Neighborhood Intel: Block Analyzer – Economics

The Neighborhood Intel Block Analyzer empowers users to explore different Census data variables over a geographic area down to the census block level. This article provides metadata for the Economics variables displayed.

Knowing and understanding your economics in your municipality has become increasingly more important in today's world. Using the Block Analyzer allows you to see all the different industries and how large they are in your municipality, along with getting a good handle on your employment rates.

Economics Filters

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Employed

The employed filter pulls data from the United States Census Bureau. It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data. This category includes all civilians 16 years old and over who either (1) were “at work,” that is, those who did any work at all during the reference week as paid employees, worked in their own business or profession, worked on their own farm, or worked 15 hours or more as unpaid workers on a family farm or in a family business; or (2) were “with a job but not at work,” that is, those who did not work during the reference week but had jobs or businesses from which they were temporarily absent due to illness, bad weather, industrial dispute, vacation, or other personal reasons. Excluded from the employed are people whose only activity consisted of work around the house or unpaid volunteer work for religious, charitable, and similar organizations; also excluded are all institutionalized people and people on active duty in the United States Armed Forces. This is important because you want to know the percentage of people that are employed within your municipality. The employed filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the employed change throughout the years.

 

Unemployed

The Unemployed filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau. It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data. All civilians 16 years old and over are classified as unemployed if they (1) were neither “at work” nor “with a job but not at work” during the reference week, and (2) were actively looking for work during the last 4 weeks, and (3) were available to start a job. Also included as unemployed are civilians who did not work at all during the reference week, were waiting to be called back to a job from which they had been laid off, and were available for work except for temporary illness. This is important because you want to know the unemployment percentage in your municipality. The unemployed filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the unemployed change throughout the years.

 

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, and Mining

The Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, and Mining filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau. It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data. The Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in growing crops, raising animals, harvesting timber, and harvesting fish and other animals from a farm, ranch, or their natural habitats. The establishments in this sector are often described as farms, ranches, dairies, greenhouses, nurseries, orchards, or hatcheries. A farm may consist of a single tract of land or a number of separate tracts which may be held under different tenures. For example, one tract may be owned by the farm operator and another rented. It may be operated by the operator alone or with the assistance of members of the household or hired employees, or it may be operated by a partnership, corporation, or other type of organization. When a landowner has one or more tenants, renters, croppers, or managers, the land operated by each is considered a farm. This is important because you want to know how much Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, and Mining is in your municipality. The Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, and Mining filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, and Mining sectors change throughout the years.

 

Construction

The construction filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau. It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data. The construction sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in the construction of buildings or engineering projects (e.g., highways and utility systems). Establishments primarily engaged in the preparation of sites for new construction and establishments primarily engaged in subdividing land for sale as building sites also are included in this sector. Construction work done may include new work, additions, alterations, or maintenance and repairs. Activities of these establishments generally are managed at a fixed place of business, but they usually perform construction activities at multiple project sites. Production responsibilities for establishments in this sector are usually specified in (1) contracts with the owners of construction projects (prime contracts) or (2) contracts with other construction establishments (subcontracts). This is important because you want to know how much construction is in your municipality.  The construction filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the construction sector  change throughout the years.

 

Manufacturing

The manufacturing filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau. It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data. The Manufacturing sector comprises establishments engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products. Establishments in the Manufacturing sector are often described as plants, factories, or mills and characteristically use power-driven machines and materials-handling equipment. However, establishments that transform materials or substances into new products by hand or in the worker's home and those engaged in selling to the general public products made on the same premises from which they are sold, such as bakeries, candy stores, and custom tailors, may also be included in this sector. Manufacturing establishments may process materials or may contract with other establishments to process their materials for them. Both types of establishments are included in manufacturing. This is important because you want to know how much manufacturing is in your municipality. The manufacturing filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the manufacturing sector change throughout the years.

 

Wholesale Trade

The wholesale trade filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau. It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data. The Wholesale Trade sector comprises establishments engaged in wholesaling merchandise, generally without transformation, and rendering services incidental to the sale of merchandise. The merchandise described in this sector includes the outputs of agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and certain information industries, such as publishing. The wholesaling process is an intermediate step in the distribution of merchandise. Wholesalers are organized to sell or arrange the purchase or sale of (a) goods for resale (i.e., goods sold to other wholesalers or retailers), (b) capital or durable non-consumer goods, and (c) raw and intermediate materials and supplies used in production. Wholesalers sell merchandise to other businesses and normally operate from a warehouse or office. These warehouses and offices are characterized by having little or no display of merchandise. In addition, neither the design nor the location of the premises is intended to solicit walk-in traffic. Wholesalers do not normally use advertising directed to the general public. Customers are generally reached initially via telephone, in-person marketing, or by specialized advertising that may include Internet and other electronic means. Follow-up orders are either vendor-initiated or client-initiated, generally based on previous sales, and typically exhibit strong ties between sellers and buyers. In fact, transactions are often conducted between wholesalers and clients that have long-standing business relationships. This is important because you want to know how much wholesale trade is in your municipality. The wholesale trade filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the wholesale trade sector change throughout the years.

