Saltspring Island Profile

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

National Rank:358 of 688

Level:Census subdivision

Saltspring Island Population

Total Population (2021)

11,635

Total Population (2016)

10,557

Population Growth

+10.2% (+1,078)

Growth Rank

#127 of 688Same geo level

Male

48.0%5,580

Female

52.0%6,055

Male-to-Female Ratio

0.922

Average Age

51.2

Median Age

56.4

Age Rank

#666 of 688Same geo level

Population Age Distribution

0–4

340(2.9%)

5–9

420(3.6%)

10–14

585(5.0%)

15–19

460(4.0%)

20–24

310(2.7%)

25–29

345(3.0%)

30–34

495(4.3%)

35–39

565(4.9%)

40–44

630(5.4%)

45–49

715(6.1%)

50–54

695(6.0%)

55–59

925(8.0%)

60–64

1,110(9.5%)

65–69

1,250(10.7%)

70–74

1,210(10.4%)

75–79

745(6.4%)

80–84

400(3.4%)

85+

455(3.9%)

Saltspring Island Households

Household Size

Average Household Size

2.2

Total Private Dwellings

6,105

Occupied Private Dwellings

5,120

Size Distribution

1 Person

1,590 (31.1%)

2 Persons

2,155 (42.1%)

3 Persons

640 (12.5%)

4 Persons

460 (9.0%)

5+ Persons

280 (5.5%)

Household Composition

Couples with children

805(15.7%)

Couples without children

1,770(34.6%)

One-parent families

315(6.2%)

One-person households

1,590(31.1%)

Multigenerational

115(2.2%)

Multiple-family

60(1.2%)

Saltspring Island Incomes

Summary

Avg. Household Income

$87,700After tax

Median Household Income

$69,500After tax

Avg. Individual Income

$46,160After tax

Median Individual Income

$34,800After tax

Income Rank

#461 of 688Same geo level

Income Composition

Market Income

82.4%

Employment Income

51.4%

Government Transfers

17.6%

Individual Income Distribution

Under $10k

810(8.3%)

$10k–$20k

1,190(12.2%)

$20k–$30k

1,775(18.3%)

$30k–$40k

1,335(13.7%)

$40k–$50k

1,050(10.8%)

$50k–$60k

840(8.6%)

$60k–$70k

625(6.4%)

$70k–$80k

445(4.6%)

$80k–$90k

330(3.4%)

$90k–$100k

265(2.7%)

$100k+

1,060(10.9%)

Saltspring Island Employment

Labour Force

Employment Rate

53.0%

Unemployment Rate

5.5%

Total Labour Force

5,565

Employed

5,260

Unemployed

305

Not in Labour Force

4,355

Low Income Prevalence

Overall Low-Income Rate

13.7%

Children (0–17)

19.0%

Adults (18–64)

13.6%

Seniors (65+)

11.6%

Gini Coefficient (Total)

0.4020 = perfect equality

Gini Coefficient (After-Tax)

0.348

Saltspring Island Languages

Language Knowledge

English Only

10,040 (86.9%)

English & French

1,475 (12.8%)

Neither

40 (0.3%)

Mother Tongue

English

10,335 (89.4%)

French

240 (2.1%)

Non-official languages

825 (7.1%)

Top Mother Tongue Languages

English

10,335(89.4%)

French

240(2.1%)

Spanish

80(0.7%)

German

35(0.3%)

Mandarin

25(0.2%)

Portuguese

25(0.2%)

Tagalog

20(0.2%)

Italian

20(0.2%)

Polish

20(0.2%)

Korean

15(0.1%)

Saltspring Island Dwellings

Dwelling Type

Single-detached

4,170(81.4%)

Semi-detached

190(3.7%)

Row house

175(3.4%)

Duplex

245(4.8%)

Apt. < 5 storeys

90(1.8%)

Other attached

15(0.3%)

Movable

235(4.6%)

Community snapshot

About Saltspring Island

Salt Spring Island is a regional district electoral area in British Columbia’s Southern Gulf Islands, between Vancouver Island and the mainland—not a city. Markets, artisan farms, ferry landings at Fulford and Vesuvius, and forested hills around Ganges define Canada’s most populous Gulf Island. About 11,000 people live on Salt Spring Island.

Known for

Most populous Southern Gulf Island, not a city
Ganges village markets and harbour
Artisan farms, studios, and weekend tourism
Ferry links at Fulford Harbour and Vesuvius
Forested hills and island coastline

See & do

Ganges Village and Saturday Market
Harbour shops and the island’s famous farmers’ market.
Ruckle Provincial Park
Farm heritage, camping, and southeast shoreline trails.
Mount Maxwell / Baynes Peak viewpoints
Island lookouts over the Gulf Islands.
Fulford Harbour
South-end ferry landing and village cove.
Island studio and farm tours
Artisan workshops and rural roads across the island.

Data source → Census methodology & attribution

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Data source → Census methodology & attribution