Family/household reference person indicator (RPIP)

This variable identifies a household member as the reference person used in Census coding. The reference person is used to identify the relationships between usual residents of a household. Relationships are defined between the family reference person and all other family members. It has limited statistical value but is included for use in population and dwelling projection models.

Persons in family, group and lone person households

This variable is derived from the Relationship in household question on the Census form.

Relationships are based off a ‘reference person’. This is usually Person 1 on the Census form. Where this isn’t Person 1, a more appropriate person on the form is chosen during coding. This is based on age, marital status, and relationship considerations. A reference person must be a usual resident of the dwelling aged 15 years and over, and present on Census Night. For example, an adult is chosen rather than a child, or in the event of multiple family households, additional reference people are chosen.

In multiple family households, there is a reference person for each family. The reference person for the primary family is usually defined as the household reference person. The identification of a family reference person allows each family within a dwelling to be treated as a separate entity for tabulation purposes.

For group households, the first person on the form who meets the criteria will become the reference person. For visitor only households and households with no person present aged 15 years and over, the household is considered 'non-classifiable' and no reference person is assigned.

This variable was first reported in 1911 and every Census year since.

No changes have been made in 2021.

This variable is not an indication that a person is 'head of the household'.

This variable does not have a non-response rate as it is created during Census processing by using responses from more than one question on the Census form. 

• Relationship in household (RLHP)
• Family

• People
• Household and families: Census