2001 Census Topic-based tabulations

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Topic-based tabulation: Family Income Groups (22A) in Constant (2000) Dollars and Combination of Work Activity of Spouses or Partners (9) for Couple Economic Families in Private Households, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, 1995 and 2000 - 20% Sample Data

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General information

Catalogue number :97F0020XCB2001096
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: Comparability of Labour Force Activity Data With Those of Previous Censuses

Differences between the 2001 Census definitions and those of 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991 and 1996 for the 'Employed', 'Unemployed' and 'Not in the labour force' categories must be taken into consideration when making comparisons with data presented in other census years. This table, however, contains labour force activity data for a series of census years that are based on 1971 Census concepts and are historically comparable.

In 1971 (and in 1976) institutional residents were asked the labour force questions and were classified as 'Not in the labour force'. Since 1981, institutional residents have not been asked the labour force questions and have been excluded from the population 15 years and over. Users should be aware that this table, which contains labour force activity data based on 1971 Census concepts, excludes institutional residents completely, rather than includes these persons in the 'Not in the labour force' category.

Female farm labourers who were unpaid family workers and who 'helped without pay' for less than 20 hours a week were also classified as 'Not in the labour force' in 1971. Since 1976, these persons have been classified as 'Employed'. In 1971, persons who were both 'Looking for work' and 'Absent' were considered as 'Unemployed' rather than 'Employed'.

In 1976, two new questions were added to the questionnaire in orderetermine unemployment status. The first was a question on availability for work in the reference week. This question provided for 'Yes' or 'No' responses only. Instructions in the Guide requested persons still in school, those who already had a job, were temporarily ill or who had personal or family responsibilities, to consider themselves unavailable. Persons unavailable for work were classified as 'Not in the labour force'. The 'Availability' question was only asked of persons who looked for work in the reference week. The second new question asked respondents if they had a new job to start at a future date. In addition to these new questions, a new processing restriction was applied. Persons on lay-off or with a new job to start, who were in full-time attendance at elementary or secondary school at any time since September 1975, were considered unavailable for work. Therefore, in 1976, persons were considered unemployed if they were 'on lay-off' or had a 'new job to start in the future' and were not in full-time attendance at elementary or secondary school. Persons who looked for work in the reference week and were available to work were also included in the 'Unemployed'.

In 1981, the reference period for the 'Looking for work' question was increased to the past four weeks instead of the reference week. The 'Availability' question was expanded to include more detailed response categories: already had a job; temporary illness or disability; personal or family responsibilities; going to school; or other reasons. Only persons who marked 'going to school' or 'other reasons' were considered unavailable for work. The 'New job to start at a future date' question was reworded to specify that the job was to start within four weeks of the reference week. Persons on temporary lay-off were identified by a question which combined information on lay-off and absences from a job. The reference period for lay-off was extended to 26 weeks. As in 1976, persons on lay-off or with a new job to start were considered unavailable if they had been in full-time attendance at elementary or secondary school at any time since September 1980. Persons who looked for work and who responded 'going to school' or 'other reasons' were considered unavailable regardless of whether they were on lay-off or had a new job to start.

In 1986, the reference period for temporary lay-off was removed and the phrase 'from a job to which the person expects to return' was added to the questionnaire. The 1986 questionnaire did not include a question on school attendance. It was therefore not possible to apply the school attendance criterion to persons on lay-off or with a new job to start.

In 1991, 1996 and 2001, the questions asked to determine unemployment status were the same as those asked in 1986. In addition, since 1991, a 'School attendance' question was included on the questionnaire. Persons on temporary lay-off or with a new job to start who did not look for work were available for work, and therefore 'Unemployed', if they were not in full-time attendance at elementary or secondary school at any time since September of the year preceding the census. Persons on temporary lay-off or with a new job to start who looked for full-time work were available for work, and therefore 'Unemployed', if they did not respond 'going to school' or 'other reasons' to the 'Availability' question, and if they were not in full-time attendance at elementary or secondary school at any time since September of the year preceding the census. Persons on temporary lay-off or with a new job to start who looked for part-time work were available for work, and therefore 'Unemployed', if they did not respond 'going to school' or 'other reasons' to the 'Availability' question.

