Guide to the
2002 Economic Census

The statistics issued by industry in the 2002 Economic Census are classified primarily on the 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), and, to a lesser extent, on the 1997 NAICS used in the previous census. NAICS replaced the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system in use up to 1997. NAICS categorizes establishments by the principal activity in which they are engaged.

NAICS, developed in cooperation with Canada and Mexico, classifies North America's economic activities at 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-digit levels of detail, and the U.S. version of NAICS further defines industries to a sixth digit.  The Economic Census takes advantage of this hierarchy to publish data at successive levels of detail.

Table 2. NAICS hierarchic structure

NAICS level	Example
	NAICS code	Description
Sector	51	Information
Subsector	515	Broadcasting (except Internet)
Industry group	5151	Radio and Television Broadcasting
Industry	51511	Radio Broadcasting
U.S. Industry	515112	Radio Stations

The Census Bureau also classifies products, and, in the case of manufacturing and mining industries, products are classified in a manner consistent with the NAICS structure.  The first 6 digits of the 10-digit product code are normally the same as the NAICS code for the industry with which the product is most frequently associated.  Broad product or service lines also are provided for other sectors. In four sectors, service lines are classified according to the new North American Product Classification System (NAPCS).

The 2002 Economic Census covers 1,070 of the 1,179 industries in NAICS 2002; industries not covered are noted in general in Table 3, and detailed in a separate list of exclusions.

Table 3. NAICS Sectors and Their Coverage in the 2002 Economic Census

NAICS codes	Economic Sector
11	Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting (Excluded. Separate census of agriculture, conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, covers farming but not forestry, fishing and hunting, and support activities)
21	Mining
22	Utilities
23	Construction
31-33	Manufacturing
42	Wholesale Trade
44-45	Retail Trade
48-49	Transportation and Warehousing (Census excludes U.S. Postal Service, large certificated passenger air transportation, and all rail transportation)
51	Information
52	Finance and Insurance (Census excludes funds and trusts)
53	Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
54	Professional, Scientific, and Technical Service
55	Management of Companies and Enterprises
56	Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
61	Educational Services (Census excludes elementary and secondary schools, colleges, and professional schools)
62	Health Care and Social Assistance
71	Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
72	Accommodation and Food Services
81	Other Services (Except Public Administration) (Census excludes labor, political, and religious organizations; and private households)
92	Public Administration (Excluded. Separate census of governments conducted by Census Bureau)

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