2001 Census Topic-based tabulations
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Topic-based tabulation: Selected Income Characteristics (35), Aboriginal Identity (8), Age Groups (6) and Sex (3) for Population, for Canada, Provinces, Territories and Census Metropolitan Areas, 2001 Census - 20% Sample Data
About this tabulation
General information
| Catalogue number : | 97F0011XCB2001047 |
|---|---|
| Release date : | December 10, 2003 |
| Topic : | Aboriginal Peoples of Canada |
| Data dimensions : |
Note
Special Note: Data Quality - Relationship of Census Income Estimates to the National Accounts and Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics
Census income estimates of aggregate income in 2000 were compared to similar personal income estimates from the national accounts. After adjustments to the personal income estimates for differences in concepts and coverage, the census estimate of aggregate income in 2000 from comparable sources was 4.1% lower than the national accounts estimate. As in the past, census estimates for some income components and for some provinces compared more favourably than for others.
Census estimates of aggregate wages and salaries, the largest component of income, were almost identical to the national accounts estimates. Although there was a large difference between the two estimates of net income from farm self-employment (the smallest component of individual earnings), census estimates of aggregate income from both farm and non-farm self-employment were lower by 1%. Overall, estimates of total income from employment were nearly identical.
Census estimates of Old Age Security pensions and the Guaranteed Income Supplement were about 5% higher, while those for Canada/Quebec Pension Plan benefits were about 9% lower, than adjusted national accounts estimates. Employment Insurance benefits reported in the census were smaller by about 6%. Estimates of aggregate Canada Child Tax benefits were nearly identical in both estimates. Census estimates of other government transfer payments, which include such items as social welfare benefits, provincial income supplements to seniors, veterans' pensions and GST/HST/QST refunds, were significantly below the estimates from the national accounts. Overall, census estimates of aggregate income from all government transfer payments were lower by about 13%. As in previous census-year comparisons, the census estimate of investment income was significantly lower, by 32% in 2000, than the national accounts estimate.
Census income statistics were also compared with similar statistics from the annual Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID). SLID estimates reflect adjustments made for population undercoverage, while census estimates do not include such an adjustment. This adjustment contributes to census estimates showing fewer income recipients (by 3.4%) and earners (by 7.2%) than SLID estimates. Consequently, census estimates of aggregate earnings are 4% lower than the SLID estimate, while the census estimate of aggregate total income of individuals is lower by 3%. Most of the observed provincial differences were considered acceptable in the light of sampling errors in the Survey.
Special Note: Incidence of Low Income (2)
Due to a change in the method of calculation of the incidence of low income (September, 2003), minor differences may exist between the rates previously released and those currently published for small population groups or small geographic areas.
Additionally, users should be aware that, under the current methodology, the total number of units (persons, families or unattached individuals) and the number of low income units shown are rounded independently of the numbers used in the calculation of the incidence of low income. This may result in the incidence of low income being suppressed, even though the number of units involved in the calculation may be shown. There may also be a small difference between the rate shown and one derived from the counts shown.
Users are advised to interpret incidence of low income rates based upon small counts with caution.
Special Note: Income Reference Period
Canadian censuses were conducted in 1996 and 2001. Income data from these censuses relate to the calendar year prior to the census year, i.e. 1995 and 2000 respectively. For additional information, please refer to the 2001 Census Dictionary, Catalogue Number 92-378-XIE or 92-378-XPE.
Special Note: Income Suppression
Area suppression is the deletion of all characteristic data for geographic areas with populations below a specified size. Income distributions and related statistics are suppressed if the population in the area, excluding institutional residents, is less than 250 from either the 100% or the 20% database, or if the number of private households is less than 40 from the 20% database.
Tables with Income/Employment Income Distributions
Income/earnings distributions have been suppressed where the estimated total number of units (persons, families or households) in the reference year is less than 250. All suppressed data cells and associated averages, medians and standard errors of average income/earnings have been replaced with zeroes or symbols.
In all cases, suppressed data are included in the appropriate higher aggregate subtotals and totals.
