Toronto Neighbourhoods and Census Data Research Guide

Neighbourhoods and Census Data : Census Terminology

Census Metropolitan Area (CMA)

A CMA is a Statistics Canada defined area. The Toronto CMA includes Toronto and areas influenced by Toronto. It extends North to Lake Simcoe, east to Ajax and west to Oakville.

CMA's are subdivided into a variety of levels including Census Divisions (CDs), Census Subdivisions (CSDs) and Census Tracts (CTs).

The Toronto CMA should not be confused with the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The GTA consists of the City of Toronto and the surrounding municipalities of Halton, Peel, York and Durham. The University of Toronto Data Library Service provides a map which highlights the differences.

Census Tract (CT)

A CT is defined as a small, relatively stable geographic areas that usually has a population of 2,500 to 8,000. When researching a neighbourhood, the most useful data will be at the CT level.

Census Division (CD)

A CD is defined by Statistics Canada as the general term for counties or regional municipalities such as Peel, York or Durham. Census Divisions are intermediate geographic areas between the province level and the municipality.

Census Subdivision (CSD)

A CSD is defined by Statistics Canada as the general term for municipalities such as Mississauga, Brampton or Pickering.

Dissemination Area (DA)

A DA is defined by Statistics Canada as a small, relatively stable geographic unit composed of one or more blocks and is smaller than a census tract.

Census 2006

The Toronto CMA has 1003 census tracts in 2006, each with a unique number. About 1700 variables are available in electronic format for the 2006 census. Only about 500 variables will be available in the print version of the profile data which is due out in April 2009.

The smallest area data available for 2006 are Dissemination Areas (DAs). DAs are small areas composed of one or more neighbouring blocks, with a population of 400 to 700 persons. All of Canada is divided in DAs. However population and dwelling counts are available at the block level using GeoSearch2006.

In order to uniquely identify each DA in Canada, the two-digit province code and the two-digit CD (Census Division) code must precede the DA code. An example would be 12090411 which stands for: 12 (Nova Scotia), 09 (Halifax County) and 0411 for the specific DA.

Census 2001

The Toronto CMA has 932 census tracts in 2001, each with a unique number. About 1700 variables are available in electronic format for the 2001 census. Only about 500 variables are available in the print version of the profile data.

The smallest area data available for 2001 are Dissemination Areas (DAs). DAs are small areas composed of one or more neighbouring blocks, with a population of 400 to 700 persons. All of Canada is divided in DAs. However population and dwelling counts are available at the block level using GeoSearch.

In order to uniquely identify each DA in Canada, the two-digit province code and the two-digit CD (Census Division) code must precede the DA code. An example would be 12090411 which stands for: 12 (Nova Scotia), 09 (Halifax County) and 0411 for the specific DA.

Census 1996

Toronto CMA has 818 census tracts in 1996, each with a unique number. The smallest area data available for 1996 are Enumeration Areas (EA). An EA contains a maximum of 440 dwellings in large urban areas. Thus a large apartment building may comprise more than one EA. In order to uniquely identify each EA in Canada the 3 digit EA code is preceded by the 2 digit province code and the 3 digit Federal Electoral District (FED) code. An example would be 35097001 which stands for 35 (for Ontario), 087 (for Trinity-Spadina), 001 (for the ) EA. This EA is in Census Tract 008.00 of Toronto.

The next step is to identify to relevant census tract, and related data, for the neighbourhood you have selected.