 

Retail Trade

The Retail Trade filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau. It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data. The Retail Trade sector comprises establishments engaged in retailing merchandise, generally without transformation, and rendering services incidental to the sale of merchandise. The retailing process is the final step in the distribution of merchandise; retailers are, therefore, organized to sell merchandise in small quantities to the general public. This sector comprises two main types of retailers: store and non-store retailers. 1. Store retailers operate fixed point-of-sale locations, located and designed to attract a high volume of walk-in customers. In general, retail stores have extensive displays of merchandise and use mass-media advertising to attract customers. They typically sell merchandise to the general public for personal or household consumption, but some also serve business and institutional clients. In addition to retailing merchandise, some types of store retailers are also engaged in the provision of after-sales services, such as repair and installation. 2. Non-store retailers, like store retailers, are organized to serve the general public, but their retailing methods differ. The establishments of this subsector reach customers and market merchandise with methods, such as the broadcasting of "infomercials," the broadcasting and publishing of direct-response advertising, the publishing of paper and electronic catalogs, door-to-door solicitation, in-home demonstration, selling from portable stalls (street vendors, except food), and distribution through vending machines. This is important because you want to know how much retail trade is in your municipality. The wholesale trade filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the wholesale trade sector change throughout the years.

 

Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities

The Transportation, warehousing, and utilities filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau. It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data. The Transportation and Warehousing sector includes industries providing transportation of passengers and cargo, warehousing and storage for goods, scenic and sightseeing transportation, and support activities related to modes of transportation. Establishments in these industries use transportation equipment or transportation related facilities as a productive asset. The type of equipment depends on the mode of transportation. The modes of transportation are air, rail, water, road, and pipeline. This is important because you want to know how much Transportation, warehousing, and utilities are in your municipality. The transportation, warehousing, and utilities trade filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the transportation, warehousing, and utilities trade sectors change throughout the years.

 

Information

The information filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau. It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data. The Information sector comprises establishments engaged in the following processes: (a) producing and distributing information and cultural products, (b) providing the means to transmit or distribute these products as well as data or communications, and (c) processing data. The main components of this sector are the publishing industries, including software publishing, and both traditional publishing and publishing exclusively on the Internet; the motion picture and sound recording industries; the broadcasting industries, including traditional broadcasting and those broadcasting exclusively over the Internet; the telecommunications industries; Web search portals, data processing industries, and the information services industries. The Information sector groups three types of establishments: (1) those engaged in producing and distributing information and cultural products; (2) those that provide the means to transmit or distribute these products as well as data or communications; and (3) those that process data. This is important because you want to know how much Information sector is in your municipality. The information filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the information sector change throughout the years.

 

Finance and Insurance, and Real Estate and Rental and Leasing

The finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau. It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data. The Finance and Insurance sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in financial transactions (transactions involving the creation, liquidation, or change in ownership of financial assets) and/or in facilitating financial transactions. Three principal types of activities are identified: 1. Raising funds by taking deposits and/or issuing securities and, in the process, incurring liabilities. Establishments engaged in this activity use raised funds to acquire financial assets by making loans and/or purchasing securities. Putting themselves at risk, they channel funds from lenders to borrowers and transform or repackage the funds with respect to maturity, scale, and risk. This activity is known as financial intermediation. 2. Pooling of risk by underwriting insurance and annuities. Establishments engaged in this activity collect fees, insurance premiums, or annuity considerations; build up reserves; invest those reserves; and make contractual payments. Fees are based on the expected incidence of the insured risk and the expected return on investment. 3. Providing specialized services facilitating or supporting financial intermediation, insurance, and employee benefit programs. In addition, monetary authorities charged with monetary control are included in this sector. The Real Estate and Rental and Leasing sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in renting, leasing, or otherwise allowing the use of tangible or intangible assets, and establishments providing related services. The major portion of this sector comprises establishments that rent, lease, or otherwise allow the use of their own assets by others. The assets may be tangible, as is the case of real estate and equipment, or intangible, as is the case with patents and trademarks. This sector also includes establishments primarily engaged in managing real estate for others, selling, renting and/or buying real estate for others, and appraising real estate. These activities are closely related to this sector's main activity, and it was felt that from a production basis they would best be included here. In addition, a substantial proportion of property management is self-performed by lessors. The main components of this sector are the real estate lessors industries (including equity real estate investment trusts (REITs)); equipment lessors industries (including motor vehicles, computers, and consumer goods); and lessors of nonfinancial intangible assets (except copyrighted works). This is important because you want to know how much finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing is in your municipality. The finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing  sectors change throughout the years.

