2006 Census Topic-based tabulations

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Topic-based tabulation: Income Status Before Tax (4), Economic Family Structure and Presence of Children for the Economic Families; Sex, Household Living Arrangements and Age Groups for the Persons 15 Years and Over not in the Economic Families; and Sex and Age Groups for the Persons in Private Households (88) of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2000 and 2005 - 20% Sample Data

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Catalogue number :	97-563-XCB2006017
Release date :	May 1, 2008
Topic :	Income and earnings
Data dimensions :	Geography (Geographic Index) Year (2) Economic family structure and presence of children; sex, household living arrangements and age groups for the persons 15 years and over not in the economic families; sex and age groups for the persons in private households (88) Income status before tax (4)

Note

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 2005 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 2005 from comparable sources was 1.2% 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 slightly higher (1.0%) than the national accounts estimates. This was partially offset by the difference (-7.8%) between the census estimates of aggregate self-employment income from both farm and non-farm self-employment and the adjusted national accounts figures. Overall, estimates of aggregate employment income or earnings were nearly identical (0.3% difference).

Census estimates of Old Age Security pensions and the Guaranteed Income Supplement were slightly lower (-1.4%), as they were for Canada/Quebec Pension Plan benefits (-0.9%), than adjusted national accounts estimates. Employment Insurance benefits reported in the census were smaller by 6.1%. Census estimates of aggregate child benefits were 2.0% higher than the adjusted national accounts 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 (-39.2%) the estimates from the national accounts. Overall, census estimates of aggregate income from all government transfer payments were lower by 12.0%. The census estimate of aggregate investment income in 2005 was slightly lower (-2.7%) than the comparable national accounts estimate. This is a significant improvement when compared to previous census comparisons.

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 (-2.1%) and earners (-1.4%) than SLID estimates. However, due to higher average amounts, census estimates of aggregate earnings are 2.8% higher than the SLID estimate, while the census estimate of aggregate total income of individuals is 2.3% higher. Most of the observed provincial differences were considered acceptable in the light of sampling errors in the Survey. The all-person low income prevalence rates for Canada (excluding the Territories) were almost identical in both sources for the before-tax measure at 15.3% and only slightly higher (0.6 percentage points) in census than SLID for the after-tax rate.

Note: Economic families

In 2006 Census tables showing income data for economic families or economic family members, children of the economic family reference person may have any marital status; and grandchildren of the reference person, where no parent is present in the household, are treated as children of the reference person. In income tables before 2006, all previously married sons and daughters of the economic family reference person and all grandchildren of the reference person were classified as other economic family members. Where data for 2001 are shown in the 2006 Census tables, there are 75,000 more lone-parent families and 75,000 fewer other economic families in Canada for 2001 than as published at the time of the 2001 Census. Similarly, there are 66,000 more couple economic families with children, and 66,000 fewer couple economic families without children.

Note: Historical comparison of census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations, 2001 and 2006

A few census metropolitan areas (CMAs) and census agglomerations (CAs) have different geographical boundaries in 2006 as compared to 2001. In order to facilitate data comparisons, the 2001 CMA and CA data have been adjusted to reflect as closely as possible the 2006 CMA and CA boundaries. Care should then be taken when looking at the 2001 Census data. For additional information, please refer to the 2006 Census Dictionary, catalogue number 92-566-XWE or 92-566-XPE.

Note: Income Data for Seniors in Collective Dwellings

In the 2006 Census, individuals who resided in institutions or residences with distinct, separate living quarters, and who were able to complete the census questionnaire, received their own census form to complete. These individuals were excluded from measurements of income in prior censuses. This census their incomes have been set to zero. This results in a slight overestimation in the count of population 15 years and over, and primarily the age group 65 years and over, without income (or without earnings). Counts and income statistics for families or persons not in families are not affected, as individuals in these types of collective dwellings have always, and continue to be excluded from those populations.

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, after-tax income or earnings distributions

Income, after-tax income and 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 cells and associated averages, medians and standard errors of average income, average after-tax income or average 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 median or average income, after-tax income or earnings

Statistics have been suppressed if the estimated total number of persons (males, females or both sexes) with income, after-tax income or earnings in the reference year is less than 250 persons. All suppressed counts and associated averages and medians have been replaced by zeroes or symbols.

In all cases, suppressed data are included in the appropriate higher aggregate subtotals and totals.

Note: Non-permanent residents and the census universe

In the 2006 Census, non-permanent residents are defined as people from another country who, at the time of the census, held a Work or Study Permit, or who were refugee claimants, as well as family members living in Canada with them. In the 1991, 1996 and 2001 censuses, non-permanent residents also included persons who held a Minister's permit; this was discontinued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada prior to the 2006 Census.

From 1991 on, the Census of Population has enumerated both permanent and non-permanent residents of Canada. 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.

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, 2001 or 2006 with data from previous censuses in geographic areas where there is a concentration of non-permanent residents.

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 United Nations (UN) recommendation that long-term residents (persons living in a country for one year or longer) be enumerated in the census.

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 2006 Census Dictionary, catalogue number 92-566-XWE or 92-566-XPE.

For counts of the non-permanent resident population in 1991, 2001 and 2006, please refer to the 2006 Census table 97-557-XCB2006006.

Note: Population universe

The population universe of the 2006 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 Study Permits and members of their families living with them;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who hold Work Permits and members of their families living with them.

For census purposes, the last three 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 2006 Census Dictionary, catalogue number 92-566-XWE or 92-566-XPE.

Note: Prevalence of low income rates (before- or after-tax)

Prevalence of low income rates (before- or after-tax) 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 one derived from the counts shown. Users are advised to interpret prevalence of low income rates based upon small counts with caution.

