This map shows median
income of individuals, for the population 15 years of age and
over reporting income in 1995 (not including institutional residents).
As with other income maps in the Atlas, the data for this map are
derived from the 1996 Census. The
interpretive notes are primarily based on Statistics Canada sources.
The data were calculated as median values of individual income
in each of the 288 census
divisions (CD). A median value is the middle number in the total
range of a set of numbers that are ranked from lowest to highest.
The middle value is the median, which corresponds to the 50th percentile.
The map legend includes the national median value as a class limit;
all CD values are ranked
as either above or below the national median. Income statistics
are often represented as average values, however, median income
values were used for these maps, as they were considered more representative
of actual income distributions. Averages tend to be skewed by extreme
high values while medians better reflect the total number of values
for each CD. Note that
data are only shown on the map for the settled
areas within each CD.
For definitions of income concepts and terminology, refer to 1996
Census Dictionary.
The notes below briefly explain the geographical patterns and associated
income distributions.
Components of Income (1996 Census)
The 1996 Census Dictionary defines income sources to include
- wages and salaries
- farm and non-farm self-employment
- government transfer payments
- investment income
- retirement income, and
- other money income
The chart below shows the relationship of these major income sources:
[D] Click for larger version, 35 KB Figure 1. Components of Income, 1995
Income Distributions: An Overview
The income distribution on the map reflects the socio-economic
dynamic between urban and rural areas right across Canada. Incomes
of individuals and families living in rural Canada tend to be lower
than for urban areas. Within those same regions the overall distribution
of incomes appear "more equal" when compared to urban
centres. Differences in income distributions are also significant
within the urban areas of which the most populated regions coincide
with the geographic location of the 25 census
metropolitan areas (CMA). According to Statistics Canada, 1996
figures, nearly 80% of the total population lived in CMAs,
an area which represents less than 1% of the total landmass of Canada.
It is within these areas where the most complex patterns of income
distribution are observed. To better view the urban distributions,
use the zoom button and click on the map area of interest. To view
population figures and additional income statistics for each census
division, first click on the get statistics button and then click
on the map area.
According to the 1996 Census, close to 21 million individuals reported
income for 1995. The statistics indicate that the total income from
all sources reflected a 6% decrease when compared to 1990. After
adjustment for inflation, the average total income of individuals,
15 years of age and over, was $25 196. The national median income
for Canada was $18 891.
[D] Click for larger version, 5 KB Figure 2. Average Total Income of Individuals in Constant (1995) Dollars, Canada, 1980, 1985, 1990 and 1995
For current economic statistics published monthly by Industry Canada,
visit:
Geographical Patterns: Median Income of Individuals, 1995
As shown on the map, the highest median incomes are observed for
census divisions which include (or are included in) the largest
urban areas known as Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs). These urban
areas include Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa-Hull, Montreal
and Québec. The remaining census divisions (CD) in the surrounding
rural and lesser populated communities reported income levels near
or below the national median of $18 891.
Some smaller urban centres reported incomes well above the national
median. Such places tend to be the business and manufacturing hubs
for a large area. One example is Prince George, in central British
Columbia, which dominates the Fraser-Fort George census division.
This city has a large forestry and logging industry, and is a major
transport and administrative centre. Another centre with relatively
high income is Thunder Bay, in north-western Ontario, which dominates
the census division of the same name. This city also has a substantial
manufacturing base and has important regional services such as hospitals
and universities.
The concentration of incomes below the national median is most
apparent in regions along the northern margin of the settled area
in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and also in the coastal regions of
the Maritime Provinces and Newfoundland.
The lower income regions in the Prairie Provinces may be partially
attributed to the CDs
located along the northern edge of the main agricultural areas,
which are associated with more marginal agricultural activities
than for some other parts of the Prairies. Additional maps and information
pertaining to agriculture can be found in the Agriculture series
under Economic Geography. See maps below.
[D] Click for larger version, 191 KB Figure 3. Percentage of Census Farms with $40 000 or Less in Gross Farm Receipts, 1995
For the coastal regions of Atlantic Canada, reliance on natural
resources (especially the fisheries) is the mainstay of local economies.
These regions have always had a high rate of seasonal unemployment.
In recent years, they have been hard hit by limited resource availability.
Maps and information about Resource Reliant Communities are found
in the "Economic" section of the Atlas Table of Contents.
Not all rural or small population areas have low income. Some CDs,
particularly in the north, report higher incomes than the national
median. This is attributed to a relatively high proportion of high
paying jobs in small population areas. The higher wages for both
men and women are explained partly in terms of inflated wage rates
to compensate for the considerably higher costs of living. An example
is the Fort Smith Region of Northwest Territories, where two thirds
of the population is in the labour force, and occupations in management,
business, finance administration and government services are predominant.
These types of occupations tend to be associated with higher incomes.
To properly interpret this map, please consult the text Data
and Mapping Notes. |