Demographics of British Columbia

Overview
Population, 2021

5,000,879

7.6%
Population, 2016: 4,648,055
Land area in square kilometres, 2021: 920686.55
Population density per square kilometre, 2021: 5.4
Knowledge of official languages
Average total income in 2020 among recipients ($)
$54,450
Average after-tax income in 2020 among recipients ($)
$45,600
Average total income of household in 2020 ($)
$108,600
Average after-tax income of household in 2020 ($)
$91,100
Labour (25% Sample Data)
Employment rate
57.9%
Unemployment rate
8.4%
Participation rate
63.3%
Labour force population aged 15 years and over by NOC 2021 (25% Sample Data)
Journey to Work (25% Sample Data)
Housing (25% Sample Data)
Average value of dwellings ($)
$983,000
Average monthly shelter costs for owned dwellings ($)
$1,668
Average monthly shelter costs for rented dwellings ($)
$1,494
Population
Population, 2021 5,000,879
Population, 2016 4,648,055
Population percentage change, 2016 to 2021 7.60%
Total private dwellings, 2021 2,211,694
Total private dwellings, 2016 2,063,417
Total private dwellings percentage change, 2016 to 2021 7.20%
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents, 2021 2,041,834
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents, 2016 1,881,969
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents percentage change, 2016 to 2021 8.50%
Land area in square kilometres, 2021 920,687
Population density per square kilometre, 2021 5
National population rank, 2021 0
Province/territory population rank, 2021 0
Knowledge of official languages
Total - Knowledge of languages for the population in private households - 25% sample data 4,915,940
Official languages 4,754,865
English 4,753,275
French 327,350
Non-official languages 1,780,325
Income
Total - Income statistics in 2020 for the population aged 15 years and over in private households - 25% sample data 4,200,425
Number of total income recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2020 - 25% sample data 4,075,270
Average total income in 2020 among recipients ($) $54,450
Number of after-tax income recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2020 - 25% sample data 4,077,810
Average after-tax income in 2020 among recipients ($) $45,600
Number of market income recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2020 - 25% sample data 3,654,285
Average market income in 2020 among recipients ($) $50,520
Number of employment income recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2020 - 25% sample data 2,886,325
Average employment income in 2020 among recipients ($) $50,520
Number of government transfers recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2020 - 25% sample data 3,374,170
Average government transfers in 2020 among recipients ($) $11,030
Number of employment insurance benefits recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2020 - 25% sample data 368,410
Average employment insurance benefits in 2020 among recipients ($) $6,540
Number of COVID-19 emergency and recovery benefits recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2020 - 25% sample data 1,102,145
Average COVID-19 emergency and recovery benefits in 2020 among recipients ($) $9,110
Total - Employment income statistics in 2020 for the population aged 15 years and over in private households - 25% sample data 4,200,420
Number of employment income recipients in 2020 who worked full-year full-time in 2020 - 25% sample data 1,301,410
Median employment income in 2020 for full-year full-time workers in 2020 ($) $65,000
Average employment income in 2020 for full-year full-time workers in 2020 ($) $77,700
Number of employment income recipients in 2020 who worked part-year or part-time in 2020 - 25% sample data 1,195,830
Median employment income in 2020 of those who worked part-year or part-time in 2020 ($) $19,400
Average employment income in 2020 of those who worked part-year or part-time in 2020 ($) $30,560
Composition of total income in 2020 of the population aged 15 years and over in private households (%) - 25% sample data 100.00%
Market income (%) 83.20%
Employment income (%) 65.80%
Government transfers (%) 16.80%
Employment insurance benefits (%) 1.10%
COVID-19 - Government income support and benefits (%) 5.60%
COVID-19 - Emergency and recovery benefits (%) 4.50%
Total - Income statistics in 2019 for the population aged 15 years and over in private households - 25% sample data 4,200,425
Number of total income recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2019 - 25% sample data 3,959,300
Average total income in 2019 among recipients ($) $52,300
Number of after-tax income recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2019 - 25% sample data 3,967,440
Average after-tax income in 2019 among recipients ($) $43,400
Number of market income recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2019 - 25% sample data 3,612,845
Average market income in 2019 among recipients ($) $51,080
Number of employment income recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2019 - 25% sample data 2,971,405