Data table

Select data categories for this table

Geography Geographic index

Year (2)^{Footnote 1}

This table details income status before tax , economic family structure and presence of children for the economic families; sex, household living arrangements and age groups for the persons 15 years and over not in the economic families; and sex and age groups for the persons in private households in Canada^{Footnote 2}
Economic family structure and presence of children; sex, household living arrangements and age groups for the persons 15 years and over not in the economic families; sex and age groups for the persons in private households (88)	Income status before tax (4)
	Total - Income status before tax^Footnote 3	Low income	Other	Prevalence of low income (before tax) %
Total - Economic family structure and presence of children for the economic families^{Footnote 4}	8,182,280	1,052,140	7,130,135	12.9
Couple families	6,848,295	631,675	6,216,620	9.2
Without children	2,833,210	238,870	2,594,330	8.4
With children under 6 years only^{Footnote 5}	650,460	82,495	567,965	12.7
With children 6 to 17 years only^{Footnote 6}	1,195,285	118,095	1,077,195	9.9
With children under 6 years and children 6 to 17 years only^{Footnote 7}	477,435	72,440	404,995	15.2
All other couple families	1,691,905	119,770	1,572,130	7.1
Married couple families	5,735,320	495,580	5,239,745	8.6
Without children	2,242,200	176,650	2,065,550	7.9
With children under 6 years only^{Footnote 8}	494,090	55,035	439,050	11.1
With children 6 to 17 years only^{Footnote 9}	1,018,865	96,690	922,175	9.5
With children under 6 years and children 6 to 17 years only^{Footnote 10}	396,795	56,975	339,820	14.4
All other married couple families	1,583,370	110,225	1,473,145	7.0
Common-law couple families^{Footnote 11}	1,112,975	136,100	976,875	12.2
Without children	591,005	62,220	528,785	10.5
With children under 6 years only^{Footnote 12}	156,370	27,455	128,915	17.6
With children 6 to 17 years only^{Footnote 13}	176,420	21,405	155,015	12.1
With children under 6 years and children 6 to 17 years only^{Footnote 14}	80,640	15,465	65,175	19.2
All other common-law couple families	108,535	9,550	98,980	8.8
Female lone-parent families	959,800	353,210	606,585	36.8
With children under 6 years only^{Footnote 15}	100,855	67,900	32,960	67.3
With children 6 to 17 years only^{Footnote 16}	315,820	137,960	177,860	43.7
With children under 6 years and children 6 to 17 years only^{Footnote 17}	68,710	47,920	20,785	69.7
All other female lone-parent families	474,410	99,430	374,975	21.0
Male lone-parent families	213,800	38,150	175,645	17.8
With children under 18 years only^{Footnote 18}	96,180	23,095	73,085	24.0
All other male lone-parent families	117,620	15,055	102,565	12.8
Other economic families	160,385	29,105	131,280	18.1
Total - All persons 15 years and over not in economic families^{Footnote 19}	3,892,090	1,490,785	2,401,310	38.3
Living alone	2,953,880	1,052,370	1,901,510	35.6
Under 65 years	1,919,250	632,885	1,286,365	33.0
65 years and over	1,034,630	419,480	615,145	40.5
Living with non-relatives (only)	938,210	438,415	499,800	46.7
Under 65 years	877,810	411,510	466,300	46.9
65 years and over	60,400	26,905	33,495	44.5
Males 15 years and over not in economic families	1,827,625	618,350	1,209,275	33.8
Living alone	1,292,945	395,135	897,815	30.6
Under 65 years	1,028,435	312,975	715,460	30.4
65 years and over	264,510	82,160	182,355	31.1
Living with non-relatives (only)	534,675	223,220	311,460	41.7
Under 65 years	506,595	212,470	294,125	41.9
65 years and over	28,080	10,745	17,335	38.3
Female 15 years and over not in economic families	2,064,465	872,430	1,192,035	42.3
Living alone	1,660,935	657,235	1,003,695	39.6
Under 65 years	890,820	319,915	570,910	35.9
65 years and over	770,115	337,320	432,790	43.8
Living with non-relatives (only)	403,530	215,195	188,335	53.3
Under 65 years	371,215	199,040	172,175	53.6
65 years and over	32,315	16,155	16,160	50.0
Total - Persons in private households^{Footnote 20}	29,105,705	4,753,490	24,352,215	16.3
Under 15 years	5,566,220	1,064,335	4,501,880	19.1
Under 6 years	2,019,335	418,660	1,600,675	20.7
6 to 9 years	1,551,220	299,185	1,252,030	19.3
10 to 14 years	1,995,665	346,485	1,649,175	17.4
15 to 17 years	1,216,510	191,130	1,025,380	15.7
18 to 24 years	2,688,450	582,100	2,106,345	21.7
25 to 34 years	3,899,885	643,370	3,256,515	16.5
35 to 44 years	5,001,750	700,670	4,301,085	14.0
45 to 54 years	4,339,650	524,545	3,815,100	12.1
55 to 64 years	2,812,710	436,520	2,376,190	15.5
65 to 69 years	1,107,220	161,460	945,755	14.6
70 years and over	2,473,305	449,350	2,023,955	18.2
Males in private households	14,286,125	2,118,730	12,167,395	14.8
Under 15 years	2,848,855	544,850	2,304,000	19.1
Under 6 years	1,034,480	215,000	819,485	20.8
6 to 9 years	793,925	152,190	641,735	19.2
10 to 14 years	1,020,445	177,660	842,785	17.4
15 to 17 years	629,665	96,960	532,700	15.4
18 to 24 years	1,360,755	262,825	1,097,930	19.3
25 to 34 years	1,909,825	281,935	1,627,890	14.8
35 to 44 years	2,451,470	316,485	2,134,985	12.9
45 to 54 years	2,131,470	246,195	1,885,275	11.6
55 to 64 years	1,380,930	193,335	1,187,600	14.0
65 to 69 years	535,675	66,280	469,395	12.4
70 years and over	1,037,480	109,865	927,610	10.6
Females in private households	14,819,580	2,634,755	12,184,825	17.8
Under 15 years	2,717,365	519,485	2,197,880	19.1
Under 6 years	984,855	203,660	781,190	20.7
6 to 9 years	757,295	146,995	610,300	19.4
10 to 14 years	975,215	168,825	806,390	17.3
15 to 17 years	586,845	94,170	492,675	16.0
18 to 24 years	1,327,690	319,275	1,008,420	24.0
25 to 34 years	1,990,065	361,440	1,628,625	18.2
35 to 44 years	2,550,285	384,185	2,166,100	15.1
45 to 54 years	2,208,180	278,350	1,929,830	12.6
55 to 64 years	1,431,785	243,190	1,188,595	17.0
65 to 69 years	571,545	95,180	476,360	16.7
70 years and over	1,435,825	339,480	1,096,340	23.6

