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Annual Capital Expenditures: 2020

Summary of Findings

General highlights

In 2020, U.S. nonfarm businesses with and without employees invested $1,706.4 billion in new and used structures and equipment.  Companies with employees accounted for  $1,597.4 billion (93.6 percent) and companies without employees accounted for $109.0 billion (6.4 percent) of capital spending in 2020 (See Summary Table A below, and Tables 1a and 1b).

Click to enlarge.

Companies with employees

In 2020, U.S. nonfarm employer businesses invested $1,597.4 billion in new and used structures and equipment, a decrease of $208.3 billion (11.5 percent) from the revised 2019 employer total of $1,805.7 billion. Total spending on new structures and new equipment was $1,504.7 billion, a decrease of $190.6 billion (11.2 percent) from the revised 2019 total of $1,695.3 billion (See Summary Table B below, and Tables 1a and 1b).

Expenditures on new and used structures totaled $616.0 billion in 2020, down $95.1 billion (13.4 percent) from the revised 2019 total of $711 billion (See Figure 1). Of this amount, $577.9 billion (93.8 percent) was spent for new structures, a decrease of $80.5 billion (12.2 percent) from 2019. Expenditures for used structures totaled $38.1 billion (6.2 percent), a decrease of $14.5 billion (27.6 percent) from 2019.

Spending on new and used equipment totaled $981.4 billion in 2020, down $113.2 billion (10.3 percent) from the revised 2019 employer total of $1,094.7.  Of this amount, $926.8 billion (94.4 percent) was for new equipment, a decrease of $110.0 billion (10.6 percent) from 2019. Expenditures for used equipment totaled $54.6 billion (about 5.6 percent of total equipment spending). (See Figure 2).

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Highlights by business sector for companies with employees (See Tables 2, 3, and 4)

(Data in this section is based on the 2017 North American Industry Classification System. Data is only for companies with employees because companies without employees are not asked to report capital expenditures by sector or industry.)

Of the 19 NAICS major industry sectors covered in this report, 2 had a statistically significant increase in capital spending in 2020 compared with 2019, 10 had a statistically significant decrease, and 7 showed no statistically significant change. The values of structures and equipment may not sum to the values of total capital expenditures due to rounding (See Summary Chart A below, Figure 3 and Figure 4).

Based on 130 industries shown in this report, 15 had a statistically significant increase in spending, 55 had a statistically significant decrease, 59 showed no significant change from the prior year, and the statistical significance in the spending between 2020 and 2019 for NAICS 5173 is not able to be calculated. NAICS industry 5173 is the sum of industries 5171 and 5172 for 2019 and 2018 survey years based on the 2012 NAICS.

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Manufacturing

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Manufacturing

258.1

272.7

-5.4%

 

Structures

68.7

65.8

4.4%

    NS

Equipment

189.3

206.9

-8.5%

 

Durable Goods Industries

130.1

142.1

-8.5%

 

Structures

27.7

27.6

0.2%

    NS

Equipment

102.4

114.5

-10.5%

 

Nondurable Goods Industries

128.0

130.6

-2.0%

    NS

Structures

41.1

38.2

7.5%

    NS

Equipment

86.9

92.5

-6.0%

 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Utilities

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Utilities

182.2

172.9

5.4%

 

Structures

96.5

90.8

6.3%

 

Equipment

85.7

82.1

4.4%

 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Finance and Insurance

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Finance and Insurance

173.6

195.2

-11.1%

 

Structures

26.9

31.9

-15.8%

 

Equipment

146.7

163.3

-10.1%

 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Information

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Information

169.7

176.8

-4.0%

 

Structures

47.8

51.4

-7.1%

 

Equipment

121.9

125.3

-2.8%

 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

 

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

134.2

180.2

-25.5%

 

Structures

64.0

71.5

-10.5%

 NS

Equipment

70.3

108.7

-35.4%

 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Retail Trade

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Retail Trade

105.5

98.8

6.8%


Structures

43.6

42.8

1.8%

  NS

Equipment

61.9

56.0

10.6%

 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Health Care and Social Assistance

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Health Care and Social Assistance

104.7

114.4

-8.4%

 

Structures

59.3

66.9

-11.3%

 

Equipment

45.4

47.5

-4.4%

NS

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Transportation and Warehousing

 

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Transportation and Warehousing

98.3

130.8

-24.9%

 

Structures

39.2

54.9

-28.6%

 

Equipment

59.0

75.8

-22.1%

 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Mining

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Mining

97.1

160.8

-39.6%

 

Structures

66.1

116.5

-43.2%

 

Equipment

31.0

44.3

-30.1%

 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Construction

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Construction

53.2

50.8

4.8%

NS

Structures

10.8

8.1

33.7%

 NS

Equipment

42.4

42.7

-0.7.%

 NS

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

40.4

43.6

-7.3%

 NS

Structures

11.2

13.3

-16.1%

 NS

Equipment

29.3

30.3

-3.5%

 NS

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Wholesale Trade

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Wholesale Trade

36.0

40.2

-10.5%

 

Structures

9.6

10.1

-5.4%

 NS

Equipment

26.4

30.1

-12.2%

 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Educational Services

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Educational Services

32.8

31.6

3.9%

 NS

Structures

26.1

24.9

4.9%

 NS

Equipment

6.7

6.7

0.1%

 NS

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Accommodation and Food Services

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Accommodation and Food Services

30.0

41.4

-27.6%

 

Structures

14.0

21.2

-34.0%

 

Equipment

16.0

20.2

-20.8%

 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Administrative and Support and Waste Management

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Administrative and Support and Waste Management

28.7

31.2

-8.0%

NS

Structures

5.7

7.3

-22.1%

 NS

Equipment

23.0

23.9

-3.6%

NS

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Other Services (except public administration)

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Other Services (except public administration)

22.5

25.3

-10.8%

 NS

Structures

12.4

15.2

-18.3%

 NS

Equipment

10.1

10.1

0.4%

 NS

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation

17.8

24.5

-27.6%

 

Structures

11.3

15.2

-25.7%

 

Equipment

6.5

9.3

-30.7%

 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Management of Companies and Enterprises

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Management of Companies and Enterprises

7.1

7.3

-3.1%  

NS

Structures

1.7

1.7

-2.0%

 NS

Equipment

5.4

5.6

-3.5%

 
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

Forestry, Fishing, and Agricultural Services

Capital Expenditures for Structures and Equipment for Companies with Employees: 2020 and 2019 Revised

(Billions of current dollars)

Capital expenditures

2020

2019

% Change

Total Forestry, Fishing, and Agricultural Services

3.2

4.1

-20.0%

 NS

Structures

.6

.8

-34.4%

 NS

Equipment

2.7

3.2

-16.2%

 NS

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Annual Capital Expenditures Survey
Note: Detail may not add to total because of rounding.
NS: Not Statistically Significant
See Technical Documentation Methodology Data Quality for information on sampling variability, confidence intervals and statistical significance.

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Page Last Revised - March 10, 2022
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