United States Economic Census

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The United States Economic Census is the U.S. federal 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. Forms go out to nearly 4 million businesses, including large, medium and small companies representing all U.S. locations and industries. Respondents are asked to provide a range of operational and performance data for their companies. Trade associations, chambers of commerce, and businesses use information from the economic census for economic development, business decisions, and strategic planning purposes. The last Economic Census was conducted for the year ending December 2017.^[1]

The Economic Census, together with the separately conducted censuses of agriculture and governments, covers virtually the entire economy, except for forestry, agricultural support, rail transportation, and employment by private households.^[2]