Courtenay Profile

Explore population, households, income, employment, languages, and dwellings for Courtenay. Compare trends since 2016 and dig into the full demographic profile below.

National Rank:160 of 688

Level:Census subdivision

Courtenay Population

Total Population (2021)

28,420

Total Population (2016)

25,639

Population Growth

+10.8% (+2,781)

Growth Rank

#106 of 688Same geo level

Male

47.5%13,490

Female

52.5%14,925

Male-to-Female Ratio

0.904

Average Age

46.8

Median Age

48.8

Age Rank

#558 of 688Same geo level

Population Age Distribution

0–4

1,100(3.9%)

5–9

1,380(4.9%)

10–14

1,370(4.8%)

15–19

1,310(4.6%)

20–24

1,295(4.6%)

25–29

1,585(5.6%)

30–34

1,665(5.9%)

35–39

1,750(6.2%)

40–44

1,575(5.5%)

45–49

1,550(5.5%)

50–54

1,600(5.6%)

55–59

1,980(7.0%)

60–64

2,230(7.8%)

65–69

2,185(7.7%)

70–74

2,205(7.8%)

75–79

1,560(5.5%)

80–84

1,050(3.7%)

85+

1,020(3.6%)

Courtenay Households

Household Size

Average Household Size

2.1

Total Private Dwellings

13,414

Occupied Private Dwellings

12,992

Size Distribution

1 Person

4,265 (32.8%)

2 Persons

5,275 (40.6%)

3 Persons

1,670 (12.9%)

4 Persons

1,190 (9.2%)

5+ Persons

585 (4.5%)

Household Composition

Couples with children

2,140(16.5%)

Couples without children

3,970(30.6%)

One-parent families

1,125(8.7%)

One-person households

4,265(32.8%)

Multigenerational

215(1.7%)

Multiple-family

60(0.5%)

Courtenay Incomes

Summary

Avg. Household Income

$74,800After tax

Median Household Income

$65,500After tax

Avg. Individual Income

$41,440After tax

Median Individual Income

$36,000After tax

Income Rank

#530 of 688Same geo level

Income Composition

Market Income

76.8%

Employment Income

55.2%

Government Transfers

23.1%

Individual Income Distribution

Under $10k

1,630(7.0%)

$10k–$20k

2,785(11.9%)

$20k–$30k

3,985(17.0%)

$30k–$40k

3,620(15.5%)

$40k–$50k

2,940(12.6%)

$50k–$60k

2,360(10.1%)

$60k–$70k

1,720(7.4%)

$70k–$80k

1,260(5.4%)

$80k–$90k

865(3.7%)

$90k–$100k

615(2.6%)

$100k+

1,620(6.9%)

Courtenay Employment

Labour Force

Employment Rate

50.8%

Unemployment Rate

8.5%

Total Labour Force

13,315

Employed

12,185

Unemployed

1,130

Not in Labour Force

10,670

Low Income Prevalence

Overall Low-Income Rate

11.4%

Children (0–17)

13.9%

Adults (18–64)

9.9%

Seniors (65+)

12.8%

Gini Coefficient (Total)

0.2980 = perfect equality

Gini Coefficient (After-Tax)

0.264

Courtenay Languages

Language Knowledge

English Only

25,355 (90.5%)

French Only

10 (0.0%)

English & French

2,510 (9.0%)

Neither

155 (0.6%)

Mother Tongue

English

24,665 (88.0%)

French

635 (2.3%)

Non-official languages

2,205 (7.9%)

Top Mother Tongue Languages

English

24,665(88.0%)

French

635(2.3%)

Tagalog

165(0.6%)

Vietnamese

150(0.5%)

Punjabi

135(0.5%)

Mandarin

115(0.4%)

Korean

115(0.4%)

Cantonese

110(0.4%)

Spanish

110(0.4%)

Hindi

50(0.2%)

Courtenay Dwellings

Dwelling Type

Single-detached

6,515(50.1%)

Semi-detached

1,920(14.8%)

Row house

970(7.5%)

Duplex

445(3.4%)

Apt. < 5 storeys

2,685(20.7%)

Apt. ≥ 5 storeys

45(0.3%)

Other attached

45(0.3%)

Movable

385(3.0%)

Community snapshot

About Courtenay

Courtenay is a city on Vancouver Island’s east coast, at the head of the Courtenay River estuary facing Comox Harbour. It is the largest urban centre in the Comox Valley, paired with neighbouring Comox and Cumberland. Mountains, estuary trails, and a revitalized downtown define the city’s character. About 28,000 people live in Courtenay.

Known for

Hub city of the Comox Valley
Courtenay River estuary and harbour views
Gateway toward Strathcona Provincial Park and Mount Washington
Arts-oriented downtown
Mild east-Island climate and outdoor recreation

See & do

Downtown Courtenay
Shops, galleries, and the Filberg-adjacent valley arts scene.
Courtenay Riverway / estuary trails
Waterfront paths along the river and tidal flats.
Simms Millennium Park
Central park and festival grounds by the river.
Comox Lake / Puntledge River area
Nearby swimming, trails, and river recreation.
Mount Washington Alpine Resort (nearby)
Ski and summer alpine destination above the valley.

Data source → Census methodology & attribution

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Data source → Census methodology & attribution