Other Census Programs

Data Services Staff monitors several additional Census programs including:

Economic Census
The 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.  As part of the U.S. Census Bureau's mission to measure America's economy, the current Economic Census is being conducted for the year ending December 2012.  In October through December 2012, forms were mailed to nearly 4 million businesses, including large, medium and small companies representing all U.S. locations and industries. Respondents were asked to provide a range of operational and performance data for their companies.  The Economic Census provides official measures of output for industries and geographic areas, and serves as the cornerstone of the nation's economic statistics, providing key source data for the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and other indicators of economic performance.  The Economic Census collects information from individual business establishments on physical location, type of business activity (industry), employment, payroll, and revenue by type of service or product. Some inquiries apply to some industries but not others, such as materials consumed and franchising.  For more information visit http://www.census.gov/econ/census or contact our Data Services Staff.

Survey of Construction
The U.S. Census Bureau Survey of Construction provides current national and regional statistics on starts, completions, and characteristics of new, privately-owned single-family and multifamily housing units and on sales of new single-family houses. The United States code, Title 13, authorizes this survey and provides for voluntary responses. The Department of Housing and Urban Development partially funds this survey.  Data are available monthly and annually for housing starts since 1959, for new home sales since 1963, and for completions since 1968. Reported data are for building or sales activity taking place during the applicable reference period. Monthly data collection begins the first day after the reference month and continues through the 7th working day.  The Bureau of Economic Analysis uses the estimates in development of the national income and product accounts. The Federal Reserve Board and Council of Economic Advisers use the estimates to determine the condition of the economy. The Department of Housing and Urban Development uses the estimates to develop and evaluate housing programs.  Manufacturers use estimates to plan production schedules and establish market shares. Insurance companies use estimates to adjust rates and establish replacement costs. Financial institutions use data to estimate mortgage demand.  For more information visit http://www.census.gov/econ/overview/co0400.html or contact our Data Services Staff.

Agricultural Census
The Census of Agriculture is the leading source of facts and figures about American agriculture. Conducted every five years, the Census of Agriculture provides a detailed picture of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. It is the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the United States.  Participation in the Census is required by law, and that same law protects the confidentiality of all individual responses.

For the 2012 Census of Agriculture, forms were mailed in late December 2012. Participation by every farmer and rancher, regardless of the size or type of operation, is vitally important. By responding to the Census, producers are helping themselves, their communities and all of U.S. agriculture.  The 2012 Census of Agriculture collected information concerning all areas of farming and ranching operations, including production expenses, market value of products, and operator characteristics. This information is used by everyone who provides services to farmers and rural communities - including federal, state and local governments, agribusinesses, and many others. Census data is used to make decisions about many things that directly impact farmers, including:  

•    community planning
•    store/company locations
•    availability of operational loans and other funding
•    location and staffing of service centers
•    farm programs and policies

For more information visit http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/index.php.