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

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

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Grand Forks. It is a city in Canada that encompasses a land area of 10.37 km2. The city has a population density of 396.40 people per km2.

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

Grand Forks 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.

Grand Forks location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Grand Forks has a population of around 4,112 people. The city's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Grand Forks has increased by 1.56%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
4,0494,112 +1.56%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.31% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Grand Forks's population is projected to reach approximately 4,176 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 402.70 people per km².

Population in 2021Projected Population in 2026Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
4,1124,176402.70

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 Grand Forks is around 1,985 while the female population is around 2,130.

Of the 4,112 total population in Grand Forks, the largest gender is female with around 2,130 women within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
1,9852,130 +6.81%

Is Grand Forks a Good Place to Live?

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

Employment & Economy

6.6%
Unemployment rate
1.8 pts below the province
47.4%
Employment rate
10.5 pts below the province
50.8%
Participation rate
12.5 pts below the province

Income & Affordability

$61,600
Median household income
$23,400 below the province
14.9%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
4.1 pts above the province

Commute

91.8%
Commute under 30 minutes
26.0 pts above the province
80.0%
Commute by car
0.1 pts above the province
0.0%
Commute by public transit
9.3 pts below the province

Housing Character

75.9%
Single-detached houses
33.5 pts above the province
12.1%
Apartments (any building size)
31.4 pts below the province

Household Composition

2.10 people
Average household size
0.30people below the province
33.4%
One-person households
4.0 pts above the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Other Cities Near Grand Forks

Population by Age Characteristics

Grand Forks has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 65 to 69 years old, accounting for 9.00% of the total population. The city median age is 56.00.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
65 to 69 years170 8.60%200 9.40% 15.00%370 9.00%
60 to 64 years170 8.60%185 8.70% 8.11%355 8.60%
70 to 74 years165 8.30%175 8.20% 5.71%340 8.30%
55 to 59 years145 7.30%185 8.70% 21.62%330 8.00%
75 to 79 years140 7.10%170 8.00% 17.65%310 7.50%
50 to 54 years105 5.30%135 6.30% 22.22%240 5.80%
85 years and over85 4.30%135 6.30% 37.04%220 5.40%
10 to 14 years120 6.00%80 3.80% 33.33%200 4.90%
45 to 49 years100 5.00%105 4.90% 4.76%200 4.90%
15 to 19 years100 5.00%95 4.50% 5.00%195 4.70%
40 to 44 years90 4.50%100 4.70% 10.00%195 4.70%
30 to 34 years105 5.30%90 4.20% 14.29%190 4.60%
80 to 84 years85 4.30%105 4.90% 19.05%190 4.60%
25 to 29 years90 4.50%85 4.00% 5.56%180 4.40%
35 to 39 years85 4.30%80 3.80% 5.88%165 4.00%
5 to 9 years80 4.00%75 3.50% 6.25%160 3.90%
20 to 24 years75 3.80%75 3.50% 0.00%155 3.80%
85 to 89 years55 2.80%90 4.20% 38.89%145 3.50%
0 to 4 years55 2.80%55 2.60% 0.00%110 2.70%
90 to 94 years25 1.30%30 1.40% 16.67%60 1.50%
Median age of the population54 54.00%58 57.60% 5.21%56 56.00%

Broader Age Groups

If the city'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 53.80% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 34.80% and 11.40%, respectively.

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

DataMaleFemaleTotal
Average age of the population49.20%52.40%50.90%
65 years and over32.70%36.60%34.80%
0 to 14 years12.80%10.10%11.40%

Photos of Places & Sceneries in Grand Forks

Population of Grand Forks by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Grand Forks is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Grand Forks 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 28.57% of the total population, followed by Scottish (22.78%), Irish (18.79%), German (16.60%), and Canadian (14.93%).

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

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
English26.26%30.50%28.57%
Scottish21.22%23.75%22.78%
Irish18.57%19.00%18.79%
German16.71%16.25%16.60%
Canadian16.45%13.75%14.93%
Russian12.20%15.00%13.64%
Ukrainian6.37%7.75%6.95%
French7.16%6.00%6.56%
Dutch4.24%4.25%4.25%
Norwegian3.98%3.75%3.73%

Immigration Profile

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

About 9.1% of Grand Forks's population are immigrants (355 people).

