Statistics Canada
www.statcan.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
View the most recent version.Archived Content
Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.
Urban core, urban fringe and rural fringe
Part A - Plain language definition:
Not applicable
Part B - Detailed definition:
'Urban core, urban fringe and rural fringe' distinguish between central and peripheral urban and rural areas within a census metropolitan area (CMA) or census agglomeration (CA).
'Urban core' is a large urban area around which a CMA or a CA is delineated. The urban core must have a population (based on the previous census) of at least 50,000 persons in the case of a CMA, or at least 10,000 persons in the case of a CA.
The urban core of a CA that has been merged with an adjacent CMA or larger CA is called the 'secondary urban core'.
'Urban fringe' includes all small urban areas within a CMA or CA that are not contiguous with the urban core of the CMA or CA.
'Rural fringe' is all territory within a CMA or CA not classified as an urban core or an urban fringe.
More information on Urban core, urban fringe and rural fringe
