Comox, British Columbia Population & Demographics: How Many People Live Here?

Data source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population — View the official Comox census dataset on Statistics Canada

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Comox. It is a town in Canada that encompasses a land area of 16.87 km2. The town has a population density of 877.70 people per km2.

We highlight the Comox town's various population characteristics. From gender, age distribution, ethnicity, household and dwelling, and income to spoken languages, occupation, and religion.

Comox on the Map

The map and listings below are sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors, not Statistics Canada, and may be incomplete depending on how thoroughly the area has been mapped.

Comox location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Comox has a population of around 14,806 people. The town's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Comox has increased by 5.55%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
14,02814,806 +5.55%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.09% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Comox's population is projected to reach approximately 15,627 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 926.32 people per km².

Population in 2021Projected Population in 2026Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
14,80615,627926.32

This projection is an estimate calculated by CAPopulation from the compound annual growth rate between the 2016 and 2021 censuses. Official 2026 complete census data expected to be released in late 2027.

Population By Genders

The male population of Comox is around 6,980 while the female population is around 7,830.

Of the 14,806 total population in Comox, the largest gender is female with around 7,830 women within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
6,9807,830 +10.86%

Is Comox a Good Place to Live?

Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Comox compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against British Columbia, its own province. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.

Employment & Economy

6.7%
Unemployment rate
1.7 pts below the province
49.0%
Employment rate
8.9 pts below the province
52.5%
Participation rate
10.8 pts below the province

Income & Affordability

$83,000
Median household income
$2,000 below the province
6.9%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
3.9 pts below the province

Commute

86.8%
Commute under 30 minutes
21.0 pts above the province
84.2%
Commute by car
4.3 pts above the province
2.3%
Commute by public transit
7.0 pts below the province

Housing Character

65.8%
Single-detached houses
23.4 pts above the province
13.5%
Apartments (any building size)
30.0 pts below the province

Household Composition

2.20 people
Average household size
0.20people below the province
29.4%
One-person households
About the same as the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Other Towns Near Comox

Population by Age Characteristics

Comox has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 70 to 74 years old, accounting for 8.30% of the total population. The town median age is 52.40.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
70 to 74 years565 8.10%665 8.50% 15.04%1,225 8.30%
65 to 69 years530 7.60%675 8.60% 21.48%1,205 8.10%
60 to 64 years510 7.30%665 8.50% 23.31%1,175 7.90%
55 to 59 years515 7.40%610 7.80% 15.57%1,125 7.60%
75 to 79 years425 6.10%515 6.60% 17.48%940 6.30%
45 to 49 years395 5.70%455 5.80% 13.19%850 5.70%
40 to 44 years405 5.80%435 5.60% 6.90%835 5.60%
35 to 39 years370 5.30%440 5.60% 15.91%810 5.50%
10 to 14 years400 5.70%390 5.00% 2.50%795 5.40%
50 to 54 years365 5.20%420 5.40% 13.10%780 5.30%
5 to 9 years370 5.30%375 4.80% 1.33%750 5.10%
85 years and over285 4.10%450 5.70% 36.67%735 5.00%
15 to 19 years390 5.60%335 4.30% 14.10%720 4.90%
80 to 84 years280 4.00%345 4.40% 18.84%620 4.20%
30 to 34 years315 4.50%300 3.80% 4.76%615 4.20%
20 to 24 years325 4.70%245 3.10% 24.62%575 3.90%
25 to 29 years280 4.00%250 3.20% 10.71%525 3.50%
0 to 4 years250 3.60%260 3.30% 3.85%515 3.50%
85 to 89 years185 2.70%255 3.30% 27.45%445 3.00%
90 to 94 years75 1.10%135 1.70% 44.44%210 1.40%
95 to 99 years30 0.40%45 0.60% 33.33%70 0.50%

Broader Age Groups

If the town's population is divided into broader age groups, most of the population falls into the 15 to 64 years age group. The group accounts for 54.10% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 31.90% and 13.90%, respectively.

If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Comox are within the 15 to 64 years age group.

DataMaleFemaleTotal
Median age of the population49.60%55.20%52.40%
Average age of the population47.20%50.40%48.90%
65 years and over29.90%33.80%31.90%
0 to 14 years14.80%13.20%13.90%

Photos of Places & Sceneries in Comox

Population of Comox by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Comox is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Comox is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the province appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.

The top 5 ethnicities and origins in the province are English, which accounts for 36.60% of the total population, followed by Scottish (27.84%), Irish (19.82%), German (14.17%), and Canadian (11.90%).

Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include French, British Isles, Ukrainian, Dutch, and Norwegian.

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
English35.97%37.17%36.60%
Scottish27.03%28.57%27.84%
Irish18.46%21.03%19.82%
German14.48%13.89%14.17%
Canadian12.33%11.44%11.90%
French11.15%10.91%11.03%
British Isles7.75%7.74%7.75%
Ukrainian5.32%5.89%5.62%
Dutch5.39%5.75%5.58%
Norwegian4.06%4.10%4.12%

Immigration Profile

Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Comox's population profile.

About 12.3% of Comox's population are immigrants (1,760 people).

The top countries of origin for Comox's immigrant population are United Kingdom (710), United States of America (175), Germany (120), Philippines (75), Viet Nam (45).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
United Kingdom710
United States of America175
Germany120
Philippines75
Viet Nam45

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 4,240 of Comox's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.

Household Size

About 20.95% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 14.70% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.15%, 5.60%, and 2.55%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
2 persons2,70020.95%
1 person1,89514.70%
3 persons7906.15%
4 persons7255.60%
5 or more persons3302.55%

Income in Comox

Analyzing income distribution in Comox can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Comox is $43,600.

