for input-output studies and to calculate the Gross Domestic Product. Government agencies and research analysts use the data to analyze characteristics of businesses by size.
Special Features:  Provides the only source of economy-wide company-level statistics, and data to relate the activities of companies and their affiliated establishments.
Related Programs:  Economic Censuses, Company Organization Survey, Quarterly Financial Reports, and Women- and Minority-Owned Business Surveys

Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey

Purpose:  To measure the physical and operational characteristics of the nation's trucking fleet. The United States Code, Title 13, authorizes this survey and provides for mandatory responses.
Coverage:  Trucks, vans, and truck-tractors that are registered with motor vehicle departments in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Government fleet and off-road vehicles are excluded. There are over 60 million private and commercial trucks registered in the United States.
Content:  Data collected on physical characteristics include date of purchase; empty, average, and maximum loaded weight; number of axles; overall length; type of engine; and body type. Operational characteristics data include type of use, lease characteristics, products carried, and hazardous materials carried. Less detailed physical characteristics data are collected for vans and pickups because they are relatively homogenous in design and use.
Frequency:  Every 5 years since 1963, for years ending in "2" and "7." Data collection begins in January following the census year and continues for approximately 9 months. Reported data are for activity taking place during the census calendar year.
Methods:  A mail-out/mail-back survey of about 128,000 selected trucks; large truck owners receive a standard form, and small truck owners (pickups and vans) receive a short form. A stratified random sample of private and commercial trucks is selected from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Samples are selected by state and stratified mainly by body type. Data collection is staggered as state records become available. Owners report data only for the vehicles selected. The sample for 1997 is some 26,000 vehicles smaller than for 1992 to reduce respondent burden.
Products:  Geographic Area Series reports consist of 52 report volumes available on a flow basis from 7 to 23 months after the census year, one for the United States, each state, and the District of Columbia. These reports include summarized data that cover the characteristics of the Nation's private and commercial fleets, such as the number of vehicles, number of truck miles, major use, annual miles, model year, body type, classification of operator, and annual mileage by commodity line categories (including hazardous materials). State data tables will be available on the Internet and CD-ROM. The U.S. data will also be available in print as well as the other media. A Microdata File is available on CD-ROM about 25 months after the census year. This file contains detailed data for each truck in the sample. The records are masked to avoid possible disclosure of individual vehicles, households, or operating companies.
Uses:  The Department of Transportation uses the data for analysis of cost allocation, safety issues, proposed investments in new roads and technology, and user fees. The Environmental Protection Agency uses the data to determine per mile vehicle emission estimates, vehicle performance and fuel economy, and fuel conservation practices of the trucking industry. The Bureau of Economic Analysis uses the data as a part of the framework for the national investment and personal consumption expenditures component of GDP. The manufacturers use the data to calculate the longevity of products and to determine the usage and applications of their products. Heavy machinery manufacturers use the data to track the importance of various parts distribution and service networks. Truck manufacturers use the data to determine the impact of certain types of equipment on fuel efficiency.
Special Features:  Provides the only source of statistics for trucks that identify physical and operational characteristics.
Related Programs:  Motor Freight Transportation and Warehousing Survey, Commodity Flow Survey, and Census of Transportation, Communications, and Utilities

