Population Centre Boundary File

The Population Centre Boundary Files portray the population centre boundaries for which census data are disseminated. A population centre has a minimum population concentration of 1,000 persons and a population density of at least 400 persons per square kilometre, based on the current census population count. The files contain the boundaries of all population centres defined for the census.

There are two types of boundary files: digital and cartographic. Digital files depict the full extent of the geographical areas, including the coastal water area. Cartographic files depict the geographical areas using only the major land mass of Canada and its coastal islands. The files provide a framework for mapping and spatial analysis using commercially available geographic information systems (GIS) or other mapping software.

The Population Centre Boundary Files are in latitude and longitude coordinates and are based on the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83). A reference guide is available (92-160-G).