Library and Academic Services: Statistics Canada (Database Instruction): Census Data

What is the Census?

Not all data on Statistics Canada is from the Census, there are many surveys that Statistics Canada prepares and analyzes. Here is information specific to the data collected on the 2021 Census survey

Census Video tutorials

The tools for using the Census Data are very similar to what is covered in other places in this guide, but there is some unique information. These videos will help you understand the special features of Census data.

Basic components of a table (video)
This video is designed to provide viewers with a basic understanding of how census concepts (for example, focuses, population of interest and variables) are logically structured and to show different ways of looking at data. The knowledge of these concepts is used when analyzing or creating census data products.
Census Dwelling (video)
This video will provide viewers with a basic understanding of the differences between a private dwelling and a collective dwelling, the classification of private dwellings into regular and marginal dwellings and the classification of collective dwellings into institutional and non-institutional collective dwellings. Viewers will also learn about the method of enumeration of these dwellings.
Types of dwellings (video)
The census counts dwellings to associate people with a spatial unit and to publish counts of the dwellings themselves, along with information about dwelling characteristics. This video provides information about the different variables associated with dwellings such as Structural type of dwelling, Dwelling condition, Condominium status, Period of construction, Rooms and Bedrooms in a dwelling.
Census Age (video)
The objective of this video is to provide an overview of a key indicator of the most basic demographic characteristics of the population – Age. This video explains the main concepts relating to age, the quantitative and qualitative aspect of the age variable and how age is used by the public and private sector to assess and meet social and business needs.
Census Sex at Birth and Gender (video)
This video presents information on the new gender question in the 2021 Census and the added precision of ‘at birth’ to the sex question. It highlights the importance of these modifications for greater data inclusivity and the benefits for all individuals in Canada.
Census Geography Visualization Tools (Video)
Learn how to use the interactive maps and visualization tools provided by Statistics Canada.
The objective of this video is to help users at all levels quickly understand key information derived from data with the help of powerful and dynamic tools like GeoSuite, GeoSearch and the Census Program Data Viewer.