What is it?
The census (Census of Population) is Statistics Canada’s count of the people and homes in all of Canada. Under the Statistics Act it is taken every 5 years.
Answering the census is required. The Statistics Act names the census of population and the census of agriculture as mandatory.
Numbers on age, families and households, language, immigration, ethnic or cultural origin, housing, education, income and work come from the census.
How are neighbourhood numbers made?
- The City of Toronto regroups census numbers into its own 158 neighbourhoods and publishes them as Neighbourhood Profiles.
- The City says these neighbourhoods are not an official Statistics Canada geography. The numbers are a special tabulation the City asks for.
- Our neighbourhood guides use the City’s profiles made from the 2021 Census.
Things to watch for
- Sample numbers: many rows in the profiles say “25% sample data”. They are estimates from the long questionnaire that only some households answer, not a count of everyone. Small numbers have bigger errors.
- Old numbers: the 2021 Census shows 2021. Condos built and people who moved in after that are not in it.
- Only a head count: census numbers show who lives in an area. They do not say whether an area is good or bad, or who it suits.
- Check whether a “Toronto” number is the City or the census metropolitan area (CMA). The same census gives different numbers for different borders.
What the law and official sources say
Quotes are copied word for word. The "In plain words" lines are our explanation, not an official translation.
A census of population of Canada shall be taken by Statistics Canada in the month of June in the year 1971, and every fifth year thereafter in a month to be fixed by the Governor in Council.In plain wordsIn plain words: Statistics Canada takes a census every 5 years, starting in 1971. The government sets the month.
Source: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/S-19/FullText.html · checked Nov 5, 2026
The Chief Statistician shall determine whether a request for information is mandatory or voluntary, with the exception of the census of population and census of agriculture, both of which are mandatory.In plain wordsIn plain words: the Chief Statistician decides if other surveys are required, but the census of population and of agriculture are always required by law.
Source: laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/S-19/FullText.html · checked Nov 5, 2026
Please note that social planning neighbourhoods are not an official standard geography produced by Statistics Canada and the data herein is compiled by special request through the Community Data Program.In plain wordsIn plain words: the 158 neighbourhoods are not an official Statistics Canada area. The City gets the numbers by special request.
Source: ckan0.cf.opendata.inter.prod-toronto.ca/api/3/action/package_show?id=neighbourhood-profiles · checked Nov 5, 2026
Common questions
When is the next census?
The Statistics Act sets a census every 5 years. So after 2021 comes 2026. Check Statistics Canada and City of Toronto releases for when new neighbourhood numbers come out.
Can census numbers tell me if an area is safe or has good schools?
No. The census only counts people and homes. For crime, see police data. For schools, check the address with the school board.
Guides that use this term
Sources checked
- Statistics Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. S-19, ss. 8 and 19 (Justice Laws Website) · checked Nov 5, 2026
- City of Toronto Open Data, Neighbourhood Profiles · checked Nov 5, 2026