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About this Program

Nonemployer Statistics (NES) is an annual series that provides subnational economic data by industry.  NES data are for businesses that have no paid employees and are subject to federal income tax. Most nonemployers are self-employed individuals operating unincorporated businesses (known as sole proprietorships), which may or may not be the owner's principal source of income.

The majority of all business establishments in the United States are nonemployers, yet these firms average less than 4 percent of all sales and receipts nationally. Due to their small economic impact, these firms are excluded from most other Census Bureau business statistics.

Purpose

NES provides annual statistics on U.S. businesses with no paid employees or payroll at a detailed geography and industry level. This program is authorized by the United States Code, Titles 13 and 26.

Coverage

Statistics are available for businesses that have no paid employees, are subject to federal income taxes, and have receipts of $1,000 or more ($1 or more for the Construction sector). The data are available at the U.S. level and by state, county, Metropolitan/Micropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), and Combined Statistical Area (CSA). NES covers approximately 470 NAICS industries excluding Crop and Animal Production (NAICS 111,112); Postal Service (NAICS 491); Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (NAICS 525); Management of Companies and Enterprises (NAICS 55); Private Households (NAICS 814); and Public Administration (NAICS 92).

Content

Data are presented by geographic area, industry detail, legal form of organization (U.S. and state only), and receipt size class (U.S. only).  Annual data consist of number of establishments and total receipts.
Precautions are taken to avoid disclosing the operations of an individual business.

Data Representation on the Internet

• U.S., state, & county datasets start in 1997

  - Legal form of organization (LFO) added in 2008 (U.S. and states only)

  - Receipt size class added in 2009 (U.S. only)

• CBP and NES Combined Report datasets added in 2012

• Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) datasets added in 2016

• Combined Statistical Area (CSA) datasets added in 2016                                 

Datasets can be downloaded from NES datasets. In addition, NES data tables are available in data.census.gov from 2012 to the current reference year.

Frequency

NES has been published annually since 1997. Prior to 1997, data  were published as part of the 1992, 1987, 1977, and 1972 Economic Census.

Methods

NES data originate from statistical information obtained through business income tax records that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides to the Census Bureau. The data are processed through various automated and analytical review to eliminate employers from the tabulation, correct and complete data items, remove anomalies, and validate geography coding and industry classification.

Prior to publication, the noise infusion method is applied to protect individual businesses from disclosure.

Noise infusion was first applied to Nonemployer Statistics in 2005. Prior to 2005, data were suppressed using the complementary cell suppression method. For more information on the coverage and methods used in Nonemployer Statistics, refer to NES Methodology.

Products

NES data are available approximately 17 months after each reference year. Data  are published as datasets (comma-delimited format for downloading), data tables (in data.census.gov for 2012 to current reference year), and in the API.

Additionally, beginning with reference year 2012, published NES and County Business Patterns (CBP) data are merged by industry as part of a Combined Report to provide a more complete view of the economy. The Combined Report is available in comma-delimited and spreadsheet format.

Uses

NES data are provided for statistical use in federal economic programs. The data are a primary sampling source for the U.S. Small Business Administration surveys and are available to the public as an annual data release. The Bureau of Economic Analysis uses the data to contribute to the total Gross Domestic Product for all U.S. businesses. State and local government offices use the data to assess business changes, develop fiscal policies, and plan future policies and programs. Researchers use the data to study trends in businesses over time, particularly for the gig economy. Prospective or current business owners use the data to research market potential.

Special Features

NES provides the only annual source of detailed and comprehensive data on the scope, nature, and activities of U.S. businesses with no paid employees.

Contact Us

Contact information for the Nonemployer Statistics (NES) program available at Contact Us.

Page Last Revised - November 14, 2023
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