 

Professional, Scientific, Management, and Administrative

The professional, scientific, management, and administrative filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau. It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data. The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector comprises establishments that specialize in performing professional, scientific, and technical activities for others. These activities require a high degree of expertise and training. The establishments in this sector specialize according to expertise and provide these services to clients in a variety of industries and, in some cases, to households. Activities performed include: legal advice and representation; accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll services; architectural, engineering, and specialized design services; computer services; consulting services; research services; advertising services; photographic services; translation and interpretation services; veterinary services; and other professional, scientific, and technical services. Administrative services and facilities managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities that help an organization run efficiently. The specific responsibilities vary, but these managers typically maintain facilities and supervise activities that include recordkeeping, mail distribution, and office upkeep. In a small organization, they may direct all support services and may be called the business office manager. Large organizations may have several layers of administrative managers who specialize in different areas. This is important because you want to know how much  Professional, Scientific, Management, and Administrative is in your municipality. The professional, scientific, management, and administrative filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the professional, scientific, management, and administrative  sector change throughout the years .

 

Educational Services, Health Care, and Social Assistance

The educational services, health care, and social assistance pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau.  It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data. The Educational Services sector comprises establishments that provide instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects. This instruction and training is provided by specialized establishments, such as schools, colleges, universities, and training centers. These establishments may be privately owned and operated for profit or not for profit, or they may be publicly owned and operated. They may also offer food and/or accommodation services to their students. Educational services are usually delivered by teachers or instructors that explain, tell, demonstrate, supervise, and direct learning. Instruction is imparted in diverse settings, such as educational institutions, the workplace, or the home, and through diverse means, such as correspondence, television, the Internet, or other electronic and distance-learning methods. The training provided by these establishments may include the use of simulators and simulation methods. It can be adapted to the particular needs of the students, for example sign language can replace verbal language for teaching students with hearing impairments. All industries in the sector share this commonality of process, namely, labor inputs of instructors with the requisite subject matter expertise and teaching ability. The Health Care and Social Assistance sector comprises establishments providing health care and social assistance for individuals. The sector includes both health care and social assistance because it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between the boundaries of these two activities. The industries in this sector are arranged on a continuum starting with those establishments providing medical care exclusively, continuing with those providing health care and social assistance, and finally finishing with those providing only social assistance. The services provided by establishments in this sector are delivered by trained professionals. All industries in the sector share this commonality of process, namely, labor inputs of health practitioners or social workers with the requisite expertise. Many of the industries in the sector are defined based on the educational degree held by the practitioners included in the industry. This is important because you want to know how much educational services, health care, and social assistance is in your municipality. The educational services, health care, and social assistance filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the educational services, health care, and social assistance sectors change throughout the years.

 

Art, Entertainment, Recreation, Accommodation, and Food Services

The art, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau. It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data. The Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation sector includes a wide range of establishments that operate facilities or provide services to meet varied cultural, entertainment, and recreational interests of their patrons. This sector comprises (1) establishments that are involved in producing, promoting, or participating in live performances, events, or exhibits intended for public viewing; (2) establishments that preserve and exhibit objects and sites of historical, cultural, or educational interest; and (3) establishments that operate facilities or provide services that enable patrons to participate in recreational activities or pursue amusement, hobby, and leisure-time interests. Some establishments that provide cultural, entertainment, or recreational facilities and services are classified in other sectors. The Accommodation and Food Services sector comprises establishments providing customers with lodging and/or preparing meals, snacks, and beverages for immediate consumption. The sector includes both accommodation and food services establishments because the two activities are often combined at the same establishment. This is important because you want to know how much art, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services there are in your municipality. The art, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the art, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services  sectors change throughout the years.

 

Other Services, Except public administration

The Other Services, Except public administration filter pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau. It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data. The Other Services (except Public Administration) sector comprises establishments engaged in providing services not specifically provided for elsewhere in the classification system. Establishments in this sector are primarily engaged in activities, such as equipment and machinery repairing, promoting or administering religious activities, grantmaking, advocacy, and providing dry cleaning and laundry services, personal care services, death care services, pet care services, photofinishing services, temporary parking services, and dating services. This is important because you want to know how much other services, except public administration, are in your municipality. The other services, except public administration filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the other services except public administration  sector change throughout the years.

 

Public Administration

The Public Administration pulls its data from the United States Census Bureau. It is broken down by Census Group and is updated as soon as the census bureau releases new data. Administrative services and facilities managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities that help an organization run efficiently. The specific responsibilities vary, but these managers typically maintain facilities and supervise activities that include recordkeeping, mail distribution, and office upkeep. In a small organization, they may direct all support services and may be called the business office manager. Large organizations may have several layers of administrative managers who specialize in different areas. This is important because you want to know how much public administration is in your municipality. The Public Administration filter has a slider at the bottom of the screen that allows you to see the Public Administration sector change throughout the years.