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2006 Census Maps – New Releases
The Atlas of Canada, produced by Natural Resources Canada, in partnership with Statistics Canada, presents a series of maps and accompanying analysis of national and regional data results from the 2006 Census. This third and final release focuses on Aboriginal population, income, education and the sex composition of the population.
The Aboriginal population of Canada is diverse with distinct cultures, traditions and languages. Using the Census of Population, Aboriginal peoples may be identified using any of four concepts: Aboriginal identity; Aboriginal ancestry: member of an Indian band/First Nation; and Registered or Treaty Indian. The maps focus on the Aboriginal identity population, that is, persons who identified as North American Indian (First Nations people), Métis or Inuit.
In 2005, an estimated 18 201 000 people reported employment income (earnings), an increase of more than 1.5 million from five years ago. The national median earnings of persons 15 years and over was $26 850. These earnings were one component of household total income. The national median income for 12 437 470 households in 2005 was $53 634 up 2.3% from 2000.
Education and lifelong learning today play a critical role in the development of economies and societies. In Canada, education is the responsibility of the 10 provinces and 3 territories. While educational structures and institutions across the country are similar in many ways, they have been developed by each jurisdiction to respond to the particular circumstances, geographical situation, and historical and cultural heritage of the population they serve.
Sex Composition of the Population
In most regions in Canada, the numbers of males and females are nearly equal. Typically, there are more males than females at the younger ages and more females than males at the older ages. This differential sex composition results primarily from the predominance of males at birth and higher life expectancy of females at older ages. In certain regions, in-migration of males tends to tilt the sex composition in favour of males, particularly in the younger working age groups.
2006 Census Maps – Past Releases
Language is the most important way culture is transmitted. In Canada, there are two official languages, English and French. Their status is entrenched in the country's history, conferring rights and institutional support for Anglophones and Francophones. In addition, over 100 other non-official languages are also spoken in Canada.
Between 2001 and 2006, total employment increased at an annual average rate of 1.7%, the fastest rate increase among the Group of Seven (G7) nations. Italy's growth rate of 1.2% was second followed by France and the United States of America. The growth in employment reflected the nation's economic performance. During this five-year period, gross domestic product (GDP) rose at an annual average rate of 2.7% a year. Employment rose in every part of the country. However, growth was strongest in the western provinces, especially in Alberta and British Columbia.
Housing in Canada is not simply a place of shelter from the elements; its importance to Canadians is much broader. It is important to family; it links us to neighbourhoods and the larger communities outside our homes. A home is used as a base for finding and maintaining employment, for raising children, socializing and accessing public and private services.
Though Canada is the second largest land mass in the world, it is one of the least populated countries. According to the 2006 Census, it had a population of 31.6 million and a population density of 3.5 persons per square kilometre. Most Canadians live in urban areas, mainly within 200 kilometres of the United States. Ontario and Quebec, the two largest provinces with, respectively, 12.2 million and 7.5 million people comprised about 62% of the nation’s population.
Visible Minority Population, 2006
The 2006 Census estimated 5.1 million individuals who belonged to a visible minority. The Employment Equity Act defines visible minorities as 'persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour’. This map shows the percentage of visible minorities by census divisions and subdivisions.
Aging is one of the most important features of Canada’s demographic structure. The median age, which divides the population into two groups of equal size, has been rising steadily since 1966. In 2006, the median age of Canada’s population reached an all-time high of 39.5 years, up from 25.4 years in 1966 and 29.6 years in 1981. In general, Canada's population can be neatly demarcated geographically by its age structure. The population is generally younger as one moves progressively north of the United States - Canada border or moves west from Ontario (except British Columbia).
The 2006 Census enumerated 8 896 800 families in Canada. Married couples constituted the largest group (68.6%), although their proportion has been steadily decreasing for the past 20 years. The number of common-law-couple families increased 18.9% between 2001 and 2006, more than five times the 3.5% gain observed for married-couple families and more than double the growth of 7.8% for lone-parent families. Lone-parent families headed by men increased 14.6% during the five years prior to 2006, more than twice the growth of lone-parent families headed by women (6.3%). For the first time in 2006 there were more census families comprised of couples without children (42.7%) than with children (41.4%).
The 2006 Census enumerated 6.2 million foreign-born in Canada. The majority of the foreign-born population (86.8%) lived in three provinces: Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. The map shows the percentage of the total population that was foreign-born by census division and census subdivision.
