2001 Census Topic-based tabulations

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Topic-based tabulation: Employment Income Group of Husband, Male Partner or Reference Person (12), Employment Income Group of Wife, Female Partner or Partner of Reference Person (12) and Couple Economic Family Income Statistics (4) in Constant (2000) Dollars for Couple Economic Families in Private Households, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, 1995 and 2000 - 20% Sample Data

About this tabulation

General information

Catalogue number :97F0020XCB2001098
Release date :February 18, 2004
Topic :Income of Individuals, Families and Households
Data dimensions :

Note

Special Note: Changes to Family Concepts for the 2001 Census

For the 1996 Census, the definition of census family was as follows:

Refers to a now-married couple (with or without never-married sons and/or daughters of either or both spouses), a couple living common-law (with or without never-married sons and/or daughters of either or both partners) or a lone-parent of any marital status, with at least one never-married son or daughter living in the same dwelling.

This reflected a concept that had not changed since 1976. However, during the planning for the 2001 Census, it was decided that some changes were required, due to the following factors: (1) changes to federal and provincial legislation putting same-sex couples on an equal footing with opposite-sex common-law couples (most notably Bill C-23, the Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act, which was passed by the Government of Canada in 2000); (2) recommendations by the United Nations as part of a process of standardization of concepts for the 2000-2001 round of censuses in member countries; and (3) a significant number of persons less than 15 years of age classified as 'non-family persons' in previous censuses.

As a result, the census family concept for the 2001 Census reflects the following changes:

- Two persons living in a same-sex common-law relationship, along with any of their children residing in the household, are considered a census family.

- Children in a census family can have been previously married (as long as they are not currently living with a spouse or common-law partner). Previously, they had to be 'never-married'.

- A grandchild living in a three-generation household where the parent (middle generation) is never-married is, contrary to previous censuses, now considered as a child in the census family of his or her parent, provided the grandchild is not living with his or her own spouse, common-law partner, or child. Traditionally, the census family usually consisted of the two older generations.

- A grandchild of another household member, where a middle-generation parent is not present, is now considered as a child in the census family of his or her grandparent, provided the grandchild is not living with his or her own spouse, common-law partner, or child. Traditionally, such a grandchild would not be considered as a member of a census family.

The last three changes listed (definition of 'child'), together, result in a 1.5% increase in the total number of census families, and in a 10.1% increase in the number of lone-parent families. The inclusion of same-sex couples results in a 0.4% increase in the number of census families at the national level.

The term economic family refers to a group of two or more persons who live in the same dwelling and are related to each other by blood, marriage, common-law or adoption. This definition has not changed for 2001. The only effect of conceptual changes on economic families is that same-sex partners are now considered to be common-law partners. Thus they are considered related and members of the same economic family.

Outside of the 'family universe', there are two related concepts that are affected by the change in the census family definition: common-law status and household type. Prior to 2001, two people living together as husband and wife without being legally married to each other were considered to be living common-law. For 2001, this has been expanded to include persons living in a same-sex partnership. The concept of household type refers to the basic division of private households into family and non-family households. Since it is based on the census family concept, the household type (whether a household is 'family' or 'non-family') is affected by the change. Also, the detailed classification of this variable is affected, since married couples and common-law couples were broken down into those 'without never-married sons or daughters' and 'with never-married sons or daughters'. For 2001 this reads 'without children' and 'with children', with the attendant change in meaning.

For additional information, please refer to the 2001 Census Dictionary, Catalogue Number 92-378-XIE or 92-378-XPE.

Special Note: Common-law Status

Refers to two people of the opposite sex or of the same sex who live together as a couple, but who are not legally married to each other. For additional information, please refer to the 2001 Census Dictionary, Catalogue Number 92-378-XIE or 92-378-XPE.

Special Note: Constant Dollars Income

Refers to the presentation of income statistics from two or more censuses in terms of the value of the dollar in one of those censuses.

