The data for this variable are reported using the following classification(s) and/or list(s):

• Census family status
• Children in families
• Household living arrangements
• Living in family household

'Household living arrangements' refers to whether or not the person lives with another person or persons and, if so, whether or not he or she is related to that person or persons. This is a derived variable. It is derived from the responses to questions about the relationships among the people who live in the household.

'Person' refers to an individual and is the unit of analysis for most social statistics programmes.

Note: In the 2011 National Household Survey, household living arrangements also refers to whether or not the person is living in a household that contains at least one census family, and whether or not he or she is a member of a census family. Persons not in census families are further classified as living with relatives, living with non-relatives (only) or living alone.

See also:

• Census family status of person, category
• Living in family household of person, category
• Private household

The data for this variable are reported using the following classification(s) and/or list(s):

• Economic family status

'Economic family status' refers to whether or not the person is a member of an economic family and, if so, his or her status in that economic family. This is a derived variable. It is derived from the responses to questions about the relationships among the people who live in the household.

'Person' refers to an individual and is the unit of analysis for most social statistics programmes.

The data for this variable are reported using the following classification(s) and/or list(s):

• Census family status
• Census family status, variant with children

'Census family status' refers to whether or not the person is a member of a census family and, if so, his or her status in that census family, either as a member of a couple, as a lone parent or as a child.

'Person' refers to an individual and is the unit of analysis for most social statistics programmes.

See also: Census family

The data for this variable are reported using the following classification(s) and/or list(s):

• Number of persons (two or more)
• Size of economic family

'Size' refers to the number of persons or things in the statistical unit or to its physical dimensions.

In the context of economic family size refers to the number of persons in the family.

'Economic family' refers to a group of two or more persons who live in the same dwelling and are related to each other by blood, marriage, common-law or adoption. A couple may be of opposite or same sex. Foster children are included.

By definition, all persons who are members of a census family are also members of an economic family. Examples of the broader concept of economic family include the following: two co-resident census families who are related to one another are considered one economic family; co-resident siblings who are not members of a census family are considered as one economic family; and, nieces or nephews living with aunts or uncles are considered one economic family.

Note: In the 2011 National Household Survey, 'Size of economic family' is referred to as 'Economic family size'.

The data for this variable are reported using the following classification(s) and/or list(s):

• Sex of reference person in a family
• Sex of reference person in a lone-parent family

'Sex of reference person' refers to the sex of the family reference person. The family reference person is determined through procedures specific to each survey. Options include the older spouse or partner, the first spouse or partner listed, the major income earner or the parent in a lone-parent family.

'Economic family' refers to a group of two or more persons who live in the same dwelling and are related to each other by blood, marriage, common-law or adoption. A couple may be of opposite or same sex. Foster children are included.

By definition, all persons who are members of a census family are also members of an economic family. Examples of the broader concept of economic family include the following: two co-resident census families who are related to one another are considered one economic family; co-resident siblings who are not members of a census family are considered as one economic family; and, nieces or nephews living with aunts or uncles are considered one economic family.

The data for this variable are reported using the following classification(s) and/or list(s):

• Family structure for economic family

'Family structure' refers to the combination of relatives that comprise a family. Classification on this variable considers the presence or absence of: legally married spouses or common law partners; children; and, in the case of economic families, other relatives.

'Economic family' refers to a group of two or more persons who live in the same dwelling and are related to each other by blood, marriage, common-law or adoption. A couple may be of opposite or same sex. Foster children are included.

By definition, all persons who are members of a census family are also members of an economic family. Examples of the broader concept of economic family include the following: two co-resident census families who are related to one another are considered one economic family; co-resident siblings who are not members of a census family are considered as one economic family; and, nieces or nephews living with aunts or uncles are considered one economic family.

Note: In the 2011 National Household Survey, 'Family structure of economic family' is referred to as ‘Economic family structure’.

The data for this variable are reported using the following classification(s) and/or list(s):

• Child presence any age

'Child presence any age' refers to whether or not the family includes any children. To be included, children must live in the same household as the family, without a spouse, common-law partner or one or more of their children living in the same household. In a census family, they may be children by birth, marriage or adoption. In an economic family, foster children are also included.

'Economic family' refers to a group of two or more persons who live in the same dwelling and are related to each other by blood, marriage, common-law or adoption. A couple may be of opposite or same sex. Foster children are included.

By definition, all persons who are members of a census family are also members of an economic family. Examples of the broader concept of economic family include the following: two co-resident census families who are related to one another are considered one economic family; co-resident siblings who are not members of a census family are considered as one economic family; and, nieces or nephews living with aunts or uncles are considered one economic family.

The data for this variable are reported using the following classification(s) and/or list(s):

• Child presence any age

'Child presence any age' refers to whether or not the family includes any children. To be included, children must live in the same household as the family, without a spouse, common-law partner or one or more of their children living in the same household. In a census family, they may be children by birth, marriage or adoption. In an economic family, foster children are also included.

'Census family' refers to a married couple and the children, if any, of either or both spouses; a couple living common law and the children, if any, of either or both partners; or, a lone parent of any marital status with at least one child living in the same dwelling and that child or those children. All members of a particular census family live in the same dwelling. A couple may be of opposite or same sex. Children may be children by birth, marriage or adoption regardless of their age or marital status as long as they live in the dwelling and do not have their own spouse or child living in the dwelling. Grandchildren living with their grandparent(s) but with no parents present also constitute a census family.

The data for this variable are reported using the following classification(s) and/or list(s):

• Type of private household
• Variant of type of private household

'Type' refers to a general character, form, or a characteristic that distinguishes a particular group or class of things.

In the context of household, type refers to the types of groupings of persons and living arrangements found in private households.

'Private household' refers to a person or group of persons who occupy the same dwelling and do not have a usual place of residence elsewhere in Canada or abroad. The household universe is divided into two sub-universes on the basis of whether the household is occupying a collective dwelling or a private dwelling. The latter is a private household.

Note: In the 2011 National Household Survey, 'Type of private household' is referred to as 'Household Type'.

The data for this variable are reported using the following classification(s) and/or list(s):

• Household size
• 'Number of persons (one or more)' is expressed as a number ranging from one to the maximum number on the file.

'Size' refers to the number of persons or things in the statistical unit or to its physical dimensions.

In the context of household, size refers to the number of persons residing in private households. Collective households and households outside Canada are not included.

'Private household' refers to a person or group of persons who occupy the same dwelling and do not have a usual place of residence elsewhere in Canada or abroad. The household universe is divided into two sub-universes on the basis of whether the household is occupying a collective dwelling or a private dwelling. The latter is a private household.

Note: In the 2011 National Household Survey, 'Size of private household' is referred to as 'Household size'.