Economic Census - Construction

Definition: The Construction sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in the construction of buildings and other structures, heavy construction (except buildings), additions, alterations, reconstruction, installation, and maintenance and repairs. Establishments engaged in demolition or wrecking of buildings and other structures, clearing of building sites, and sale of materials from demolished structures are also included. This sector also includes those establishments engaged in blasting, test drilling, landfill, leveling, earthmoving, excavating, land drainage, and other land preparation. The industries within this sector have been defined on the basis of their unique production processes. As with all industries, the production processes are distinguished by their use of specialized human resources and specialized physical capital. Construction activities are generally administered or managed at a relatively fixed place of business, but the actual construction work is performed at one or more different project sites.

Comparability with SIC data: This sector now includes industries that were previously classified in other sectors. Prominent among these industries are construction management and land subdividers and developers.

Geographic detail: The Economic Census publishes data for the construction sector only for the U.S. and states.

The Census of Construction Industries is updated by several statistical series issued by the Census Bureau, and one from HUD:

Construction Statistics
U.S. Housing Market Conditions (Dept. of Housing and Urban Development)
County Business Patterns: County Business Patterns is 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. This series has been published annually since 1964 and at irregular intervals dating back to 1946. The comparability of data over time may be affected by definitional changes in establishments, activity status, and industrial classifications.

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