SIC Code Defined

SIC Codes serve as a vital tool for organizing and analyzing economic data, as well as playing a fundamental role in business and government reporting. Marketing professionals can leverage SIC Codes for precise audience targeting, market research, and competitive analysis, making it an invaluable resource in their toolkit.

Click Here to See SIC Codes.

Origins and History:

The SIC Code system originated in the United States in the late 1930s. It was developed by the U.S. government, specifically by the U.S. Bureau of the Budget in 1937 and later refined by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. Its primary purpose was to standardize the categorization of businesses, making it easier for government agencies to collect and analyze economic data. This classification system has undergone revisions over time to reflect changes in industry composition and structure.

Structure and Types:

SIC Codes are based on 10 divisions (A-J). These divisions represent the primary economic activities of businesses and are broken down into 10 numerical classifications. These classifications are the basis for the numerical hierarchy of SIC Codes. All businesses fall within these 10 divisions. The numerical system structure of the SIC Code is built on each digit signifying a different level of categorization where a digit that follows will always further distinguish and refine the classification of a specific industry or its’ subsector.

SIC Code Structure (10 Major Divisions):

1 – Division A: Agriculture, Forestry, And Fishing (1st Digit: 0)

• The 1st digit for “Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing” is “0”. This means that any SIC code that begins (has the first digit of) 0, is associated with this Division.

2 – Division B: Mining (1st Digit: 1)

• The 1st digit for “Mining” is “1”. This means that any SIC code that begins (has the first digit of) 1, is associated with this Division.

3 – Division C: Construction (1st Digit: 2)

• The 1st digit for “Construction” is “2”. This means that any SIC code that begins (has the first digit of) 2, is associated with this Division.

4 – Division D: Manufacturing (1st Digit: 3)

• The 1st digit for “Manufacturing” is “3”. This means that any SIC code that begins (has the first digit of) 3, is associated with this Division.

5 – Division E: Transportation, Communications, Electric, Gas, and Sanitary Services (1st Digit: 4)

• The 1st digit for “Transportation, Communications, Electric, Gas, and Sanitary Services” is “4”. This means that any SIC code that begins (has the first digit of) 4, is associated with this Division.

6 – Division F: Wholesale Trade (1st Digit: 5)

• The 1st digit for “Wholesale Trade” is “5”. This means that any SIC code that begins (has the first digit of) 5, is associated with this Division.

7 – Division G: Retail Trade (1st Digit: 6)

• The 1st digit for “Retail Trade” is “6”. This means that any SIC code that begins (has the first digit of) 5, is associated with this Division.

8 – Division H: Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate (1st Digit: 7)

• The 1st digit for “Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate” is “7”. This means that any SIC code that begins (has the first digit of) 7, is associated with this Division.

9 – Division I: Services (1st Digit: 8)

• The 1st digit for “Services” is “8”. This means that any SIC code that begins (has the first digit of) 8, is associated with this Division.

10 – Division J: Public Administration (1st Digit: 9)

• The 1st digit for “Public Administration” is “9”. This means that any SIC code that begins (has the first digit of) 9, is associated with this Division.

Industry Groups (2nd Digit):

• Within each major division, there are industry groups identified by the 2nd digit, providing more specific categorization for related businesses and industries. For instance, within Division I (Services), “82” corresponds to the industry group “Educational Services.”

Specific Industries or Subsectors (3rd and 4th Digits):

• The 3rd and 4th digits further refine the classification, specifying particular industries or subsectors within the industry group. For example, “8291” signifies “Schools and Educational Services” within the industry group “Educational Services.”

Extended Classification (Optional 5th to 8th Digits):

• For situations requiring even more precision, the code can be extended with additional digits to provide highly detailed descriptions of a business’s activities within a specific industry or subsector.

Comparison to NAICS Codes:

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is a standardized classification system used to categorize businesses and industries based on their primary economic activities. It was developed to provide a unified framework for industry classification in North America, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico. NAICS codes are designed to facilitate data collection, analysis, and reporting, serving as a valuable tool for business and government applications.

NAICS codes are similar to Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes but are more modern and adaptable. Each NAICS code is identified by a six-digit numerical sequence, which can be further extended with additional digits for greater specificity. These codes offer a valuable way to classify a wide range of industries, making them helpful for purposes such as economic analysis, market research, government reporting, and business identification.