A region's per capita data sheds light on the average income earned per person living in it. Since per capita income is calculated by dividing the region's total income by its population, it quantifies the population's economic situation on an individual basis.

Such data offers insights into the town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.

Most of Comox population or around 1,615 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $50,000 to $79,999, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 1,525 and 1,230 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Comox's median household income is $83,000, according to 2020 data.

Below national average Comox's median household income is 1,000 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).

The data provides important insights into the town's economic landscape as well as the living standards of its population.

Analyzing such data enables researchers, policymakers, and businesses to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the town's income distribution, disparities, and trends.

Education Levels in Comox

This data sheds light on the distribution of Comox residents across educational milestones.

Such information is crucial in shaping the province’s policies on education, workforce development strategies, and initiatives that aim to improve access to quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.

63.90% or most of the Comox population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 28.20% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 27.80% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.90% has No certificate, diploma or degree.

Only using 25% sample data.
DegreeMenWomenTotalPercentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree5,4306,38511,82063.90%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate2,6402,8205,46028.20%
Bachelor's degree or higher2,1752,9505,12527.80%
No certificate, diploma or degree7759001,6707.90%

Below national average 27.8% of Comox's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Comox

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Comox. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.

The data shows that the unemployment rate in Newfoundland and Labrador is at 3.54% which is pretty low.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate48.96%
Unemployment rate3.54%

Working as an Employee

The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the town who work as an employee. The majority of Comox's population (around 68.10%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the town, there are 620 men and 515 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 1,130.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed6205151,130

Employment Industry Sectors

The Comox industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Comox is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.

Comox has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (16%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 14%, followed by Public administration at 13%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Health care and social assistance19583516%
Retail trade43545514%
Public administration56027513%
Construction430708%
Educational services2052958%
Professional, scientific and technical services1952407%
Accommodation and food services1652607%
Transportation and warehousing160754%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services125853%
Manufacturing130553%
Arts, entertainment and recreation90853%
Other services (except public administration)701053%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting115503%
Finance and insurance55902%
Real estate and rental and leasing75752%
Wholesale trade100202%
Information and cultural industries55351%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction55101%
Utilities3501%
Management of companies and enterprises000%

Labour Market Snapshot

A quick snapshot of where Comox residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.

Top employer sectors in Comox: Health care and social assistance (16%), -45 Retail trade (14%), Public administration (13%)

Top occupation categories in Comox: Sales and service occupations (27%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (16%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (15%)

Places of Work

The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the town. It provides a snapshot of workplaces, showing their geographic distribution and the flow of workers across different areas.

Only using 25% sample data.
Work LocationMenWomenTotalPercentage
Usual place of work2,0052,2304,23570.50%
Worked at home39552592515.40%
No fixed workplace address64019583513.90%
Worked outside Canada150200.30%

Commuting

The data sheds light on how Comox residents travel to school or work. It highlights the frequency of different modes of transportation like walking, cycling, carpooling, and public transit.

The data is pivotal in the making of transportation policies as well as the development of transit systems. Ultimately commuting data contributes to improving the quality of life of Comox residents and sustainable urban planning.

Commuting Duration

This data reveals the average time that the residents of Comox spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the town's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the town.

Only using 25% sample data.
DurationPercentage
Less than 15 minutes55.40%
15 to 29 minutes31.40%
60 minutes and over5.40%
30 to 44 minutes5.00%
45 to 59 minutes2.80%

Marital Status

The statistics on marital status in Comoxshed light on its societal dynamics. It captures the diverse types of marital statuses of the population.

Long-term commitments, such as common-law partnerships, civil unions, and marriages, reflect the town's social fabric. We can gain insights into Comox's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.

Married or living common-law
62.43%
Married or living common-law
37.57%

Language Spoken

The data below highlights town's linguistic diversity, showing elegances of solo language as well as bilingual harmonies. Other than language, it also shows the cultural landscape in Canada.

English is the most spoken official language in Comox. About 14,135 people living in the province speak English, 475 people speak French, 35 people speak English and French language, and 5 people speak Neither English nor French language.

LanguagePopulation
English14,135
French475
English and French35
Neither English nor French5

Mother Tongue & Home Language

Useful for newcomers researching an area: this shows the language residents first learned at home in childhood (mother tongue) and the language they speak most often at home now, which can differ as families settle in.

LanguageMother TongueSpoken Most Often at Home
English89.0%96.0%
Non-official languages6.1%1.6%
French3.3%1.5%

Religion

Comox is predominantly Christian. About 5,540 of its population is Christian (2,400 males and 2,400 females).

The second largest religion in the province is Buddhist with 0.5% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Jewish and Sikh, both represent 0.3% and 0.2% of the population, while Hindu represent 0.2% of the population.

ReligionPopulation
Christian38.7%
Buddhist0.5%
Jewish0.3%
Sikh0.2%
Hindu0.2%
Islam0.1%

Frequently Asked Questions about Comox

According to the 2021 census, Comox has a population of approximately 14,806 people.

Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Comox increased by 5.55%.

Comox has a population density of approximately 877.70 people per square kilometre.

Comox covers a land area of approximately 16.87 km².

The median age of the population in Comox is 52.40 years.

The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Comox is English.

The median household income in Comox is $83,000, based on 2020 data.

English is the most common first official language spoken in Comox.

Christian is the predominant religion in Comox.

Statistics Canada (statcan.gc.ca) conducted the 2026 Census of Population in May 2026. However, census data goes through an extensive processing, validation, and quality-assurance period before public release. Based on the release plan, the 2026 Census results begin rolling out on February 10, 2027, with complete community-level profiles available by December 1, 2027. Until then, this page uses 2021 Census data as its primary source, supplemented by a population projection estimate for 2026 calculated using the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from the 2016–2021 Census period.