Household size of private household

Status: This standard was approved as a departmental standard on March 24, 2016.

Definition

Household size refers to the number of persons in a private household.

Private 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 household universe is divided into two sub-universes on the basis of whether the household is occupying a collective dwelling or a private dwelling. The latter is a private household.

Conformity to relevant internationally recognized standards

This standard is compatible with the recommendations for censuses contained in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Conference of European Statisticians (UNECE-CES) "Recommendations for the 2030 Round of Population and Housing Censuses", 2025. The UNECE-CES recommendations include a classification (section 16.2.2.3) of private household size including: 1 person, 2 persons, 3 persons, 4 persons, 5 persons, and 6 or more persons.

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 July 30, 2026

Classifications

Relation to previous version

  • Household size of private household March 24, 2016 to current

    July 31, 2026 - A classification of household size was added.

    March 24, 2016 - This is an update of 'Size of household'. 'Household size' has replaced 'size' to allow for a more specific definition. 'Private household' has replaced 'household' as the statistical unit.

  • Size of private household September 11, 2013 to March 23, 2016

    This standard was replaced by the 'Household size of private household' as of March 24, 2016.

  • 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.

Date modified: