Indicators

No single measure can provide an adequate picture of a community. However, a number of indicators can provide good representations of a community.

An indicator is included if it meets four criteria:

• The indicator is reliable — it can be measured consistently from year to year
• The indicator is valid — it measures what it intends to measure
• It is practical to collect
• It provides an accurate representation of an aspect of the community

While an overview of indicators provides a general picture of the community, individual indicators may be influenced by other factors.