Geographic Classifications:

Part A – Plain Language Definition

Not applicable

Part B – Detailed Definition

The Standard Geographical Classification (SGC) is Statistics Canada's official classification for three types of geographic areas: provinces and territories, census divisions (CDs) and census subdivisions (CSDs). The SGC provides unique numeric identification (codes) for these hierarchically related geographic areas.

Censuses: 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981, 1976, 1971, 1966, 1961

Remarks:

Census subdivisions (CSDs) aggregate to census divisions (CDs) which, in turn, aggregate to province and territory (Figure 21).

Figure 21. Standard Geographical Classification (SGC) Hierarchy

The hierarchical relationship is reflected in the seven-digit SGC code, for example:

Refer to the related definition of Census Subdivision (CSD) and to the 2001 Standard Geographical Classification (SGC) Manual, Volumes I and II (Catalogue Nos. 12-571-XPB and 12-572-XPB), published by Statistics Canada.

Changes Prior to the 2001 Census:

In 1976 and 1971, both SGC and census codes were used to disseminate census data.

In 1966 and 1961, only census codes were used to disseminate census data.