Census Data vs. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data

Why the Bureau of Labor Statistics Data is Better

The Business Council uses Census data to calculate the number of employees for every state.  Generally this data is not used for this purpose because the data is simply a snapshot of the state workforce for the payroll of March 12, 2001.

In New York’s case this inflates our number of employees because it includes all of the seasonal workers, such as those hired by the Department of Transportation to clear snow from our roads.  The data typically used to measure the number of state employees for every state is the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report which calculates an annual average.  Using an annual average smooths out the spikes caused by the hiring of seasonal employees. 

We have included both for your comparison.  The source line will tell you which is which.  The graph and chart calculate use this BLS data to compare New York’s state workforce with other state workforces because it is more accurate. 

In addition the Business Council uses “resident population” instead of “total population” to arrive at its per capita state employee figure.  This artificially deflates New York’s population and increases other state’s population largely due to the number of military bases in the South and Southwestern states.  Many people who are not considered “residents” use New York’s services.  For example State employees on military leave have their health insurance covered by the State of New York.  Based on this New York is ranked 46^th and is 21 percent below the national average.