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) |