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In 2000, an estimated 16 416 000 people reported employment income, an increase of more than 1.5 million from a decade earlier. During this decade, the overall average employment income of individuals rose 7.3% to $31 757. ‘Earnings’ refers to the total of wages and salaries as well as net income from self-employment.

After employment income (earnings), government transfer payments make up the next largest component of total income for individuals. Government transfer payments, such as old-age pensions, employment insurance benefits, child tax benefits and Goods and Services Tax credits, contributed 10 cents of every dollar (on average) to family income. Family income is the combined income of all family members from all sources before income taxes are deducted.

After employment income (earnings), government transfer payments make up the next largest component of total income for individuals. Government transfer payments, such as old-age pensions, employment insurance benefits, child tax benefits and Goods and Services Tax credits, contributed 10 cents of every dollar (on average) to family income. Family income is the combined income of all family members from all sources before income taxes are deducted.

The income index compares the average employment income value of each community to that for Canada. The value for Canada as a whole is set at 1.00. The range of the index is from 0.12 to 1.65, with the median value for these communities being 0.73. Income index values are generally higher in Western Canada.

This map shows the difference between the actual employment in recreation services and the expected level, based on the city's population and income.

This map shows the difference between the actual employment in accommodation services and the expected level, based on the city's population and income.

This map shows the difference between the actual employment in food services and the expected level, based on the city's population and income.

Poverty, usually measured using income, and poor health are closely related. Income is one of the non-medical determinants of health. The poor experience the highest rates of illness and premature death. The income measures are for the year 1995 as reported in the 1996 Census.

The commercial activity index is a summary measure of the attraction of urban places as locations for commercial activity. The index compares the actual commercial employment to the employment predicted on the basis of population. Thus it captures both the variation in income per capita (the attractiveness of the local market), and the centrality, as the ability to reach service areas outside the city. In combination, the variation in income per capita favours the industrial towns of Ontario, while the measure of centrality favours the smaller centres of western Canada.

This map shows the difference between the actual employment in leisure services and the expected level, based on the city's population and income. Leisure services are a complex group. They are a combination of food services, typically found close to markets, with no strong preference for city size or income; accommodation (hotels and motels), oriented to smaller centres and resort areas but especially in high-income areas; and recreation activities, found in both big-city and high-income locations. These activities are oriented to high-income consumers and are often found in high-amenity rural locations, as well as in many big cities.