WSU Libraries has an extensive collection of paper copy Economic Census reports in the federal documents collection on 3rd floor of the Holland Library building. For census material since 1976 search the WSU Libraries Catalog, Search It, to find call numbers and links to online reports. For pre-1976 materials it will be necessary to identify titles and Superintendent of Documents call numbers. Ask a reference librarian to assist you in checking the shelf list or serial record for library holdings.
American FactFinder is the Census Bureau's main census data dissemination tool for 2002 and 2007 Economic Census tables and maps, including access to Geography Quick Reports, Industry Quick Reports, and Data Sets.
Online access to individual censuses:
The 1810 3rd decennial census was the first to include questions related to the economy. Data on 220 kinds of manufactured products were collected in 25 broad categories. Economic data collected in 1810 and 1820 were incomplete and the 1830 decennial census did not include economic questions. Manufacturing, mining, and fisheries data were collected with the 1840 census; retail trade, wholesale trade, construction industries, and many other sectors were added over the years. In 1902 a quinquennial (every 5 years) census cycle was begun but it wasn't until 1967 that the present schedule in years ending in 2 and 7 was established.
The 1930 Economic Census was the first to use the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) to group industry data. The more detailed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) replaced the SIC for most 1997 Economic Census reports.