Footnotes

Footnote 1

Canadian censuses were conducted in 2001 and 2006. Income data from these censuses relate to the calendar year prior to the census year, i.e., 2000 and 2005 respectively. For additional information, please refer to the 2006 Census Dictionary, Catalogue no. 92-566-XWE.

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

Income status before tax - Refers to the position of an economic family or a person 15 years of age and over not in an economic family in relation to Statistics Canada's low income before tax cut-offs (LICOs).

Income status after tax - Refers to the position of an economic family or a person 15 years of age and over in relation to Statistics Canada's low income after-tax cut-offs (LICO-AT).

Measures of low income known as 'low income (before tax) 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 before tax cut-offs were established based on national family expenditure data from 1969, 1978, 1986 and 1992. The initial LICOs were based upon the total income, before tax, of families and persons 15 years and over not in economic families.

After a comprehensive review of low income cut-offs completed in 1991, low income cut-offs based upon after-tax income were published for the first time in Income After Tax, Distributions by Size in Canada, 1990 (Catalogue no. 13-210). Income after tax cut-offs are estimated independently for economic families and persons 15 years of age and over not in families based upon family expenditure and income after tax. Consequently, the low income after-tax cut-offs are set at after-tax income levels, differentiated by size of family and area of residence, where families spend 20 percentage points more of their after-tax income than the average family on food, shelter and clothing.

For the purposes of low income statistics (before or after tax), economic families and persons 15 years of age and over not in economic families in the Yukon Territory, Northwest Territories and Nunavut and on Indian reserves were excluded. The low income cut-offs are based on certain expenditure-income patterns which are not available from survey data for the entire population.

Prevalence of low income (before or after tax) can also be derived for census families, persons not in census families and the population in private households. See Low Income Statistics for Census Families and Households, Staff Report no. 1991-1, Labour and Household Surveys Analysis Division, Statistics Canada.

Prevalence 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 prevalence of low income rates based upon small counts with caution.

Since its initial publication, Statistics Canada has clearly and consistently emphasized that the LICOs are not measures of poverty. Rather, LICOs reflect a consistent and well-defined methodology that identifies those who are substantially worse-off than average. These measures have enabled Statistics Canada to report important trends, such as the changing composition of those below the LICOs over time.

Low income before tax cut-offs (LICOs) - Income levels at which families or persons not in economic families spend 20% more than average of their before tax income on food, shelter and clothing. For additional information and a table of low income cut-offs, please refer to the 2006 Census Dictionary, Catalogue no. 92-566-XWE.

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 4

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. For 2006, foster children are considered economic family members.

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.

As of 1971, published family statistics included families living in private households (including those enumerated outside Canada) and all collective households.

Prior to 2001, economic families were defined in Hutterite collective households as well.
For 2006, married spouses may be of opposite or same sex.

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 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 any person not in a census family can be the economic family reference person.

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 opposite-sex couple families. In lone-parent families, the male or female lone parent is the reference person. In same-sex couple families, the first person in the couple listed on the questionnaire is the economic family reference person. In all other economic families, the reference person can be either a male or female person not in a census family.

Economic family members - Persons other than the reference person (as described above) who belong to the same economic family are classified as female spouses or partners, male or female same-sex spouses or partners, never-married sons or daughters, other sons or daughters or other economic family members. For 2006, other economic family members include foster children. They were previously classified as persons not in economic families.

Persons not in economic families - Household members who do not belong to an economic family. Persons living alone are included in this category.

The term 'children' refers to sons and/or daughters of the economic family husband/reference person.

Age - Refers to the age at last birthday (as of the census reference date). This variable is derived from date of birth.

Return to footnote 4 referrer

Footnote 5