U.S. Census Bureau Unveils Comprehensive 2023 Annual Integrated Economic Survey Data

New Economic Data Offers Unified Business Snapshot

WASHINGTON D.C. – The U.S. Census Bureau officially released the main dataset from the 2023 Annual Integrated Economic Survey (AIES) on February 26, 2026. This landmark release provides a comprehensive and singular snapshot of U.S. employer businesses, marking a significant advancement in the collection and dissemination of economic statistics.

The AIES is a newly designed survey that consolidates and replaces seven existing annual business surveys, including the Annual Capital Expenditures Survey (ACES), Annual Retail Trade Survey (ARTS), Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM), Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS), Manufacturers' Unfilled Orders Survey (M3UFO), Report of Organization (COS), and Service Annual Survey (SAS).

Streamlining Data Collection and Enhancing Quality

The primary objective of the AIES is to enhance data quality, reduce the reporting burden on businesses, and improve the operational efficiency of the Census Bureau. By integrating these surveys, the AIES provides a more holistic view of economic activity, offering key intercensal measures for both public and private sectors.

The survey covers domestic, private sector, nonfarm employer businesses that operated for at least part of 2023, located across the 50 states and the District of Columbia, and classified under the 2017 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Approximately 385,000 businesses were sampled to produce these statistics.

Comprehensive Insights and Geographic Detail

The 2023 AIES data includes a wide array of economic indicators, such as business revenue, expenses, payroll, and employment. A notable feature of this release is the availability of data at national, regional, and divisional levels, with state-level estimates provided for selected sectors. This level of geographic detail was previously often only accessible at the national level or through the Economic Census, which is conducted every five years.

Lisa Donaldson, assistant director for Economic Programs, emphasized the significance of this development, stating, 'This release of data represents a significant step forward in the Census Bureau's efforts to adapt to our ever-changing economy and transform our business statistics.' She added that 'By combining breadth of coverage with new geographic detail, the AIES provides insights that will shape decisions across the public and private sectors.'

Accessibility and Future Impact

These final estimates supersede preliminary 'First Look' data that were released in July 2025. The comprehensive dataset is now accessible to the public through various formats, including Data.census.gov, Excel spreadsheets, FTP files, and an API, making it easier for businesses, policymakers, researchers, and the public to utilize this vital economic information.

The AIES is expected to serve as a crucial benchmark for Census Bureau indicator programs and will continue to provide timely and continuous national and subnational statistical data on the U.S. economy.