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Table 1 Statistical Area Classification Hierarchy (2001)[20, 21]

From: An evaluation of access to health care services along the rural-urban continuum in Canada

 

Category

Description

% of Canadian Population

Urban

   
 

Census Metropolitan Areas (CMA)

One or more adjacent Census Subdivisions (CSDs) situated around a major urban core (population ≥ 100,000).

64.3

 

Census Agglomerations (CA)

One or more adjacent CSDs situated around a major urban core (population ≥ 10,000).

15.1

Rural

   
 

Strong Metropolitan Influenced Zone (MIZ)

A CSD where more than 30% of residents commute to work in an urban core (population < 10,000).

5.1

 

Moderate MIZ

A CSD where between 5% and 30% of residents commute to work in an urban core (population < 10,000).

7.6

 

Weak MIZ

A CSD where between 0% and 5% of residents commute to work in an urban core (population < 10,000).

6.6

 

No MIZ

A CSD where forty or fewer residents commute to work in an urban core (population < 10,000).

1.1