Analysis
NAICS 485210 is the 2022 national industry for interurban and rural bus transportation, part of 48521 (Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation). Census lists 6 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 615 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 17,592 people at an average annual payroll of $45,676 per employee (13th percentile of national industries). 32% 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 bus line operation, intercity, intercity bus line operation, interstate bus line operation and interurban bus line operation, among 6 in all.
Census lists 4 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 487110, 485510, 485113 and 488490. 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, providing scenic and sightseeing transportation using buses are classified in 487110 (Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land) instead.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 6% and employment fell 7%. 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 establishments primarily engaged in providing bus passenger transportation over regular routes and on regular schedules, principally outside a single metropolitan area and its adjacent nonurban areas.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Providing scenic and sightseeing transportation using buses | 487110 Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land |
| Providing buses for charter | 485510 Charter Bus Industry |
| Operating local and suburban bus transit systems (except mixed mode) | 485113 Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems |
| Operating independent bus terminals | 488490 Other Support Activities for Road Transportation |
Index entries (6)
- Bus line operation, intercity
- Intercity bus line operation
- Interstate bus line operation
- Interurban bus line operation
- Motor coach operation, interurban and rural
- Rural bus services