Economic Census
About the Economic Census
Every fifth year the U. S. Census Bureau conducts an Economic Census of the United States. The Economic Census furnishes an important part of the framework for composite measures, such as gross domestic product and price indexes, that evaluate short term economic change.
Information from the Economic Census is released in a series of reports by industry. A limited set of information is available at the local level. The tables linked here present results from the 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997 and 2002 Censuses. Data from the 2007 and 2012 Economic Censuses are available through the Census Bureau's Factfinder website.
SIC and NAICS Classification Systems
When comparing results from two or more Economic Censuses, it is important to determine if any changes have occurred in the definitions of business categories. Prior to 1997 the Census Bureau employed the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC ) system. Starting with the 1997 Economic Census the Bureau began to use the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) system. NAICS was developed by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to provide comparable statistics across the three countries. NAICS also provides for increased comparability with the International Standard Industrial Classification System (ISIC, Revision 3), developed and maintained by the United Nations.
For More Information
For more information about socioeconomic and demographic statistics about Cambridge, please contact Cliff Cook, ccook@cambridgema.gov, Senior Planning Information Manager, at 617/349-4656.