Analysis
NAICS 483211 is the 2022 national industry for inland water freight transportation, part of 48321 (Inland Water Transportation). Census lists 10 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 20% and employment rose 9%. 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 393 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 17,758 people at an average annual payroll of $96,389 per employee (82nd percentile of national industries). 57% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
By establishments it ranks 1st of the 2 codes at this level within Inland Water Transportation, with 56.8% of them.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include barge transportation, canal (freight), canal barge transportation (freight), freight transportation, inland waters (except on Great… and intracoastal transportation of freight, among 10 in all.
Census lists 3 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 483111, 483113 and 532411. 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.
Official definition
This U.S. industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing inland water transportation of cargo on lakes, rivers, or intracoastal waterways (except on the Great Lakes System).
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Providing deep sea transportation of cargo to and from foreign ports | 483111 Deep Sea Freight Transportation |
| Providing water transportation of cargo in coastal waters or on the Great Lakes System | 483113 Coastal and Great Lakes Freight Transportation |
| Renting or leasing commercial boats (including vessel supply services), without crew | 532411 Commercial Air, Rail, and Water Transportation Equipment Rental and Leasing |
Index entries (10)
- Barge transportation, canal (freight)
- Canal barge transportation (freight)
- Freight transportation, inland waters (except on Great Lakes system)
- Intracoastal transportation of freight
- Lake freight transportation (except on Great Lakes system)
- Lighterage (i.e., freight transportation except vessel supply services)
- River freight transportation
- Ship chartering with crew, freight transportation, inland waters (except on Great Lakes system)
- Shipping freight, inland waters (except on Great Lakes system)
- Towing service, inland waters (except on Great Lakes system)