Number of establishments

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ECS-001318",
  "term": "Number of establishments",
  "field": "Economic statistics",
  "definition": "An establishment is a single physical location at which business is conducted, services are provided, or industrial operations are performed. It is not necessarily identical with a firm or enterprise, which may consist of one establishment or more.\n\nEconomic census figures represent a summary of reports for individual establishments rather than firms. For cases where a census report was received, separate information was obtained for each location where business was conducted. When administrative records of other federal agencies were used instead of a census report, no information was available on the number of locations operated. Each economic census establishment was tabulated according to the physical location at which the business was conducted. The count of establishments represents those in business at any time during the census year.\n\nWhen two activities or more were carried on at a single location under a single ownership, all activities generally were grouped together as a single establishment. The entire establishment was classified on the basis of its major activity and all data for it were included in that classification. However, when distinct and separate economic activities (for which different industry classification codes were appropriate) were conducted at a single location under a single ownership, separate establishment reports for each of the different activities were obtained in the census.\n\nLeased departments are considered separate establishments and are classified according to the kind of business they conduct. For example, a beauty shop in a department store or a gift shop located in a hospital would be treated as separate establishments.\n\nSector-Specific Information:\n\nMining Sector\n\nThe establishment basis for reporting crude petroleum and support activities for mining industries is different from the establishment basis used for other types of mining. Firms operating oil and gas wells, drilling wells, or exploring for oil and gas for their own account were required to submit a separate report for each state or offshore area adjacent to a state in which it conducted such activities. Firms that performed contract services for oil and gas field operation or for mining establishments were required to submit one report covering all such activities in the United States and to include information on receipts for services and production-worker wages and hours by state. These consolidated reports were then allocated to state establishments based on the data reported at the state level.\n\nReal Estate and Rental and Leasing Sector\n\nData for individual properties leased or managed by property lessors or property managers are not normally considered separate establishments, but rather the permanent offices from which the properties are leased or managed are considered establishments. Data for separate automotive rental offices or concessions (e.g., airport locations) in the same metropolitan area, for which a common fleet of cars is maintained, are merged together and not considered as separate establishments.",
  "references": [
    "U.S. Census Bureau Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/economic-statistics/number-of-establishments/"
}