Analysis
NAICS 531390 is the 2022 national industry for other activities related to real estate, part of 53139 (Other Activities Related to Real Estate). Census lists 13 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 33% and employment rose 27%. 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 23,159 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 78,923 people at an average annual payroll of $101,505 per employee (85th percentile of national industries). 87% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which marks it as a small-business industry.
Census lists 6 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 5311, 531210, 53131 and 531320. 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.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include agencies, real estate escrow, agents' offices, real estate escrow, consultants', real estate (except appraisers), offices and escrow agencies, real estate, among 13 in all.
For example, acting as lessors of real estate are classified in 5311 (Lessors of Real Estate) instead.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in performing real estate related services (except lessors of real estate, offices of real estate agents and brokers, real estate property managers, and offices of real estate appraisers).
Illustrative Examples:
Real estate escrow agencies Real estate listing services Real estate fiduciaries' offices Landman services
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Acting as lessors of real estate | 5311 Lessors of Real Estate |
| Selling, buying, and/or renting real estate for others | 531210 Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokers |
| Managing real estate for others | 53131 Real Estate Property Managers |
| Estimating fair market value of real estate | 531320 Offices of Real Estate Appraisers |
| Researching public land records for ownership of titles and/or conveying real estate titles | 541191 Title Abstract and Settlement Offices |
| Underwriting or acting as agents in selling real estate title insurance policies | 524 Insurance Carriers and Related Activities |
Index entries (13)
- Agencies, real estate escrow
- Agents' offices, real estate escrow
- Consultants', real estate (except appraisers), offices
- Escrow agencies, real estate
- Fiduciaries', real estate, offices
- Landman services
- Listing services, real estate
- Real estate asset management services (except property management)
- Real estate consultants' (except agents, appraisers) offices
- Real estate escrow agencies
- Real estate escrow agents' offices
- Real estate fiduciaries' offices
- Real estate listing services