Census records

Census returns are official records that count the country's population. They are an invaluable source of information for researchers.

The 1931 census is now available through Census Search

Learn more about the Census of Canada, 1931.

General census guide

Help for researchers to learn about different kinds of census records

Census Search

Search Canada's census records all in one database

Early census and related documents, 1640 to 1945

A guide to early census and related documents found at LAC

Pre-Confederation, 1825 to 1867

Census records taken before Confederation

Dominion of Canada, 1871 to 1931

National censuses taken after Confederation

Prairie Provinces Census, 1870-1926

A closer look at the development of the prairies