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You are here: BHS Home  General FAQs Understanding Census
Understanding the Census
1. What is the Economic Census?
The Economic Census collects and produces our Nation's most comprehensive and useful business statistics. It collects information about virtually every U.S. business and summarizes data for each industry and geographic area to publish a complete and accurate portrait of the American economy. The Census Bureau conducts an Economic Census every 5 years. - Virtually every business. The Economic Census includes nearly all U.S. business activities. The census excludes agriculture, most government, most education, and some specialized activities (such as railroad, labor organizations and religious activities). The Economic Census also excludes private household activities.
- Comprehensive business statistics. Census statistics describe the structure and functioning of our Nation's economy, and illuminate hundreds of different industries and thousands of geographic areas. These data are relied on for sound business plans, effective economic development, and accurate economic indicator statistics.
- Available periodically. Census statistics provide reliable and comprehensive measures of our Nation's economy every 5 years. These are our most insightful and consistent measures of economic growth and change, and are an essential resource for planning, decision making, and economic development.
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2. Why is this census important?
The Economic Census is important because it produces comprehensive "snapshots" of our economy and our most widely used business statistics. Census statistics feature economy-wide coverage, exceptional accuracy, encyclopedic detail, and historic comparability. These data are used in private sector business plans, public policy development, and statistical program quality control. Examples of data users and uses include: - Individual businesses. Small and large businesses use census statistics to develop business plans, locate facilities, define markets, assess competition, attract investment, manage sales, and evaluate efficiency.
- Business organizations. Industry professionals, economic analysts and business reporters use census statistics to assess industry growth and change, prepare economic forecasts, define legislative priorities, and produce education materials.
- Program agencies. Federal, state and local agencies use census statistics to design economic development and regulatory programs, evaluate program effects, conduct trade negotiations, and prepare revenue and spending plans.
- Statistical agencies. Federal, local, and other statistical agencies use census statistics to validate and update key performance measures, including Federal measures of total domestic production, business productivity, and capacity utilization.
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3. Why is there a census for 2007?
Federal law directs the Census Bureau to conduct an Economic Census for calendar year 2007, United States Code, Title 13. Congress and the President established this law to provide the high quality statistics needed to help our Nation's growing and dynamic economy. Results for 2007 will extend and improve previous census statistics, including improved measures of service sector products, supply chain and franchising. - Required by law. Federal law requires that an Economic Census be conducted every five years, for calendar years ending in "2" and "7."
- Necessary statistics. The census provides statistics to profile where businesses are located and how they are organized and operate, including their employment and payroll, assets, primary physical and service inputs, and major products.
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4. Is completing the Economic Census mandatory?
Yes. Federal law requires you to complete your Economic Census form and return it to the Census Bureau. The United States Code, Title 13, establishes these requirements, applies them to company managers, business owners, and employees, and authorizes penalties for those who do not cooperate. High quality census statistics, including profiles of each U.S. industry and locality, depend on information from each business that receives a 2007 Economic Census form. - Statistical purpose. Penalty authority is provided to assure high quality U.S. business statistics. It is not intended to coerce businesses or produce revenue.
- No exemptions. The Census Bureau has no authority to exempt or excuse individual businesses from the legal requirement to answer the Economic Census.
- No compensation. The Census Bureau has no authority or funds to reimburse, or otherwise compensate businesses for answering the Economic Census.
- Authorized penalties. The United States Code, Title 13, Chapter 7, coupled with the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, Title 18, Section 3571, authorizes a fine of not more than $5000 for refusing to answer the census, and not more than $10,000 for willfully providing false information.
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5. Will my answers be confidential?
Yes. Federal law guarantees the confidentiality of information you provide on your census form. The United States Code, Title 13, restricts who can see your information, limits how they can use it, and provides stiff established penalties for any violations. In addition, your information is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, and any file copies you retain are immune from legal process. - Restricted access. Your information will be seen only by persons who are sworn to uphold the confidentiality provisions of Title 13. The penalty for any violation is a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both.
- Limited use. Persons who are authorized to access your information can use it only for statistical purposes. They cannot use it for regulatory or other purposes, to disclose information about you or your business, or to share it with any unauthorized person.
Protected Information. Census publications contain only aggregated statistics that combine information from many businesses. They do not identify individual businesses or their operations, and they are carefully reviewed to prevent unintended disclosure.
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Last revised: April 17 2008 07:43:23
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