The U.S. Census Bureau announced its plan to “share business data with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA),” another branch of the Commerce Department.
“BEA will use select data from the Census Bureau’s economic surveys to achieve efficiencies and increased accuracy in the preparation of U.S. economic statistics. The Census Bureau will share data collected through surveys that request voluntary response and that impose no legal obligation to supply information.”
According to the Federal Register Notice, “A number of benefits will accrue to the Federal government from this data-sharing initiative. Census Bureau aggregated data are a key source of information for BEA national, regional, and international statistics. BEA intends to use the company-level data to better understand trends, anomalies, coverage, completeness, and other characteristics of the aggregated data; to enhance the reliability of the nation’s most important economic indicators, such as the National Income and Product Accounts; and increase understanding of the United States economy, especially for key national, industry, international, and regional statistics. In addition, Census Bureau data may be compared at the company-level with data from BEA surveys. This will help improve coverage and accuracy of the data from both bureaus and may lead to collaborative efforts to provide new or expanded data products for the public without adding burden to respondents.”
FRN on Census Bureau Data Sharing with BEA
The U.S. Census Bureau announced its plan to “share business data with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA),” another branch of the Commerce Department.
“BEA will use select data from the Census Bureau’s economic surveys to achieve efficiencies and increased accuracy in the preparation of U.S. economic statistics. The Census Bureau will share data collected through surveys that request voluntary response and that impose no legal obligation to supply information.”
According to the Federal Register Notice, “A number of benefits will accrue to the Federal government from this data-sharing initiative. Census Bureau aggregated data are a key source of information for BEA national, regional, and international statistics. BEA intends to use the company-level data to better understand trends, anomalies, coverage, completeness, and other characteristics of the aggregated data; to enhance the reliability of the nation’s most important economic indicators, such as the National Income and Product Accounts; and increase understanding of the United States economy, especially for key national, industry, international, and regional statistics. In addition, Census Bureau data may be compared at the company-level with data from BEA surveys. This will help improve coverage and accuracy of the data from both bureaus and may lead to collaborative efforts to provide new or expanded data products for the public without adding burden to respondents.”
Our Insights
On September 10, the Census Bureau released a proposed rule
09/14/2026
Our Insights
The U.S. Census Bureau seeks comment on revising the Business
09/09/2026
Our Insights
The U.S. Census Bureau seeks public comment on revisions to
08/19/2026
View all Related