Private Companies

Companies must register with states and this provides basic information about companies, especially private companies. Use the registrars and officers as search terms in local newspapers and journals to discover more information about private companies.

The Economic Census produces a portrait of business activities in industries and communities all across our nation. Commonly used economic indicators - such as the gross domestic product and monthly retail sales - depend on the Economic Census for continued accuracy. Businesses - both large and small – also use the information from the Economic Census to decide where to locate a factory, store or office as well as to develop marketing and sales strategies and evaluate expansion opportunities.

extracts extensive Census population and housing (2000) data, and economic census data (2002) into reports by zip and place; has searching capability

ThomasNet can be used to find information about suppliers, service providers, and manufacturers including how many there are by geographic location.

Valuation Resources guide provides sources for industry information, research, and analysis for more than 400 industries. Individual guides for each of these industries list resources available from trade associations, industry publications, research firms, and other sources which address subjects such as industry analysis, statistics, trends, and forecasts, financial information and financial ratios, compensation and salary surveys, and business valuation resources.

BizStats offers free business financial ratios for 250 industries, along with other well-organized business and industry statistics.

Encyclopedia of Associations provides information and links to national and international associations.