The retail trade sector of the U.S. Virgin Islands’ economy recorded the most sales and receipts for goods and services ($1.2 billion), employed the most people (6,700) and had the largest annual payroll ($128 million) of all sectors covered in the 2002 Economic Census.

     The report released today, 2002 Economic Census of Island Areas: Virgin Islands [PDF], said clothing and clothing accessory stores led the retail sector with sales of $403 million, 1,800 employees and an annual payroll of $44 million.

     Other highlights:

• Overall, 2,615 business establishments in the Virgin Islands were covered in the census. These businesses had sales of $3.4 billion, employed 29,000 people and had an annual payroll of $669 million.

• After retail trade, the next largest sectors in employment were accommodation and food services (5,600) and construction (3,000).

• After retail trade, the next largest sector in sales, with $360 million, was professional, scientific and technical services.

     The report contains the first economic census information for the Virgin Islands based on the North American Industry Classification System. Previous censuses were based on Standard Industrial Classification System codes, so 2002 information for most industries is not directly comparable to data from previous economic censuses.

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Economic census data are subject to nonsampling error, which includes errors of response, processing, nonreporting and coverage.

Other Island Area reports can be accessed at <http://www.census.gov/econ/census02/guide/islandareas.htm>