Average employment income in 2019 among recipients ($) $49,120
Number of government transfers recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2019 - 25% sample data 2,711,365
Average government transfers in 2019 among recipients ($) $8,330
Number of employment insurance benefits recipients aged 15 years and over in private households in 2019 - 25% sample data 258,380
Average employment insurance benefits in 2019 among recipients ($) $7,140
Total - Employment income statistics in 2019 for the population aged 15 years and over in private households - 25% sample data 4,200,420
Number of employment income recipients in 2019 who worked full-year full-time in 2020 - 25% sample data 1,288,260
Median employment income in 2019 for full-year full-time workers in 2020 ($) $60,400
Average employment income in 2019 for full-year full-time workers in 2020 ($) $72,800
Number of employment income recipients in 2019 who worked part-year or part-time in 2020 - 25% sample data 1,128,665
Median employment income in 2019 of those who worked part-year or part-time in 2020 ($) $25,200
Average employment income in 2019 of those who worked part-year or part-time in 2020 ($) $36,280
Composition of total income in 2019 of the population aged 15 years and over in private households (%) - 25% sample data 100.00%
Market income (%) 89.00%
Employment income (%) 70.40%
Government transfers (%) 10.90%
Employment insurance benefits (%) 0.90%
Total - Income statistics for private households - 25% sample data 2,041,835
Average total income of household in 2020 ($) $108,600
Average after-tax income of household in 2020 ($) $91,100
Total - Income statistics for one-person private households - 25% sample data 600,425
Average total income of one-person households in 2020 ($) $55,600
Average after-tax income of one-person households in 2020 ($) $46,680
Total - Income statistics for two-or-more-persons private households - 25% sample data 1,441,410
Average total income of two-or-more-person households in 2020 ($) $130,800
Average after-tax income of two-or-more-person households in 2020 ($) $109,600
Total - Income statistics for economic families in private households - 25% sample data 1,363,860
Average total income of economic family in 2020 ($) $130,400
Average after-tax income of economic family in 2020 ($) $108,900
Total - Income statistics for couple-only economic families in private households - 25% sample data 561,775
Average total income of couple-only economic families in 2020 ($) $115,100
Average after-tax income of couple-only economic families in 2020 ($) $96,000
Total - Income statistics for couple-with-children economic families in private households - 25% sample data 563,000
Average total income of couple-with-children economic families in 2020 ($) $161,800
Average after-tax income of couple-with-children economic families in 2020 ($) $133,800
Total - Income statistics for one-parent economic families in private households - 25% sample data 186,930
Average total income of one-parent economic families in 2020 ($) $83,400
Average after-tax income of one-parent economic families in 2020 ($) $73,100
Total - Income statistics for persons aged 15 years and over not in economic families in private households - 25% sample data 875,470
Average total income in 2020 ($) $50,240
Average after-tax income in 2020 ($) $42,720
Immigration and citizenship
Total - Citizenship for the population in private households - 25% sample data 4,915,940
Canadian citizens 4,359,045
Canadian citizens aged under 18 812,305
Canadian citizens aged 18 and over 3,546,745
Not Canadian citizens 556,895
Housing
Total - Private households by tenure - 25% sample data 2,041,835
Owner 1,363,190
Renter 669,450
Dwelling provided by the local government, First Nation or Indian band 9,190
Total - Occupied private dwellings by condominium status - 25% sample data 2,041,835
Condominium 482,755
Not condominium 1,559,075
Total - Occupied private dwellings by number of bedrooms - 25% sample data 2,041,835
No bedrooms 30,855
1 bedroom 354,020
2 bedrooms 569,180
3 bedrooms 539,910
4 or more bedrooms 547,870
Total - Occupied private dwellings by number of rooms - 25% sample data 2,041,835
1 to 4 rooms 766,380
5 rooms 300,895
6 rooms 248,045
7 rooms 205,105
8 or more rooms 521,410
Average number of rooms per dwelling 6
Total - Occupied private dwellings by period of construction - 25% sample data 2,041,835
1960 or before 256,175
1961 to 1980 550,690
1981 to 1990 289,940
1991 to 2000 336,315
2001 to 2005 122,855
2006 to 2010 164,165
2011 to 2015 135,725
2016 to 2021 185,965
Total - Private households by age of primary household maintainers - 25% sample data 2,041,835
15 to 24 years 57,980
25 to 34 years 282,195
35 to 44 years 343,380
45 to 54 years 354,340
55 to 64 years 407,735
65 to 74 years 347,335
75 to 84 years 182,155
85 years and over 66,710
Total - Owner and tenant households with household total income greater than zero, in non-farm, non-reserve private dwellings by shelter-cost-to-income ratio - 25% sample data 1,988,210
