Happy Valley-Goose Bay Profile

Explore population, households, income, employment, languages, and dwellings for Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Compare trends since 2016 and dig into the full demographic profile below.

National Rank:487 of 688

Level:Census subdivision

Happy Valley-Goose Bay Population

Total Population (2021)

8,040

Total Population (2016)

8,109

Population Growth

-0.9% (-69)

Growth Rank

#620 of 688Same geo level

Male

50.8%4,085

Female

49.2%3,955

Male-to-Female Ratio

1.033

Average Age

39.2

Median Age

39.2

Age Rank

#104 of 688Same geo level

Population Age Distribution

0–4

395(4.9%)

5–9

515(6.4%)

10–14

490(6.1%)

15–19

480(6.0%)

20–24

480(6.0%)

25–29

525(6.5%)

30–34

630(7.8%)

35–39

565(7.0%)

40–44

560(7.0%)

45–49

595(7.4%)

50–54

620(7.7%)

55–59

630(7.8%)

60–64

500(6.2%)

65–69

360(4.5%)

70–74

275(3.4%)

75–79

215(2.7%)

80–84

110(1.4%)

85+

80(1.0%)

Happy Valley-Goose Bay Households

Household Size

Average Household Size

2.5

Total Private Dwellings

3,390

Occupied Private Dwellings

3,072

Size Distribution

1 Person

700 (22.8%)

2 Persons

1,145 (37.2%)

3 Persons

560 (18.2%)

4 Persons

450 (14.6%)

5+ Persons

215 (7.0%)

Household Composition

Couples with children

820(26.7%)

Couples without children

890(28.9%)

One-parent families

315(10.2%)

One-person households

700(22.8%)

Multigenerational

100(3.3%)

Multiple-family

15(0.5%)

Happy Valley-Goose Bay Incomes

Summary

Avg. Household Income

$97,300After tax

Median Household Income

$91,000After tax

Avg. Individual Income

$49,840After tax

Median Individual Income

$45,600After tax

Income Rank

#105 of 688Same geo level

Income Composition

Market Income

86.2%

Employment Income

77.4%

Government Transfers

13.8%

Individual Income Distribution

Under $10k

390(6.5%)

$10k–$20k

485(8.1%)

$20k–$30k

670(11.1%)

$30k–$40k

625(10.4%)

$40k–$50k

675(11.2%)

$50k–$60k

645(10.7%)

$60k–$70k

495(8.2%)

$70k–$80k

430(7.2%)

$80k–$90k

360(6.0%)

$90k–$100k

315(5.2%)

$100k+

920(15.3%)

Happy Valley-Goose Bay Employment

Labour Force

Employment Rate

64.6%

Unemployment Rate

9.7%

Total Labour Force

4,475

Employed

4,040

Unemployed

435

Not in Labour Force

1,780

Low Income Prevalence

Overall Low-Income Rate

8.0%

Children (0–17)

11.7%

Adults (18–64)

5.9%

Seniors (65+)

12.0%

Gini Coefficient (Total)

0.2920 = perfect equality

Gini Coefficient (After-Tax)

0.258

Happy Valley-Goose Bay Languages

Language Knowledge

English Only

7,285 (93.3%)

French Only

5 (0.1%)

English & French

510 (6.5%)

Neither

10 (0.1%)

Mother Tongue

English

7,130 (91.3%)

French

75 (1.0%)

Non-official languages

490 (6.3%)

Top Mother Tongue Languages

English

7,130(91.3%)

Tagalog

150(1.9%)

French

75(1.0%)

Punjabi

40(0.5%)

Hindi

10(0.1%)

Arabic

5(0.1%)

Spanish

5(0.1%)

Portuguese

5(0.1%)

Korean

5(0.1%)

Tamil

5(0.1%)

Happy Valley-Goose Bay Dwellings

Dwelling Type

Single-detached

1,970(64.2%)

Semi-detached

525(17.1%)

Row house

375(12.2%)

Duplex

65(2.1%)

Apt. < 5 storeys

125(4.1%)

Other attached

10(0.3%)

Community snapshot

About Happy Valley-Goose Bay

Happy Valley-Goose Bay is a town in central Labrador, Newfoundland and Labrador, on the Churchill River where it widens toward Lake Melville. It is Labrador’s largest population centre, anchored by 5 Wing Goose Bay and as a fly-in gateway to the interior. North West River and Sheshatshiu are neighbouring separate communities. About 8,000 people live in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Known for

Largest population centre in Labrador
Churchill River / Lake Melville setting
5 Wing Goose Bay air base
Gateway to Labrador’s interior and north
Neighbour to North West River and Sheshatshiu, which are separate

See & do

Town waterfront / Churchill River views
Shoreline parks where the river meets Lake Melville.
Labrador Interpretation Centre (North West River)
Regional museum a short drive in the neighbouring community.
Downtown Happy Valley
Shops and services for the Upper Lake Melville region.
Mealy Mountains / backcountry approaches
Wilderness on the town’s southern horizon.
5 Wing viewing and aviation heritage
Long-running military airfield that shaped the town.

Data source → Census methodology & attribution

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Data source → Census methodology & attribution