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Census explains how to access AIES data and limits on geographic and NAICS detail
Summary
Census staff demonstrated data.census.gov, the API and FTP for AIES access and told users which NAICS and geographic levels are published: many 6-digit NAICS at the U.S. level, state-level estimates to 3–4 digits, no tract/block-group or establishment-level data; FRED support is coming.
Census Bureau presenters used a prerecorded walkthrough and a live Q&A to show how users can find and download Annual Integrated Economic Survey (AIES) tables and to clarify what industry and geographic detail the release includes.
"To access the Annual Integrated Economic Survey, start at the top left corner and click on Tables," Jordan Lloyd, a survey statistician at the Census Bureau, demonstrated during a recorded demo of data.census.gov. Jordan showed how to filter by Economic Surveys → Annual Integrated Economic Survey → NAICS and how to use the Geos/summary-level filter to drill to state results (the demo used California as an example).
On available industry detail, Tristan St. Onge, a senior survey manager, told attendees that NAICS publication depth depends on data-user needs and data quality. He said the Bureau produces many 6-digit NAICS tables at the U.S. level, while state-level production generally reaches down to 3- and 4-digit NAICS.
On geography, Tristan said AIES publishes state-level information but not census tract or block-group data; for place- or city-level needs he recommended County Business Patterns and the Economic Census (last conducted in 2022), which provide substate outputs.
On format parity, Tristan confirmed that tables on data.census.gov are also available via the Census API and FTP—with nothing unique to the FTP or API—and said the Bureau plans to make some tables available through the Federal Reserve’s FRED service later in the year.
Limitations flagged during Q&A: AIES does not provide establishment-level (per-establishment) estimates or enterprise-size details comparable to some legacy products; researchers who need finer-than-state geography should consult County Business Patterns or the economic census.
Jordan also highlighted available variables in AIES tables, including revenue, payroll (including quarterly breakdowns), employment counts and capital/expenditure statistics. Tristan gave a tentative release date of April 30, 2026 for capital expenditures table publication.
The webinar ended with links to census.gov/ais and the Census API and an invitation to provide feedback on data product needs.
