Port Alberni Profile

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

National Rank:243 of 688

Level:Census subdivision

Port Alberni Population

Total Population (2021)

18,259

Total Population (2016)

17,678

Population Growth

+3.3% (+581)

Growth Rank

#419 of 688Same geo level

Male

48.9%8,925

Female

51.1%9,335

Male-to-Female Ratio

0.956

Average Age

46.5

Median Age

49.2

Age Rank

#541 of 688Same geo level

Population Age Distribution

0–4

720(3.9%)

5–9

905(5.0%)

10–14

955(5.2%)

15–19

875(4.8%)

20–24

800(4.4%)

25–29

940(5.1%)

30–34

1,065(5.8%)

35–39

1,035(5.7%)

40–44

995(5.4%)

45–49

985(5.4%)

50–54

1,080(5.9%)

55–59

1,370(7.5%)

60–64

1,530(8.4%)

65–69

1,535(8.4%)

70–74

1,330(7.3%)

75–79

990(5.4%)

80–84

565(3.1%)

85+

580(3.2%)

Port Alberni Households

Household Size

Average Household Size

2.1

Total Private Dwellings

8,919

Occupied Private Dwellings

8,451

Size Distribution

1 Person

2,980 (35.3%)

2 Persons

3,240 (38.3%)

3 Persons

1,080 (12.8%)

4 Persons

755 (8.9%)

5+ Persons

395 (4.7%)

Household Composition

Couples with children

1,340(15.9%)

Couples without children

2,390(28.3%)

One-parent families

835(9.9%)

One-person households

2,980(35.3%)

Multigenerational

160(1.9%)

Multiple-family

35(0.4%)

Port Alberni Incomes

Summary

Avg. Household Income

$67,800After tax

Median Household Income

$58,400After tax

Avg. Individual Income

$38,240After tax

Median Individual Income

$33,600After tax

Income Rank

#620 of 688Same geo level

Income Composition

Market Income

70.0%

Employment Income

53.8%

Government Transfers

30.0%

Individual Income Distribution

Under $10k

1,095(7.3%)

$10k–$20k

2,145(14.3%)

$20k–$30k

2,820(18.8%)

$30k–$40k

2,400(16.0%)

$40k–$50k

1,855(12.4%)

$50k–$60k

1,405(9.4%)

$60k–$70k

1,005(6.7%)

$70k–$80k

700(4.7%)

$80k–$90k

495(3.3%)

$90k–$100k

345(2.3%)

$100k+

720(4.8%)

Port Alberni Employment

Labour Force

Employment Rate

46.7%

Unemployment Rate

9.9%

Total Labour Force

7,980

Employed

7,190

Unemployed

790

Not in Labour Force

7,405

Low Income Prevalence

Overall Low-Income Rate

14.6%

Children (0–17)

18.7%

Adults (18–64)

12.7%

Seniors (65+)

16.2%

Gini Coefficient (Total)

0.2860 = perfect equality

Gini Coefficient (After-Tax)

0.258

Port Alberni Languages

Language Knowledge

English Only

16,985 (94.2%)

French Only

5 (0.0%)

English & French

1,010 (5.6%)

Neither

40 (0.2%)

Mother Tongue

English

16,225 (89.9%)

French

280 (1.6%)

Non-official languages

1,275 (7.1%)

Top Mother Tongue Languages

English

16,225(89.9%)

French

280(1.6%)

Punjabi

205(1.1%)

Italian

85(0.5%)

Tagalog

65(0.4%)

Spanish

60(0.3%)

Korean

60(0.3%)

Mandarin

35(0.2%)

Cantonese

35(0.2%)

Vietnamese

25(0.1%)

Port Alberni Dwellings

Dwelling Type

Single-detached

5,730(67.8%)

Semi-detached

245(2.9%)

Row house

480(5.7%)

Duplex

395(4.7%)

Apt. < 5 storeys

1,280(15.1%)

Apt. ≥ 5 storeys

140(1.7%)

Other attached

20(0.2%)

Movable

160(1.9%)

Community snapshot

About Port Alberni

Port Alberni is a city at the head of Alberni Inlet on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, inland from the west-coast surf beaches toward Ucluelet and Tofino. Forestry harbour heritage, inlet scenery, and a valley setting between mountain ranges define the Alberni Valley’s main centre. About 18,000 people live in Port Alberni.

Known for

City at the head of Alberni Inlet
Forestry and working-harbour heritage
Gateway toward Pacific Rim / Tofino–Ucluelet routes
Alberni Valley mountain-and-inlet setting
Salmon fishing and inlet recreation

See & do

Harbour Quay
Waterfront boardwalk, shops, and inlet views.
Robertson Creek / local hatchery visits
Salmon heritage interpretation in the valley.
Della Falls approaches / hinterland trails
Backcountry access into Strathcona country (trip planning required).
Downtown Port Alberni
Local shops and civic services in the valley core.
Sproat Lake (nearby)
Swimming, pictographs, and lake recreation west of the city.

Data source → Census methodology & attribution

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Data source → Census methodology & attribution