Data Quality Index for Census Divisions, Census Subdivisions, Census Tracts, Enumeration Areas and Forward Sortation Areas

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Data Quality Index for Census Divisions, Census Subdivisions, Census Tracts, Enumeration Areas and Forward Sortation Areas

In general, the Census has been able to obtain accurate population and dwelling counts and to maintain high response rates to census questions for all geographic areas in Canada. However, some census subdivisions (CSDs), mostly Indian reserves and Indian settlements, have registered very high non-response rates for some census questions despite the fact that accurate population and dwelling counts were obtained.

A data quality index based on a global non-response rate is given for some census divisions (CDs), census subdivisions (CSDs), census tracts (CTs), enumeration areas (EAs) and forward sortation areas (FSAs) to reflect this situation. The global non-response rate used for this data quality index, T, is the percentage of required responses left unanswered by the respondents. Only census questions for dissemination purposes are used in the calculation of the global non-response rate. The data quality index is expressed by indicating an interval for T:

CDs, CSDs, CTs, EAs and FSAs with no data quality index shown have a global non-response rate lower than 5%. Tabulations on CDs, CSDs, CTs, EAs and FSAs for which the data quality index is greater than or equal to 5% and less than 25% are to be used with caution. Only population and dwelling counts are released for the CDs, CSDs, CTs, EAs and FSAs for which the data quality index is greater than or equal to 25%. This non-response is a very localized phenomenon; hence census data other than population and dwelling counts are included in all higher geographic level tabulations. Tabulations for geographic areas containing one or more of these census divisions, census subdivisions, census tracts, enumeration areas and forward sortation areas are not subject to any particular note.

Note: Tables showing CD, CSDs, CTs, EAs and FSAs with global non-response rates greater than or equal to 5% and less than 25% are available on request. Also, tables showing CSDs, CTs and EAs with global non-response rates greater than or equal to 25% are available on request.