Methodology
How NorthScore works
NorthScore is a 0–100 composite livability index computed for every populated geographic area across Canada. It measures livability for a typical resident, not investment potential. Housing prices and affordability are not part of the score.
What NorthScore measures
NorthScore aggregates six weighted components, each independently percentile-ranked against all populated communities in Canada. The composite is a weighted average — not a simple count.
The score intentionally excludes housing price, rent levels, and affordability. Those metrics are available in separate data cards. Livability and affordability often trade off against each other; keeping them separate lets you see both clearly.
The six components
Each component draws from one or more authoritative Canadian government data sources. Sub-metrics are combined within each component before the component itself is weighted into the composite.
- Grocery access15%
- Transit access15%
- Healthcare (GP/clinic)12%
- Pharmacy10%
- Parks & recreation10%
- Primary education10%
- Employment centres8%
- Secondary education7%
- Childcare7%
- Libraries6%
- Mean annual temperature (higher = better)40%
- Annual sunshine hours (higher = better)35%
- Annual precipitation (lower = better)25%
Each metric percentile-ranked against all Canadian climate stations.
- Inverted CSI percentile rank vs all Canadian municipalities100%
Lower CSI = higher score. Small communities with suppressed data use the parent Census Division average, flagged as estimated.
- Air quality (AQHI)50%
- Industrial pollution proximity (NPRI)30%
- Radon risk (FSA level)20%
AQHI: score = max(0, 100 − ((AQHI − 1) / 9) × 100). No NPRI facility within 25 km → 95 points.
- Seismic risk penaltyadditive
- Wildfire interface penaltyadditive
- Flood plain penaltyadditive
- Tsunami zone penaltyadditive
Penalties: Low = 0, Moderate = 15, High = 35, Severe = 55. Score = max(0, 100 − sum of penalties). Penalties are additive because hazards compound.
- Hospital proximity (inverse distance)40%
- Transit frequency (avg weekday departures)35%
- School enrolment trend25%
Captures acute care proximity, transit frequency, and neighbourhood vitality — metrics not covered by PMD.
Score labels
| Score range | Label | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 90–100 | Exceptional | Top 10% in Canada |
| 75–89 | Very Good | Top 25% in Canada |
| 60–74 | Good | Above median in Canada |
| 45–59 | Fair | Near median in Canada |
| 30–44 | Below Average | Bottom 40% in Canada |
| 0–29 | Challenging | Bottom 30% in Canada |
Scores are percentile-normalized against all 1,566 indexed communities across Canada. A score of 70 means this location ranks better than 70% of all indexed Canadian communities.
Important caveats
- NorthScore reflects livability for a typical resident. It does not include housing price, rent levels, or affordability data.
- Weights reflect general Canadian housing preference research. They are not equal, and professional users can adjust them.
- NorthScore is currently indexed against all 1,566 communities in our database. The baseline will continue to shift as more communities are added.
- Data vintages vary by component. Census data is from 2021; crime data lags approximately 12 months; air quality (AQHI) is updated daily.
- Natural hazard scores are for general informational purposes. Not a substitute for professional engineering or insurance assessment.
- Environmental quality data is informational. Not a substitute for a Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessment.
- For small communities where Statistics Canada has suppressed crime data (populations under approximately 250), the parent Census Division average is used and flagged as estimated.