Tables with Number and Average Employment Income only
Statistics have been suppressed if the estimated total number of persons (males, females or both sexes) with employment income in the reference year is less than 250. All suppressed data cells and associated averages have been replaced by zeroes or symbols.
In all cases, suppressed data are included in the appropriate higher aggregate subtotals and totals.
Special Note: Non-permanent Residents
In 1991, 1996 and 2001, the Census of Population enumerated both permanent and non-permanent residents of Canada. Non-permanent residents are persons who held a student or employment authorization, Minister's permit, or who were refugee claimants, at the time of the census. Family members living with these persons are also classified as non-permanent residents.
Prior to 1991, only permanent residents of Canada were included in the census. (The only exception to this occurred in 1941.) Non-permanent residents were considered foreign residents and were not enumerated.
Today in Canada, non-permanent residents make up a significant segment of the population, especially in several census metropolitan areas. Their presence can affect the demand for such government services as health care, schooling, employment programs and language training. The inclusion of non-permanent residents in the census facilitates comparisons with provincial and territorial statistics (marriages, divorces, births and deaths) which include this population. In addition, this inclusion of non-permanent residents brings Canadian practice closer to the UN recommendation that long-term residents (persons living in a country for one year or longer) be enumerated in the census.
According to the 1996 Census, there were 166,715 non-permanent residents in Canada, representing 0.6% of the total population. There were slightly more non-permanent residents in Canada at the time of the 2001 Census: 198,645 non-permanent residents, or 0.7% of the total population.
Total population counts, as well as counts for all variables, are affected by this change in the census universe. Users should be especially careful when comparing data from 1991, 1996 or 2001 with data from previous censuses in geographic areas where there is a concentration of non-permanent residents. Such areas include the major metropolitan areas in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia.
Although every attempt has been made to enumerate non-permanent residents, factors such as language difficulties, the reluctance to complete a government form or to understand the need to participate may have affected the enumeration of this population.
For additional information, please refer to the 2001 Census Dictionary, Catalogue Number 92-378-XIE or 92-378-XPE.
Special Note: Nunavut (1)
Data from the 2001 Census are available for Nunavut, the new territory that came into effect on April 1, 1999.
Standard data products released only at the Canada/Province/Territory geographic levels will not contain data for Nunavut for the census years prior to 2001.
Standard data products released at the Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) and Census Agglomeration (CA) geographic levels will contain data for Nunavut for the 2001, 1996 and/or 1991 Censuses.
The 1996 and 1991 CMA/CA data have been adjusted to reflect as closely as possible the 2001 CMA/CA geographic boundaries. This has been done to facilitate data comparisons using the 2001 geographic boundaries.
For additional information, please refer to the 2001 Census Dictionary, Catalogue Number 92-378-XIE or 92-378-XPE.
Special Note: Population Universe
The Population Universe of the 2001 Census includes the following groups:
- Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants with a usual place of residence in Canada;
- Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants who are abroad, either on a military base or attached to a diplomatic mission;
- Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants at sea or in port aboard merchant vessels under Canadian registry;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who are claiming refugee status and members of their families living with them;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who hold student authorizations (student visas or student permits) and members of their families living with them;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who hold employment authorizations (or work permits) and members of their families living with them;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who hold Minister's permits (including extensions) and members of their families living with them.
For census purposes, the last four groups in this list are referred to as 'non-permanent residents'. For further information, refer to the variable Immigration: Non-permanent Resident found in the 2001 Census Dictionary, Catalogue Number 92-378-XIE or 92-378-XPE.
