Procuring a thorough listing of area businesses is daunting.  Many business databases exist, but they can be frustratingly incomplete or out of date. The best way is of course the most difficult and time-consuming: conducting door-to-door physical searches of business locations. Since this is mostly impractical, databases will have to do. Esri’s subscription Business Analyst allows the user to search for businesses using their association with Data Axle. Today’s Data Digest utilizes this database to list the Top 5 employers by business sector (NAICS Codes –  North American Industry Classification System) for each of Coachella Valley’s 9 cities and select unincorporated areas.

The first table shows the top employers for all 9 cities and 4 selected unincorporated areas of the valley. The top 3 reinforce Leisure and Hospitality’s place as our largest business sector and employer. The next series of tables list the top 5 employers for each geography.

“The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy.” We commonly use either the 2-digit code for the overall business sectors like Construction (23) or Educational Services (61). But the 6-digit code breaks down to very specific businesses like New Car Dealers (44-Retail Trade-1110). Businesses must self-select a code most reflective of their business.

Despite a concentration in the Coachella Valley on sectors like Leisure and Hospitality (71-Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation & 72- Accommodation and Food Services), Health Care and Social Assistance (62), and Educational Services (61), between cities and unincorporated areas there exists a rich diversity of top employers. Out of the 20 high-level, 2-digit sectors, only 5 are not represented in the top 5.

In the Top 5

22 Utilities
23 Construction
42 Wholesale Trade
44-45 Retail Trade
48-49 Transportation and Warehousing
51 Information
53 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
54 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
56 Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
61 Educational Services
62 Health Care and Social Assistance
71 Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
72 Accommodation and Food Services
81 Other Services (except Public Administration)
92 Public Administration

Not in the Top 5

11 Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
21 Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
31-33 Manufacturing
52 Finance and Insurance
55 Management of Companies and Enterprises

*921120 Legislative Bodies
This industry comprises government establishments serving as legislative bodies and their advisory committees and commissions. Included in this industry are legislative bodies, such as Congress, state legislatures, and advisory and study legislative commissions.

*813410 Civic and Social Organizations
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in promoting the civic and social interests of their members. Establishments in this industry may operate bars and restaurants for their members.
Examples: Alumni associations, Parent-teacher associations, Veterans’ membership organizations