On January 31, the United States Census Bureau mailed invitations to selected businesses to complete the 2022 Economic Census. The Economic Census is the official five-year measure of American business and the economy. Data provided by businesses fuels comprehensive economic statistics representing all U.S. industries and geographies. 

Included in the 2022 Economic Census is a question that asks, “Is this establishment a cooperative?”

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This marks the second time the question has been included in the Economic Census. In 2017, the inclusion of the question ended a decades-long absence of federally-reported data on co-ops in the U.S. NCBA CLUSA worked diligently on behalf of its members, co-ops across country and cooperative researchers to make sure co-op businesses are identified in the census.

The inclusion of the cooperative question once again in the 2022 Economic Census is another step forward for cooperatives, and the data collected will provide important information and context regarding the state of cooperatives in the U.S. 

Sent to more than 4 million business locations, the Economic Census serves as the cornerstone of the nation’s economic statistics and the information it collects helps shape decisions that affect the health of the economy.