The processing of unemployment data in 1991, in 1996 and in 2001 was similar to that of 1981. There was, however, a change introduced for students in full-time attendance at elementary or secondary school at any time since the previous September. In 1991, 1996 and 2001, these persons were considered unavailable for work if they had looked for full-time work in the past four weeks.

The labour force questions in the 2001 Census were the same as those used in the 1981, 1986, 1991 and 1996 Censuses.

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: Couple Families

As of 2001, the term 'couple families' is used when referring inclusively to families of married couples and families of common-law couples. In censuses prior to 1991, the term 'husband-wife families' used in census products covered both the families of married couples and those of opposite-sex common-law couples. Data on opposite-sex common-law couples have been available only since 1981.

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 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: 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.

Additional information about this table is available in the Dimension Summary Box of the variable in the column (initial view).

Data table

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This table details family income groups in constant dollars and combination of work activity of spouses or partners for couple economic families in private households in CanadaFootnote 2
Family Income Groups (22A) Years (2)
1995 2000
Total - Family income groupsFootnote 3 6,560,795 6,913,605
Under $5,000 119,075 96,390
$ 5,000 - $ 9,999 87,395 86,165
$ 10,000 - $ 14,999 129,765 108,505
$ 15,000 - $ 19,999 209,795 163,010
$ 20,000 - $ 24,999 346,775 311,715
$ 25,000 - $ 29,999 350,850 321,310
$ 30,000 - $ 34,999 348,555 337,940
$ 35,000 - $ 39,999 366,345 367,220
$ 40,000 - $ 44,999 370,365 381,885
$ 45,000 - $ 49,999 387,995 372,620
$ 50,000 - $ 59,999 763,760 744,730
$ 60,000 - $ 69,999 690,370 709,055
$ 70,000 - $ 79,999 581,225 616,715
$ 80,000 - $ 89,999 467,870 513,515
$ 90,000 - $ 99,999 343,810 405,900
$100,000 - $124,999 514,555 656,045
$125,000 - $149,999 224,310 312,720
$150,000 and over 257,980 408,170
Average family income $ 65,877.0 73,528.0
Median family income $ 57,357.0 62,036.0
Standard error of average family income $ 45.0 61.0

Footnotes

Footnote 1

Full-time or Part-time Weeks Worked in 2000 - Refers to persons who worked for pay or in self-employment in 2000. These persons were asked to report whether the weeks they worked in 2000 were full-time weeks (30 hours or more per week) or not, on the basis of all jobs held. Persons with a part-time job for part of the year and a full-time job for another part of the year were to report the information for the job at which they worked the most weeks.

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.

The economic family concept requires only that family members be related by blood, marriage, common-law or adoption. By contrast, the census family concept requires that family members be either a male or female spouse, a male or female common-law partner, a male or female lone parent, or a child with a parent present. The concept of economic family may therefore refer to a larger group of persons than does the census family concept. For example, a widowed mother living with her married son and daughter-in-law would be treated as a non-family person under the definition of a census family. That same person would, however, be counted as a member of an economic family along with her son and daughter-in-law. Two or more related census families living together also constitute one economic family as, for example, a man and his wife living with their married son and daughter-in-law. Two or more brothers or sisters living together, apart from their parents, will form an economic family, but not a census family, since they do not meet the requirements for the latter. All census family persons are economic family persons.

The economic family and its associated classifications and variables are derived according to the responses to the questions on sex, date of birth, marital status, common law status, and relationship to Person 1. In addition, consideration is given to the order in which household members are listed on the questionnaire.

Note that, as of 2001, same-sex partners are considered to be common-law partners. Thus they are considered related and members of the same economic family.

Economic Family Status - 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.

Economic Family Structure - Refers to the classification of economic families into those of couple families, lone-parent families and other economic families.

Couple families are those in which a member of either a married or common-law couple is the economic family reference person.

Lone-parent families are those in which either a male or female lone parent is the economic family reference person.

Other economic families are those in which a non-census family person is the economic family reference person.

Couple 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 1 referrer

Footnote 2

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

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

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 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 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 3 referrer

Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census of Population, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 97F0020XCB2001096.

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