ECONOMIC CENSUS OF PUERTO RICO AND THE ISLAND AREAS: U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
(formerly Economic Census of Outlying Areas)

PURPOSE

To provide periodic and comprehensive data on the U.S. Virgin Islands` economic activity and structure. The United States Code, Title 13, requires this survey and provides for mandatory responses. The Government of the Virgin Islands assists with the censuses.

COVERAGE

All establishments engaged in construction, manufacturing, retail wholesale, or certain service industries. In 2002, there were 2,615 establishments enumerated.

CONTENT

All establishments provide data on total sales or receipts, kind of business, legal form of organization, employment, annual and first quarter payroll, and sources of sales. Hotels, and other lodging places report additional data on sources of receipts and number of accommodations.

FREQUENCY

Every 5 years, currently for years ending in "2" and "7." Censuses of manufactures, retail trade, wholesale trade, and some service industries began in 1958. The census of construction began in 1972. Reported data are for activity taking place throughout the census year.

METHODS

A mail-out/mail-back census of employer establishments, supplemented by personal enumeration of mail nonrespondents and non-employer establishments. To enumerate single establishments, the islands are divided into 2 major areas, St. Thomas and St. John combined, and St. Croix. The areas are further divided into enumeration districts which are assigned interviewers that systematically canvass each district. A register book is used to screen out establishments that are not in scope of the economic censuses or were not in operation during the census year. The in scope establishments are enumerated or in some instances, the enumerator leaves the questionnaire with the respondent at the establishment and returns to collect it. Hotels and other lodging establishments are asked to complete additional industry specific questions. Peddlers and other itinerant vendors without established places of business are not canvassed.

A memorandum of understanding outlines the responsibilities of the Census Bureau and the Government of the Virgin Islands in conducting the censuses. The Bureau provides the necessary funds, enumerating procedures, forms, manuals, and training. The Governor appoints a project manager who is responsible for overseeing the census operation, hiring enumerators and collecting the data. In addition, the Government provides input to the questionnaire content and helps with publicity.

PRODUCTS

The Economic Census of Island Areas, Virgin Islands provides industry statistics at the major group level, by legal form of organization, sales and receipts by size, and employment by size. Statistics on selected industry groups are presented for island and the three towns. Detail industry data are presented for hotels and motels. Non-employer construction, manufacturing, and wholesale establishment data is not published.

USES

The Department of Interior uses data to assess economic policy on the Virgin Islands. The Federal Emergency Management Agency uses data to help in assessment of damages due to natural disasters.

The Virgin Island Government uses estimates to benchmark and weight indexes of industrial production and productivity. Local governments use census data to assess business activities within their jurisdiction and to estimate the size and composition of industrial sectors. The private sector uses the data to forecast general economic conditions.