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

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 assists with the census.

COVERAGE

All establishments that are recognizably engaged in construction, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and selected service activities are enumerated. In 2002, there were 1276 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.

FREQUENCY

Every 5 years, currently taken 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

Establishments are personally enumerated using a list-and-enumerate method. The islands have been divided into enumeration districts with each district assigned an interviewer. Interviewers systematically canvass their districts. In 1992, a listing book was used to screen out establishments not in scope of the economic censuses or not in operation during the census year. All in scope establishments fill out the same questionnaire. Peddlers and other itinerant vendors without established places of business are not canvassed. In 1987, small establishments (those with less than 5 employees) were enumerated in the listing book, while larger employer establishments were enumerated using a more detailed census form.

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 operations, hiring the enumerators, and collecting the data. In addition, the Commonwealth provides input to the questionnaire content and helps with publicity.

PRODUCTS

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

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.