To convert the 1995 incomes into 2000 dollars, the 1995 values are revised upwards by the change in the Consumer Price Index between 1995 and 2000.

For additional information, please refer to the 2001 Census Dictionary, Catalogue Number 92-378-XIE or 92-378-XPE.

Special Note: Data Quality - Relationship of Census Estimates of Earnings to the National Accounts and Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics

Census income estimates of aggregate earnings (employment income) in 2000 were compared with similar personal income estimates from the national accounts. After adjustments to the personal income estimates for differences in concepts and coverage, census and national accounts estimates of aggregate employment income in 2000 were nearly identical at the national level. As in the past, census estimates for earnings components compared more favourably for some sources and in some provinces than for others.

Census estimates of aggregate wages and salaries, the largest component of income, were almost identical to the national accounts estimates for Canada. Provincial differences were somewhat larger than in past censuses, ranging from a 6.6% higher estimate for Newfoundland and Labrador to a 1.7% lower estimate for Alberta. Although there was a large difference between the two estimates of net income from farm self-employment (smallest component of total earnings), census estimates of aggregate income from both farm and non-farm self-employment differed by about 1.0%. Overall, estimates of total income from employment in the census and national accounts were almost identical at the national level.

Census employment income (earnings) statistics were also compared with similar statistics from the annual Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics (SLID). SLID estimates for 2000 were derived primarily from taxation data information. The estimates of average wages and salaries and average earnings of individuals in the two sources compared favourably, with census estimates higher by 2% and 3.4%, respectively.

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: 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: Private Household

Refers to a person or a group of persons (other than foreign residents) who occupy a private dwelling and do not have a usual place of residence elsewhere in Canada. For additional information, please refer to the 2001 Census Dictionary, Catalogue Number 92-378-XIE or 92-378-XPE.

Data table

Select data categories for this table


This table details employment income group of husband, male partner or reference person , employment income group of wife, female partner or partner of reference person and couple economic family income statistics in constant dollars for couple economic families in private households in CanadaFootnote 3
Couple Economic Family Income Statistics (4) Years (2)
1995 2000
Couple economic families (1) (2)Footnote 4 6,560,795 6,913,600
Average family income $ 65,877 73,528
Average earnings of husband, male partner or reference person $ 32,716 36,304
Average earnings of wife, female partner or partner of reference person $ 15,584 18,282

Footnotes

Footnote 1

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.

Refers to husbands in husband-wife families, male partners in opposite-sex common-law couple families and the first person listed on the questionnaire in same-sex common-law couple families (in 2001).

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Footnote 2

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.

Refers to wives in husband-wife families and to partners of the reference person in common-law couple families.

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Footnote 3

Excludes census data for one or more incompletely enumerated Indian reserves or Indian settlements.

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Footnote 4

The total income of an economic family is the sum of the total incomes of all members of that family.

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 Economic Families and Unattached Individuals 15 Years of Age and Over - Average income of economic families or unattached individuals refers to the weighted mean total income of economic families or unattached individuals 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 unattached individuals by the number of families or unattached individuals in that respective group, whether or not they reported income.

Median Income of Economic Families and Unattached Individuals 15 Years of Age and Over - The median income of a specified group of economic families or unattached individuals 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 unattached individuals are below the median, while those of the second half are above the median. Median incomes of economic families and unattached individuals 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 a half standard errors.

Economic Family - Refers to a group of two or more persons who live in the same dwelling and are related to each other by blood, marriage, common-law or adoption.

Return to footnote 4 referrer

Couple economic families refer to those husband-wife families, opposite-sex common-law couple families and, in 2001, same-sex common-law couple families in which the economic family reference person is one of the spouses or partners.

Return to footnote 4 referrer

Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census of Population, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 97F0020XCB2001098.

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Footnotes

Footnote a

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Footnote b

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Footnote c

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Footnote d

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