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Census / 2011 National Household Survey (NHS)

This guide will lead you to resources of statistics and data for the 2011 Census of Canada and the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS).

Statistics Canada Guide for Data Users

Other 2011 NHS Sources

Download Beyond 20/20

Statistics Canada releases some of their files in Beyond 20/20 format, a free Windows-based program that allows users to manipulate their data to a much greater degree than is possible with the interface on the Statistics Canada website.

2011 NHS Profile

Data is included  for provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas/census agglomerations, census divisions, census subdivisions, census tracts and federal electoral districts.

2011 NHS Data Tables

These tables provide statistical information about aboriginal peoples, immigration and ethnocultural diversity, education, labour, mobility, migration, income and housing at  the following geographic areas: Canada, provinces, territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations.

Things to Consider When Using NHS Data

Because of the differences in methodology between a mandatory census and a voluntary survey, students, researchers, and policy makers need to be cognizant of the following when using and interpreting NHS data:

  • Caution should be used when comparing NHS data to the 2006 Census or earlier censuses, especially when it comes to data for small geographies.  See "Comparability of the NHS estimates" in the National Household Survey User Guide for more information.  Both subsections, "Comparability of the NHS estimates and the 2006 Census" and "Discrepancy between 2011 Census counts and 2011 NHS estimates" are important to consider.