Dictionary, Census of Population, 2016
Population density

Release date: November 16, 2016
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Definition

Population density is the number of persons per square kilometre.

Reported in

2016, 2011, 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981, 1976, 1971, 1966, 1961

Remarks

The calculation for population density is total population divided by land area. The data are available for all standard geographic areas.

Population density data support a variety of applications, such as delineating population centres, determining the population ecumene, as well as spatial analysis.

Refer to related definitions of ecumene; land area and population centre (POPCTR).

Changes prior to the current census

Prior to 2001, population density data were available for all standard geographic areas, except enumeration areas (EAs) and federal electoral districts (FEDs).

For 1976, population density data were expressed in both square kilometres and square miles.

Prior to 1976, population density data were expressed in square miles only.

More information

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Copyright

Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© Minister of Industry, 2017

All rights reserved. Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue no. 98-301-X

Ottawa

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