Business Census & Survey
Click on one of the following categories for results.
- Overview
- Accurately identify and count downtown employment and business activity
- Obtain feedback from downtown businesses that will better help us identify and respond to opportunities and challenges facing the downtown area
- Measure trends of leading economic indicators for tracking and evaluating the progress of ongoing downtown development efforts
- Create a third party information resource for prospective tenants, investors, and developers interested in establishing or expanding a presence in downtown Pensacola.
- Overview – Map
- Census Results
- Number of Employees by Industry Sector
- Majority Ownership of Downtown Businesses
- Business Health
- Lease Term Expiration
- Impressions of Downtown
- Art & Cultural Offerings
- Special Events
- Historic Buildings
- Green Space/Public Parks
- Restaurant Selection
- Art & Cultural Offerings
- Special Events
- Historic Buildings
- Central Location
- Restaurant Selection
- Art & Cultural Offerings
- Special Events
- Historic Buildings
- Restaurant Selection
- Central Location
- Top 10 Employers
- On the Issues – Residential Units, Public Market
- On the Issues – New Office Buildings & Full Service Hotels
- On the Issues – Two-Way Palafox, Ferry to Ft. Pickens, & Bicycle and Walking Paths
- Employee Profile – Gender and Age
- Employee Profile – Home Location and Annual Income
- Perception of Special Events
- What Downtown Employees Do After Work (in Downtown)
Overview
The DIB's Business Development Committee sponsors this research effort each year to help with the following goals:
Most downtown organizations in other cities collect this type of information annually. In order to be more successful in its undertakings, the DIB collects this data on the downtown business area.
All of this data is based on a 95% rate of confidence, and was compiled between March and May 2008, With March 1 being the benchmark each year for the data collection and comparison.
The 2008 Downtown Business Census shows that as of March 1, 2008 there were 577 (up by 1.7% from last year) businesses, organizations and government entities in the census area. The census also shows that there are 9594 employees within the same area.
| Downtown Business Units by Industry Sector | Number of Enterprises |
|---|---|
| Utilities | 1 |
| Construction | 9 |
| Manufacturing | 10 |
| Wholesale Trade | 18 |
| Retail Trade | 53 |
| Information | 15 |
| Finance & Insurance | 56 |
| Real Estate; | 46 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | 185 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 2 |
| Administration and Support | 21 |
| Educational Services | 13 |
| Health Care and Social Services | 24 |
| Arts, Entertainment and Recreation | 16 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 57 |
| Repair Services | 6 |
| Personal & Laundry Services | 15 |
| Religious, Grant-making, Civic and other Similar Organizations | 18 |
| Public Administration | 7 |
| Other | 6 |
| TOTAL | 578 |
| Number of Employees by Industry Sector | Number of Enterprises |
|---|---|
| Utilities | 382 |
| Construction | 76 |
| Manufacturing | 110 |
| Wholesale Trade | 136 |
| Retail Trade | 307 |
| Information | 616 |
| Finance & Insurance | 957 |
| Real Estate; | 174 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | 2038 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 20 |
| Administration and Support | 115 |
| Educational Services | 232 |
| Health Care and Social Services | 341 |
| Arts, Entertainment and Recreation | 368 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 1244 |
| Repair Services | 18 |
| Personal & Laundry Services | 81 |
| Religious, Grant-making, Civic and other Similar Organizations | 195 |
| Public Administration | 2097 |
| Other | 87 |
| TOTAL | 9594 |
Impressions of Downtown
To determine what amenities help attract and retain businesses to the downtown area, we asked business owners and managers to list the top three factors they like about downtown, as well as a few other questions regarding their use and enjoyment of downtown.
Factors Most Important for Businesses Locating and Staying Downtown
| 2006
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2007
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2008
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