The Economic Census of Island Areas is the major source of facts about the structure and functioning of the economy of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. It provides essential information for government, business, industry, and the general public.

2. How often is the Economic Census of Island Areas conducted?

The Economic Census has been taken at 5-year intervals for the following areas, except where noted below:

American Samoa — Since 2002
Guam — Since 1958
Commonwealth the Northern Mariana Islands — Since 1982
U.S. Virgin Islands — Since 1958

Puerto Rico — Economic censuses were conducted beginning with a census of manufactures for 1909 and continuing at 10-year intervals through 1949, excepting 1929. Wholesale and retail trades and services industries were included as part of the economic censuses for 1939. Starting with 1949 through 2002, the censuses of wholesale and retail trades and service industries have been conducted concurrently with the census of manufactures. The census of construction industries has been included since 1967. Congress has authorized the economic censuses to be taken at 5-year intervals covering years ending in "2" and "7."

3. What is the differences between the Economic Census and the Economic Census of Island Areas?

The Economic Census collects data from businesses with paid employees in nearly every industry in the private, non-farm economy, and every geographic area of the U.S. The Economic Census of Island Areas collects the same kind of data, but from Puerto Rico and other U.S. Island Areas.

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