Spending less than 30% of income on shelter costs 1,481,365
Spending 30% or more of income on shelter costs 506,850
30% to less than 100% 434,390
Total - Owner households in non-farm, non-reserve private dwellings - 25% sample data 1,330,795
% of owner households with a mortgage 57.50%
% of owner households spending 30% or more of its income on shelter costs 19.30%
% in core housing need 8.00%
Median monthly shelter costs for owned dwellings ($) $1,320
Average monthly shelter costs for owned dwellings ($) $1,668
Median value of dwellings ($) $785,000
Average value of dwellings ($) $983,000
Median monthly shelter costs for rented dwellings ($) $1,370
Average monthly shelter costs for rented dwellings ($) $1,494
Education
Total - Secondary (high) school diploma or equivalency certificate for the population aged 15 years and over in private households - 25% sample data 4,200,425
No high school diploma or equivalency certificate 643,330
With high school diploma or equivalency certificate 3,557,095
Total - Secondary (high) school diploma or equivalency certificate for the population aged 25 to 64 years in private households - 25% sample data 2,691,860
No high school diploma or equivalency certificate 259,010
With high school diploma or equivalency certificate 2,432,850
Total - Highest certificate, diploma or degree for the population aged 15 years and over in private households - 25% sample data 4,200,425
No certificate, diploma or degree 565,665
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate 1,238,000
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree 2,396,755
Postsecondary certificate or diploma below bachelor level 1,197,050
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma 323,635
Non-apprenticeship trades certificate or diploma 133,020
Apprenticeship certificate 190,615
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 711,810
University certificate or diploma below bachelor level 161,600
Bachelor’s degree or higher 1,199,710
Bachelor's degree 775,145
University certificate or diploma above bachelor level 84,000
Degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or optometry 32,985
Master's degree 264,145
Earned doctorate 43,440
Total - Highest certificate, diploma or degree for the population aged 25 to 64 years in private households - 25% sample data 2,691,860
No certificate, diploma or degree 216,660
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate 694,785
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree 1,780,415
Postsecondary certificate or diploma below bachelor level 838,680
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma 217,350
Non-apprenticeship trades certificate or diploma 88,765
Apprenticeship certificate 128,590
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 507,405
University certificate or diploma below bachelor level 113,915
Bachelor’s degree or higher 941,735
Bachelor's degree 610,735
University certificate or diploma above bachelor level 63,310
Degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or optometry 24,675
Master's degree 212,745
Earned doctorate 30,275
Total - Major field of study - Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2021 for the population aged 15 years and over in private households - 25% sample data 4,200,425
No postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree 1,803,665
Education 158,060
13. Education 158,060
Visual and performing arts, and communications technologies 109,100
10. Communications technologies/technicians and support services 13,390
50. Visual and performing arts 95,715
Humanities 143,340
16. Indigenous and foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics 16,850
23. English language and literature/letters 35,465
24. Liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities 48,620
30A Interdisciplinary humanities 2,860
38. Philosophy and religious studies 7,705
39. Theology and religious vocations 12,220
54. History 16,035
55. French language and literature/lettersCAN 3,580
Social and behavioural sciences and law 288,970
05. Area, ethnic, cultural, gender, and group studies 5,140
09. Communication, journalism and related programs 31,375
19. Family and consumer sciences/human sciences 39,140
22. Legal professions and studies 44,255
30B Interdisciplinary social and behavioural sciences 6,625
42. Psychology 52,080
45. Social sciences 110,350
Business, management and public administration 493,290
30.16 Accounting and computer science 645
44. Public administration and social service professions 30,855
52. Business, management, marketing and related support services 461,790
Physical and life sciences and technologies 106,515
26. Biological and biomedical sciences 44,910
30.01 Biological and physical sciences 25,655
30C Other interdisciplinary physical and life sciences 1,880
40. Physical sciences 30,600
41. Science technologies/technicians 3,470
Mathematics, computer and information sciences 105,555
11. Computer and information sciences and support services 83,795
