Analysis
NAICS 221210 is the 2022 national industry for natural gas distribution, part of 22121 (Natural Gas Distribution). Census lists 14 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 2,434 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 95,538 people at an average annual payroll of $121,200 per employee (91st percentile of national industries). 34% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include blue gas, carbureted, distribution, coke oven gas distribution, distribution of manufactured gas and distribution of natural gas, among 14 in all.
Census lists 3 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 486210, 488999 and 457210. Businesses that do several things are classified by their primary activity, the one that generates the most value, so check those boundaries before settling on this code.
For example, pipeline transportation of natural gas from process plants to local distribution systems are classified in 486210 (Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas) instead.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 3% and employment rose 5%. 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.
Official definition
This industry comprises: (1) establishments primarily engaged in operating gas distribution systems (e.g., mains, meters); (2) establishments known as gas marketers that buy gas from the well and sell it to a distribution system; (3) establishments known as gas brokers or agents that arrange the sale of gas over gas distribution systems operated by others; and (4) establishments primarily engaged in transmitting and distributing gas to final consumers.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Pipeline transportation of natural gas from process plants to local distribution systems | 486210 Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas |
| Operating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals without operating natural gas pipelines | 488999 All Other Support Activities for Transportation |
| Retailing liquefied petroleum (LP) gas via direct selling (i.e., home delivery) | 457210 Fuel Dealers |
Index entries (14)
- Blue gas, carbureted, distribution
- Coke oven gas distribution
- Distribution of manufactured gas
- Distribution of natural gas
- Distribution of renewable natural gas (RNG)
- Gas, manufactured, distribution
- Gas, mixed natural and manufactured, distribution
- Gas, natural, distribution
- Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution through mains
- Manufactured gas distribution
- Natural gas brokers
- Natural gas distribution systems
- Natural gas distribution with transmission
- Natural gas marketers