Women and Minority Owned Business Surveys

Purpose:  To provide periodic data that count and describe businesses owned by women and members of racial and ethnic minority groups. The United States Code, Titles 13 and 26, authorizes these data collections and provides for mandatory responses.
Coverage:  Firms that are at least one-half owned by women, Blacks, Hispanics, Asians and Pacific Islanders, American Indians and Alaska Natives; file tax forms for individual proprietorships (Form 1040, Schedule C), partnerships (Form 1065) or subchapter S corporations (Form 1120S); have annual receipts of at least $500; and are classified in any SIC industry except agricultural production (SIC Major Groups 01 and 01). For 1992, coverage of women-owned firms was expanded to include "C" corporations (businesses that file tax Form 1120) whose stock is more than one-half owned by women.
Content:  Data compiled or collected include the sex, race, and ethnicity of business owners; and business location, SIC classification, form of organization, sales or receipts, employment and annual payroll.
Frequency:  Every 5 years since 1972, for years ending in "2" and "7" as part of the economic censuses. The program began as a special project to provide data on minority-owned businesses in 1969; several changes in scope and methods may affect data comparability for subsequent program years. The survey to collect additional information about business owners begins about 9 months after the census calendar year, and continues for about 1 year.
Methods:  A firm-based compilation of information from 4 sources: owner and business identification, and selected business data from income tax records; gender, Black and other sole proprietor characteristics from social security records; additional owner characteristics from a mail-out/mail-back stratified sample survey of 1.1 million firms; and selected business data from the Economic censuses. Owners are identified, and program data are developed, by cross-referencing information from the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration, and Census Bureau. Each tax form is treated as a separate "firm" (individuals may file more than one form), and determinations are made regarding firm ownership and owners' sex and minority status. Questions for sole proprietors identify specific minority groups for non-Black owners that were not in a prior women- or minority-owned business survey. Questions for partners and owners of subchapter S corporations identify those entities that are women- and minority-owned, and questions for owners of "C" corporations identify those that are women-owned.
Products:  The Women-Owned Businesses report provides summary statistics for the United States, states, and sub-state areas with 100 or more women-owned firms, about 2 years after the reference year. Data include number of firms, gross receipts, employees and annual payroll (for employer firms); and are tabulated by 2-digit SIC, location, size, and legal form of organization. Data are also available on CD-ROMs and the Internet. Survey of Minority-Owned Business Enterprises reports consist of 1 volume of summary statistics for all minority-owned firms which contain race and ethnicity by gender data, and 3 volumes of separate statistics for each minority group (1 volume each for Blacks; Hispanics; and Asians and Pacific Islanders, American Indians, and Alaska Natives, American Indians, and Other Minorities), about 2 years after the census reference year. Data, tabulations, and additional formats are the same as for women-owned businesses.
Uses:  The Minority Business Development Agency; Small Business Administration; and other Federal, state, and local agencies use these data to assess changes in women- and minority-owned businesses and business activities, analyze the effectiveness of minority business assistance programs, and establish new business development programs and policies. Trade Associations use the data to study trends by industry and type of business ownership; private businesses use the data to locate business markets and compare their performance to industry averages; educators use the data in teaching and research; and the general, business and special interest news media feature and discuss these data.
Special Features:  Provides the only source of detailed and comprehensive data on the status, nature, and scope of women- and minority-owned businesses.
Related Programs: Characteristics of Business Owners Survey and Census Nonemployer Statistics

Economic Census of Guam

Purpose:  To provide periodic and comprehensive data on Guam's economic activity and structure. The United States Code, Title 13, requires this survey and provides for mandatory responses. The Government of Guam assists with the census.
Coverage:  All establishments engaged in construction, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, or selected service activities (SIC divisions C, D, F, G, and I).
Content:  All establishments provide data on total sales, kind of business, legal form of organization, employment, annual and first quarter payroll, and sources of sales. Hotels, and other lodging places report additional data on sources of receipts and number of accommodations.
Frequency:  Every 5 years, currently for years ending in "2" and "7." Censuses of manufacturers, retail trade, wholesale trade, and some service industries began for 1958. The census of construction began for 1972. Reported data are for activities taking place throughout the census year.
Methods:  Beginning in 1997 a mail-out/mail-back census of employer establishments. Prior to 1997 personal enumeration of establishments using a list-and-enumerate method was used. A memorandum of understanding outlines the responsibilities of the Census Bureau and the Government of Guam in conducting the censuses. The Bureau provides the necessary funds, procedures, forms, manuals, and training. The Governor of Guam appoints a project manager who is responsible for overseeing the census operation, hiring the enumerators, and collecting the data. The Guam government provides input to the questionnaire content and helps with publicity.
Products:  The Economic Censuses of Outlying Areas, Guam provides industry statistics at the major group level, by legal form of organization, sales and receipts by size, and employment by size. Statistics on selected industry groups are presented at the district level. Data are also provided at the industry group and industry level when disclosure permits.
Uses:  The Department of Interior uses data to assess economic policy for Guam. The Federal Emergency Management Agency uses data to help in assessment of damages due to natural disasters. Local governments use census data to assess business activities within their jurisdiction and to estimate the size and composition of industrial sectors. The Government of Guam uses estimates to benchmark and weigh indexes of industrial production and productivity. The private sector uses the data to forecast general economic conditions.
Special Features:  Provides the only source of consistent and comparable economic data available for Guam at the election district level.
Related Programs:  Census of Agriculture of Guam

