Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021
Structural type of dwelling

Release date: November 17, 2021
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Definition

Structural type refers to the structural characteristics and/or dwelling configuration, that is, whether the dwelling is a single-detached house, an apartment in a high-rise building, a row house, a mobile home, etc.

Statistical unit(s)

Classification(s)

Reported in

2021, 2016, 2011, 2006, 2001, 1996 (20% sample), 1991, 1986, 1981, 1976, 1971, 1966 and 1961 (20% sample).

Reported for

Private dwellings

Question number(s)

Not applicable

Responses

Single-detached house

A single dwelling not attached to any other dwelling or structure (except its own garage or shed). A single-detached house has open space on all sides and has no dwellings either above it or below it. A mobile home fixed permanently to a foundation is also classified as a single-detached house.

Semi-detached house

One of two dwellings attached side by side (or back to back) to each other, but not attached to any other dwelling or structure (except its own garage or shed). A semi-detached dwelling has no dwellings either above it or below it, and the two units together have open space on all sides.

Row house

One of three or more dwellings joined side by side (or occasionally side to back), such as a townhouse or garden home, but without any other dwellings either above or below. Townhouses attached to a high-rise building are also classified as row houses.

Apartment or flat in a duplex

One of two dwellings located one above the other. Apartments or flats in duplexes attached to triplexes, other duplexes or other non-residential structures (e.g., a store) are also classified as apartments or flats in a duplex.

Apartment in a building that has five or more storeys

A dwelling unit in a high-rise apartment building that has five or more storeys. Also included are apartments in a building with five or more storeys where the first floor or second floor is commercial establishments.

Apartment in a building that has fewer than five storeys

A dwelling unit attached to other dwelling units, commercial units, or other non-residential space in a building that has fewer than five storeys.

Other single-attached house

A single dwelling that is attached to another building and that does not fall into any of the other categories, such as a single dwelling attached to a non-residential structure (e.g., a store or church) or occasionally to another residential structure (e.g., an apartment building).

Mobile home

A single dwelling, designed and constructed to be transported on its own chassis and capable of being moved to a new location on short notice. It may be placed temporarily on a foundation such as blocks, posts or a prepared pad and may be covered by a skirt.

Other movable dwelling

A single dwelling, other than a mobile home, used as a place of residence, but capable of being moved on short notice, such as a tent, recreational vehicle, travel trailer, houseboat or floating home.

Remarks

A linked home (a single house that is not attached to any other dwelling above ground) is classified as a single-detached house.

Starting in 2006, "apartment or flat in a duplex" replaces "apartment or flat in a detached duplex" and includes duplexes attached to other dwellings or buildings. This is a change from the 2001 Census, where duplexes attached to other dwellings or buildings were classified as an "apartment in a building that has fewer than five storeys."

In 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991 and 1986, the type of dwelling was coded by census representatives in the field. The coverage was occupied private dwellings, unoccupied private dwellings, and dwellings occupied solely by foreign residents or by temporarily present persons. Starting in 2011, the type of dwelling was coded for only a portion of the dwellings. In areas where questionnaires were mailed to respondents and no enumerator or canvasser visited the dwelling, the structural type of dwelling reflects the classification from 2006.

In 1976 and 1971, the type of dwelling was reported for occupied private dwellings and vacant (unoccupied) dwellings.

In 1996, 1991 and 1986, the term "single-detached house" replaced "single-detached" and "single house," as used in previous censuses.

In 1996, 1991 and 1986, the term "semi-detached house" replaced "semi-detached or double house."

In 1996, 1991 and 1986, the category "other single-attached house" was introduced to cover types similar to the previous category "house attached to a non-residential building" and to account as well for single houses attached to multi-unit or multi-purpose buildings.

In 1996, 1991 and 1986, the type earlier known as a "duplex" was renamed "apartment or flat in a detached duplex" to be consistent with the definition.

In 1981, the category "apartment or multiple dwelling" was expanded to two categories, "apartment in a building that has five or more storeys" and "apartment in a building that has fewer than five storeys." In 1971, 1966 and 1961, the term "apartment and flats" was used with the subcategories "duplex" and "other."

In 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981 and 1976, the term "movable dwelling" referred to mobile homes and other movable dwellings.

Related 2021 data products

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Copyright

Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2022

All rights reserved. Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue no. 98-301-X

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