Data table
| Selected Income Characteristics (35 | Aboriginal Identity (8) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total - Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal population | Total Aboriginal identity populationFootnote 2 | North American Indian single responseFootnote 3 | Métis single response | Inuit single response | Multiple Aboriginal responses | Aboriginal responses not included elsewhereFootnote 4 | Total non-Aboriginal population | |
| Total population 15 years and over by employment income and work activityFootnote 5 | 23,901,360 | 652,345 | 395,325 | 207,610 | 27,610 | 4,535 | 17,270 | 23,249,010 |
| Did not work in 2000Footnote 6 | 7,459,415 | 239,730 | 162,660 | 59,750 | 8,995 | 1,705 | 6,620 | 7,219,680 |
| Worked full year full time | 8,855,895 | 167,135 | 90,375 | 64,730 | 6,390 | 1,095 | 4,535 | 8,688,765 |
| Average employment income $ | 43,298 | 33,416 | 32,176 | 34,778 | 36,152 | 35,750 | 34,016 | 43,486 |
| Standard error of average employment income $ | 36 | 68 | 75 | 164 | 117 | 1,170 | 474 | 37 |
| Worked part year or part time | 7,586,050 | 245,485 | 142,290 | 83,135 | 12,220 | 1,735 | 6,110 | 7,340,565 |
| Average employment income $ | 19,207 | 13,795 | 12,837 | 15,386 | 12,866 | 13,796 | 15,997 | 19,383 |
| Standard error of average employment income $ | 24 | 39 | 38 | 112 | 87 | 719 | 394 | 26 |
| Total population 15 years and over by composition of total income in 2000 %Footnote 7 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| Employment income % | 77.1 | 75.1 | 72.0 | 79.8 | 76.5 | 73.6 | 73.1 | 77.1 |
| Government transfer payments % | 11.6 | 20.8 | 24.3 | 15.7 | 20.3 | 19.9 | 19.4 | 11.5 |
| Other % | 11.3 | 4.1 | 3.6 | 4.6 | 3.2 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 11.4 |
| Total population 15 years and over by total income groupsFootnote 8 | 23,901,360 | 652,350 | 395,325 | 207,615 | 27,610 | 4,535 | 17,265 | 23,249,010 |
| Without income | 1,178,310 | 43,065 | 26,950 | 12,445 | 2,375 | 255 | 1,040 | 1,135,245 |
| With income | 22,723,055 | 609,280 | 368,375 | 195,170 | 25,230 | 4,280 | 16,230 | 22,113,770 |
| Under $5,000Footnote 9 | 2,945,715 | 141,855 | 94,595 | 36,835 | 5,865 | 1,000 | 3,565 | 2,803,855 |
| $ 5,000 - $ 9,999 | 2,477,275 | 94,635 | 60,485 | 27,065 | 3,970 | 710 | 2,400 | 2,382,640 |
| $10,000 - $19,999 | 5,008,265 | 151,140 | 93,315 | 46,695 | 6,175 | 1,020 | 3,930 | 4,857,130 |
| $20,000 - $29,999 | 3,565,420 | 85,580 | 49,740 | 29,795 | 3,295 | 585 | 2,160 | 3,479,840 |
| $30,000 - $39,999 | 2,974,545 | 58,910 | 32,440 | 22,030 | 2,360 | 410 | 1,665 | 2,915,635 |
| $40,000 - $49,999 | 2,022,040 | 33,455 | 17,000 | 13,680 | 1,405 | 220 | 1,150 | 1,988,585 |
| $50,000 - $59,999 | 1,338,810 | 19,155 | 9,595 | 7,960 | 895 | 140 | 565 | 1,319,655 |
| $60,000 and over | 2,390,995 | 24,555 | 11,200 | 11,100 | 1,275 | 200 | 785 | 2,366,435 |
| Average income $Footnote 10 | 29,769 | 19,132 | 17,376 | 22,213 | 19,878 | 19,557 | 20,673 | 30,062 |
| Median income $Footnote 11 | 22,120 | 13,525 | 12,263 | 16,342 | 13,699 | 13,573 | 14,535 | 22,431 |
| Standard error of average income $Footnote 12 | 19 | 27 | 26 | 83 | 60 | 500 | 239 | 20 |
| Total population in private households by economic family status and incidence of low income in 2000Footnote 13 | 29,105,705 | 651,535 | 325,450 | 282,790 | 18,100 | 6,120 | 19,070 | 28,454,175 |
| Number of economic family persons | 25,213,615 | 572,255 | 285,980 | 247,710 | 16,885 | 5,375 | 16,305 | 24,641,365 |
| Low incomeFootnote 14 | 3,242,895 | 178,530 | 106,785 | 60,580 | 3,695 | 1,630 | 5,840 | 3,064,365 |
| Other | 21,970,720 | 393,725 | 179,195 | 187,130 | 13,190 | 3,745 | 10,465 | 21,576,995 |
| Incidence of low income in 2000 %Footnote 15 | 12.9 | 31.2 | 37.3 | 24.5 | 21.9 | 30.3 | 35.8 | 12.4 |
| Number of unattached individuals 15 years and over | 3,892,095 | 79,280 | 39,475 | 35,075 | 1,215 | 745 | 2,765 | 3,812,810 |
| Low incomeFootnote 16 | 1,477,600 | 44,300 | 23,595 | 18,130 | 685 | 465 | 1,430 | 1,433,290 |
| Other | 2,414,495 | 34,980 | 15,880 | 16,955 | 530 | 280 | 1,335 | 2,379,515 |
| Incidence of low income in 2000 %Footnote 17 | 38.0 | 55.9 | 59.8 | 51.7 | 56.8 | 62.4 | 51.6 | 37.6 |
Footnotes
- Footnote 1
-
Excludes census data for one or more incompletely enumerated Indian reserves or Indian settlements.
