Every 5 years, the Census Bureau conducts the economic census, the most comprehensive measure of the U.S. economy. The next economic census will be conducted beginning in the January of 2023 with companies reporting their 2022 year-end numbers. The economic census provides industry and market statistics at the national, state, and local levels.
Starting this fall, businesses in Seattle have received 2022 Economic Census forms from the U.S. Census Bureau. Conducted in years ending in “2” and “7”, the economic census is the most comprehensive measure of the economy.
The 2022 Economic Census began at the end of October with a mailing to a set of small businesses, asking for an update or confirmation of their kind-of-business classification. The majority of the 2022 Economic Census will be mailed at the end of January and due by March 15th. The economic census is conducted online, and responses are kept confidential.
The upcoming economic census will gather 2022 year-end figures on over 8 million employer business locations, with approximately 4 million coming from direct data collection. Please note that to reduce the burden on the business community, not all businesses receive the economic census.
The economic census gathers information on America’s industries, its workforce, and trillions of dollars of sales by product and service type. Data from the economic census serve as the foundation for our nation’s gross domestic product, or GDP, and other leading economic indicators. It gives businesses, trade associations, economic development organizations, and state, local, and tribal governments information they need to make informed decisions.
Please respond to the economic census by March 15, 2023, if your business is asked to participate. The economic census provides information needed to make informed decisions that affect the health of America’s economy. Visit census.gov/econ to learn more.