Williams Lake Profile

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

National Rank:385 of 688

Level:Census subdivision

Williams Lake Population

Total Population (2021)

10,947

Total Population (2016)

10,753

Population Growth

+1.8% (+194)

Growth Rank

#497 of 688Same geo level

Male

49.3%5,395

Female

50.7%5,555

Male-to-Female Ratio

0.971

Average Age

41.7

Median Age

40.8

Age Rank

#259 of 688Same geo level

Population Age Distribution

0–4

580(5.3%)

5–9

615(5.6%)

10–14

640(5.8%)

15–19

650(5.9%)

20–24

695(6.3%)

25–29

760(6.9%)

30–34

725(6.6%)

35–39

700(6.4%)

40–44

635(5.8%)

45–49

645(5.9%)

50–54

705(6.4%)

55–59

675(6.2%)

60–64

695(6.3%)

65–69

685(6.3%)

70–74

555(5.1%)

75–79

385(3.5%)

80–84

285(2.6%)

85+

320(2.9%)

Williams Lake Households

Household Size

Average Household Size

2.3

Total Private Dwellings

5,066

Occupied Private Dwellings

4,736

Size Distribution

1 Person

1,610 (34.0%)

2 Persons

1,630 (34.4%)

3 Persons

655 (13.8%)

4 Persons

505 (10.7%)

5+ Persons

335 (7.1%)

Household Composition

Couples with children

920(19.4%)

Couples without children

1,135(24.0%)

One-parent families

475(10.0%)

One-person households

1,610(34.0%)

Multigenerational

95(2.0%)

Multiple-family

25(0.5%)

Williams Lake Incomes

Summary

Avg. Household Income

$79,800After tax

Median Household Income

$69,000After tax

Avg. Individual Income

$43,840After tax

Median Individual Income

$37,600After tax

Income Rank

#477 of 688Same geo level

Income Composition

Market Income

79.0%

Employment Income

67.4%

Government Transfers

21.0%

Individual Income Distribution

Under $10k

650(7.5%)

$10k–$20k

1,025(11.9%)

$20k–$30k

1,335(15.4%)

$30k–$40k

1,245(14.4%)

$40k–$50k

1,020(11.8%)

$50k–$60k

755(8.7%)

$60k–$70k

625(7.2%)

$70k–$80k

530(6.1%)

$80k–$90k

370(4.3%)

$90k–$100k

275(3.2%)

$100k+

815(9.4%)

Williams Lake Employment

Labour Force

Employment Rate

56.1%

Unemployment Rate

7.9%

Total Labour Force

5,405

Employed

4,975

Unemployed

425

Not in Labour Force

3,465

Low Income Prevalence

Overall Low-Income Rate

11.5%

Children (0–17)

12.8%

Adults (18–64)

9.0%

Seniors (65+)

17.7%

Gini Coefficient (Total)

0.3010 = perfect equality

Gini Coefficient (After-Tax)

0.269

Williams Lake Languages

Language Knowledge

English Only

10,240 (95.5%)

English & French

425 (4.0%)

Neither

50 (0.5%)

Mother Tongue

English

9,400 (87.7%)

French

105 (1.0%)

Non-official languages

1,005 (9.4%)

Top Mother Tongue Languages

English

9,400(87.7%)

Punjabi

305(2.8%)

French

105(1.0%)

Tagalog

65(0.6%)

Spanish

45(0.4%)

Korean

40(0.4%)

Mandarin

25(0.2%)

Cantonese

25(0.2%)

Arabic

20(0.2%)

Portuguese

20(0.2%)

Williams Lake Dwellings

Dwelling Type

Single-detached

2,170(45.8%)

Semi-detached

235(5.0%)

Row house

360(7.6%)

Duplex

500(10.5%)

Apt. < 5 storeys

950(20.0%)

Apt. ≥ 5 storeys

5(0.1%)

Other attached

15(0.3%)

Movable

505(10.7%)

Community snapshot

About Williams Lake

Williams Lake is a city in British Columbia’s Cariboo region, at the junction of Highways 97 and 20. A historic stampede, ranching culture, and a role as a service hub for Chilcotin and Cariboo communities define the interior plateau city. About 11,000 people live in Williams Lake.

Known for

Cariboo region service hub
Williams Lake Stampede and ranching culture
Junction of Highways 97 and 20
Gateway to the Chilcotin and Bella Coola Highway
Interior plateau forestry and ranch economy

See & do

Williams Lake Stampede grounds
Home of the renowned Cariboo rodeo and stampede.
Downtown Williams Lake
Shops and services for the regional hub.
Scout Island Nature Centre
Marsh boardwalks and lake-edge trails in town.
Station House Gallery / heritage area
Arts and local history in the city core.
Highway 20 Chilcotin approaches
Gateway drives toward Bella Coola country.

Data source → Census methodology & attribution

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Data source → Census methodology & attribution