- Footnote 2
-
This is a grouping of the total population into non-Aboriginal or Aboriginal population, with Aboriginal persons further divided into Aboriginal groups, based on their responses to three questions on the 2001 Census form. Included in the Aboriginal population are those persons who reported identifying with at least one Aboriginal group, that is, 'North American Indian', 'Métis' or 'Inuit (Eskimo)', and/or who reported being a Treaty Indian or a Registered Indian, as defined by the Indian Act of Canada, and/or who reported they were members of an Indian Band or First Nation.
- Footnote 3
-
Users should be aware that the counts for this item are more affected than most by the incomplete enumeration of certain Indian reserves and Indian settlements. The extent of the impact will depend on the geographic area under study. In 2001, a total of 30 Indian reserves and Indian settlements were incompletely enumerated by the census. The populations of these 30 communities are not included in the census counts.
- Footnote 4
-
Includes those who identified themselves as Registered Indians and/or Band members without Aboriginal identity response.
- Footnote 5
-
Earner or Employment Income Recipient - Refers to a person 15 years of age and over who received wages and salaries, net income from a non-farm unincorporated business and/or professional practice, and/or net farm self-employment income during calendar year 2000.
Earnings or Employment Income - Refers to total income received by persons 15 years of age and over during calendar year 2000 as wages and salaries, net income from a non-farm unincorporated business and/or professional practice, and/or net farm self-employment income.
Wages and Salaries - Refers to gross wages and salaries before deductions for such items as income tax, pensions and Employment Insurance. Included in this source are military pay and allowances, tips, commissions and cash bonuses, benefits from wage-loss replacement plans or income-maintenance insurance plans, as well as all types of casual earnings during calendar year 2000. The value of taxable allowances and benefits provided by employers, such as free lodging and free automobile use, is excluded.
Net Non-farm Income from Unincorporated Business and/or Professional Practice - Refers to net income (gross receipts minus expenses of operation such as wages, rents and depreciation) received during calendar year 2000 from the respondent's non-farm unincorporated business or professional practice. In the case of partnerships, only the respondent's share was reported. Also included is net income from persons babysitting in their own homes, persons providing room and board to non-relatives, self-employed fishers, hunters and trappers, operators of direct distributorships (such as those selling and delivering cosmetics), as well as freelance activities of artists, writers, music teachers, hairdressers, dressmakers, etc.
Net Farm Income - Refers to net income (gross receipts from farm sales minus depreciation and cost of operation) received during calendar year 2000 from the operation of a farm, either on the respondent's own account or in partnership. In the case of partnerships, only the respondent's share of income was reported. Included with gross receipts are cash advances received in 2000, dividends from cooperatives, rebates and farm-support payments to farmers from federal, provincial and regional agricultural programs (e.g. milk subsidies and marketing board payments) and gross insurance proceeds such as payments from the Net Income Stabilization Account (NISA). The value of income 'in kind', such as agricultural products produced and consumed on the farm, is excluded.
