Size of household

Status: This was the departmental standard from July 15, 1998 to April 15, 2012.

Definition

Size refers to the number of persons or things in the statistical unit or to its physical dimensions.

Household is generally defined as being composed of a person or group of persons who co-reside in, or occupy, a dwelling. As in the case of dwellings, both collective and private households are identified.

Household refers to a person or group of persons who occupy the same dwelling and do not have a usual place of residence elsewhere in Canada or abroad. The dwelling may be either a collective dwelling or a private dwelling. The household may consist of a family group such as a census family, of two or more families sharing a dwelling, of a group of unrelated persons or of a person living alone. Household members who are temporarily absent on reference day are considered part of their usual household.

The household universe is divided into two sub-universes on the basis of whether or not the household is occupying a collective dwelling or a private dwelling. The former is identified as a collective household while the latter is a private household.

Conformity to relevant internationally recognized standards

There are no relevant internationally recognized standards.

Measurements

  • 'Number of persons (one or more)' is expressed as a number ranging from one to the maximum number on the file. July 15, 1998 to current
  • Whole number March 16, 1998 to current

Relation to previous version

  • Size of household April 16, 2012 to March 23, 2016

    This definition was updated on April 16, 2012.

  • Size of household July 15, 1998 to April 15, 2012

    This standard was replaced by a new departmental standard on April 16, 2012.

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