Census Economic Indicators
Contents
The U.S. Census Bureau produces a wide range of economic indicators that provide critical data on the nation's businesses and economic activity. These indicators are used by policymakers, businesses, and researchers to understand economic performance, make investment decisions, and inform public policy.
Major Economic Indicators
The Census Bureau's economic indicators cover several key sectors of the U.S. economy, with data often released on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis.
| • | Construction and Housing: Data on new residential construction (housing starts and completions), new residential sales, and construction spending. These indicators are crucial for understanding the health of the housing market and construction industry. |
| • | Retail and Wholesale Trade: The Census Bureau provides statistics on retail and food services sales, as well as wholesale trade sales and inventories. These are key measures of consumer spending and business inventory levels. |
| • | Manufacturing: The bureau releases reports on manufacturers' shipments, inventories, and orders (often referred to as the M3 survey). This data offers insights into production and supply chain activity. |
| • | International Trade: The Census Bureau, in conjunction with the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), releases the U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report, which details the nation's imports and exports. |
| • | Business Formation: The Business Formation Statistics (BFS) provide timely and high-frequency data on new business applications and formations, which can be a leading indicator of economic growth. |
Economic Census
In addition to its ongoing indicator surveys, the Census Bureau conducts the Economic Census every five years. This is the government's most comprehensive measure of the U.S. economy, providing detailed statistics at national, state, and local levels. The Economic Census serves as a benchmark for many other key economic measures, including Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the Producer Price Index.