Quick links: NAICS Code search / SIC Code search
The Federal government classifies manufacturing and service industries and assigns each a Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code number in order to promote the comparability of statistics. These SIC codes are hierarchical and may range from 2 to 8 digits long. For example:
| Major Group | 37 | Transportation equipment |
| 371 | Motor vehicles and equipment | |
| 3711 | Motor vehicles and passenger car bodies | |
| 37111 | Automobiles | |
| 371124 | Minivans |
The SIC code has been revised over the years and some code numbers have changed. Be careful when comparing data from different publishers and over a long period of time. Currently, most sources are using the 1992 revision.
Beginning with the 1997 Economic Census, the Census Bureau used an entirely new North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) more closely aligned with international codes. NAICS was developed jointly by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico based on similar processes instead of by materials and breaks out many of the more recent industries.
Several new sectors were added: Information; Health Care and Social Assistance; and the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Sector. Commercial publications have started to convert to NAICS, but many still use SIC codes.
This video from the University of North Carolina Greensboro does a fine job explaining what NAICS codes are and how to find the NAICS code for the industry you are researching.
Sources of Industry Information
Library Databases
(Access provided through Madison College Libraries)
- Business Source Complete (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
Subject Areas: Business, Finance, Economics, Marketing. Scholarly business database covering all disciplines of business, including marketing, management, MIS, POM, accounting, finance, economics, financial data, books, monographs, major reference works, book digests, conference proceedings, case studies, investment research reports, industry reports, market research reports, country reports, company profiles, SWOT analyses and more.
- O'Reilly for Higher Education This link opens in a new windowO’Reilly includes tech and business content from more than 250 publishers - along with videos, audiobooks, case studies, expert-curated learning paths and self-assessments.
Free Online Sources
Free Websites
- BizStats
Provides access to useful financial ratios, business statistics & benchmarks industry. - GlobalEdgeFunded in part by the U.S. Department of Education Title VI B grant, globalEDGE delivers a comprehensive research tool for academics, students and businesspeople.
- Statista.comStatistics and infographics from thousands of sources (free basic version).
- Yahoo Industry SummaryProvides key data, including ratios like P/E, ROE%, dividend yield, long term debt to equity and more on dozens of industries ranging from advertising agencies to wireless communications. The information has been aggregated and displayed by Yahoo, but original data providers include well-known information firms like Hemscott Americas, S&P’s Capital IQ, Hoovers and others.
Government Sources
- All Sectors: County Business Patterns by Legal Form of Organization and Employment Size Class for U.S., States, and Selected Geographies: 2017Use geography, NAICS, and other limiters to locate industry information specific to Wisconsin counties.
- Bureau of Labor StatisticsThe Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is the principal fact-finding agency for the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics and statistics. Produces the Consumer Price Index (CPI). SFSU has Bureau of Labor Statistics Bulletins
- Business and Industry Time Series and Trends ChartThis Census site allows users to zero in on one of dozens of official Census business surveys, select a key segment of the chosen survey, and then view just the data from that segment in one or more neat survey format charts.
- Census Business Builder (CBB)The Census Business Builder (CBB) is a suite of services that provide selected demographic and economic data from the Census Bureau tailored to specific types of users in a simple to access and use format.
- Census DataFind demographic information related to census data.
- Census of AgricultureA few industries, including agriculture, are not covered by the Economic Census. You may need to look for data in other Government Sources. The Census of Agriculture, taken every 5 years, is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Even small plots of land - whether rural or urban - growing fruit, vegetables or some food animals count if $1,000 or more of such products were raised and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the Census year.
- County Business PatternsProvides subnational economic data by industry. Businesses use the data for analyzing market potential, measuring the effectiveness of sales & advertising programs, setting sales quotas, and developing budgets. Use American Fact Finder to locate the data table for the geographic area you are researching.
- Current Industrial Reports by the US Census BureauNational production and shipment information are provided for selected manufactured products arranged by NAICS subsector.
- Economic CensusEconomic Census is done every five years, but a number of other reports are published during the off years. Try searching for annual survey and industry, for example, annual retail trade survey.
- Find NAICS and SIC CodesSearch the US Census's correspondence tables to find appropriate industry codes.
- Industries at a Glance | US Bureau of Labor StatisticsThese pages display a ‘snapshot’ of national data obtained from different BLS surveys and programs. Many programs also produce additional industry detail, including state, county, and metropolitan area data.
- Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB)This US Government site provides detailed annual data for U.S. business by geography, industry, and enterprise size. It covers all NAICS industries except crop and animal production; rail transportation; National Postal Service; pension, health, welfare, and vacation funds; trusts, estates, and agency accounts; private households; and public administration. The SUSB also excludes most government employees.
- U.S. Census - Business and EconomyThe Census Bureau produces economic data across the entire economy on a monthly, quarterly, yearly, and five-year basis.
- World Bank Open DataContains data from over 220 countries and country groups covering more than 2,000 financial, business, health, economic and human development statistics. The data include social, economic, financial, natural resources, infrastructure, governance, partnership, and environmental indicators