Family size (for census family)

Status: This standard was approved as a departmental standard on July 31, 2026.

Definition

Family size refers to the number of persons in the family.

Census family refers to a married or common-law couple (with or without children) or a one-parent family. All members of a particular census family share a usual place of residence. Persons living with at least one of their biological or adopted parents are children in census families, regardless of their age or marital status, provided they do not live in a couple or with their children. Grandchildren living with at least one of their grandparents and with no parents present also constitute a census family.

Conformity to relevant internationally recognized standards

There are no relevant internationally recognized standards.

Classifications

Relation to previous version

  • Family size (for census family) July 31, 2026 to current

    The definition of the statistical unit "Census family" has been modified. The Classification of family size has been added.

  • Family size (for census family) May 26, 2021 to July 30, 2026

    The definition of the statistical unit has been modified.

  • Family size of census family November 16, 2015 to May 25, 2021

    This is an update to 'Size of census family'. The concept has been renamed "Family size" and its definition has been simplified.

  • Size of census family October 22, 2007 to November 15, 2015

    This standard was replaced by the 'Family size of census family' as of November 16, 2015.

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