Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Port Edward has a population of around 470 people. The township's population is in increased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Port Edward has increased by ▲ 0.64%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 467 | 470 | +0.64% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.13% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Port Edward's population is projected to reach approximately 473 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 2.83 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 470 | 473 | 2.83 |
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.
Port Edward Population Trend & Context
Port Edward had a 2021 census population of 470 — an increase of 3 (▲ 0.64%) people from the 467 recorded in 2016.
The township's population has remained relatively stable over this period, reflecting broader trends in mid-sized British Columbia townships. The township's median age of 45.2 years — above the national median of 41.9 — suggests a mature, established community rather than a rapidly growing one.
Population By Genders
The male population of Port Edward is around 255 while the female population is around 215.
Of the 470 total population in Port Edward, the largest gender is male with around 255 male within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 255 | 215 | +15.69% |
Is Port Edward a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Port Edward 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.
Port Edward Population Compared to British Columbia
British Columbia's population in 2021 was 5,000,879, spread across the area. Here's how Port Edward compares to the township's key indicators:
| Indicator | Port Edward | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $97,000 | $85,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.1% | 8.4% |
| Median age | 45.2 | 42.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.7% | 31.8% |
| Immigrants (%) | 4.5% | 29.0% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Port Edward has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 55 to 59 years old, accounting for 8.50% of the total population. The township median age is 45.20.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|
Broader Age Groups
If the township'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 64.90% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 20.20% and 16.00%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Port Edward are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 years and over | 55.00% | 40.00% | 95.00% |
| 0 to 14 years | 45.00% | 30.00% | 75.00% |
| 15 to 64 years | 60.80% | 67.40% | 64.90% |
| 65 years and over | 21.60% | 18.60% | 20.20% |
| 0 to 14 years | 17.60% | 14.00% | 16.00% |
Population of Port Edward by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Port Edward is quite diverse, which contributes to the township's vibrant cultural landscape. Port Edward is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the township appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Port Edward are Scottish, which accounts for 24.72% of the total population, followed by Irish (16.85%), English (15.73%), North American Indigenous (15.73%), and German (13.48%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Port Edward include French, First Nations (North American Indian), Canadian, Norwegian, and Swedish.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish | 18.00% | 33.33% | 24.72% |
| Irish | 22.00% | 12.82% | 16.85% |
| English | 8.00% | 25.64% | 15.73% |
| North American Indigenous | 12.00% | 20.51% | 15.73% |
| German | 16.00% | 10.26% | 13.48% |
| French | 10.00% | 10.26% | 10.11% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 12.00% | 7.69% | 10.11% |
| Canadian | 8.00% | 5.13% | 6.74% |
| Norwegian | 10.00% | 0.00% | 6.74% |
| Swedish | 6.00% | 5.13% | 5.62% |
Indigenous Identity in Port Edward
About 49.44% of Port Edward's population (220 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 50.56% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 170 people (38.20% of the total population) hold Registered or Treaty Indian status.
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Port Edward's population profile.
About 4.5% of Port Edward's population are immigrants (20 people).
The top countries of origin for Port Edward's immigrant population are Brazil (0), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0), Guyana (0), Haiti (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 0 |
| Colombia | 0 |
| El Salvador | 0 |
| Guyana | 0 |
| Haiti | 0 |
98.9% of Port Edward's residents (440 people) are Canadian citizens, and 0.0% are not.
By generation status, 7.9% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 9.0% are second generation, and 83.1% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 145 of Port Edward's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 15.30% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 12.50% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 11.10%, 5.55%, and 5.55%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 55 | 15.30% |
| 1 person | 45 | 12.50% |
| 3 persons | 40 | 11.10% |
| 4 persons | 20 | 5.55% |
| 5 or more persons | 20 | 5.55% |
Family and Household Structure in Port Edward
Of census families in Port Edward, 78.6% are couple families and 21.4% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.7 people.
27.8% of households in Port Edward are one-person households, 47.2% are couple-family households, 8.3% are one-parent-family households, and 5.6% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 50 | 27.8% |
| Couple-family households | 85 | 47.2% |
| One-parent-family households | 15 | 8.3% |
| Multigenerational households | 10 | 5.6% |
Income in Port Edward
Analyzing income distribution in Port Edward can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Port Edward is $40,000.
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 township's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Port Edward population or around 55 people falls in the $50,000 to $79,999 group. The next largest groups are the $10,000 to $29,999, and Under $10,000 with around 50 and 35 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Port Edward's median household income is $97,000, according to 2020 data.
Above national average Port Edward's median household income is 13,000 dollars above the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the township'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 township's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in Port Edward
This data sheds light on the distribution of Port Edward 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.
