How to find information about Industries

Statistical Data and Demographics

The following postings will be very valuable in retrieving data from public as well as government sources. Once you have gathered a wide range of statistics, you will be able to do a comprehensive industry analysis that reports on industry trends, statistics, and forecasts.
Statistics

Census Sites

Government Documents

Statistics

• Bizstats.com
  Financial ratios, business statistics and benchmarks.
  
  
• Business Statistics by Zip Code
  Section of a web guide titled Community Information by Zip Code from the library at California State University at Northridge. Statistics are gathered from a variety of government departments and independent organizations.
  
  
• Click Z Stats
  The Web marketer's guide to online facts, Internet research, trends, and analysis. The ToolBox is divided into sections on Internet Traffic, Advertising Stats, Demographics, E-Commerce and Internet access.
  
  
• EconStats
  A compilation of domestic and international statistics and release dates for items such as the GDP, Industrial capacity and industrialization, new orders and shipments inventories, manufacturing and trade inventories, U.S. housing and pricing index, construction spending, retail sales, consumer credit, jobless claims, interest rates, etc.
  
  
• Statistical Abstract of the United States
  Includes statistics on business enterprises, manufacturing, housing, transportation, retail industry, trade, and more. Each table includes a source note, which can be helpful in finding more detailed information. Published annually.
  
  • Kansas Statistical Abstract
  • Missouri Statistical Gateways


• U.S. Dept. of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics
  Consists of profiles of 12 industry supersectors. Each profile contains a variety of facts about the industry supersector, and includes links to additional statistics, which include items such as employment hours, wages, and trends.


• Zapdata.com
  This site provides market analysis reports of industries and companies by metro area and state.

Census Sites

• Census Bureau
  This site provides access to the following data:
  • Economic Census(Including the Census of Manufacturers, Census of Retail Trade, etc.)
    The Economic Census profiles the US economy every 5 years, from the national to the local level. Reports are now available for all geographic areas and all sectors. Economy-wide reports include the SIC-based Comparative Statistics.
  • E-Stats- Measuring the Electronic Economy
    This report measures the value of goods and services sold online. It covers measurements for manufacturing, sales, and service industries. It accounts for approximately 77 percent of economic activity measured in the 2002 Economic Census. The report does not cover agriculture, mining, utilities, construction, agents, brokers, electronic markets in wholesale trade, and approximately one-third of service-related industries.
  • Population and Household Economic Topics
  • American FactFinder
    This site gives you the ability to map segments of the census.
• CenStats Databases
  From the U.S. Census Bureau. Choose by business and trade data by state, county, or place. Includes building permits, county business patterns, county demographic and economic data, international trade data, census of population and housing, census tract street locator, occupational data.
  
  • County Business Patterns
    An annual series that provides subnational economic data by industry. The series is useful for studying the economic activity of small areas; analyzing economic changes over time; and as a benchmark for statistical series, surveys, and databases between economic censuses. Businesses use the data for analyzing market potential, measuring the effectiveness of sales and advertising programs, setting sales quotas, and developing budgets. Government agencies use the data for administration and planning.
  • County and City Zip Code Patterns
    Here, you can find the number of business establishments, as well as employment and payroll. You can also calculate market share, competition or business customers.
  • Cure for the Common Codes
    Brought to you by the Missouri Census Data Center this web site collects common geographic codes used by the Census.

Government Documents

• Bureau of Economic Analysis - Industry Economic Accounts
  Covers GDP as annual output by industry. Provides a time series of detailed information on the changing structure of the U.S. economy, including the annual contributions of private companies and the government. Used extensively by policymakers and businesses to understand industry interactions, productivity trends, and the changing structure of the U.S. economy.
  
• GeoData.gov
  A federal government web portal for geographic and spatial thematic maps and data. Use the tab, under Browse, then under ISO Topic Category to find Business topics.
• GPO Access Business Topics
  Federal Government links useful to business research. Especially useful for regulations and pending legislation.