Economic Census of the Northern Mariana Islands

Purpose:  To provide periodic and comprehensive data about the Northern Mariana Islands' economic activity and structure. The United States Code, Title 13, requires this survey and provides for mandatory responses. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands assist with the census.
Coverage:  All establishments that are recognizably engaged in construction, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and selected service activities are enumerated (SIC divisions C, D, F, G, and I). In 1987, there were 768 establishments enumerated.
Content:  All establishments provide data on total sales or receipts, kind of business, legal form of organization, employment, annual and first quarter payroll, and sources of sales. In 1987, larger establishments reported more detail data on kind of business.
Frequency:  Every 5 years, currently for years ending in "2" and "7," coinciding with the U.S. economic censuses. The first censuses were taken in 1982. Reported data are for activity taking place throughout the census year.
Methods:  Beginning in 1997 a mail-out/mail-back census of employer establishments. Prior to 1997 personal enumeration of establishments combined with personal enumerators on smaller islands. Prior to 1997 establishments were personally enumerated using a list-and-enumerate method. A memorandum of understanding outlines the responsibilities of the Census Bureau and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in conducting the censuses. The Bureau provides the necessary funds, enumerating procedures, forms, manuals, and training. The Governor of Commonwealth appoints a project manager who is responsible for overseeing the census operation, hiring the enumerators, and collecting the data. In addition, the Commonwealth provides input to the questionnaire content and helps with publicity.
Products:  The Economic Censuses of Outlying Areas, Northern Mariana Islands provides industry statistics at the major group level and, if disclosure rules permit, at the industry group and the industry level. General statistics are provided by legal form of organization, sales and receipts size, and employment size. Employment by industry group is presented for municipalities.
Uses:  The Department of Interior uses data to assess economic policy on the Commonwealth. The Federal Emergency Management Agency uses data to help in assessment of damages due to natural disasters. The Northern Mariana government uses census data to assess business activities within their jurisdiction and to estimate the size and composition of industrial sectors. The government uses estimates to benchmark and weigh indexes of industrial production and productivity. The private sector uses the data to forecast general economic conditions.
Special Features:  Provides the only source of consistent and comparable economic data available for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Related Programs:  Census of Agriculture of the Northern Mariana Islands

