Powell River Profile

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

National Rank:303 of 688

Level:Census subdivision

Powell River Population

Total Population (2021)

13,943

Total Population (2016)

13,157

Population Growth

+6.0% (+786)

Growth Rank

#271 of 688Same geo level

Male

48.1%6,710

Female

51.9%7,230

Male-to-Female Ratio

0.928

Average Age

Median Age

53.2

Age Rank

#627 of 688Same geo level

Population Age Distribution

0–4

505(3.6%)

5–9

615(4.4%)

10–14

655(4.7%)

15–19

660(4.7%)

20–24

520(3.7%)

25–29

550(3.9%)

30–34

665(4.8%)

35–39

770(5.5%)

40–44

720(5.2%)

45–49

685(4.9%)

50–54

880(6.3%)

55–59

1,130(8.1%)

60–64

1,275(9.1%)

65–69

1,270(9.1%)

70–74

1,120(8.0%)

75–79

765(5.5%)

80–84

535(3.8%)

85+

615(4.4%)

Powell River Households

Household Size

Average Household Size

2.1

Total Private Dwellings

6,718

Occupied Private Dwellings

6,402

Size Distribution

1 Person

2,220 (34.7%)

2 Persons

2,525 (39.5%)

3 Persons

755 (11.8%)

4 Persons

585 (9.1%)

5+ Persons

315 (4.9%)

Household Composition

Couples with children

1,110(17.3%)

Couples without children

2,040(31.9%)

One-parent families

435(6.8%)

One-person households

2,220(34.7%)

Multigenerational

115(1.8%)

Multiple-family

25(0.4%)

Powell River Incomes

Summary

Avg. Household Income

$72,000After tax

Median Household Income

$61,200After tax

Avg. Individual Income

$39,520After tax

Median Individual Income

$34,400After tax

Income Rank

#588 of 688Same geo level

Income Composition

Market Income

73.8%

Employment Income

53.2%

Government Transfers

26.3%

Individual Income Distribution

Under $10k

905(7.8%)

$10k–$20k

1,535(13.2%)

$20k–$30k

2,070(17.8%)

$30k–$40k

1,860(16.0%)

$40k–$50k

1,510(13.0%)

$50k–$60k

1,115(9.6%)

$60k–$70k

775(6.7%)

$70k–$80k

490(4.2%)

$80k–$90k

370(3.2%)

$90k–$100k

270(2.3%)

$100k+

715(6.2%)

Powell River Employment

Labour Force

Employment Rate

47.2%

Unemployment Rate

7.7%

Total Labour Force

6,075

Employed

5,610

Unemployed

465

Not in Labour Force

5,815

Low Income Prevalence

Overall Low-Income Rate

12.6%

Children (0–17)

13.6%

Adults (18–64)

10.9%

Seniors (65+)

15.2%

Gini Coefficient (Total)

0.2970 = perfect equality

Gini Coefficient (After-Tax)

0.266

Powell River Languages

Language Knowledge

English Only

12,740 (92.7%)

French Only

5 (0.0%)

English & French

955 (7.0%)

Neither

40 (0.3%)

Mother Tongue

English

12,055 (87.7%)

French

290 (2.1%)

Non-official languages

1,180 (8.6%)

Top Mother Tongue Languages

English

12,055(87.7%)

French

290(2.1%)

Italian

205(1.5%)

Spanish

75(0.5%)

Mandarin

60(0.4%)

Tagalog

50(0.4%)

Punjabi

40(0.3%)

Korean

35(0.3%)

Cantonese

30(0.2%)

Russian

30(0.2%)

Powell River Dwellings

Dwelling Type

Single-detached

4,615(72.1%)

Semi-detached

250(3.9%)

Row house

105(1.6%)

Duplex

305(4.8%)

Apt. < 5 storeys

920(14.4%)

Apt. ≥ 5 storeys

20(0.3%)

Other attached

25(0.4%)

Movable

165(2.6%)

Community snapshot

About Powell River

Powell River is a city on British Columbia’s northern Sunshine Coast, on the Strait of Georgia between Vancouver Island and the mainland. Pulp-and-paper heritage, coastal inlets, and ferry links via Horseshoe Bay and Comox define a rainforest community apart from Metro Vancouver. About 14,000 people live in Powell River.

Known for

Northern Sunshine Coast city on the Strait of Georgia
Historic pulp-and-paper mill town
Ferry gateway via Horseshoe Bay and Comox
Coastal trails, lakes, and rainforest setting
Townsite heritage neighbourhood

See & do

Powell River Townsite
Heritage mill-town streetscape and museum.
Willingdon Beach
Waterfront park and campsite on the harbour.
Inland Lake Provincial Park
Forest lake for camping, paddling, and cycling.
Sunshine Coast Trail approaches
Long-distance hiking through coastal rainforest.
Marine Avenue downtown
Shops and services along the waterfront strip.

Data source → Census methodology & attribution

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Data source → Census methodology & attribution