U.S. Department of Commerce

Center for Economic Studies (CES)

Skip top of page navigation

FAQs

 

Questions

 

Questions and Answers

  • What is the Center for Economic Studies (CES)?

    The Center for Economic Studies (CES) is a unit of the U.S. Census Bureau established to increase the utility and quality of Census Bureau data and data products. CES administers the Census Bureau's Research Data Center (RDC) program. The CES research program centers on the empirical analysis of confidential microdata collected in the Census Bureau's regular survey and census programs. Access to microdata encourages knowledgeable researchers to become familiar with Census data products and Census collection methods.

    More importantly, providing qualified researchers with access to confidential microdata under strictly controlled conditions at secure Census Bureau facilities enables research projects that would not be possible without access to respondent-level information.

  • What are Research Data Centers (RDCs)?

    Here are the typical questions we receive on this topic:

    • What are Research Data Centers (RDCs) and how many are there?

      Research Data Centers (RDCs) are secure Census Bureau facilities located at partner institutions where a researcher with Special Sworn Status can access a limited amount of confidential Census Bureau data needed for a specific, approved project. These centers are located in:

      • Ann Arbor, MI (University of Michigan)
      • Atlanta, GA (Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta)
      • Berkeley, CA (University of California at Berkeley)
      • Cambridge, MA (National Bureau of Economic Research)
      • Chicago, IL (Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago)
      • Durham, NC (Duke University)
      • Ithaca, NY (Cornell University)
      • Los Angeles, CA (University of California at Los Angeles)
      • Minneapolis, MN (University of Minnesota)
      • New York City, NY (Baruch School of Public Affairs)
      • Research Triangle Park, NC (RTI International)
      • Seattle, WA (University of Washington)
      • Stanford, CA (Stanford University)
      • Suitland, MD (Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau)
    • What is Special Sworn Status?

      The Census Bureau gives Special Sworn Status to individuals to conduct work that specifically benefits a Census Bureau program. Title 13 of the U.S. Code permits these activities under Section 23 (c). Moreover, these individuals are sworn to protect the data as Census Bureau employees are sworn, and they are subject to the same legal obligations and penalties.
    • How does an individual or organization apply to conduct research at an RDC?

      Researchers apply via the Center for Economic Studies web site.
    • Who determines whether a researcher is eligible to do work at an RDC?

      All proposals to carry out research at an RDC must be approved by the Census Bureau. If data are provided by other agencies (e.g., the Social Security Administration), the other agencies must approve of the project as well.
  • What is the Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS) and what can it do?

    The Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS), is a data series that allows users to track annual changes in employment for growing and shrinking businesses at the establishment level.

    The BDS monitors this activity, tracking annual job creation and destruction at the establishment level using elements not found in similar databases, such as firm age and size. Tracking by firm age, for example, allows users to distinguish between new establishments of new firms and new establishments of mature firms. These statistics are crucial to understanding current and historical entrepreneurial activity in the U.S.

    The Business Dynamics Statistics provide data users unprecedented information on the life cycle of U.S. businesses. These rich new data will fundamentally change the way people think about job creation and economic growth.

    A number of key economic data items are tabulated by the Business Dynamics Statistics, including number of establishments, establishment openings and closings, employment, job creation and destruction, and job expansions and contractions.

    The Business Dynamics Statistics results from a collaboration between the U.S. Census Bureau's Center for Economic Studies and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The information is compiled from a database of establishments and firms tracked over time known as the Longitudinal Business Database.

    The Business Dynamics Statistics provide annual statistics from 1976 to 2005 by firm age and size. Annual files are also provided at the state level for Standard Industrial Classification sectors and for the economy as a whole.

