ECONOMIC CENSUS OF U.S. GUAM

U.S. Department of Commerce

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Multi-Sector

Economic Census of Guam

PURPOSE

The Economic Census's main goal is to provide periodic comprehensive data on Guam's economic activity and structure. The United States Code, Title 13, authorizes this census and makes responding mandatory. The Government of Guam assists with the census.

COVERAGE

The census covers the following sectors as defined North American Industry Classification System (NAICS):

21 Mining
22 Utilities
23 Construction
31-33 Manufacturing
42- Wholesale Trade
44-45 Retail Trade
48-49 Transportation and Warehousing
51 Information
52 Finance and Insurance
53 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
54 Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
55 Management of Companies and Enterprises
56 Administrative and Support, Waste management and Remediation services
61 Educational Services
62 Health Care and Social Assistance
71 Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
72 Accommodation and Food Services
81 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; prior censuses used the standard industrial classification system.

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

CONTENT

All establishments are required to provide data on total sales, receipts, or revenue, kind of business, legal form of organization, employment, annual and first quarter payroll, and class of customer. Data are presented at the 3 to 5 digit NAICS level of detail depending on disclosure protection requirements. Data are also provided at the island total and election district levels of geography.

For 2007, the Census Bureau has added questions at the request of Guam's government. The additional questions are to aid in the production of GDP estimates.

FREQUENCY

The Economic Census is conducted every 5 years, currently for years ending in "2" and "7." Censuses of Manufacturers, Retail trade, Wholesale trade, and some service industries began for 1958 for the 1957 census. The census of construction began for 1973 for the 1972 census. Reported data are for activities 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 Guam Government outlines the condition under which the census is conducted. The Government of Guam provides input to the census content and helps with publicity.

PRODUCTS

Census products summarize Guam data by kind of business and it's election districts. Tabulations include 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.

USES

The Department of Interior uses data from the Economic Census 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 of economic sectors. The Government of Guam uses estimates to benchmark and weight indexes of industrial production and productivity. The private sector uses the data to forecast general economic conditions.