You are here: Economic Programs Overview Multi-Sector Census of Puerto Rico

ECONOMIC CENSUS OF PUERTO RICO

PURPOSE

To provide periodic and comprehensive data on Puerto Rico's economic activity and structure. The United States Code, Title 13, authorizes this survey and provides for mandatory responses. The Government of Puerto Rico assists with the census.

COVERAGE

The census covers the following sectors (as defined by the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)): Mining, Utilities, Construction; Manufacturing, Wholesale and Retail Trades, Transportation and Warehousing, Information, Finance and Insurance, Real Estate and Rental and Leasing; Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, Management of Companies and Enterprises, Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services, Educational Services; Health Care and Social Assistance, Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation, Accommodation and Food Services, and Other Services (except Public Administration). This scope is equivalent to that of the stateside economic census. The 2002 Economic Census was the first census conducted based on NAICS.

Census forms are mailed to all establishments within the scope of the census that have annual payroll.

CONTENT

All establishments provide data on total sales, receipts, or revenue, kind of business, legal form of organization, employment, annual and first quarter payroll, and sources of sales, receipts or revenue. Hotels, and other lodging places report additional data on sources of receipts and number of accommodations.

Data are published for the total of the island, commercial regions (applicable to wholesale trade, retail trade, and services sectors), metropolitan areas (applicable to manufacturing and construction), and municipios (applicable to all sectors (county equivalent)). General statistics by kind of business are presented at the following levels of detail:

• 2- thru 5-digit NAICS - total of the island and the commercial regions
• 2- and 3-digit NAICS - metropolitan areas for the manufacturing sector
• 2-digit NAICS - metropolitan areas for construction
• 2-digit NAICS – municipio for wholesale, manufacturing, and construction
• 2- thru 4-digits – municipio for retail trade and services sectors

FREQUENCY

Every 5 years, currently for years ending in "2" and "7." The Census of manufactures began in 1909. The censuses of retail trade, wholesale trade, and some service industries began in 1939. The census of construction began in 1969. Reported data are for activity taking place throughout the census year.

METHODS

Censuses are conducted using the mailout/mailback methodology. A Memorandum of Agreement between the Census Bureau and the Government of Puerto Rico outlines the conditions under which the censuses are conducted. The Government of Puerto Rico provides input to the census content and helps with publicity.

PRODUCTS

Census products summarize data by kind of business for Puerto Rico and its districts. Tabulations include statistics on the number of establishments; sales, receipts or revenue; annual payroll, first quarter payroll, and employment. Tabulations also summarize basic information by sales size category, by employment size category, and industry composition by legal form of organization. All of these tabulations are available through American FactFinder. Separate reports are issued for manufacturing, construction, and all other industries.

USES

The Department of Interior uses data to assess economic policy in Puerto Rico. The Federal Emergency Management Agency uses data to help in assessment of damages due to natural disasters.

The Government of Puerto Rico uses estimates to benchmark and weight indexes of industrial production and productivity, and to calculate Puerto Rico’s gross product. The municipal governments use census data to assess business activities within their jurisdiction and to estimate the size and composition of economic sectors. The private sector uses the data to forecast general economic conditions.
The Census Bureau, in consultation with the Puerto Rico Planning Board, has carefully reviewed the content of the questionnaires to reflect the social and economic characteristics of Puerto Rico. Over the years, the Census Bureau has added questions/items specifically tailored to satisfy Puerto Rico data needs. Examples of questions designed for Puerto Rico are listed below.

• Type of corporation
• Value of products shipped and contract work performed by customer location
• Distribution of shipments and contract work performed for customers in Puerto Rico by class of customers
• Shopping center or mall location for retail trade and selected service establishments
• Participation of the establishments in the Puerto Rico Tourist Incentive Act

SPECIAL FEATURES

Provides the only comprehensive source of consistent and comparable economic data available for Puerto Rico.

Economic Census of American Samoa

Economic Census of Guam

Economic Census of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

Economic Census of U.S. Virgin Islands

You are here: Economic Programs Overview Multi-Sector Economic Census of Puerto Rico

Last revised: Tuesday, 05-Feb-2008 10:37:44 EST

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Page Last Modified: February 05, 2008