    Findings from the Business Dynamics Statistics include:

    • States differ substantially in the creation and establishment of new businesses. States with higher entrepreneurial activity are in the West and Southwest, with as much as 12 percent of employment accounted for by young firms (less than 3 years old). In contrast, states with low entrepreneurial activity are in the East and Midwest, and have about 6 percent of employment accounted for by young firms.
    • Establishments owned by younger firms grow faster, on average, than those owned by older firms. However, many young firms close shortly after they open, so the job destruction rate is also higher for establishments owned by younger firms. Hence, BDS shows the pattern for young businesses is one of "up or out," with rapid net growth for survivors balanced by a high exit rate.
    • The BDS shows that the fraction of employment accounted for by business startups in the U.S. private sector over the 1980-2005 period is about 3 percent per year. This exceeds the 1.8 percent average annual net employment growth. This pattern implies that job destruction exceeds job creation at existing businesses and highlights the importance of business startups for job creation in the U.S. economy.
  • Can I get access to individual records or a list of participating businesses in the economic censuses?

    No. Individual records cannot be released. Information about individuals and businesses covered by Census Bureau census and survey programs is protected under U.S. Code, Title 13. Learn more about preventing disclosure.

    The Census Bureau's Center for Economic Studies allows special research projects using microdata files, under strictly controlled confidentiality rules, at Census Research Data Centers.
  • Where can I download complete files (all Quarterly Workforce Indicators) of each state available in the Local Employment Dynamics (LED) partnership?

    From the LEHD home page, click on the "Data Tools" tab, then click "QWI Online," then "Cornell Virtual Research Data Center." Public-use Quarterly Workforce Indicators (QWI) and OnTheMap data may be accessed at this site. An account is required to gain access to individual state files. Also see subject related FAQs for:

    • OnTheMap
    • Industry Focus
  • Can I get information on the labor market in my state from the Census Bureau?

    The Census Bureau's Local Employment Dynamics partnership produces Quarterly Workforce Indicators (QWI) that provide a detailed picture of the labor market for partner states. The program has data supplied by the states on job creation and turnover, earnings, and jobs in specific industries. Particularly useful is the historical data allowing you to study labor market trends. Not all states have been made available online as yet.

    Other LEHD online tools available:


    Census 2000 and periodic surveys also collect data directly from respondents on employment, occupation, and earnings. Users also should check with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/) for extensive data on these topics.
  • Can I get industry specific information for local areas?

    Yes, you can. See Local Employment Dynamics: Industry Focus tool. This tool lets you determine the top industries for your local area and your local workers, focus on a particular industry to see how it ranks among top industries, and also look at the characteristics of those who work in that industryon a quarterly basis.

    Industry Focus reporting is based on the following eight quarterly workforce indicators:
    • Employment
    • Growth in hiring
    • Growth in employment
    • Number of new hires
    • Firm job change
    • Average monthly earnings for all workers
    • Growth in average monthly earnings for all workers
    • Average monthly earnings for new hires.
  • What is OnTheMap?

    OnTheMap, a web-based mapping and reporting application, shows where people work and where workers live. It also provides companion reports on age, earnings, industry distributions, and local workforce indicators.

    OnTheMap provides an easy-to-use interface for creating, viewing, printing and downloading residence and workforce related maps, profiles, and underlying data. Based on annual worker origin and destination data and the Quarterly Workforce Indicators (QWI) profile data files, OnTheMap is a unique resource for mapping the travel patterns of workers and identifying small-area workforce characteristics.

    Use OnTheMap to get answers to these and other workforce, transportation, and economic development questions:
    • Where do workers live who are employed in a particular geographic area?
    • What are the workplace destinations for workers living in a particular community or neighborhood?
    • How do specific employment areas compare in terms of worker origin patterns, worker ages, annual earnings, and industry-sector employment? How are these areas changing over time?
    • How many jobs are located within five, ten, and twenty miles of a planned employment training center or transit stop?
    • How many workers live along a transit corridor and work downtown or in some other area along the same corridor?
    The data used in this application are derived from payroll tax (Unemployment Insurance) payment records maintained by each state. The states assign employer locations, while workers' home locations are assigned by the Census Bureau using data from multiple Federal agencies. Age, earnings, and industry profiles are compiled by the Census Bureau from a state's records and are supplemented with other Census Bureau source data. Final compilations and confidentiality modeling is performed by the Census Bureau.

 More Questions?


 Annual Research Report

Annual Report 2010-2011

 PDF (3.4 MB)  » Recent reports


Source: U.S. Census Bureau | Center for Economic Studies | (301) 763-6460 | E-mail CES |  Last Revised: August 27, 2012