Economic Census of Puerto Rico

Purpose:  To provide periodic and comprehensive data about the Commonwealth's economic activity and structure at the municipio level. The United States Code, Title 13, requires this survey and provides for mandatory responses. The Puerto Rico Planning Board provides assistance.
Coverage:  All establishments with paid employees that are engaged in construction, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, or certain service activities (SIC divisions C, D, F, G, and I). This changes the previous coverage definition for 1987 which included non-employer data for service and retail establishments. In 1987, over 65,000 establishments were enumerated.
Content:  All contacted establishments provide data on total sales or receipts, or value of shipments, kind of business, legal form of organization, employment, annual and first quarter payroll, sources of sales and other industry specific measures such as number of hotel rooms or manufacturing export shipments. In 1987, limited data if gathered for non-employers.
Frequency:  Every 5 years, currently taken for years ending in "2" and "7" coinciding with the U.S. economic censuses. The five year cycle began in 1949. A census of manufactures was taken in 1909 and continued at 10-year intervals through 1949 except for 1929. Retail trade, wholesale trade, and service industries censuses were added in 1939. Construction industries was added in 1967. Reported data are for activity taking place throughout the census year.
Methods:  A mail-out/mail-back census of employer establishments and in 1987 an area sample of non-employers. For 1992 and 1997, all known employers reported data on one form and no information is collected for establishments without payroll.   In 1987, seven report forms were used to contact employers (construction, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, service, commercial lodging places, or a General Schedule). Non-employer establishments engaged in retail or a services industry were enumerated using an area sampling procedure to minimize reporting burden. Interviewers canvassed sample barrios and used a listing book to enumerate all non-employers. Peddlers and other itinerant vendors without established places of business were excluded from the census. A memorandum of understanding outlines the responsibilities for conducting the censuses between the Census Bureau and the Puerto Rico Planning Board. The Planning Board is consulted during the design stage; provides data on lottery and horse racing from their administrative records; and helps in publicizing the census.
Products:  For 1987, a series of 3 reports are published under the title Economic Censuses of Outlying Areas, Puerto Rico. The Manufactures report contains general employer statistics for industry groups by legal form of organization, sales and receipts by size, employment by size, and value of shipments exported. Statistics in industry groups are presented by the municipio and metropolitan statistical area (MSA). The Construction, report contains general employer statistics for industry groups by legal form of organization, and employment by size. Statistics on industry groups are presented by the municipio and MSA level. The Wholesale Trade, Retail Trade, and Service Industries report is published in three books. Book one, the Geographic Area Statistics, contains general statistics for industry groups by the municipio and commercial region level. Book two, Subject Series contains general employer and non-employer statistics for industry groups by legal form of organization, sales and receipts by size, employment, and corporate ownership. Book three, Miscellaneous Subjects, has data on merchandise lines sales by kind of business along with data on hotels and motels. In 1992, non-employer statistics will not be collected and data from books one and two will be combined into one volume.
Uses:  The Commonwealth Government uses data to benchmark estimates of net income and gross product of Puerto Rico. Municipio governments use census data to assess business activities within their jurisdiction and estimate municipio revenue. The private sector uses the data to forecast general economic conditions; analyze sales performance; lay out sales territories; and measure potential markets.
Special Features:  Provides the only recognized source of data at the municipio level.
Related Programs:  Census of Agriculture of Puerto Rico

Economic Census of the Virgin Islands

Purpose:  To provide periodic and comprehensive data about the Virgin Islands' economic activity and structure. The United States Code, Title 13, requires this survey and provides for mandatory responses. The Government of the Virgin Islands assists with the census.
Coverage:  All establishments in construction, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, or certain service industries (SIC divisions C, D, F, G, and I). In 1987, there were 2,604 establishments enumerated.
Content:  All establishments provide data on total sales or receipts, kind of business, legal form of organization, employment, annual and first quarter payroll, sources of sales. Hotels, and other lodging places report additional data on sources of receipts and number of accommodations.
Frequency:  Every 5 years, currently taken for years ending in "2" and "7." Censuses of manufactures, retail trade, wholesale trade, and some service industries began in 1958. The census of construction began in 1972. Reported data are for activity taking place throughout the census year.
Methods:  In 1997 a mail-out/mail-back census of employer establishments. In 1992 and 1997, all establishments fill out the same form (in 1987, 3 forms were used). In 1992 personal enumeration was used for single location establishments. A memorandum of understanding outlines the responsibilities of the Census Bureau and the Government of the Virgin Islands in conducting the censuses. The Bureau provides the necessary funds, enumerating procedures, forms, manuals, and training. The Governor appoints a project manager who is responsible for overseeing the census operation, hiring enumerators and collecting the data. In addition, the Government provides input to the questionnaire content and helps with publicity.
Products:  For Economic Censuses of Outlying Areas, Virgin Islands provides industry statistics at the major group level, by legal form of organization, sales and receipts by size, and employment by size. Statistics on selected industry groups are presented for island and the three towns. Detail industry data are presented for hotels and motels. Non-employer construction, manufacturing, and wholesale establishment data is not published.
Uses:  The Department of Interior uses data to assess economic policy on the Virgin Islands. The Federal Emergency Management Agency uses data to help in assessment of damages due to natural disasters. The Virgin Island Government uses estimates to benchmark and weight indexes of industrial production and productivity. Local governments use census data to assess business activities within their jurisdiction and to estimate the size and composition of industrial sectors. The private sector uses the data to forecast general economic conditions.
Special Features:  Provides the only source of consistent and comparable economic data for the Virgin Islands at the island and town levels.
Related Programs:  Census of Agriculture of the Virgin Islands

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