Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Quesnel has a population of around 9,889 people. The city's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Quesnel has increased by 0.10%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 9,879 | 9,889 | +0.10% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.02% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Quesnel's population is projected to reach approximately 9,899 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 280.03 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 9,889 | 9,899 | 280.03 |
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 Quesnel is around 4,835 while the female population is around 5,055.
Of the 9,889 total population in Quesnel, the largest gender is female with around 5,055 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 4,835 | 5,055 | +4.35% |
Is Quesnel a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Quesnel 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.
Population by Age Characteristics
Quesnel has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 7.80% of the total population. The city median age is 45.60.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 365 7.50% | 405 8.00% | 9.88% | 770 7.80% |
| 55 to 59 years | 395 8.20% | 360 7.10% | 8.86% | 750 7.60% |
| 65 to 69 years | 315 6.50% | 370 7.30% | 14.86% | 685 6.90% |
| 25 to 29 years | 320 6.60% | 295 5.80% | 7.81% | 615 6.20% |
| 50 to 54 years | 285 5.90% | 335 6.60% | 14.93% | 615 6.20% |
| 45 to 49 years | 295 6.10% | 310 6.10% | 4.84% | 610 6.20% |
| 70 to 74 years | 285 5.90% | 330 6.50% | 13.64% | 610 6.20% |
| 10 to 14 years | 310 6.40% | 280 5.50% | 9.68% | 595 6.00% |
| 15 to 19 years | 300 6.20% | 265 5.20% | 11.67% | 570 5.80% |
| 30 to 34 years | 280 5.80% | 280 5.50% | 0.00% | 560 5.70% |
| 35 to 39 years | 260 5.40% | 295 5.80% | 11.86% | 555 5.60% |
| 20 to 24 years | 280 5.80% | 270 5.30% | 3.57% | 550 5.60% |
| 40 to 44 years | 260 5.40% | 255 5.00% | 1.92% | 515 5.20% |
| 5 to 9 years | 255 5.30% | 240 4.70% | 5.88% | 495 5.00% |
| 0 to 4 years | 235 4.90% | 200 4.00% | 14.89% | 435 4.40% |
| 75 to 79 years | 180 3.70% | 210 4.20% | 14.29% | 385 3.90% |
| 80 to 84 years | 120 2.50% | 175 3.50% | 31.43% | 295 3.00% |
| 85 years and over | 100 2.10% | 180 3.60% | 44.44% | 275 2.80% |
| 85 to 89 years | 65 1.30% | 105 2.10% | 38.10% | 165 1.70% |
| 90 to 94 years | 30 0.60% | 60 1.20% | 50.00% | 85 0.90% |
| Median age of the population | 44 43.60% | 47 47.20% | 8.47% | 46 45.60% |
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 61.80% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 22.90% and 15.40%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Quesnel are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average age of the population | 42.60% | 45.30% | 44.00% |
| 65 years and over | 20.70% | 24.80% | 22.90% |
| 0 to 14 years | 16.40% | 14.30% | 15.40% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Quesnel
Population of Quesnel by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Quesnel is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Quesnel 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 28.45% of the total population, followed by Scottish (22.15%), German (17.66%), Irish (17.60%), and Canadian (15.13%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include French, Ukrainian, First Nations (North American Indian), Dutch, and British Isles.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 26.90% | 29.83% | 28.45% |
| Scottish | 22.05% | 22.24% | 22.15% |
| German | 17.62% | 17.59% | 17.66% |
| Irish | 16.35% | 18.81% | 17.60% |
| Canadian | 16.14% | 14.16% | 15.13% |
| French | 10.23% | 10.41% | 10.33% |
| Ukrainian | 6.54% | 4.95% | 5.73% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 4.96% | 5.46% | 5.21% |
| Dutch | 4.11% | 5.46% | 4.85% |
| British Isles | 5.38% | 4.04% | 4.70% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Quesnel's population profile.
About 8.3% of Quesnel's population are immigrants (805 people).
The top countries of origin for Quesnel's immigrant population are United Kingdom (140), India (135), United States of America (120), Philippines (100), Germany (50).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 140 |
| India | 135 |
| United States of America | 120 |
| Philippines | 100 |
| Germany | 50 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 2,690 of Quesnel's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.
Household Size
About 18.80% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 17.25% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.35%, 4.65%, and 3.00%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 1,695 | 18.80% |
| 2 persons | 1,555 | 17.25% |
| 3 persons | 575 | 6.35% |
| 4 persons | 420 | 4.65% |
| 5 or more persons | 270 | 3.00% |
Income in Quesnel
Analyzing income distribution in Quesnel can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Quesnel is $37,200.
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 Quesnel population or around 1,135 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 950 and 875 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Quesnel's median household income is $67,000, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Quesnel's median household income is 17,000 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 Quesnel
This data sheds light on the distribution of Quesnel 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.
