2006 Census Topic-based tabulations

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Topic-based tabulation: Income Status Before Tax and Income Status After Tax (8), 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 Economic Families; and Sex and Age Groups for the Persons in Private Households (88) of Canada, Provinces, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2005 - 20% Sample Data

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Catalogue number :	97-563-XCB2006028
Release date :	June 26, 2008
Topic :	Income and earnings
Data dimensions :	Geography (Geographic Index) 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 and income status after tax (8)

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: 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.

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.

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

This table details income status before tax and income status after 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 economic families; and sex and age groups for the persons in private households in Canada^{Footnote 1}
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 and income status after tax (8)
	Total - Income status before tax^Footnote 2	Low income	Other	Prevalence of low income (before tax) %	Total - Income status after tax^Footnote 3	Low income	Other	Prevalence of low income (after tax) %
Total - Economic family structure and presence of children for the economic families^{Footnote 4}	8,680,270	1,008,965	7,671,300	11.6	8,680,270	725,105	7,955,165	8.4
Couple families	7,243,345	610,240	6,633,110	8.4	7,243,350	431,055	6,812,295	6.0
Without children	3,152,110	228,740	2,923,365	7.3	3,152,110	151,410	3,000,700	4.8
With children under 6 years only^{Footnote 5}	663,035	76,160	586,875	11.5	663,035	56,050	606,980	8.5
With children 6 to 17 years only^{Footnote 6}	1,171,685	112,090	1,059,590	9.6	1,171,680	82,390	1,089,290	7.0
With children under 6 years and children 6 to 17 years only^{Footnote 7}	444,600	69,430	375,165	15.6	444,595	49,140	395,460	11.1
All other couple families	1,811,925	123,810	1,688,120	6.8	1,811,925	92,060	1,719,860	5.1
Married couple families	5,921,815	477,860	5,443,955	8.1	5,921,815	338,385	5,583,430	5.7
Without children	2,439,915	161,815	2,278,100	6.6	2,439,915	103,290	2,336,625	4.2
With children under 6 years only^{Footnote 8}	491,080	54,185	436,895	11.0	491,080	41,030	450,055	8.4
With children 6 to 17 years only^{Footnote 9}	962,795	92,815	869,980	9.6	962,800	69,225	893,570	7.2
With children under 6 years and children 6 to 17 years only^{Footnote 10}	361,410	55,695	305,715	15.4	361,415	40,275	321,145	11.1
All other married couple families	1,666,605	113,340	1,553,265	6.8	1,666,610	84,570	1,582,035	5.1
Common-law couple families^{Footnote 11}	1,321,535	132,380	1,189,155	10.0	1,321,535	92,670	1,228,865	7.0
Without children	712,195	66,930	645,270	9.4	712,195	48,115	664,075	6.8
With children under 6 years only^{Footnote 12}	171,950	21,975	149,975	12.8	171,950	15,020	156,930	8.7
With children 6 to 17 years only^{Footnote 13}	208,885	19,280	189,610	9.2	208,885	13,170	195,715	6.3
With children under 6 years and children 6 to 17 years only^{Footnote 14}	83,185	13,735	69,450	16.5	83,185	8,870	74,320	10.7
All other common-law couple families	145,315	10,465	134,850	7.2	145,315	7,490	137,825	5.2
