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| Census 2006 / Census 2006 - Local Data / Census 2001 / Census Geography / Quote Request | |
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| Census 2006 / Census 2006 - Local Data / Census 2001 / Census Geography / Quote Request | |
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The 2006 Census is now fully released. For more details see: 2006 Census. You can however still access 2001 Census data right on the Statistics Canada web site for historical comparisons. Statistics Canada has tried to be helpful and comprehensive by offering a number of ways to access Census information. Unfortunately on first sight it is a bit overwhelming if not confusing for someone new to the Census. The best place to introduce yourself to Census data is the “search by topic” page: Here you will find the following list of major topic areas covered by the Census: Each is linked to a list of relevant tables. You will find that many of the tables listed require a fee to access. The first thing to keep in mind when viewing these results lists is that while Statistics Canada has provided more Census data online than ever before, the data accessible free of charge is limited to national, provincial and metropolitan area data. In most cases the difference between the chargeable and free tables is simply the geographical coverage and not the actually variables provided. The chargeable tables provide data at a sub-metropolitan level. If you do not want to purchase data, you can quickly focus the table results list on free information only. Simply click on the “check box” labeled “Include free data only in search results.” located in the top left corner of the results page. You can also access the free tables via our Source Lists. Simply use our Census search page which allows you to keyword search the tables. The resulting references will provide you with the corresponding table number which you can then put in the Census Catalogue search engine. If you live is a small metropolitan area (or agglomeration as Stats Can calls them) the free metropolitan level detail can be useful. However if your market is within one of the major urban centres across Canada, metropolitan data is far too large. For example the Census Metropolitan Area of Toronto is a land area of 5,902 square km and home to nearly 4.7 million. There are a limited number of small businesses that would want to target this entire area. Happily there are a number of free options to access local neighborhood Census data. However before you access them, it is best to have a basic understanding of Census geography. If you are not familiar with the terms Census Division and Census Tract, please read our Census Geography overview page first.
Accessing Local Data - 2001 Census
Geo-Search 2001 All of the above geographical units (Nation, Province, CMA/CA, CD, CSD, CT, and DA) can be accessed free of charge in the Geo-Search database. Geo-Search is a FREE online database that allows you to focus on a specific local market and assess its population size and dwelling counts. Unfortunately it does not include any other Census variables. You can search this database by place name, street and even street intersection. You can also point and click on a map of Canada and zoom in on your city and neighborhood to find out local population counts. All search results are displayed as an interactive map, on which you can zoom in or out of or pan from side to side. It all works quite quickly and effectively with a high-speed Internet connection. Even a standard speed Internet connection works reasonably well. The graphic icons for the various features of the database are not particularly intuitive but a quick click on the "?" will provide you with all the information you need to be able to easily use this Census tool. As mentioned above, the smallest geographical unit available for most areas is a Dissemination Area. By selecting the location of your business and building up a profile of surrounding Dissemination Areas you can assess your market size within a specific radius of your business. You can then compare the direct market of your location vs. that of your local competitors. You can also assess larger standard Census geographical areas.
2001 Community Profiles If you want a little bit more Census detail at a municipal level (CSD) use the 2001 Community Profiles feature of the Statistics Canada web site. This database includes details on age and gender, marital status, mobility status (recent movers), immigrants, visible minority groups, school attendance, highest level of schooling, average earnings, income, place of work (e.g. at home), mode of transportation to work, occupation groupings, owned and renter dwellings and religion. This resource also includes non-Census health data by health region. It covers Self-Reported Health, Obesity, Smoking Status, Physical activity, and Mammography. If you want to access free Census data that is even more detailed at the municipal level and by Census Tract you will need to use the hardcopy versions of the 2001 Census Profiles. Click here for a complete list of Census variables. These publications are available in most major libraries across Canada. They profile Census Divisions, Census Sub-divisions and Census Tracts. Each of the Census Tract publications covers one large metropolitan area or a couple smaller cities. They include a Census Tract map of the metropolitan areas covered as well as related tables of detailed Census data. When you first consult these publications they may seem daunting but they are actually quite simple to use. First consult the map portion and identify the Census Tract numbers associated with your local market. Then match these numbers to the appropriate columns in the data portion of the publication. You can download your own electronic versions of Census Tract maps. Note however that these maps only provide Census Tract boundaries and numbers. You will still need to consult the Profile publications for the actual data. Statistics Canada has a few Census Tract maps with highlight data plotted on them. The variables however are limited in scope. (e.g. median age, daytime population, % of visible minorities, households containing a couple with children)
Market Research Handbook Another source for Census information at a metropolitan area level (both Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations) is the Statistics Canada publication Market Research Handbook. This annual publication is a compendium of a wide variety of Statistics Canada business and population data. The section for metropolitan areas includes highlight data on the following Census and non-census topics:
Other Government Sources for Census Data In addition to the Stats Can Census publications, many municipalities have now purchased the latest Census data and published it online by local city ward or district. The data is often highlight in nature but it is a convenient and free way to access local information online.
