Differences between 20% estimates and 100% counts

The census information is collected either from 100% of the population or on a 20% sample basis (from a random sample of one in five households) with the data weighted up to provide estimates for the entire population. For any given geographic area, the weighted population, household, dwelling or family total or subtotal may differ from that shown in reports containing data collected on a 100% basis. Such variation (in addition to the effect of random rounding) will be due to sampling. Note that, on Indian reserves and in remote areas, most data were collected on a 100% basis.