Maps of Census Geographies

Data is often available for many different areas (or geographies). In this section, you can find out what the most common analysis areas looks like. For a summary of all these geographies, please see the Summary Census Geography document.

If you do not find the information you are looking for in this table, try our Other Resources or contact us in our Planning department.

Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs)

Census metropolitan areas consist of large urbanized areas that surround an urban core. The urban core must have a population greater than 100,000. Peel is a part of the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area.

Please note that the boundaries of the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area and the Greater Toronto Area are different.

Comparison Between the Greater Toronto Area and the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area Boundaries, 2006

Census Divisions (CDs)

Census divisions are counties, regional districts or regional municipalities. Peel is a census division. Refer to Summary Census Geography document.

Census Subdivisions (CSDs)

Census subdivisions are cities, towns, villages and townships that are incorporated into census divisions. Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon are census subdivisions. Refer to Summary Census Geography document.

Forward Sortation Areas (FSAs)

Forward sortation areas are the areas represented by the first three digits of a postal code.

Forward Sortation Areas, 2006

Federal Electoral Districts (FEDs)

Federal electoral districts are also known as federal ridings. They are served by a member of parliament.

Federal Electoral Districts, 2006

Wards

Wards are an electoral district within a municipality used in local politics.

Wards 2010
Wards 2006

Census Tracts (CTs)

Census tracts are relatively permanent neighbourhoods that are home to about 4,000 people.

Census tract boundaries are usually defined by physical features such as roads, streams and railroad tracks.

Census Tracts, 2006

Dissemination Areas (DAs)

Dissemination areas have a population of about 500 people. They are based on the area that can be canvassed by one Census Enumerator.

Dissemination Area Map, 2006

Service Delivery Areas (SDAs)

Service Delivery Areas (SDAs) are geographies intended to support service planning and delivery by providing service providers with data that is relevant to the local geographies they serve. SDAs were drafted based on homogeneous socioeconomic census characteristics and broad-based consultations with service providers across Peel Region. SDAs are comprised of census dissemination areas (the smallest standard geography for census data) and have varying population thresholds for each municipality.

Service Delivery Areas Map, 2006