Average Income of Individuals - Average income of individuals refers to the weighted mean total income of individuals 15 years of age and over who reported income for 2000. Average income is calculated from unrounded data by dividing the aggregate income of a specified group of individuals (e.g. males 45 to 54 years of age) by the number of individuals with income in that group.
This concept and procedure applies to total income, employment income, wages and salaries, and any other component of income.
Median Income of Individuals - The median income of a specified group of income recipients is that amount which divides their income size distribution into two halves, i.e. the incomes of the first half of individuals are below the median, while those of the second half are above the median. Median income is calculated from the unrounded number of individuals (e.g. males 45 to 54 years of age) with income in that group.
This concept and procedure applies to total income, employment income, wages and salaries, and any other component of income.
Standard Error of Average Income - Refers to the estimated standard error of average income for an income size distribution. If interpreted as shown below, it serves as a rough indicator of the precision of the corresponding estimate of average income. For about 68% of the samples which could be selected from the sample frame, the difference between the sample estimate of average income and the corresponding figure based on complete enumeration would be less than one standard error. For about 95% of the possible samples, the difference would be less than two standard errors and, in about 99% of the samples, the difference would be approximately two and one half standard errors.
This concept and procedure applies to total income, employment income, wages and salaries, and any other component of income.
Work Activity in 2000 - Refers to the number of weeks in which a person worked for pay or in self-employment in 2000 at all jobs held, even if only for a few hours, and whether these weeks were mostly full time (30 hours or more per week) or mostly part time (1 to 29 hours per week).
The term full-year full-time workers refers to persons 15 years of age and over who worked 49-52 weeks (mostly full time) in 2000 for pay or in self-employment. - Footnote 6
-
Includes persons who never worked, worked before 2000 or worked in 2001 only.
- Footnote 7
-
Total Income - Refers to the total money income received from the following sources during calendar year 2000 by persons 15 years of age and over:
- wages and salaries (total);
- net farm income;
- net non-farm income from unincorporated business and/or professional practice;
- Canada Child Tax benefits;
- Old Age Security pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement;
- benefits from Canada or Quebec Pension Plan;
- benefits from Employment Insurance;
- other income from government sources;
- dividends, interest on bonds, deposits and savings certificates, and other investment income;
- retirement pensions, superannuation and annuities, including those from RRSPs and RRIFs;
- other money income.
Receipts Not Counted as Income - The income concept excluded gambling gains and losses, lottery prizes, money inherited during the year in a lump sum, capital gains or losses, receipts from the sale of property, income tax refunds, loan payments received, lump-sum settlements of insurance policies, rebates received on property taxes, refunds of pension contributions, as well as all income 'in kind', such as free meals and living accommodations, or agricultural products produced and consumed on the farm.
Average Income of Individuals - Average income of individuals refers to the weighted mean total income of individuals 15 years of age and over who reported income for 2000. Average income is calculated from unrounded data by dividing the aggregate income of a specified group of individuals (e.g. males 45 to 54 years of age) by the number of individuals with income in that group.
Average and median incomes and standard errors for average income of individuals will be calculated for those individuals who are at least 15 years of age and who have an income (positive or negative). For all other universes (e.g. census families or private households), these statistics will be calculated over all units, whether or not they reported any income.
Median Income of Individuals - The median income of a specified group of income recipients is that amount which divides their income size distribution into two halves, i.e. the incomes of the first half of individuals are below the median, while those of the second half are above the median. Median income is calculated from the unrounded number of individuals (e.g. males 45 to 54 years of age) with income in that group.
Average and median incomes and standard errors for average income of individuals will be calculated for those individuals who are at least 15 years of age and who have an income (positive or negative). For all other universes (e.g. census families or private households), these statistics will be calculated over all units, whether or not they reported any income.
Standard Error of Average Income - Refers to the estimated standard error of average income for an income size distribution. If interpreted as shown below, it serves as a rough indicator of the precision of the corresponding estimate of average income. For about 68% of the samples which could be selected from the sample frame, the difference between the sample estimate of average income and the corresponding figure based on complete enumeration would be less than one standard error. For about 95% of the possible samples, the difference would be less than two standard errors and, in about 99% of the samples, the difference would be approximately two and one half standard errors.
