ECONOMIC CENSUS OF PUERTO RICO AND THE ISLAND AREAS: GUAM
(formerly Economic Census of Outlying Areas)

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. For 2002, 2,926 establishments were enumerated.

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. Since 1987, hotels and other lodging places have reported additional data on sources of receipts and number of accommodations.

FREQUENCY

Every 5 years, currently for years ending in "2" and "7." Censuses of manufactures, 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

A mail-out/mail-back census of employer establishments, supplemented by personal enumeration of mail nonrespondents and non-employer establishments. To enumerate establishments, Guam is divided into enumeration districts with each one assigned an interviewer. Interviewers systematically canvass their districts. A register book is used to screen out establishments that are not in scope of the economic census, not in operation during the census year, or not a mail respondent. For each establishment determined to be in scope of the censuses, enumerators fill out a questionnaire. Peddlers and other itinerant vendors without established places of business are not canvassed.

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, enumerating 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 Census of Island 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. Non-employer construction, manufacturing, and wholesale establishment data are not published.

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.