Analysis
NAICS 561431 is the 2022 national industry for private mail centers, part of 56143 (Business Service Centers). Census lists 6 example activities under it in the official index.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 55% and employment rose 73%. 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 7,614 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 39,175 people at an average annual payroll of $31,898 per employee (5th percentile of national industries). 50% 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 Business Service Centers, with 77.1% of them.
Census lists 5 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 491110, 492, 561421 and 541860. 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 mailbox rental centers, private, mailbox rental services combined with one or more other…, parcel mailing services combined with one or more other… and parcel mailing services, private, among 6 in all.
Official definition
This U.S. industry comprises (1) establishments primarily engaged in providing mailbox rental and other postal and mailing (except direct mail advertising) services or (2) establishments engaged in providing these mailing services along with one or more other office support services, such as facsimile services, word processing services, on-site PC rental services, and office product sales.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Operating contract post offices | 491110 Postal Service |
| Delivering letters and parcels (except under a universal service obligation) | 492 Couriers and Messengers |
| Providing voice mailbox services | 561421 Telephone Answering Services |
| Providing direct mail advertising services | 541860 Direct Mail Advertising |
| Providing full service office space, whether on a lease or service contract basis | 531120 Lessors of Nonresidential Buildings (except Miniwarehouses) |
Index entries (6)
- Mailbox rental centers, private
- Mailbox rental services combined with one or more other office support services, private
- Parcel mailing services combined with one or more other office support services, private
- Parcel mailing services, private
- Private mail centers
- Private mailbox rental centers