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4. Understanding Census Data

4.1 Variables

A variable is a topic about which information can be retrieved from the census database, for example, “mother tongue” or “income” or “rented dwellings.”

There are three major types of variables:

A direct variable corresponds exactly to the information given on the census questionnaire. For example, the sex of a person is indicated as either male or female on the form, so sex is a direct variable. A derived variable is different from the actual answer in the questionnaire. For example, age is derived from the quesiton on the date of birth; family or household composition is derived from the quesiton on the relationship between the person filling in the form and each member of the household. A coded variable refers to a written response, for example, to the quesiton of country of birth, which is then coded. For example, Somalia could be coded 024 among hundreds of possible responses.

See the list of variables and when they were first included in the census. (Source: 2006 Census Dictionary.

An example of the short form.4.2 Variables from the 2006 Census questionnaire (short)

Some types of information are collected from everyone, and some from a sample.

From 100% of the population, basic demographic data are gathered on:

  • Number of people in the household
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Marital or common-law status
  • Relationship to the person filling in the questionnaire
  • Mother tongue
  • Number of dwellings

4.3 Variables from the 2006 Census questionnaire (long)

Number and share of visible minority persons in Canada, 1981 to 2006From 20% of the population (or 1 in 5 households), more detailed socio-economic data are collected, including:

  • ethnic origin and visible minority group
  • aboriginal identity
  • language
  • citizenship and immigration
  • schooling
  • labour market activities
  • income
  • families and households
  • housing

Definitions of over 200 census variables are found in the 2006 Census Dictionary.

The canadian geography can be expressed by the way of Province or Territory, Federal Electoral District (FED), Census Division (CD), Census Metropolitan Srea (CMA) or Census Agglomeration (CA), Census Subdivision (CSD) (municipality), Census tract (CT) and Dissemination Area(DA).4.4 Census geography

There is a geographic component to every part of the census cycle, from consultation, through collection, processing and dissemination. All census data are defined by some geographic area.

You can find out more about geographic units and their uses from the Illustrated Glossary.

 

4.5 Data in various formats

There are different ways to present census results. All of them include census variables for specific geographic areas:

1. Analysis Series; 2. Profiles; 3. Highlight Tables; 4. Topic-based Tabulations.

4.6 Analysis Series

These articles contains descriptive information. They tend to provide the big picture and include graphic elements such as tables, figures and maps.

Extract from a text - Portrait of the Canadian Population in 2006, 2006 Census.

This image is a mock-up table for the Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, using the Age groups, Marital status, and Male/Female variables.4.7 Profiles

A profile provides some or all the census variables for a specific geographic area or place, for example, Moose Jaw, SK.

Here is the layout for a small part of a profile for Moose Jaw. Note the use of geography and variables.

 

 

 

4.8 Community Profiles

You can find information on your city, town or village in Community Profiles. Each profile includes a number of data tables. In the side-bar, there are links to other types of profiles: on aboriginal or agricultural information or for census tracts (neighbourhood-like area) or federal electoral districts.

2006 Community Profiles logo

These profiles present community-level information from the 2006 Census of Population. Users can search for an area of interest by typing its 'place name' in the box below or by clicking on a province or territory from the list below and selecting the area from a list.

Navigation tool for finding the place name: Type the place name to search for in the box below; Choose Begins with or Contains; Search box for the place name; Select a province or territory from a drop-down list.

4.9 Highlight Tables

Highlight tables present information highlights on a particular topic such as population. Some tables allow comparison of many geographic areas, for instance, the population table for all census subdivisions (municipalities) shown below. You can perform simple rank and sort functions by clicking on the blue arrow symbols.

Highlight table: Population and dwelling counts, for Canada and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses – 100% data

4.10 Topic-based Tabulations

Topic-based tabulations are groups of tables on specific subjects related to a census theme such as Language (for example, mother tongue, home language).

These tables can include 3 or 4 cross-tabulated variables. For example, the table below includes mother tongue, age groups and sex for various levels of geography.

Extract from a table showing Mother tongue by Age group, by Geography

4.11 Animated presentations

Other website resources that demonstrate the change in population include animated population pyramids and a map of population growth in Canada from 1901 to 2001.

Animated population pyramid from 1901 to 2001
Link to the
Population pyramids, 1901 to 2001


Animated population pyramid from 1956 to 2006
Link to the
Population pyramids, 1956 to 2006


Population settlement animated map
Link to the population settlement
animated maps

 

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Date Modified: 2010-06-01

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