Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Merritt has a population of around 7,051 people. The city's population is in decreased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Merritt has decreased by -1.23%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 7,139 | 7,051 | --1.23% |
2026 Population Projection
Merritt's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 7,051 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Population By Genders
The male population of Merritt is around 3,420 while the female population is around 3,635.
Of the 7,051 total population in Merritt, the largest gender is female with around 3,635 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 3,420 | 3,635 | -5.91% |
Is Merritt a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Merritt compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against British Columbia, its own province. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.
Employment & Economy
Income & Affordability
Commute
Housing Character
Household Composition
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.
Other Cities Near Merritt
Population by Age Characteristics
Merritt has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 8.20% of the total population. The city median age is 49.20.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 270 7.90% | 300 8.30% | 10.00% | 575 8.20% |
| 65 to 69 years | 280 8.20% | 285 7.80% | 1.75% | 560 7.90% |
| 70 to 74 years | 255 7.50% | 290 8.00% | 12.07% | 540 7.70% |
| 55 to 59 years | 215 6.30% | 275 7.60% | 21.82% | 490 6.90% |
| 50 to 54 years | 200 5.80% | 220 6.10% | 9.09% | 420 6.00% |
| 10 to 14 years | 205 6.00% | 195 5.40% | 4.88% | 400 5.70% |
| 45 to 49 years | 185 5.40% | 200 5.50% | 7.50% | 390 5.50% |
| 30 to 34 years | 195 5.70% | 190 5.20% | 2.56% | 385 5.50% |
| 35 to 39 years | 175 5.10% | 205 5.60% | 14.63% | 375 5.30% |
| 40 to 44 years | 185 5.40% | 190 5.20% | 2.63% | 370 5.20% |
| 25 to 29 years | 190 5.60% | 170 4.70% | 10.53% | 355 5.00% |
| 75 to 79 years | 165 4.80% | 190 5.20% | 13.16% | 355 5.00% |
| 5 to 9 years | 175 5.10% | 180 5.00% | 2.78% | 350 5.00% |
| 15 to 19 years | 180 5.30% | 170 4.70% | 5.56% | 345 4.90% |
| 0 to 4 years | 160 4.70% | 160 4.40% | 0.00% | 320 4.50% |
| 20 to 24 years | 170 5.00% | 135 3.70% | 20.59% | 305 4.30% |
| 80 to 84 years | 125 3.70% | 135 3.70% | 7.41% | 255 3.60% |
| 85 years and over | 95 2.80% | 145 4.00% | 34.48% | 235 3.30% |
| 85 to 89 years | 65 1.90% | 75 2.10% | 13.33% | 135 1.90% |
| 90 to 94 years | 20 0.60% | 50 1.40% | 60.00% | 75 1.10% |
| Median age of the population | 48 47.60% | 50 50.40% | 5.95% | 49 49.20% |
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 56.90% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 27.80% and 15.20%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Merritt are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average age of the population | 45.30% | 47.20% | 46.30% |
| 65 years and over | 26.90% | 28.60% | 27.80% |
| 0 to 14 years | 15.60% | 14.90% | 15.20% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Merritt
Population of Merritt by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Merritt is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Merritt 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 25.89% of the total population, followed by Scottish (20.33%), Irish (15.43%), German (14.24%), and Canadian (13.06%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include First Nations (North American Indian), French, Dutch, Ukrainian, and British Isles.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 25.42% | 26.47% | 25.89% |
| Scottish | 18.95% | 21.46% | 20.33% |
| Irish | 13.56% | 17.31% | 15.43% |
| German | 14.64% | 13.88% | 14.24% |
| Canadian | 12.94% | 13.16% | 13.06% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 10.32% | 11.30% | 10.83% |
| French | 9.71% | 8.73% | 9.27% |
| Dutch | 6.32% | 6.29% | 6.31% |
| Ukrainian | 5.55% | 6.15% | 5.86% |
| British Isles | 5.24% | 3.86% | 4.45% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Merritt's population profile.
About 9.6% of Merritt's population are immigrants (650 people).
