Index of Remoteness

Geographic proximity to service centres and population centres is an important determinant of socio-economic and health outcomes. Consequently, it is a relevant dimension in the analysis and delivery of policies and programs.

To measure this dimension, Statistics Canada developed an Index of Remoteness of communities. For each populated community (census subdivision), the index is determined by its distance to all the population centres defined by Statistics Canada in a given travel radius, as well as their population size.