Urban core, urban fringe and rural fringe

Part A - Plain language definition:

Not applicable

Part B - Detailed definition:

'Urban core, urban fringe and rural fringe' distinguish between central and peripheral urban and rural areas within a census metropolitan area (CMA) or census agglomeration (CA).

'Urban core' is a large urban area around which a CMA or a CA is delineated. The urban core must have a population (based on the previous census) of at least 50,000 persons in the case of a CMA, or at least 10,000 persons in the case of a CA.

The urban core of a CA that has been merged with an adjacent CMA or larger CA is called the 'secondary urban core'.

'Urban fringe' includes all small urban areas within a CMA or CA that are not contiguous with the urban core of the CMA or CA.

'Rural fringe' is all territory within a CMA or CA not classified as an urban core or an urban fringe.

More information on Urban core, urban fringe and rural fringe