Composition of Income - The composition of the total income of a population group or a geographic area refers to the relative share of each income source or group of sources, expressed as a percentage of the aggregate total income of that group or area. - Footnote 8
-
Total Income - Refers to the total money income received from the following sources during calendar year 2000 by persons 15 years of age and over:
- wages and salaries (total);
- net farm income;
- net non-farm income from unincorporated business and/or professional practice;
- Canada Child Tax benefits;
- Old Age Security pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement;
- benefits from Canada or Quebec Pension Plan;
- benefits from Employment Insurance;
- other income from government sources;
- dividends, interest on bonds, deposits and savings certificates, and other investment income;
- retirement pensions, superannuation and annuities, including those from RRSPs and RRIFs;
- other money income.
Receipts not counted as Income - The income concept excludes gambling gains and losses, lottery prizes, money inherited during the year in a lump sum, capital gains or losses, receipts from the sale of property, income tax refunds, loan payments received, lump-sum settlements of insurance policies, rebates received on property taxes, refunds of pension contributions, as well as all income 'in kind', such as free meals and living accommodations, or agricultural products produced and consumed on the farm.
Average Income of Census Families and Non-family Persons 15 Years of Age and Over - Average census family income refers to the weighted mean total income of census families or non-family persons in 2000. Average income is calculated from unrounded data by dividing the aggregate income of a specified group of families (e.g., husband-wife families with working wives) or non-family persons by the number of families or non-family persons in that respective group, whether or not they reported income. Similarly, the average income of a group of non-family persons is calculated from unrounded data by dividing the aggregate income of the specified group by the number of all non-family persons 15 years of age and over in the group, whether or not they reported income.
Median Income of Census Families and Non-family Persons 15 Years of Age and Over - The median income of a specified group of census families or non-family persons 15 years of age and over is that amount which divides their income size distribution into two halves. That is, the incomes of the first half of the families or non-family persons are below the median, while those of the second half are above the median. Median incomes of census families and non-family persons are normally calculated for all units in the specified group, whether or not they reported income.
Standard Error of Average Income - Refers to the estimated standard error of average income for an income size distribution. If interpreted as shown below, it serves as a rough indicator of the precision of the corresponding estimate of average income. For about 68% of the samples which could be selected from the sample frame, the difference between the sample estimate of average income and the corresponding figure based on complete enumeration would be less than one standard error. For about 95% of the possible samples, the difference would be less than two standard errors and, in about 99% of the samples, the difference would be approximately two and one half standard errors. - Footnote 9
-
Including loss.
- Footnote 10
-
For persons with income.
- Footnote 11
-
For persons with income.
- Footnote 12
-
For persons with income.
- Footnote 13
-
Economic Family Status
Part A - Plain Language Definition
Not applicable
Part B - Detailed Definition
Refers to the classification of the population according to whether or not the persons are members of an economic family.
Economic family persons refer to two or more household members who are related to each other by blood, marriage, common-law or adoption, and thereby constitute an economic family.
They can be further classified as follows:
Economic family reference persons
In each economic family, one person is designated as the reference person. For purposes of presentation of historically comparable low-income statistics, the following designations have been made. The male spouse or partner is designated as the reference person in couple families. In lone-parent families, the male or female lone parent is the reference person. In same-sex families where one of the partners is the reference person, the first person in the couple listed on the questionnaire is the economic family reference person. In all other economic families, either a male or female non-census family person is designated as the reference person.
Economic family members
Persons other than the reference person (as described above) who belong to the same economic family are classified as spouses or opposite-sex partners, male or female same-sex partners, never-married sons or daughters, other sons or daughters or other economic family members.
Unattached individuals refer to household members who are not members of an economic family. Persons living alone are included in this category.
Incidence of Low Income
Part A - Plain Language Definition
Percentage of economic families or unattached individuals who spend 20% more than average on food, shelter and clothing.
