Census Undercounts – 1971-Present
What is the census undercount?
The census undercount (also known as census undercoverage) refers to the number of Canadian residents not recorded in the Statistics Canada census. In each census, despite census officials working hard to count the entire population on Census Day, some Canadian residents are missed and some are counted more than once. Statistics Canada adjusts official population estimates to include net undercoverage estimates (persons missed minus persons counted more than once).
To learn how to calculate total population with census undercount, please read the Guide to Calculating Total Population with Census Undercount (PDF 34KB, 1 page).
For more information on why the undercount exists and how it is determined, please consult the Census Undercount FAQ.
| Estimated Net Census Undercoverage Rates (1986-2009) |
| Census Year1 |
Peel Region2 |
Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA)3 |
Ontario5 |
| 19714 |
- |
- |
1.68% |
| 19764 |
- |
- |
1.52% |
| 19814 |
- |
- |
1.94% |
| 19864 |
3.79% |
3.95% |
3.43% |
| 1991 |
3.39% |
4.03% |
3.79% |
| 1996 |
2.99% |
3.39% |
2.94% |
| 2001 |
4.19% |
5.17% |
3.81% |
| 2006 |
- |
4.94% |
3.81% |
1 Census years are in bold. Non-census years use the undercoverage rate of the previous Census.
2 Undercoverage rates for Peel Region for the 2006 census and census years prior to 1986 are unavailable. The source for Peel Region undercoverage estimates is Hemson Consulting.
3 Undercoverage rates for the Toronto CMA for census years prior to 1986 are not available. The source for Toronto CMA undercoverage estimates is Statistics Canada.
4 Gross population undercoverage rate (does not account for census overcoverage). Net census undercoverage rate not available.
5 The source for Ontario undercoverage estimates is Statistics Canada.
Other Resources
Peel’s most recent population forecasts.
Please send comments and questions to:
Peel Data Centre
Region of Peel
Integrated Planning Division, Corporate Services
10 Peel Centre Dr., Suite A, 6th Flr.
Brampton, ON L6T 4B9