Business Census

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People walking in front of the Ramsey Building in downtown ��ϲ��

The ��ϲ�� Business Census is designed to help address gaps in available business and employment information. The data collected will shape how the City supports businesses, improves services and attracts investment.

The City is dedicated to supporting economic growth, and we are working hard to make it easier to do business in ��ϲ��.

This project is endorsed by Mayor Sohi. Read his letter of support.

How To Count Your Business In

All businesses in the city can choose to count themselves in by completing an online survey. To make the survey more accessible, it is translated in the following languages:

In-Person Questionnaire

This year, census staff will go door-to-door through the Central, 118 Avenue, Scona, Jasper Place, Southeast, West ��ϲ��, West Henday, Whitemud, Mill Woods and Meadows, Northwest and Northeast districts to capture information through a questionnaire.

If your business is located in one of these districts, you can expect a visit between May 15 and August 31. If your business completes the online survey, our staff will not visit you in person.

How the Business Census Works

In 2025, City staff will visit businesses in person to count them and collect basic data through interviews, supplemented by emails and phone calls. Home-based businesses will not be visited.

From May through August, the City will collect data from businesses to provide an overall count and gather information such as:

The economic sector in which the business belongs
Where the business is located
Employment counts by establishment
Business owner demographic information

The information collected is kept strictly confidential. Publicly available data, such as the business name, phone number and website are included in census reporting. Sensitive information such as employment and other demographics will only be reported in aggregate.

After data collection concludes in August, the results will be analyzed and published.

Business Census 2024 Results

Information about our business community supports ongoing discussions about the local economy. We encourage you to explore, analyze and share this information widely.

Some private-sector highlights from enumeration include:

The biggest sectors by establishment count are Retail Trade (18%), Other Services - such as car repair (14%) and Professional, Scientific and Technical services (10%).
Over 120 establishments have been in operation for over 100 years.
Over 98% of employees work for small businesses (businesses with fewer than 100 employees).

2024 Business Census Findings

This report highlights key findings from the 2024 data, including number of establishments, employment sectors, years of operations, and more.

Why Your Business Should Participate

Help Inform Policy

Data such as the number, location and variety of employment opportunities in ��ϲ�� will help inform policy decisions that affect businesses.

Support a Diverse Economy

Demographic information on business ownership will help the City support and celebrate its diverse and inclusive economy.

Attract Investment

Providing prospective investors with more information they need to make decisions will give ��ϲ�� a competitive edge in attracting foreign direct investment.

Find Opportunities

Gathering information about our business community can help the City's economic development partners understand issues and opportunities that can be addressed through their programming and services.

Contact Us

Email	businesscensus@edmonton.ca

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