Analysis
NAICS 313240 is the 2022 national industry for knit fabric mills, part of 31324 (Knit Fabric Mills). Census lists 26 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 21% and employment fell 13%. 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.
County Business Patterns counts 102 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 5,228 people at an average annual payroll of $46,516 per employee (14th percentile of national industries). 23% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which points to larger operations.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include bags and bagging fabrics made in warp or weft knitting mills, bedspreads and bed sets made in lace mills, bedspreads and bed sets made in warp or weft knitting mills and circular (i.e., weft) fabrics knitting, among 26 in all.
Its goods appear in 116 statistical lines of the US tariff schedule, mostly under headings 6006 (other knitted or crocheted fabrics), 6005 (warp knit fabrics (including those made on galloon knitting…) and 6001 (pile fabrics, including "long pile" fabrics and terry…). That link is how import data is matched to domestic producers, for example in trade-remedy cases.
For example, knitting apparel are classified in 315120 (Apparel Knitting Mills) instead.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in one of the following: (1) knitting weft (i.e., circular) and warp (i.e., flat) fabric; (2) knitting and finishing weft and warp fabric; (3) manufacturing lace; or (4) manufacturing, dyeing, and finishing lace and lace goods. Establishments in this industry may knit only; knit and finish; or knit, finish, and further fabricate fabric products (except apparel).
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Knitting apparel | 315120 Apparel Knitting Mills |
Index entries (26)
- Bags and bagging fabrics made in warp or weft knitting mills
- Bedspreads and bed sets made in lace mills
- Bedspreads and bed sets made in warp or weft knitting mills
- Circular (i.e., weft) fabrics knitting
- Curtains made in lace mills
- Curtains made in warp or weft knitting mills
- Dishcloths made in warp or weft knitting mills
- Fabrics, knit, made in warp or weft knit fabric mills
- Fabrics, lace, made in lace mills
- Flat (i.e., warp) fabrics knitting
- Hand knitting lace or warp fabric products
- Knitting and finishing lace
- Knitting and finishing warp or weft fabric
- Knitting lace
- Knitting warp or weft fabric
- Lace manufacturing
- Lace products (except apparel) made in lace mills
- Netting made in warp or weft knitting mills
- Netting made on a lace or net machine
- Pile fabrics made in warp or weft knitting mills
- Tablecloths made in lace mills
- Tablecloths made in warp or weft knitting mills
- Textile products (except apparel) made in lace mills
- Textile products (except apparel) made in warp or weft knitting mills
- Towels and washcloths made in warp or weft knitting mills
- Warp or weft fabrics knitting