45.90% or most of the Quesnel population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 33.90% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 20.25% has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 14.10% has Bachelor's degree or higher.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 2,725 | 3,160 | 5,890 | 45.90% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 2,155 | 2,290 | 4,445 | 33.90% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 1,435 | 1,340 | 2,770 | 20.25% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 675 | 1,095 | 1,780 | 14.10% |
Below national average 14.1% of Quesnel's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Quesnel
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Quesnel. 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 5.70% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 48.65% |
| Unemployment rate | 5.70% |
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 Quesnel's population (around 72.90%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the city, there are 250 men and 235 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 485.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 250 | 235 | 485 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Quesnel industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Quesnel is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Quesnel has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (17%) works in the manufacturing sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 14%, followed by Retail trade at 14%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 620 | 125 | 17% |
| Health care and social assistance | 85 | 540 | 14% |
| Retail trade | 310 | 300 | 14% |
| Accommodation and food services | 175 | 215 | 9% |
| Educational services | 60 | 275 | 8% |
| Construction | 230 | 40 | 6% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 115 | 85 | 5% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 120 | 50 | 4% |
| Public administration | 90 | 80 | 4% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 60 | 75 | 3% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 65 | 45 | 3% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 65 | 40 | 2% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 75 | 15 | 2% |
| Finance and insurance | 10 | 75 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 40 | 35 | 2% |
| Wholesale trade | 50 | 20 | 2% |
| Information and cultural industries | 35 | 35 | 2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 25 | 25 | 1% |
| Utilities | 25 | 0 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Quesnel residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Quesnel: -33 Manufacturing (17%), Health care and social assistance (14%), -45 Retail trade (14%)
Top occupation categories in Quesnel: Sales and service occupations (26%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (20%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (14%)
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 | 1,580 | 1,605 | 3,185 | 80.20% |
| No fixed workplace address | 340 | 170 | 500 | 12.60% |
| Worked at home | 115 | 165 | 280 | 7.10% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Quesnel 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 Quesnel residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Quesnel 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 | 71.70% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 19.50% |
| 60 minutes and over | 3.40% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 3.30% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 2.20% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Quesnelshed 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 Quesnel'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 Quesnel. About 9,650 people living in the province speak English, 70 people speak French, 35 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 10 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 9,650 |
| French | 70 |
| Neither English nor French | 35 |
| English and French | 10 |
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 | 90.9% | 95.9% |
| Non-official languages | 6.9% | 3.2% |
| French | 0.9% | 0.1% |
Religion
Quesnel is predominantly Christian. About 3,260 of its population is Christian (1,395 males and 1,395 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Sikh with 1.9% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Buddhist, both represent 0.7% and 0.2% of the population, while Jewish represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 33.7% |
| Sikh | 1.9% |
| Hindu | 0.7% |
| Buddhist | 0.2% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Quesnel
Hospitals
Schools
- Correlieu Secondary School
- Voyageur Elementary School
- Riverview Elementary School
- Red Bluff Elementary School
- Quesnel Junior School
- Lakeview Elementary School
- Dragon Lake Elementary School
- Carson Elementary School
Universities
Parks
- LeBourdais Park
- Fraser River Park
- Weldwood Park
- Johnston Park
- West Fraser Timber Park
- Ceal Tingley Park
- Chuck Beath Memorial Park
- Wilma Hanson Memorial Park
- Cariboo Fields
- Alex Fraser Park
- North Quesnel Community Garden
- South Quesnel Park
- Lewis Drive Park
Libraries
Green Spaces in Quesnel
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| LeBourdais Park | Parks | 5.6 ha |
| Fraser River Park | Parks | 0.7 ha |
| Weldwood Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
| Johnston Park | Parks | 1.4 ha |
| West Fraser Timber Park | Parks | 13.9 ha |
| Ceal Tingley Park | Parks | 2.5 ha |
| Chuck Beath Memorial Park | Parks | 1.7 ha |
| Wilma Hanson Memorial Park | Parks | 0.7 ha |
| Cariboo Fields | Parks | 4.1 ha |
| Alex Fraser Park | Parks | 10.6 ha |
| North Quesnel Community Garden | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| South Quesnel Park | Parks | 1.2 ha |
| Lewis Drive Park | Parks | 0.6 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Frequently Asked Questions about Quesnel
According to the 2021 census, Quesnel has a population of approximately 9,889 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Quesnel increased by 0.10%.
Quesnel has a population density of approximately 279.80 people per square kilometre.
Quesnel covers a land area of approximately 35.35 km².
The median age of the population in Quesnel is 45.60 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Quesnel is English.
The median household income in Quesnel is $67,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Quesnel.
Christian is the predominant religion in Quesnel.
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.