Table A1
Census family membership as defined in the census of population, 1941 to 2011

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Table summary
This table displays the results of Census family membership as defined in the census of population. The information is grouped by Census family (appearing as row headers), 1941 to 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011 (appearing as column headers).
Census family 1941 to 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 2011
Spouse/partner (with or without children) or lone parent  
Married spouse (opposite-sex) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Married spouse (same-sex) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ✓ ✓
Common-law partner (opposite-sex)Note 1 ... ... ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Common-law partner (same-sex) ... ... ... ... ... ... ✓ ✓ ✓
Lone parentNote 2 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
ChildNote 3  
Never-married son or daughter who is not living with his or her own child ✓Note 4 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓Note 4 ✓Note 4 ✓Note 4
Never-married son or daughter who is living with his or her own child ✓Note 5 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Previously-married son or daughter who is not living with his or her own child ... ... ... ... ... ... ✓Note 4 ✓Note 4 ✓Note 4
Guardianship childNote 6 aged 20 years and under ✓ ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

... not applicable

✓ indicates membership in the corresponding census(es).

Note 1.

Opposite-sex common-law partners were included with married spouses at least since 1971. They are identifiable separately on the database since 1981, even though they were not shown separately in published tables (including those on marital status) until 1991, the year common-law status was first asked about on the census questionnaire under marital status.

Return to note 1 referrer

Note 2.

The presence of a “lone parent” depends on the presence of a “child” as defined for that year.

Return to note 2 referrer

Note 3.

For all census years included in this table, a child in a census family may not be currently living with a married spouse or common-law partner.

Return to note 3 referrer

Note 4.

Includes grandchildren living with a grandparent and no parent(s) present.

Return to note 4 referrer

Note 5.

The child of that never-married son or daughter, i.e., a grandchild in a three-generation household, is also considered to be part of the census family for the period 1941 to 1971.

Return to note 5 referrer

Note 6.

Examples include nieces, nephews or other wards for which no pay was received by the guardian.

Return to note 6 referrer

Sources: 1941 to 1971 adapted from Gauthier, H. 1971. The Census Definition of Family: 1871-1971, Population and Housing Research Memorandum no. PH-FAM-1, Statistics Canada catalogue no. 1570E. 1976 to 2011: 2011 Census Dictionary.
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