To view landscape data from 2004, the last economic census available, visit www.census.gov/epcd/susb/2004/us/US56173.HTM

Numbers from that year put the number of landscape workers nationwide at almost 500,000. Just four years earlier, in 2000, the total was 415,000.

Required by Law

The U.S. has some 5.7 million businesses with employees. The EC claims to cover 96 percent of the nation?EUR??,,????'?????<

Responding to this census is mandatory: Failure to return a form carries a $5,000 fine and intentionally providing false information can cost $10,000. Deadline to file is Feb. 12.

Individual responses are confidential.

The Economic Census is the nation?EUR??,,????'?????<

The Economic Census has a couple of big deficiencies, however:

• Forms aren?EUR??,,????'?????<
• Detailed data can take more than four years to be released. The bureau releases the first data in 2009 (2 years is an eternity in the economy) but don?EUR??,,????'?????<

Economic Census: The Basics

What:
Every five years, the U.S. Census Bureau takes a count of the nation?EUR??,,????'?????<

When:
Most businesses receive forms in December. They are due by Feb. 12. Compliance is required by law. Individual responses are confidential.

Who:
Forms will be sent to businesses with five or more employees and a sample of smaller ones in nearly every non-agriculture industry.

Why:
The comprehensive review provides the benchmark for measuring the national, state and local economy.

Information:
Visit business.census.gov or call (800) 233-6136.