Female lone-parent families	1,016,845	327,170	689,675	32.2	1,016,845	241,415	775,430	23.7
With children under 6 years only^{Footnote 15}	88,965	56,770	32,190	63.8	88,965	46,355	42,610	52.1
With children 6 to 17 years only^{Footnote 16}	331,280	126,505	204,770	38.2	331,280	92,000	239,275	27.8
With children under 6 years and children 6 to 17 years only^{Footnote 17}	63,465	42,260	21,205	66.6	63,465	33,795	29,670	53.2
All other female lone-parent families	533,135	101,630	431,505	19.1	533,135	69,265	463,870	13.0
Male lone-parent families	243,150	38,835	204,315	16.0	243,150	28,280	214,870	11.6
With children under 18 years only^{Footnote 18}	106,065	23,155	82,910	21.8	106,065	17,110	88,955	16.1
All other male lone-parent families	137,085	15,680	121,405	11.4	137,090	11,170	125,915	8.1
Other economic families	176,925	32,720	144,200	18.5	176,925	24,350	152,575	13.8
Total - All persons 15 years and over not in economic families^{Footnote 19}	4,270,545	1,556,490	2,714,055	36.4	4,270,545	1,209,870	3,060,675	28.3
Living alone	3,299,130	1,080,340	2,218,795	32.7	3,299,135	797,035	2,502,100	24.2
Under 65 years	2,176,745	687,630	1,489,110	31.6	2,176,740	608,525	1,568,215	28.0
65 years and over	1,122,385	392,700	729,685	35.0	1,122,390	188,505	933,880	16.8
Living with non-relatives (only)	971,415	476,150	495,260	49.0	971,410	412,835	558,575	42.5
Under 65 years	902,880	446,300	456,575	49.4	902,875	396,050	506,830	43.9
65 years and over	68,535	29,850	38,685	43.6	68,535	16,785	51,750	24.5
Males 15 years and over not in economic families	2,012,010	670,135	1,341,875	33.3	2,012,010	562,275	1,449,735	27.9
Living alone	1,465,645	427,300	1,038,350	29.2	1,465,645	350,150	1,115,495	23.9
Under 65 years	1,166,200	346,840	819,365	29.7	1,166,200	310,625	855,575	26.6
65 years and over	299,440	80,460	218,985	26.9	299,445	39,520	259,920	13.2
Living with non-relatives (only)	546,365	242,835	303,525	44.4	546,365	212,125	334,240	38.8
Under 65 years	513,530	229,935	283,595	44.8	513,530	204,915	308,615	39.9
65 years and over	32,835	12,905	19,930	39.3	32,835	7,210	25,625	22.0
Female 15 years and over not in economic families	2,258,535	886,355	1,372,180	39.2	2,258,535	647,595	1,610,940	28.7
Living alone	1,833,485	653,040	1,180,445	35.6	1,833,485	446,885	1,386,600	24.4
Under 65 years	1,010,545	340,795	669,745	33.7	1,010,540	297,900	712,640	29.5
65 years and over	822,945	312,245	510,700	37.9	822,945	148,985	673,960	18.1
Living with non-relatives (only)	425,050	233,315	191,730	54.9	425,050	200,710	224,335	47.2
Under 65 years	389,350	216,370	172,980	55.6	389,350	191,135	198,210	49.1
65 years and over	35,700	16,950	18,750	47.5	35,700	9,575	26,125	26.8
Total - Persons in private households^{Footnote 20}	30,628,935	4,701,020	25,927,920	15.3	30,628,935	3,484,625	27,144,310	11.4
Under 15 years	5,420,365	991,845	4,428,515	18.3	5,420,360	733,445	4,686,920	13.5
Under 6 years	1,972,050	381,280	1,590,765	19.3	1,972,050	286,725	1,685,325	14.5
6 to 9 years	1,425,500	266,650	1,158,850	18.7	1,425,500	195,340	1,230,160	13.7
10 to 14 years	2,022,810	343,910	1,678,900	17.0	2,022,810	251,380	1,771,430	12.4
15 to 17 years	1,288,720	196,415	1,092,305	15.2	1,288,720	146,515	1,142,205	11.4
18 to 24 years	2,823,490	577,790	2,245,700	20.5	2,823,485	470,615	2,352,870	16.7
25 to 34 years	3,913,105	624,770	3,288,330	16.0	3,913,100	488,930	3,424,170	12.5
