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Overview

The Economic Census provides a comprehensive portrait of the United States economy, and produces our Nation's most indispensable economic statistics. The Economic Census provides the foundation for most of the United States' economic statistics, and the benchmark for the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and other principal indictors of economic performance. The U.S. Census Bureau takes the Economic Census every 5 years, with cooperation from American business. The 2002 Economic Census is currently underway; the most recent completed census provides information for calendar year 1997 at www.census.gov/econ97.

Scope

The Economic Census obtains information for the non-farm private economy, accounting for about 96 percent of GDP. The 2002 Economic Census will obtain and summarize information for more than 24 million separate businesses.

Approach

The Economic Census includes every industry and geographic area of the U.S. Census methods are designed to minimize the burden on U.S. businesses. For example, 2002 Economic Census forms are mailed to only the 5 million largest businesses, typically with five or more paid employees, and a sample of smaller ones - and not to businesses without paid employees. For businesses that receive a form, more than 650 versions of the basic census form have been tailored to reflect conditions, terminology, and record keeping practices in different industries. Available electronic versions of most forms will make reporting much easier.

Data Products

Economic Census statistics are more complete, specific, reliable and useful than any other single set of economic information. The 2002 Economic Census will feature all-new economic classifications, new nationwide data by economic sector, and fresh details for more than 1,000 separate industries and over 40,000 geographic areas. All census results will be available on the Internet at www.census.gov/econ2002 and on CD-ROM.

History

Economic censuses have been taken periodically since 1810. Over the years, the U.S. economy has grown and changed, demand for and use of economic statistics has burgeoned, and economic census responsibilities and methods have evolved. Economic Censuses were taken separately from the population census starting in the 1930's. Title 13 of the United States Code, enacted in the 1950's established a regular 5-year cycle for the Economic Census. The 2002 Economic Census is the first to provide an "always-on" Business Help Site, first to provide electronic versions of most census forms, and first to provide measures of electronic commerce for every industry.