For example: City of Toronto Ward Profiles http://app.toronto.ca/wards/jsp/wards.jsp
City of Vancouver Community Profiles
Visit your local municipal government web site to see if Census data has been compiled for your market. When looking for this information look at the "Economic Development" and/or "City Planning" departments of your local municipal government. You should also contact these departments directly off-line to see if they have produced any recent reports or forecasts. The types of information available from your local city hall may pleasantly surprise you. Another resource that compiles Census data along with other stats at a local geographical level are provincial governments. In some provinces there are distinct departments or agencies that are in charge of disseminating statistics. The following list identifies their online locations:
Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics
Agency
InfoPEI
Institut de la statistique du Québec.
Saskatchewan Bureau of Statistics
BC Stats
Government of Nunavut Statistical
Division
Northwest Territories Bureau of
Statistics
Yukon
Bureau of Statistics
Keep in mind that while these statistical departments provide access to the vast majority of available data, some information is only accessible through other specific government departments and agencies. To be thorough in your research look at any other government department that may be related to your business or market. The provinces that are not identified above do not have a separate statistical department. In some of these provinces local data is provided through investor web sites:
Alberta-Canada: A Wealth of Opportunity
Ontario
Investment Service
Data is also disseminated by the ministries of finance within these provinces and others (see below). Unfortunately statistics are also scattered across various provincial ministries. You will need to follow up on all departments that may collect relevant data.
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Ontario
Manitoba
If you have a budget, you can purchase electronic Census profiles for local neighbourhoods by CT, DA (see above for geographical definitions) or FSAs (Forward Sortation Area - first three characters of a postal code). The charge is generally $60.00 plus $3.95 per geographical area. This pricing can quickly add up especially for a new entrepreneur with a limited research budget. Remember you can access Census profiles by Census Tract free of charge by consulting Census publications available in most major libraries. Unfortunately FSA and DA level data is only available electronically. One clear advantage of electronic versions is that you can sort and rank various areas to highlight those that best meet your target market. If you would like to order electronic Census profiles, contact Statistics Canada directly or GDSourcing at contact@gdsourcing.com.
Custom & Semi-Custom Tabulations While the online data at the Statistics Canada web site is comprehensive, you can access even more detailed Census data by ordering custom tabulations. Nearly any variable can be crossed with another (for example Number of self-employed who live in homes of a specific household value). These types of detailed cross-tabulations start at around $1000 and take a number of weeks to be completed. Unfortunately for many entrepreneurs this pricing level and turn around time is prohibitive. Statistics Canada has one semi-custom Census product that is reasonably priced. It is called the Target Group Profile. You choose a target group such as an age group, visible minority group, income or even an occupation (e.g. dentists). Statistics Canada will then provide you with a detailed Census Profile of that particular group. (Click here for a complete list of Census variables) For example this would let you know among many other variables what % of dentists are divorced, ride their bike to work, have children, and the number of hours they spend on housework and childcare. The charge for a Target Group Profile is $275 plus $3.45 per geographical area. If you want a Target Group Profile for Canada, ten provinces and three territories the charge is $275 + ($3.45 x 13) = $319.85. You could also choose specific Census Tracts. A word of caution however: Statistics Canada will not release any information that could jeopardize confidentiality. If there are not enough “dentists” in a specific Census Tract, the data will be suppressed. If you would like more information on custom or semi-custom Census data or would like to place an order, contact Statistics Canada directly or GDSourcing at contact@gdsourcing.com
© John White, GDSourcing - Research & Retrieval 2007
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