Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021
Shelter cost

Definition

Shelter cost refers to the average monthly total of all shelter expenses paid by households.

Shelter costs for owner households include, where applicable, mortgage payments, property taxes and condominium fees, along with the costs of electricity, heat, water and other municipal services. For renter households, shelter costs include, where applicable, the rent and the costs of electricity, heat, water and other municipal services. For households living in a dwelling provided by the local government, First Nation or Indian band, shelter costs include, where applicable, the monthly use or occupancy payment and the costs of electricity, heat, water and other municipal services.

Statistical unit(s)

• Private household

Classification(s)

• Not applicable

Reported in

2021 and 2016 (25% sample); 2011^{Footnote 1} (30% sample); 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986^{Footnote 2} and 1981^{Footnote 3} (20% sample).

Reported for

Owner and renter households, and households living in a dwelling provided by the local government, First Nation or Indian band, in non‑farm private dwellings

Question number(s)

Derived variable: Questions E7a), b), c), E8a), E9a), c), e) and E10

Responses

Dollar value

Remarks

Prior to 2016, the term 'shelter cost' was referred to as 'owner's major payments' for owner households and 'gross rent' for tenant households.

In 2016, the name of the concept 'shelter cost' has changed in French.

Note(s)

Related 2021 data products

• Census Program Data Viewer (CPDV) (98-507-X2021001)
• Shelter cost by tenure including presence of mortgage payments and subsidized housing: Canada, provinces and territories and census subdivisions affiliated with First Nations or Indian bands (98-10-0254-01)
• Shelter cost by tenure including presence of mortgage payments and subsidized housing: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations (98-10-0253-01)