Size of household

Status: This standard was replaced by the 'Size of private household' as of September 11, 2013.

Definition

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

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.

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

Additional information

In the context of household, size refers to the number of persons residing in private households. Collective households and households outside Canada are not included.

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.