What Census 2021 tells us about our neighbourhoods

Thursday, May 12, 2022

At a glance (3 minute read)

Metro Vancouver's population is aging.
Families with children are moving from urban centres to less dense suburbs.

The latest Census 2021 release on April 27, 2022, focuses on population. Here’s what it tells us.

We’re aging.

Senior population balloons, child population falls in some areas

Since 2001, the senior population (age 65+) in Metro Vancouver has grown by 90 per cent to 460,790 seniors from 242,490 seniors, while the child population (age 0-14) has grown by just seven per cent to 509,460 children from 476,570 children.

Since 2001:

In Vancouver, the seniors’ population grew by 42,390 seniors (60%).
In Richmond, the seniors’ population grew by 22,580 seniors (116%).
In Burnaby, the seniors’ population grew by 18,150 seniors (70%).

Where are the children?

Faced with an unaffordable housing and rental market and with few options for missing middle homes, many families find themselves pushed out, unable to stay in their communities. They move to where they can buy affordable, family-sized homes.

The losses

Vancouver’s child population decreased by 4,365 children (4.3%).
Delta’s child population decreased by 4,130 children (15%).
North Vancouver District’s child population fell by 2,110 children (9.4%).
Port Coquitlam’s child population fell by 2,090 children (14%).
Richmond’s child population fell by 1,995 children (5%).

The gains

New Westminster’s child population increased by 2,810 children (28%).
Maple Ridge’s child population increased by 2,610 children (14%).
Squamish’s child population increased by 1,245 children (29%).
Port Moody’s child population increased by 805 children (12%).
Coquitlam’s child population increased by 800 children (2.6%).

Population by Age Group, 2001 and 2021

	Age Group	2001			2021
	0 -19	20-64	65+	All ages	0-19	20-64	65+	All ages
Vancouver CMA	476,570	1,267,905	242,490	1,986,965	509,460	1,672,590	460,790	2,642,825
Belcarra	165	475	45	680	185	365	205	685
Burnaby	43,095	124,905	25,955	193,955	43,480	161,525	44,105	249,125
Coquitlam	30,190	71,670	11,030	112,890	30,990	93,360	24,270	148,625
Delta	27,380	58,805	10,760	96,950	`23,250	62,920	22,275	108,455
Maple Ridge	18,710	37,705	6,755	63,170	21,320	55,060	14,610	90,990
New Westminster	10,110	36,795	7,755	54,655	12,920	53,310	12,680	78,915
North Vancouver City	8,645	29,920	5,735	44,305	9,890	38,045	10,195	58,120
North Vancouver District	22,355	50,065	9,885	82,310	20,245	51,005	16,930	88,170
Pitt Meadows	4,295	8,895	1,485	14,670	4,260	11,400	3,495	19,150
Port Coquitlam	15,180	32,270	3,805	51,255	13,090	38,745	9,660	61,500
Port Moody	6,770	15,455	1,590	23,815	7,575	21,120	4,845	33,535
Richmond	40,300	104,720	19,330	164,345	38,305	129,720	41,910	209,940
Squamish	4,265	8,740	1,250	14,245	5,510	15,490	2,815	23,820
Vancouver	101,250	374,090	70,330	545,670	96,885	452,645	112,720	662,245
West Vancouver	9,235	23,070	9,115	41,420	9,095	22,435	12,580	44,125
Whistler	1,550	7,125	210	8,895	2,200	10,510	1,265	13,980
Source: Statistics Canada 2001 and 2021 Census. Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding.

Age Distribution, Census 2021

	0-19	20-64	65+	All ages
Vancouver CMA	19%	63%	17%	19%
Belcarra	27%	53%	30%	27%
Burnaby, City	17%	65%	18%	17%
Coquitlam, City	21%	63%	16%	21%
Delta, City	21%	58%	21%	21%
Maple Ridge, City	23%	61%	16%	23%
New Westminster, City	16%	68%	16%	16%
North Vancouver, DM	23%	58%	19%	23%
North Vancouver, City	17%	65%	18%	17%
Pitt Meadows, City	22%	60%	18%	22%
Port Coquitlam, City	21%	63%	16%	21%
Port Moody, City	23%	63%	14%	23%
Richmond, City	18%	62%	20%	18%
Squamish, DM	23%	65%	12%	23%
Vancouver, City	15%	68%	17%	15%
West Vancouver, DM	21%	51%	29%	21%
Whistler, DM	16%	75%	9%	16%
Source: Statistics Canada Census 2021.

If you have questions about Census 2021 data, contact Harriet Permut, manager of government relations at hpermut@rebgv.org.