45.80% or most of the Port Edward population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 37.50% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 18.80% has a No certificate, diploma or degree. (Individual figures may not sum to exactly 100% due to Statistics Canada's random rounding of small-area 25% sample data.)
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 65 | 40 | 110 | 45.80% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 35 | 50 | 90 | 37.50% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 30 | 10 | 45 | 18.80% |
Below national average 12.5% of Port Edward's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Port Edward
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Port Edward. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Port Edward is at 5.88% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 64.00% |
| Unemployment rate | 5.88% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Port Edward, 41.9% worked full year full time in the reference year, 28.4% worked part year and/or part time, and 32.4% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 155 | 41.9% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 105 | 28.4% |
| Did not work | 120 | 32.4% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the township who work as an employee. The majority of Port Edward's population (around 76.00%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the township, there are 0 men and 10 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 15.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 0 | 10 | 15 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Port Edward industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Port Edward is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Port Edward has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (22%) works in the public administration sector. The Accommodation and food services sector comes second at 16%, followed by Retail trade at 12%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public administration | 40 | 20 | 22% |
| Accommodation and food services | 15 | 20 | 16% |
| Retail trade | 20 | 10 | 12% |
| Construction | 20 | 0 | 10% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 15 | 10 | 10% |
| Manufacturing | 10 | 0 | 4% |
| Educational services | 0 | 10 | 4% |
| Health care and social assistance | 0 | 10 | 4% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Wholesale trade | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Port Edward residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Port Edward: Public administration (22%), Accommodation and food services (16%), Retail trade (12%)
Top occupation categories in Port Edward: Sales and service occupations (26%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (26%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (20%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the township. 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 | 110 | 80 | 190 | 80.90% |
| No fixed workplace address | 15 | 10 | 30 | 12.80% |
| Worked at home | 0 | 15 | 20 | 8.50% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Port Edward 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 Port Edward residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Port Edward spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the township's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the township.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 15 to 29 minutes | 62.80% |
| Less than 15 minutes | 25.60% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 11.60% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 0.00% |
| 60 minutes and over | 0.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Port Edward shed 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 township's social fabric. We can gain insights into Port Edward's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights township'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 Port Edward. About 465 people living in the township speak English, 5 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 465 |
| French | 5 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 0 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 3.2% of Port Edward's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 97.9% know English only, 0.0% know French only, and 0.0% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 460 | 97.9% |
| French only | 0 | 0.0% |
| English and French | 15 | 3.2% |
| Neither English nor French | 0 | 0.0% |
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 | 93.6% | 97.9% |
| Non-official languages | 4.3% | 0.0% |
| French | 1.1% | 0.0% |
Religion
Port Edward is predominantly Christian. About 120 of its population is Christian (75 males and 50 females).
The second largest religion in the township is Buddhist with 0.0% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Jewish, both represent 0.0% and 0.0% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 27.0% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Port Edward
Schools
Parks
Places to Visit in Port Edward
Historic Sites
Green Spaces in Port Edward
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Fisher Point | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| Diana Lake Provincial Park | Nature Reserves | 251.0 ha |
| Gamble Creek Ecological Reserve | Nature Reserves | 965.9 ha |
| Prudhomme Lake Provincial Park | Nature Reserves | 9.1 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Nearest Townships to Port Edward
- Kitimat 108.4 km · 8,236 people
- Stewart 191.5 km · 517 people
- New Hazelton 207.4 km · 602 people
- Houston 237.2 km · 3,052 people
- Fort St. James 391.7 km · 1,386 people
- Vanderhoof 410.1 km · 4,346 people
- Port Hardy 432.7 km · 3,902 people
- Mackenzie 477.4 km · 3,281 people
Frequently Asked Questions about Port Edward
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Port Edward has a population of 470 people, making it the 184th township in British Columbia. The population increased slightly from 467 in 2016, an increase of 3 people or 0.64%. The township has a population density of 2.8 people per km² across a land area of 167.16 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Port Edward's population grew by 0.64% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 467 to 470 people, a gain of 3 residents. This modest growth reflects patterns seen in many other British Columbia townships during this period. The median age of 45.20 years suggests an aging population. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Port Edward has a population density of approximately 2.80 people per square kilometre.
Port Edward covers a land area of approximately 167.16 km².
The median age of the population in Port Edward is 45.20 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Port Edward is Scottish.
The median household income in Port Edward is $97,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Port Edward.
Christian is the predominant religion in Port Edward.
According to the 2021 Census, 49.4% of Port Edward's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
98.9% of Port Edward's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 22.2% of census families in Port Edward, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 5.6% of all households in Port Edward, per the 2021 Census.
3.2% of Port Edward's population knows both English and French, based on 2021 Census data on knowledge of official languages.
Of the population aged 15 and over in Port Edward, 41.9% worked full year full time in the 2021 Census reference year.
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.