The top countries of origin for Grand Forks's immigrant population are United Kingdom (100), United States of America (75), Philippines (20), Italy (15), France (10).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
United Kingdom100
United States of America75
Philippines20
Italy15
France10

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 1,420 of Grand Forks's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.

Household Size

About 21.50% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 16.70% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 5.75%, 4.30%, and 1.85%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
2 persons80521.50%
1 person62516.70%
3 persons2155.75%
4 persons1604.30%
5 or more persons701.85%

Income in Grand Forks

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

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Grand Forks is $33,200.

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 city's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.

Most of Grand Forks population or around 480 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 375 and 365 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Grand Forks's median household income is $61,600, according to 2020 data.

Below national average Grand Forks's median household income is 22,400 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).

The data provides important insights into the city'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 city's income distribution, disparities, and trends.

Education Levels in Grand Forks

This data sheds light on the distribution of Grand Forks 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.

52.00% or most of the Grand Forks population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 30.70% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 17.15% has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 11.70% has Bachelor's degree or higher.

Only using 25% sample data.
DegreeMenWomenTotalPercentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree1,1601,4602,62552.00%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate7558351,59530.70%
No certificate, diploma or degree53041094017.15%
Bachelor's degree or higher26032559511.70%

Below national average 11.7% of Grand Forks's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Grand Forks

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Grand Forks. 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 3.38% which is pretty low.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate47.43%
Unemployment rate3.38%

Working as an Employee

The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the city who work as an employee. The majority of Grand Forks's population (around 70.20%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the city, there are 150 men and 115 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 265.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed150115265

Employment Industry Sectors

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

Grand Forks has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (17%) works in the retail trade sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 15%, followed by Construction at 10%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Retail trade15014517%
Health care and social assistance3023515%
Construction1502010%
Accommodation and food services75859%
Manufacturing120258%
Educational services45657%
Other services (except public administration)50405%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services45405%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting45254%
Public administration45254%
Professional, scientific and technical services30404%
Arts, entertainment and recreation25253%
Transportation and warehousing4002%
Finance and insurance15302%
Real estate and rental and leasing1501%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction1501%
Information and cultural industries0101%
Utilities1001%
Wholesale trade1001%
Management of companies and enterprises000%

Labour Market Snapshot

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

Top employer sectors in Grand Forks: -45 Retail trade (17%), Health care and social assistance (15%), Construction (10%)

Top occupation categories in Grand Forks: Sales and service occupations (33%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (22%), Health occupations (11%)

Places of Work

The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the city. 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 work6106301,24076.80%
No fixed workplace address1555021013.00%
Worked at home759016510.20%
Worked outside Canada0000.00%

Commuting

The data sheds light on how Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks residents and sustainable urban planning.

Commuting Duration

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

Only using 25% sample data.
DurationPercentage
Less than 15 minutes75.20%
15 to 29 minutes16.60%
30 to 44 minutes3.80%
45 to 59 minutes2.10%
60 minutes and over2.10%

Marital Status

The statistics on marital status in Grand Forksshed 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 city's social fabric. We can gain insights into Grand Forks's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.

Married or living common-law
55.63%
Married or living common-law
44.37%

Language Spoken

The data below highlights city'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 Grand Forks. About 3,900 people living in the province speak English, 25 people speak French, 15 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 0 people speak English and French language.

LanguagePopulation
English3,900
French25
Neither English nor French15
English and French0

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
English88.3%96.8%
Non-official languages8.9%2.2%
French0.9%0.1%

Religion

Grand Forks is predominantly Christian. About 1,315 of its population is Christian (575 males and 575 females).

The second largest religion in the province is Sikh with 1.0% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Buddhist, both represent 0.8% and 0.5% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.3% of the population.

ReligionPopulation
Christian33.8%
Sikh1.0%
Hindu0.8%
Buddhist0.5%
Islam0.3%
Jewish0.0%

Frequently Asked Questions about Grand Forks

According to the 2021 census, Grand Forks has a population of approximately 4,112 people.

Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Grand Forks increased by 1.56%.

Grand Forks has a population density of approximately 396.40 people per square kilometre.

Grand Forks covers a land area of approximately 10.37 km².

The median age of the population in Grand Forks is 56.00 years.

The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Grand Forks is English.

The median household income in Grand Forks is $61,600, based on 2020 data.

English is the most common first official language spoken in Grand Forks.

Christian is the predominant religion in Grand Forks.

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.