Secondary Marketing Research Certificate

Questions to Explore

1. What is the purpose of the Economic Census?
2. How often does the Economic Census take place?
3. When is the 2022 Economic Census conducted?
4. How many economic sectors, NAICS industries, and geographies does it cover?
5. What is a business establishment?
6. Does the Economic Census count companies as a whole or individual business locations?
7. How many business locations are asked to respond to the Economic Census?
8. How many business locations are represented in the 2022 Economic Census?
9. Do businesses without paid employees participate in the Economic Census?

Questions to Explore

1. Which NAICS sectors are excluded from the Economic Census?
2. What types of businesses are excluded from the Economic Census?

Questions to Explore

1. Click on the Census Business Builder button on the web page above and take a tour.
2. Create a profile for a location of your choice, e.g. San Antonio.

Businesses that have no paid employees or payroll, are are subject to federal income tax, and have receipts of $1,000 or more are called nonemployers. Over 25 million of such businesses are not included in the Economic Census and are covered by the Nonemployer Statistics (NES) program.

Questions to Explore

1. How often are nonemployer statistics published?
2. What type of businesses are included?
3. What geography levels are included?
4. Which NAICS industries are excluded from nonemployer statistics?
5. What kinds of legal form of organization can you find in nonemployer statistics?
6. How do NES data originate? Is it based on a survey?  What role does IRS play in NES data?
7. Can you find information about a specific company in NES statistics?

Geography provides the framework for survey design, sample selection, data collection, tabulation, and dissemination. 

The standard hierarchy of census geographic entities displays the relationships between legal, administrative, and statistical boundaries maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau. The hierarchy provides a quick and easy way to see how the different geographic entities at the Census Bureau relate to one another.

Questions to Explore

1. What three types of boundaries are represented on the standard hierarchy of census geographic entities?
2. What is the census geographic term for cities (based on the standard hierarchy diagram)?
3. What is the smallest statistical census geography?
4. What is a typical population size for a Census tract?
5. What is a definition of an urban area?
6. Does the Census Bureau collect data using USPS ZIP codes? What is the difference between USPS ZIP codes and ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTA)?

Questions to Explore

1. Using Quick Facts, find the demographic and business profiles for the United States, Texas, Bexar county, and San Antonio.

Questions to Explore

1. When did the last Decennial Census of Population and Housing take place?
2. What is the date for 2020 Census data collection?
3. Are there questions about household income and education on the 2020 Census?

The U.S. Census Bureau adheres to the 1997 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) standards on race and ethnicity which guide the Census Bureau in classifying written responses to the race question. Being aware of the historical changes in these definitions is crucial for understanding available statistics on race and ethnicity.

Question to Explore

1. Which government agency provides definitions for statistical categories, including race?
2. Is Hispanic/Latino a race category under the current definition?
3. What are the current race categories used by the Census Bureau?
4. When was the question on Hispanic origin first introduced in a Census?
5. Can you easily compare historical and current census statistics on race and ethnicity? 

Upcoming Changes to Race  / Ethnicity Categories in Federal Surveys

On March 28, 2024, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced federal revisions to the race and ethnicity data collection standards, also known as Statistical Policy Directive No. 15 (SPD 15). In other words, changes are coming to how we collect race and ethnicity information in the United States. Changes will be implemented in the next 12-18 months.

Under the new standards, a combined race/ethnicity question will be used in data collection. A single question will contain at least seven race/ethnicity categories, from which individuals can choose as many as they feel apply:

• American Indian or Alaska Native.
• Asian.
• Black or African American.
• Hispanic or Latino (previously asked in a separate question on ethnicity.)
• Middle Eastern or North African (MENA; new).
• Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.
• White.

Questions to Explore

1. What is the sample size for ACS?
2. What kinds of estimates are released based on ACS data?
3. Compared to the Decennial Census of Population and Housing, what additional subject area information about the U.S. population can you find?
4. For 1-year ACS estimates, what is the minimum population size for geographic areas?
5. Create a narrative profile for a geography of your choice.

Questions to Explore

1. View a tutorial on navigating the Explore Census Data tool.
2. Search the Explore Census Data tool for your zip code and review data types and sources. Locate demographic and industry data for that zip code.