Data and Methodology
What is the data source of MoverStats?
MoverStats is built using privacy-compliant mobile movement data derived from telecom data together with demographic data, including EA's DemoStats and PRIZM. Telecom data are provided to EA in an aggregated and de-identified format, which are then used as inputs to models to create the MoverStats Estimates. No personally identifiable information is provided.
Is MoverStats privacy-compliant?
Yes. All of the demographic data ingredients used in MoverStats come from DemoStats and PRIZM, privacy-compliant geodemographic data sources that have been trusted for decades. The mobile movement data ingredients are provided to EA in aggregated and de-identified form and subjected to minimum observation thresholds. The neighbourhood estimates are derived from EA proprietary models.
How does MoverStats work?
MoverStats uses telecom data to model population migration patterns at the Dissemination Area level quarterly. First, device quality is assessed, and nighttime locations are estimated. Second, as devices move to new nightly locations over time, they become part of the estimated mover population.
This mover and non-mover behaviour is then modelled to represent the residential population using methods that consider geographic proximity, PRIZM segment, and Social Group to enhance the model's accuracy. We use DemoStats to assess the demographic qualities of the population moving into each given DA and provide these as an aggregate estimate of the destination geography for the Moving In population/households.
Are any outside data sources used?
Yes, there are 2 data sources that we use to help validate our estimates:
- Canadian Housing Survey 5 Year mobility rates
- Canadian Housing Survey regional migration rate
These data sources help validate our mover estimates and ensure that they make sense at both the national and regional levels. While we use these estimates to validate our results, they are not used as true control totals, meaning that MoverStats estimates will not add up to totals from these data sources.
Updated Cycle and Project Work
How often is MoverStats updated?
MoverStats is updated quarterly. Refer to the Data Release Schedule. opens in new window
How far back does the data go?
MoverStats data are available starting from 2020Q1.
Variable Definitions
What does ’Moving In’ refer to?
MoverStats provides Moving In counts for both Households and Household Population for each level of geography, Dissemination Area (DA) and above. Moving In counts represent the number of households/people moving into a DA within the specified geography. These counts capture all movers, regardless of their origin. This means that at higher levels of geography like Census Subdivisions and Census Metropolitan Areas, intra-geography movers, as well as people moving in from other areas, both get captured.
What does ’Moving Out’ refer to?
Similar to Moving in, Moving Out counts represent the number of households/people moving out of a DA within the specified geography. These counts also capture all movers, regardless of their destination. This means that at higher levels of geography like Census Subdivisions (CSD) and Census Metropolitan Areas (CMA), a mover may be counted as both moving out and moving in if this mover moved within the same CSD or CMA, as these are both valid moves.
What are the Demographic variables in ENVISION based to?
The Demographic variables in ENVISION are based to their appropriate ‘Moving In’ universe (Moving In Households, Moving In Household Population, Moving In Household Population 15+). Please refer to the metadata documentation to understand which base should be used with each demographic variable. For PRIZM licenses, the PRIZM variables are only available for total households.