25. Library science 6,145
27. Mathematics and statistics 13,030
30D Interdisciplinary mathematics, computer and information sciences 2,580
Architecture, engineering, and related trades 458,590
04. Architecture and related services 19,025
14. Engineering 119,995
15. Engineering/engineering-related technologies/technicians 83,585
30.12 Historic preservation and conservation 115
46. Construction trades 104,445
47. Mechanic and repair technologies/technicians 86,325
48. Precision production 45,110
Agriculture, natural resources and conservation 60,510
01. Agricultural and veterinary sciences/services/operations and related fields 31,920
03. Natural resources and conservation 28,595
Health and related fields 350,930
30.37 Design for human health 0
31. Parks, recreation, leisure, fitness, and kinesiology 27,000
51. Health professions and related programs 312,980
60. Health professions residency/fellowship programs 725
61. Medical residency/fellowship programs 10,230
Personal, protective and transportation services 121,210
12. Culinary, entertainment, and personal services 76,425
28. Military science, leadership and operational art 505
29. Military technologies and applied sciences 1,025
43. Security and protective services 15,820
49. Transportation and materials moving 27,425
Other 685
Total - Major field of study - Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2021 for the population aged 25 to 64 years in private households - 25% sample data 2,691,865
No postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree 911,450
Education 99,640
13. Education 99,640
Visual and performing arts, and communications technologies 85,350
10. Communications technologies/technicians and support services 9,815
50. Visual and performing arts 75,530
Humanities 103,360
16. Indigenous and foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics 12,735
23. English language and literature/letters 25,770
24. Liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities 35,310
30A Interdisciplinary humanities 1,895
38. Philosophy and religious studies 5,780
39. Theology and religious vocations 7,845
54. History 11,615
55. French language and literature/lettersCAN 2,410
Social and behavioural sciences and law 226,805
05. Area, ethnic, cultural, gender, and group studies 4,220
09. Communication, journalism and related programs 26,730
19. Family and consumer sciences/human sciences 29,960
22. Legal professions and studies 34,935
30B Interdisciplinary social and behavioural sciences 5,150
42. Psychology 39,250
45. Social sciences 86,555
Business, management and public administration 379,485
30.16 Accounting and computer science 445
44. Public administration and social service professions 22,625
52. Business, management, marketing and related support services 356,415
Physical and life sciences and technologies 77,340
26. Biological and biomedical sciences 33,945
30.01 Biological and physical sciences 18,520
30C Other interdisciplinary physical and life sciences 1,545
40. Physical sciences 21,390
41. Science technologies/technicians 1,935
Mathematics, computer and information sciences 87,185
11. Computer and information sciences and support services 72,700
25. Library science 3,600
27. Mathematics and statistics 8,865
30D Interdisciplinary mathematics, computer and information sciences 2,010
Architecture, engineering, and related trades 327,735
04. Architecture and related services 14,690
14. Engineering 93,760
15. Engineering/engineering-related technologies/technicians 57,590
30.12 Historic preservation and conservation 100
46. Construction trades 74,045
47. Mechanic and repair technologies/technicians 57,950
48. Precision production 29,605
Agriculture, natural resources and conservation 45,705
01. Agricultural and veterinary sciences/services/operations and related fields 23,700
03. Natural resources and conservation 22,005
Health and related fields 258,665
30.37 Design for human health 0
31. Parks, recreation, leisure, fitness, and kinesiology 20,980
51. Health professions and related programs 229,855
60. Health professions residency/fellowship programs 580
61. Medical residency/fellowship programs 7,245
Personal, protective and transportation services 88,615
12. Culinary, entertainment, and personal services 56,165
28. Military science, leadership and operational art 305
29. Military technologies and applied sciences 450
43. Security and protective services 12,270
49. Transportation and materials moving 19,425
Other 535
Labour
Total - Population aged 15 years and over by labour force status - 25% sample data 4,200,425
In the labour force 2,657,275
Employed 2,433,600
Unemployed 223,675
Not in the labour force 1,543,145
Participation rate 63.30%
Employment rate 57.90%
Unemployment rate 8.40%
Total - Population aged 15 years and over by work activity during the reference year - 25% sample data 4,200,425
Did not work 1,563,830
Worked 2,636,595
Worked full year full time 1,350,335
Worked part year and/or part time 1,286,260
