When you only have a little over 2 million people, those people can carry a lot of clout.

Need proof? The U.S. Census just released figures that show the top ranking industries by 2002 per capita sales within each state. Maine takes tops honors in an assortment of industries from paper making to RV campgrounds.

“The economic census is the most comprehensive measure of America’s economy,” said Tom Mesenbourg, the Census Bureau’s associate director for economic programs, in a prepared release. “Economic census data provide hard figures that businesses need to assess where they stand in the marketplace and where they have a competitive advantage.”

The economic census is conducted every five years – those ending in 2 and 7. More than 4 million businesses have received 2007 Economic Census questionnaires, which are to be returned by Feb. 12.

Details about all 50 states plus the District of Columbia can be mined from the 2002 Economic Census (http://www.census.gov/econ/census07/topstates.html). According to the census, law offices are thriving in Washington, D.C., ranking the highest in receipts per resident at $15,839.

Enough tortillas are manufactured in California to average $17 in annual shipments for every man, woman and child in the state. Residents of Washington state spent more at the dentist than residents of any other state ($374). Tennessee’s musical groups and artists earned more on a per capita basis than any other state ($65). Bowling alleys grossed more than $25 per person in Wisconsin. Alaska led the nation in revenue per person for chiropractors’ offices ($58).

Maine leads the nation in paper manufacturing (total sales of $4.1 billion; $3,185 per capita) and the accompanying pulp, paper and paperboard mills ($3.38 billion total sales; $2,612 per capita).

But it’s still a pip-squeak when you look at other states, where production far outpaces Maine, as does its population. In paper making, Wisconsin logged $13.6 billion in 2002 sales, which works out to $2,498 per capita. Same with pulp, paper and paperboard mills, where Wisconsin’s $7.8 billion in sales works out to $1,437 per capita.

Maine’s widely distributed population makes distributing goods and services a thriving industry. Direct selling establishments (such as water deliveries, canteen services, newspaper deliveries, fuel dealers) brought in $922 million in 2002; about $711 per Mainer. Vermont is next, where its $140 million works out to $666 per capita.

Maine also led in call centers and telemarketing bureaus, raking in $385 million in 2002, or about $297 per capita. By contrast, Florida led the nation in sales ($1.6 billion in 2002), but it works out to only $96 per Floridian.

Social services also scored high for Maine. The $190 million in sales for services for the elderly and disabled worked out to $146 per capita. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Utah recorded $18.8 million with an $8 per capita rank.

Mental health and substance abuse facilities brought in $83 million, or $64.33 per capita. Interestingly, the District of Columbia had almost the same per capita breakdown – $63 – but recorded only $36 million in sales or receipts for mental health and substance abuse facilities. In Colorado, which recorded about $76 million in sales, its per capita breakdown was just $17.

And finally, Maine led the nation in per capita sales for RV parks and campgrounds, $125 million in 2002, or $97 per capita. Nipping at its heels were Alaska ($51 million; $81 per capital and Wyoming, $42.5 million; $84 per capita.)

– Carol Coultas