Analysis
NAICS 221 is the 2022 subsector for utilities, part of 22 (Utilities). Census lists 68 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 20,379 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 667,277 people at an average annual payroll of $127,240 per employee (93rd percentile of national industries). 43% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Across its national industries Census lists 68 index entries; typical ones are electric power generation, hydroelectric, electric power generation, fossil fuel (e.g., coal, oil…, electric power generation, nuclear and electric power generation, solar.
It splits into 3 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 2211 (Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution) with 12,735.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 7% and employment rose 3%. The 2018 count used NAICS 2017, so part of a large move can come from codes being redefined rather than from businesses opening or closing.
Its more detailed codes are 2211 Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (12,735 establishments), 2212 Natural Gas Distribution (2,434 establishments) and 2213 Water, Sewage and Other Systems (5,210 establishments).
Official definition
Industries in the Utilities subsector provide electric power, natural gas, steam supply, water supply, and sewage treatment and disposal through a permanent infrastructure of lines, mains, and pipes. Establishments are grouped together based on the utility service provided and the particular system or facilities required to perform the service.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Index entries (68)
- Electric power generation, hydroelectric
- Electric power generation, fossil fuel (e.g., coal, oil, gas)
- Electric power generation, nuclear
- Electric power generation, solar
- Electric power generation, wind
- Electric power generation, geothermal
- Biomass electric power generation
- Electric power generation, tidal
- Electric power control
- Distribution of electric power
- Blue gas, carbureted, distribution
- Canal, irrigation
- Collection, treatment, and disposal of waste through a sewer system
- Air-conditioning supply