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Accuracy of matching residential postal codes to census geography
Lauren Pinault1, Saeeda Khan2, Michael Tjepkema1
1Health Analysis Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
Health Reports
|July 10, 2020
Summary
Canadian postal codes provide a generally accurate geographic link to census data, especially in urban areas. However, rural postal code accuracy varies, suggesting alternative geocoding methods may be needed for these regions.
Area of Science:
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Population Health Studies
- Canadian Census Geography
Background:
- Postal codes are frequently the sole geographic identifier for linking health data to census information.
- This study examines Canadian postal code characteristics and their geocoding accuracy to dissemination areas (DAs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the accuracy of Canadian postal codes in geocoding health data to census geography.
- To evaluate the proportion of postal codes that link to a single dissemination area (DA).
Main Methods:
- Utilized 2016 Canadian Census data and the Postal Code Conversion File (PCCF) and PCCF+ (v7B).
- Calculated population-weighted matches to DAs, census tracts (CTs), census subdivisions (CSDs), and census divisions (CDs).
- Analyzed matches by province, delivery mode type (DMT), and population centre size.
Main Results:
- 72.6% of Canadians had postal codes matching a single DA.
- Accuracy was higher in urban areas (87.1%) and for specific urban delivery types (e.g., apartment buildings, 95.3%).
- Rural postal code accuracy was significantly lower (13.9% to 38.1%).
Conclusions:
- Postal code matching to census geography is accurate in urban settings but less reliable in rural areas.
- Alternative geocoding strategies may be necessary for rural postal codes and certain delivery mode types.
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