- Find Information
- Research Guides
- Secondary Marketing Research Certificate
Secondary Marketing Research Certificate
Economic Census
- Census Count of U.S. Businesses: Why Responses MatterA must-read news story providing a quick overview of the 2022 Economic Census.
- U.S. Economic CensusThe Economic Census is the U.S. Government's official five-year measure of American business and the economy. It is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, and response is required by law. Conducted in years ending in 2 and 7.
Questions to Explore
- What is the purpose of the Economic Census?
- How often does the Economic Census take place?
- When is the 2022 Economic Census conducted?
- How many economic sectors, NAICS industries, and geographies does it cover?
- What is a business establishment?
- Does the Economic Census count companies as a whole or individual business locations?
- How many business locations are asked to respond to the Economic Census?
- How many business locations are represented in the 2022 Economic Census?
- Do businesses without paid employees participate in the Economic Census?
- Economic Census: NAICS CodesSectors included and excluded from the Economic Census.
- FAQs - About Economic CensusReview FAQs for further clarification.
Questions to Explore
- Which NAICS sectors are excluded from the Economic Census?
- What types of businesses are excluded from the Economic Census?
Census Business Builder
- Census Business BuilderA tool for economic and demographic data to help you start or grow a business or understand the business landscape for a region.
Questions to Explore
- Click on the Census Business Builder button on the web page above and take a tour.
- Create a profile for a location of your choice, e.g. San Antonio.
Nonemployers
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.
- Census Index A - ZSearch for nonemployer statistics.
- Nonemployer StatisticsLearn about Nonemployer Statistics and sectors excluded from these statistics.
Questions to Explore
- How often are nonemployer statistics published?
- What type of businesses are included?
- What geography levels are included?
- Which NAICS industries are excluded from nonemployer statistics?
- What kinds of legal form of organization can you find in nonemployer statistics?
- How do NES data originate? Is it based on a survey? What role does IRS play in NES data?
- Can you find information about a specific company in NES statistics?
Census Geographies
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.
- U.S. Census Geography GlossaryFind a definition for tract and block.
- About Geographic AreasLearn about Congressional Districts, Metropolitan areas, urban and rural, ZIP code tabulations areas, USPS vs Census geography and more.
- Data Gem: What is a Census Tract? Making Sense of Census GeographyWatch this short video to better understand this level of census geography.
Questions to Explore
- What three types of boundaries are represented on the standard hierarchy of census geographic entities?
- What is the census geographic term for cities (based on the standard hierarchy diagram)?
- What is the smallest statistical census geography?
- What is a typical population size for a Census tract?
- What is a definition of an urban area?
- Does the Census Bureau collect data using USPS ZIP codes? What is the difference between USPS ZIP codes and ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTA)?
Census.gov: Population
- Quick FactsA tool to create quick profiles for different geographies with a population of least 5,000.
Questions to Explore
- Using Quick Facts, find the demographic and business profiles for the United States, Texas, Bexar county, San Antonio, and your zip code.
- Census: PopulationExplore types of data about population collected by the Decennial Census and a number of population surveys.
- 2020 Census QuestionnaireReview questions on the 2020 Census of Population and Housing. Here you may also find how the census questionnaires changed over the decades.
Questions to Explore
- When did the last Decennial Census of Population and Housing take place?
- What is the date for 2020 Census data collection?
- Are there questions about household income and education on the 2020 Census?
About Race and Ethnicity
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.
- Measurement of Race and Ethnicity in a Changing, Multicultural AmericaAn overview of changing concepts of race, ethnicity, and ancestry since 1790.
Humes, K., Hogan, H. Measurement of Race and Ethnicity in a Changing, Multicultural America. Race Soc Probl 1, 111–131 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12552-009-9011-5
Question to Explore
- Which government agency provides definitions for statistical categories, including race?
- Is Hispanic/Latino a race category?
- What are the current race categories used by the Census Bureau?
- When was the question on Hispanic origin first introduced in a Census?
- Can you easily compare historical and current census statistics on race and ethnicity?
American Community Survey
- American Community Survey (ACS)Since 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau conducts an ongoing annual American Community Survey. It is based on a random selection of 3.5 million addresses every year, or about 250,000 addresses per month. ACS replaced the so-called long form of the Census. Data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau are aggregated, and individuals’ confidentiality is protected by law (Title 13 of the U.S. Code).
- Understanding and Using American Community Survey Data: What All Data Users Need to KnowReview the Basics chapter to better understand the ACS methodology and differences between ACS and Decennial Census.
Questions to Explore
- What is the sample size for ACS?
- What kinds of estimates are released based on ACS data?
- Compared to the Decennial Census of Population and Housing, what additional information about the U.S. population can you find?
- What is a timeframe for ACS data collection?
- For 1-year ACS estimates, what is the minimum population size for geographic areas?
- Create a narrative profile for a geography of your choice.
Census.gov: Search Tools and Training
- data.census.gov (Explore Census Data) This link opens in a new windowU.S. Census Bureau’s new platform to access detailed tables and maps for population, housing, economic, and geographic data from the Census of Population and Housing, Economic Census, American Community Survey, and more. Users can generate simple visualizations, extract reports, and explore census data by theme or topic. data.census.gov is the primary way to access Census Bureau data, including upcoming releases from the 2018 American Community Survey, 2017 Economic Census, 2020 Census and more.
- Census AcademyA hub for learning online skills
Questions to Explore
- View a tutorial on navigating Explore Census Data tool.
- Search for your zip code and review data types and sources. Locate demographic and industry data for that zip code.