35 to 44 years	4,717,140	668,325	4,048,815	14.2	4,717,140	518,505	4,198,635	11.0
45 to 54 years	4,882,270	587,825	4,294,445	12.0	4,882,270	472,375	4,409,895	9.7
55 to 64 years	3,599,170	481,730	3,117,440	13.4	3,599,170	387,355	3,211,820	10.8
65 to 69 years	1,202,385	151,365	1,051,020	12.6	1,202,385	84,865	1,117,515	7.1
70 years and over	2,782,295	420,950	2,361,345	15.1	2,782,300	182,020	2,600,280	6.5
Males in private households	15,017,885	2,124,695	12,893,190	14.1	15,017,885	1,612,460	13,405,425	10.7
Under 15 years	2,775,405	506,955	2,268,445	18.3	2,775,405	374,820	2,400,590	13.5
Under 6 years	1,007,910	193,885	814,020	19.2	1,007,905	145,630	862,275	14.4
6 to 9 years	729,075	136,490	592,590	18.7	729,080	100,055	629,020	13.7
10 to 14 years	1,038,425	176,585	861,835	17.0	1,038,420	129,130	909,290	12.4
15 to 17 years	667,390	101,495	565,895	15.2	667,390	75,075	592,315	11.2
18 to 24 years	1,428,385	265,025	1,163,360	18.6	1,428,385	215,210	1,213,170	15.1
25 to 34 years	1,908,960	275,325	1,633,635	14.4	1,908,955	219,005	1,689,950	11.5
35 to 44 years	2,306,195	305,905	2,000,290	13.3	2,306,195	241,020	2,065,170	10.5
45 to 54 years	2,387,245	283,555	2,103,685	11.9	2,387,245	230,545	2,156,700	9.7
55 to 64 years	1,764,455	218,460	1,545,990	12.4	1,764,455	179,060	1,585,395	10.1
65 to 69 years	582,350	61,120	521,230	10.5	582,350	35,340	547,005	6.1
70 years and over	1,197,500	106,850	1,090,650	8.9	1,197,505	42,380	1,155,120	3.5
Females in private households	15,611,050	2,576,325	13,034,725	16.5	15,611,050	1,872,165	13,738,885	12.0
Under 15 years	2,644,955	484,890	2,160,070	18.3	2,644,955	358,625	2,286,330	13.6
Under 6 years	964,145	187,395	776,745	19.4	964,140	141,095	823,050	14.6
6 to 9 years	696,425	130,165	566,260	18.7	696,425	95,285	601,145	13.7
10 to 14 years	984,385	167,325	817,060	17.0	984,390	122,250	862,140	12.4
15 to 17 years	621,330	94,920	526,410	15.3	621,330	71,440	549,890	11.5
18 to 24 years	1,395,105	312,765	1,082,340	22.4	1,395,105	255,405	1,139,700	18.3
25 to 34 years	2,004,145	349,445	1,654,700	17.4	2,004,145	269,930	1,734,215	13.5
35 to 44 years	2,410,945	362,425	2,048,520	15.0	2,410,945	277,485	2,133,465	11.5
45 to 54 years	2,495,025	304,265	2,190,755	12.2	2,495,020	241,825	2,253,190	9.7
55 to 64 years	1,834,715	263,275	1,571,445	14.3	1,834,715	208,295	1,626,420	11.4
65 to 69 years	620,035	90,245	529,790	14.6	620,035	49,525	570,510	8.0
70 years and over	1,584,790	314,100	1,270,690	19.8	1,584,790	139,635	1,445,160	8.8

Footnotes

Footnote 1

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

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

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 unattached individuals 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 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.

Low income after tax cut-offs (LICO-AT) - Income levels at which families or persons not in economic families spend 20% more than average of their after tax income on food, shelter and clothing. For the 2005 matrix of low income after tax cut-offs and additional information, please refer to the 2006 Census Dictionary, Catalogue no. 92-566-XWE.

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

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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