Analysis
NAICS 56161 is the 2022 NAICS industry for investigation, guard, and armored car services, part of 5616 (Investigation and Security Services). Census lists 25 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 15,880 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 866,822 people at an average annual payroll of $33,476 per employee (6th percentile of national industries). 40% 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 Investigation and Security Services, with 58.8% of them.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments grew 10% and employment rose 3%. 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.
Across its national industries Census lists 25 index entries; typical ones are background check services, body guard services and armored car services.
It splits into 3 more detailed codes. The largest by establishments is 561612 (Security Guards and Patrol Services) with 11,104.
Official definition
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing one or more of the following: (1) investigation, detective, and personal background check services; (2) guard and patrol services; and (3) picking up and delivering money, receipts, or other valuable items with personnel and equipment to protect such properties while in transit.
Illustrative Examples:
Armored car services Private detective services Bodyguard services Security guard services Polygraph services
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Providing credit checks | 56145 Credit Bureaus |
| Selling, installing, monitoring, and maintaining security systems and devices (e.g., burglar and fire alarm systems) | 56162 Security Systems Services |
| Government establishments primarily engaged in criminal and civil law enforcement, police, traffic safety, and similar activities related to the enforcement of law | 92212 Police Protection |
Index entries (25)
- Background check services
- Body guard services
- Armored car services