Analysis
NAICS 711212 is the 2022 national industry for racetracks, part of 71121 (Spectator Sports). Census lists 12 example activities under it in the official index.
County Business Patterns counts 525 US establishments in this code in 2023, employing 31,377 people at an average annual payroll of $41,854 per employee (10th percentile of national industries). 54% of the establishments have fewer than five employees, which is close to the national mix.
By establishments it ranks 3rd of the 3 codes at this level within Spectator Sports, with 10.2% of them.
Its index entries, the activities Census uses to assign businesses to this code, include automobile racetracks, dog racetracks, drag strips and greyhound dog racetracks, among 12 in all.
Between 2018 and 2023 the number of establishments fell 8% and employment fell 17%. 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.
Census lists 4 related activities that belong elsewhere, most often in 711219, 713210, 721120 and 713290. 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 racetracks without casinos. These establishments may also present and/or promote the events, such as auto, dog, and horse races, held in these facilities.
Source: US Census Bureau, NAICS 2022 Manual.
Not this code if…
| The business mainly does | Use instead |
|---|---|
| Owners of racing participants, such as cars, dogs, and horses, primarily engaged in entering them in racing events; trainers of racing participants; and independent athletes, such as jockeys and race car drivers, primarily engaged in participating in racing events | 711219 Other Spectator Sports |
| Operating casinos (except casino hotels), with or without racetracks | 713210 Casinos (except Casino Hotels) |
| Operating casino hotels, with or without racetracks | 721120 Casino Hotels |
| Operating off-track betting parlors or online sports betting sites | 713290 Other Gambling Industries |
Index entries (12)
- Automobile racetracks
- Dog racetracks
- Drag strips
- Greyhound dog racetracks
- Harness racetracks
- Horse racetracks
- Motorcycle racetracks
- Racetracks (e.g., automobile, dog, horse)
- Snowmobile racetracks
- Speedways
- Stock car racetracks
- Thoroughbred racetracks