The top countries of origin for Merritt's immigrant population are India (160), United States of America (70), United Kingdom (65), Philippines (55), Korea, South (35).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| India | 160 |
| United States of America | 70 |
| United Kingdom | 65 |
| Philippines | 55 |
| Korea, South | 35 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 1,935 of Merritt's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 19.40% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 15.40% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.65%, 5.30%, and 3.30%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 1,155 | 19.40% |
| 1 person | 915 | 15.40% |
| 3 persons | 395 | 6.65% |
| 4 persons | 315 | 5.30% |
| 5 or more persons | 195 | 3.30% |
Income in Merritt
Analyzing income distribution in Merritt can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Merritt is $36,000.
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 Merritt population or around 760 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $30,000 to $49,999, and $50,000 to $79,999 with around 635 and 615 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Merritt's median household income is $70,000, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Merritt's median household income is 14,000 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 Merritt
This data sheds light on the distribution of Merritt 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.
50.85% or most of the Merritt population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 31.65% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 17.40% has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 15.65% has Bachelor's degree or higher.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 1,865 | 2,555 | 4,415 | 50.85% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 1,425 | 1,395 | 2,820 | 31.65% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 945 | 715 | 1,665 | 17.40% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 420 | 915 | 1,335 | 15.65% |
Below national average 15.7% of Merritt's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Merritt
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Merritt. 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 4.84% which is pretty low.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 46.57% |
| Unemployment rate | 4.84% |
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 Merritt's population (around 70.20%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the city, there are 190 men and 125 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 315.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 190 | 125 | 315 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Merritt industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Merritt is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Merritt has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (13%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 12%, followed by Educational services at 10%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 60 | 330 | 13% |
| Retail trade | 150 | 180 | 12% |
| Educational services | 65 | 225 | 10% |
| Accommodation and food services | 95 | 195 | 10% |
| Public administration | 130 | 120 | 9% |
| Construction | 220 | 30 | 8% |
| Manufacturing | 145 | 15 | 6% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 120 | 15 | 5% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 100 | 30 | 4% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 105 | 15 | 4% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 65 | 55 | 4% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 80 | 35 | 4% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 30 | 45 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 40 | 10 | 2% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 30 | 1% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 15 | 15 | 1% |
| Utilities | 20 | 0 | 1% |
| Wholesale trade | 15 | 10 | 1% |
| Information and cultural industries | 10 | 15 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Merritt residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Merritt: Health care and social assistance (13%), -45 Retail trade (12%), Educational services (10%)
Top occupation categories in Merritt: Sales and service occupations (28%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (21%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (15%)
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.
| Work Location | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual place of work | 935 | 1,050 | 1,995 | 75.40% |
| No fixed workplace address | 315 | 75 | 390 | 14.70% |
| Worked at home | 120 | 135 | 255 | 9.60% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0.40% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Merritt 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 Merritt residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Merritt 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.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 71.00% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 14.70% |
| 60 minutes and over | 6.30% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 4.40% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 3.40% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Merrittshed 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 Merritt's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
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 Merritt. About 6,815 people living in the province speak English, 60 people speak French, 40 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 5 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 6,815 |
| French | 60 |
| Neither English nor French | 40 |
| English and French | 5 |
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.
| Language | Mother Tongue | Spoken Most Often at Home |
|---|---|---|
| English | 89.5% | 94.7% |
| Non-official languages | 7.7% | 3.5% |
| French | 1.1% | 0.3% |
Religion
Merritt is predominantly Christian. About 2,225 of its population is Christian (960 males and 960 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Sikh with 2.7% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Buddhist, both represent 0.6% and 0.3% of the population, while Jewish represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 33.0% |
| Sikh | 2.7% |
| Hindu | 0.6% |
| Buddhist | 0.3% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions about Merritt
According to the 2021 census, Merritt has a population of approximately 7,051 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Merritt decreased by 1.23%.
Merritt has a population density of approximately 270.70 people per square kilometre.
Merritt covers a land area of approximately 26.04 km².
The median age of the population in Merritt is 49.20 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Merritt is English.
The median household income in Merritt is $70,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Merritt.
Christian is the predominant religion in Merritt.
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.