2012 Economic Census

How Content of the Economic Census is Determined

The Census Bureau conducts an economic census every 5 years, but preparations for each enumeration start well before the preceding census is completed.
The Census Bureau consults a variety of experts, both within and outside the federal government, when it is planning the content of the census.   The principal sources of advice to the agency over the long term are its public advisory committees and key federal data users, while specific industry associations and companies are consulted on particular points, such as the content of a questionnaire to be used to enumerate an industry in the economic census. 

• The Census Scientific Advisory Committee, established in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Title 5, United States Code, Appendix 2, Section 10), provides scientific and technical expertise, as appropriate, to address Census Bureau program needs and objectives. The committee meets twice a year to advise the Bureau on a wide range of issues affecting its programs, including its economic surveys and censuses.
• The Census Bureau works closely with the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) in planning the economic census to ensure its programs meet BEA's needs for constructing the national accounts.  The Census Bureau also works with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to assist in their efforts, particularly for constructing producer price indexes. A comprehensive review of all individual census forms was undertaken with BEA and BLS during 2010.
• The Census Bureau contacted approximately 1,000 trade associations beginning in January 2010 to solicit recommendations and comments.   

All Economic Census forms are submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for final approval, scheduled to flow May to December 2011.  At least 60 days before those submissions, "presubmission notices" are published in the Federal Register. 

Most 2012 Economic Census forms will be similar to their counterparts in the most recent census. See 2007 Economic Census forms.