Part B - Detailed Definition
The incidence of low income is the proportion or percentage of economic families or unattached individuals in a given classification below the low income cut-offs. These incidence rates are calculated from unrounded estimates of economic families and unattached individuals 15 years of age and over.
Income Status
Part A - Plain Language Definition
Not applicable
Part B - Detailed Definition
Refers to the position of an economic family or an unattached individual 15 years of age and over in relation to Statistics Canada's low income cut-offs (LICOs).
Low Income Cut-offs (LICOs)
Part A - Plain Language Definition
Income levels at which families or unattached individuals spend 20% more than average on food, shelter and clothing.
Part B - Detailed Definition
Measures of low income known as low income cut-offs (LICOs) were first introduced in Canada in 1968 based on 1961 Census income data and 1959 family expenditure patterns. At that time, expenditure patterns indicated that Canadian families spent about 50% of their total income on food, shelter and clothing. It was arbitrarily estimated that families spending 70% or more of their income (20 percentage points more than the average) on these basic necessities would be in 'straitened' circumstances. With this assumption, low income cut-off points were set for five different sizes of families.
Subsequent to these initial cut-offs, revised low income cut-offs were established based on national family expenditure data from 1969, 1978, 1986 and 1992. These data indicated that Canadian families spent, on average, 42% in 1969, 38.5% in 1978, 36.2% in 1986 and 34.7% in 1992 of their total income on basic necessities. Since 1992, data from the expenditure survey have indicated that this proportion has remained fairly stable. By adding the original difference of 20 percentage points to the basic level of expenditure on necessities, new low income cut-offs were set at income levels differentiated by family size and degree of urbanization. Since 1992, these cut-offs have been updated yearly by changes in the consumer price index. - Footnote 14
-
The incidence of low income is not calculated for economic families and unattached individuals living in the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and on Indian reserves. In addition, low income data are available for five census subdivisions (CSDs) in Saskatchewan (Timber Bay, Denare Beach, Sandy Bay, Pinehouse and La Loche) which Indian and Northern Affairs Canada considers as First Nation communities but which are not Indian reserves. The data for these communities have been included in the incidence of low income calculations for the Saskatchewan and Canada level data. However, they are not shown as part of the 'On reserve' column in the tables for Saskatchewan and Canada.
- Footnote 15
-
Incidence of low income rates are calculated from rounded counts of low-income persons or families and the total number of persons or families. These counts have been rounded independently of the rounded counts shown in the table; thus, there may be a small difference between the rate shown and the one derived from the counts shown. Users are advised to interpret incidence of low income rates based upon small counts with caution.
- Footnote 16
-
The incidence of low income is not calculated for economic families and unattached individuals living in the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and on Indian reserves. In addition, low income data are available for five census subdivisions (CSDs) in Saskatchewan (Timber Bay, Denare Beach, Sandy Bay, Pinehouse and La Loche) which Indian and Northern Affairs Canada considers as First Nation communities but which are not Indian reserves. The data for these communities have been included in the incidence of low income calculations for the Saskatchewan and Canada level data. However, they are not shown as part of the 'On reserve' column in the tables for Saskatchewan and Canada.
- Footnote 17
-
Incidence of low income rates are calculated from rounded counts of low-income persons or families and the total number of persons or families. These counts have been rounded independently of the rounded counts shown in the table; thus, there may be a small difference between the rate shown and the one derived from the counts shown. Users are advised to interpret incidence of low income rates based upon small counts with caution.
Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census of Population, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 97F0011XCB2001047.
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- Footnote c
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To access the Beyond 20/20 (IVT) version, you need the Beyond 20/20 Table Browser, which may be downloaded below. These links download files directly from an external site and are not the responsibility of Statistics Canada.
Beyond 20/20 Browser for Windows operating systems (18.9 MB)
To install this product, run 'ProBrowser.exe'. - Footnote d
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XML (SDMX - ML) - Is a statistical data and metadata exchange standard for the electronic exchange of statistical information. Two extensible mark-up language (XML) files are provided in a compressed bundle.
Related data
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2001 Census analysis series:Aboriginal Peoples of Canada: A Demographic Profile, 2001 Census