Analysis
NAICS 485112 is the 2022 national industry for commuter rail systems, part of 48511 (Urban Transit Systems). Census lists 6 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 16 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 4,081 people at an average annual payroll of $93,968 per employee (80th percentile of national industries). 19% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which points to larger operations.
By establishments it ranks 4th of the 4 codes at this level within Urban Transit Systems, with 2.6% of them.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 11% and employment rose 6%. 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 index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include commuter rail systems (except mixed mode), local passenger rail systems (except mixed mode), rail transportation (except mixed mode), commuter and railway systems (except mixed mode), commuter, among 6 in all.
Census lists 3 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 485111, 485119 and 487110. 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 operating local and suburban commuter rail systems over regular routes and on a regular schedule within a metropolitan area and its adjacent nonurban areas. Commuter rail is usually characterized by reduced fares, multiple ride and commutation tickets, and mostly used by passengers during the morning and evening peak periods.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Operating local and suburban mass passenger transit systems using both commuter rail and another mode of transport | 485111 Mixed Mode Transit Systems |
| Operating stand-alone subway or light rail systems | 485119 Other Urban Transit Systems |
| Providing scenic and sightseeing transportation on land | 487110 Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land |
Index entries (6)
- Commuter rail systems (except mixed mode)
- Local passenger rail systems (except mixed mode)
- Rail transportation (except mixed mode), commuter
- Railway systems (except mixed mode), commuter
- Suburban commuter rail systems (except mixed mode)
- Urban commuter rail systems (except mixed mode)