Ottawa – January 16, 2014 – The National Household Survey, which replaced the mandatory long-form Census in 2011, was released by Statistics Canada in three waves throughout 2013 and reveals a striking snapshot of Canadian life.

4.3% – The percentage of the total Canadian population who reported Aboriginal identity in 2011.

20.6% – The proportion of Canadians in 2011 who were foreign-born.

1.2 million – The number of immigrants who arrived in Canada between 2006 to 2011, and settled in a census metropolitan area.

13 – Ethnic origins, out of more than 200 reported, that surpassed the one million mark.

36.6% – The percentage of Canadians overall who can speak more than one language; 74.5% among foreign-born.

23.9% – The percentage of people with no religious affiliation.

Education, Labour and Commuting

10.7% – The percentage of Canadians aged 25 to 34 who had a trades certificate compared to 12.8 per cent for those aged 55 to 64, in 2011.

64.1% – The percentage of Canadians aged 25 to 64 with post-secondary education.

53.7% – The percentage of females aged 25 to 64 with post-secondary education, versus 46.3 per cent of males.

18.7% – The percentage of workforce aged 55 and over.

75.3% – The employment rate for Canadians aged 25 to 64.

74% – The percentage of commuters who drove to work; another 5.6 per cent made the trip as passengers.

12% – The percentage of commuters who used public transit.1.1  million – The number of people who worked from home most of the time.

Income and Housing

1.1  trillion – Total income collected by Canadians aged 15 and older in 2010.

70% – The percentage of Canadians aged 15 and over who earned income from employment (3 out of every 4 dollars of total income in Canada).

74.7% – The percentage of total income that Canadians received from employment.

12.4% – The percentage of total income that Canadians received in the form of government transfer payments (CPP/QPP, OAS/GIC, EI benefits, child benefits).

56.7% – The percentage out of all investment income reported that was received by the 1 % (high income Canadians).

$53,000 – Median income for year-round, full-time male workers.

$42,200 – Median income for year-round, full-time female workers.

69% – Canadian home ownership rate.

58.6% – The percentage of owner households with mortgages.

3.3 million – The number of households that spent 30% or more of their total income on shelter costs.
 

Source: Statistics Canada National Household Survey; CBC News