The economic census measures the nation’s economic activity, providing key source data for the gross domestic product (GDP) and other indicators of economic performance. Providing data that businesses need to compare industries and locations, the economic census is vital for developing business plans, gauging the competition and assessing efficiency.
On Dec. 17, 2007, most U.S. businesses with paid employees will receive an economic census form. The Economic Census takes place every five years in years ending in 2 and 7, and traces its roots back to the first census of manufactures in 1810.
Now 197 years since U.S. marshals first rode out on horseback to collect economic information, American businesses can respond via the Internet using an electronic reporting tool, or they may report using the paper form. A Web site was created
<www.business.census.gov>
to help businesses understand why the economic census is important. It also includes economic snapshots of selected industries.
Forms must be returned to the U.S. Census Bureau by Feb. 12, 2008. Online help can be found at:
<http://bhs.econ.census.gov/ec07/index.html>
Businesses that receive forms are required by federal law to respond. Information about individual firms is kept confidential.
4,700,000
The total number of census forms that are being mailed for the 2007 Economic Census. California is receiving approximately 550,000 forms, Texas approximately 330,000 and Alaska about 12,000. The Ashland, Ohio, micropolitan statistical area will receive about 710. To find an estimate of the number of forms your state, county or metropolitan area will receive, see
557
The number of different versions of the economic census form used to collect the data. There are 22 additional forms unique to Puerto Rico and the other island areas.
Driving Around
16 to 1
The ratio of auto paint or body repair shops to automobile driving schools.
$4,135,433
The average amount of sales per employee at new and used automobile wholesalers, including automobiles, trucks, trailers and other motor vehicles, such as motorcycles, motor homes and snowmobiles.
$24 million
Average new car dealer sales per establishment. This compares with $2 million for used car dealer sales.
At the Gas Pump
14.7%
Percent increase from 1997 to 2002 in the number of gas stations with convenience stores.
-38.6%
Percent decrease from 1997 to 2002 in the number of gas stations without convenience stores.
$1.99 million
Total amount of sales per gas station with a convenience store.
$2.25 million
Total amount of sales per gasoline station without a convenience store.
$259,000
The amount of revenue brought in per employee for gas stations with convenience stores.
$305,000
The amount of revenue brought in per employee for gas stations without convenience stores.
42%
Sales of cigarettes and other tobacco products by gas stations with convenience stores as a percentage of all retail sales of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Eating, Drinking and Shopping
$258
Per capita sales at drinking establishments in Montana. <
$52
National average per capita sales at drinking establishments. Seven states had more than $100 in per capita sales (Montana, Nevada, Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Wisconsin), while Mississippi and Virginia were among the states with the lowest per capita sales. Nevada ranked highest in average sales per establishment at $607,500, compared with a U.S. average of $305,000.
$1,115
Average sales at eating and drinking establishments of all types for every U.S. resident in 2002.
85
The average number of seats at a full-service restaurant in 2002. There were eight times as many full-service restaurants with an average cost per meal of $7 to $9.99 as there were with an average cost per meal of $30 or more. However the average sales per establishment for the less expensive eateries was nearly two and a half times less than those of the more expensive counterparts.
9,355
The number of department stores in the United States.
789 million square feet
The amount of selling space at department stores in the United States.
$278
Sales per square foot of selling space in U.S. department stores in 2002.
Sales per square foot of selling space in supermarkets and other grocery (except convenience) stores. Conventional department stores sell much less per square foot of selling space–$225. Warehouse clubs and supercenters do better, with $528 per square foot of selling space.
North vs. South
Among supermarkets and other grocery stores, the New England states were among the highest in sales per square foot of selling space with an average around $736 per square foot. Three Southern states – South Carolina, Mississippi and Arkansas – had sales per square foot of selling space less than half of their New England counterparts at about $337 per square foot.
Utilities, Movies and Fast Food
$23.3 million
The amount of the total receipts per establishment in the utilities sector. These were the highest per establishment among the 18 sectors in the 2002 Economic Census. Retail trade receipts per establishment were $2.7 million, while wholesale trade averaged $10.6 million.
$68,705
The average annual payroll per employee in the management of companies and enterprises sector. Employees in the manufacturing sector earned an average of $39,197. Accommodation and food services
$83,521
The revenue per employee for movie theaters (excluding drive-ins).
$9,744
The average annual salary per employee at movie theaters (excluding drive-ins).
65
The number of videotape rental stores per 1 million U.S. residents. There were also 17 movie theaters and one drive-in theater per 1 million U.S. residents.
285
Number of drive-in movie theaters nationwide. California and Ohio had the most with 28 each, followed by Pennsylvania (24), New York (22) and Indiana (16).
16
The average number of workers employed by a limited-service (fast-food) restaurant.
1,319
The average number of people employed at a casino hotel.
Sports
12,261
The number of golf courses and country clubs in the United States.
312,812
The number of employees working at golf courses and country clubs in the United States.
$21,280
The average salary per employee at U.S. golf courses and country clubs.
67
The number of professional (and semiprofessional) football establishments.
6,722
The number of employees who work for football establishments.
$411,824
The average salary per employee among football establishments.
242
The number of professional baseball establishments.
15,976
The number of people employed in professional and semiprofessional baseball.
$156,307
The average salary for employees who work for professional baseball establishments.
$25,701
Receipts per employee at skiing facilities.
Personal Business
Getting your hair done
18 to 1
The ratio of beauty salons to barbershops.
$39,584
The average receipts per employee at nail salons.
$38,271
The average receipts per employee at barbershops.
$36,457
The average receipts per employee at beauty salons.
Who needs a lawyer
169,120
The number of law offices across the nation.
Is there a doctor in the house?
705
The number of physician’s offices per 1 million residents
Buying a house
67%
Percent of revenue from real estate agents and brokers offices that came from the sale of residential property.
Leaky faucets?
The dollar value of business done per paid employee by plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractors.
Yard work
76,102
The number of landscaping establishments. One-third of the landscaping businesses provide tree and shrub services; one in five operates a snowplow.
Taking care of the kids
91%
Percent of child day care services that have no paid employees. (Most are self-employed individuals.)
Sweet tooth?
$374
Average amount dentists in Washington received per each state resident, the highest in the country.
$247
The average receipts per capita for dentists
Special Editions of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Facts for Features are issued to provide background information for lesser-known observances, anniversaries of historic events and other timely topics in the news.