Average weeks worked in reference year 41
Total - Labour force aged 15 years and over by class of worker including job permanency - 25% sample data 2,657,275
Class of worker - not applicable 54,165
All classes of workers 2,603,110
Employee 2,144,475
Permanent position 1,788,175
Temporary position 356,305
Fixed term (1 year or more) 116,190
Casual, seasonal or short-term position (less than 1 year) 240,110
Self-employed 458,635
Total - Labour force aged 15 years and over by occupation - Broad category - National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 - 25% sample data 2,657,275
Occupation - not applicable 54,165
All occupations 2,603,110
0 Legislative and senior management occupations 32,255
1 Business, finance and administration occupations 446,160
2 Natural and applied sciences and related occupations 209,185
3 Health occupations 199,185
4 Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services 309,360
5 Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport 110,585
6 Sales and service occupations 666,705
7 Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations 469,450
8 Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations 72,075
9 Occupations in manufacturing and utilities 88,155
Total - Labour force aged 15 years and over by industry - Sectors - North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 2017 - 25% sample data 2,657,275
Industry - not applicable 54,165
All industries 2,603,110
11 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting 60,320
21 Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction 24,955
22 Utilities 14,820
23 Construction 234,345
31-33 Manufacturing 152,790
41 Wholesale trade 80,165
44-45 Retail trade 301,060
48-49 Transportation and warehousing 142,230
51 Information and cultural industries 71,295
52 Finance and insurance 95,560
53 Real estate and rental and leasing 59,155
54 Professional, scientific and technical services 238,650
55 Management of companies and enterprises 5,785
56 Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services 110,215
61 Educational services 192,855
62 Health care and social assistance 319,525
71 Arts, entertainment and recreation 60,775
72 Accommodation and food services 182,105
81 Other services (except public administration) 113,780
91 Public administration 142,730
Journey to Work
Total - Place of work status for the employed labour force aged 15 years and over - 25% sample data 2,433,600
Worked at home 549,845
Worked outside Canada 10,065
No fixed workplace address 373,475
Usual place of work 1,500,215
Total - Commuting destination for the employed labour force aged 15 years and over with a usual place of work - 25% sample data 1,500,215
Commute within census subdivision (CSD) of residence 774,620
Commute to a different census subdivision (CSD) within census division (CD) of residence 638,825
Commute to a different census subdivision (CSD) and census division (CD) within province or territory of residence 77,845
Commute to a different province or territory 8,920
Total - Main mode of commuting for the employed labour force aged 15 years and over with a usual place of work or no fixed workplace address - 25% sample data 1,873,690
Car, truck or van 1,497,765
Car, truck or van - as a driver 1,376,410
Car, truck or van - as a passenger 121,350
Public transit 174,045
Walked 121,550
Bicycle 36,790
Other method 43,535
Total - Commuting duration for the employed labour force aged 15 years and over with a usual place of work or no fixed workplace address - 25% sample data 1,873,690
Less than 15 minutes 595,470
15 to 29 minutes 637,130
30 to 44 minutes 369,645
45 to 59 minutes 137,115
60 minutes and over 134,330
Language of Work
Total - All languages used at work for the population in private households aged 15 years and over who worked since January 1, 2020 - 25% sample data 2,855,890
English 2,617,625
French 3,090
Non-official language 52,925
Indigenous 140
Non-Indigenous 52,790
English and French 21,550
English and non-official language(s) 154,255
French and non-official language(s) 80
English, French and non-official language(s) 2,520
Multiple non-official languages 3,840
Total - Language used most often at work for the population aged 15 years and over who worked since January 1, 2020, in private households, 2021 Census - 25% sample data 2,855,890
Official languages 2,726,710
English 2,720,275
French 6,430
Non-official languages 93,520
Mobility
Total - Mobility status 5 years ago - 25% sample data 4,699,740
Non-movers 2,639,500
Movers 2,060,245
Non-migrants 757,040
Migrants 1,303,200
Internal migrants 1,016,025
Intraprovincial migrants 799,455
Interprovincial migrants 216,565
External migrants 287,175
CareerBeacon obtains its data from 3rd party services and cannot verify its accuracy. The information contained on this page is intended to be used for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace legal authority. The information contained in the demographic reports should not be relied upon for determining career and/or relocation decisions.