Economic Census of American Samoa

PURPOSE

The Economic Census's main goal is to provide periodic comprehensive data on American Samoa's economic activity and structure. United States Code, Title 13, authorizes this census and makes responding mandatory. The Government of American Samoa assists with the census.

COVERAGE

The census covers the following sectors as defined in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS):

21 Mining
22 Utilities
23 Construction
31-33 Manufacturing
42- Wholesale Trade
44-45 Retail Trade
48-49 Transportation and Warehousing
51 Information
52 Finance and Insurance
53 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
54 Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
55 Management of Companies and Enterprises
56 Administrative and Support, Waste Management and Remediation Services
61 Educational Services
62 Health Care and Social Assistance
71 Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
72 Accommodation and Food Services
81 Other Services (except Public Administration)

This scope is equivalent to that of the stateside economic census. The 2002 Economic Census was the first census conducted based on NAICS. Census forms are mailed to all establishments within the scope of the census that have annual payroll.

Census forms are mailed to all establishments within the scope of the census that have annual payroll.

CONTENT

All establishments are required to provide data on total sales, receipts or revenue, kind of business, legal form of organization, employment, annual and first quarter payroll, and class of customer. Data are presented at the most descriptive NAICS level of detail possible depending on disclosure protection requirements. Data are also provided at the total Island and county levels of geography.

For 2012, the Census Bureau has added questions to aid in the calculation of the Gross Island Product estimates, which is the equivalent of the Gross Domestic Product.

FREQUENCY

The Economic Census is conducted every five years; years ending in "2" and "7." The 2002 Economic Census was the first conducted for American Samoa. Reported data are for activities taking place throughout the census year.

METHODS

The 2012 Economic Census for American Samoa is conducted using the mailout/mailback methodology for businesses with paid employees. A Memorandum of Agreement between the Census Bureau and the American Samoa Government outlines the condition under which the census is conducted. The Government of American Samoa provides input to the census content and helps with publicity.

PRODUCTS

Census products summarize American Samoa data by kind of business for various geographic levels of detail. Tabulations include the number of establishments, sales, receipts or revenue, annual payroll, first quarter payroll, employment, fringe benefits, capital expenditures, depreciation charges, and other data. Tabulations also summarize basic information by industry and geographic area, by sales size category, by employment size category, by legal form of organization, and other dimensions. All of these tabulations are available through American FactFinder.

USES

The Bureau of Economic Analysis will use the data from the Economic Census to calculate the Gross Island Product for 2012.

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