Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Smithers has a population of around 5,378 people. The town's population is in decreased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Smithers has decreased by -0.43%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 5,401 | 5,378 | --0.43% |
2026 Population Projection
Smithers's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 5,378 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Population By Genders
The male population of Smithers is around 2,600 while the female population is around 2,780.
Of the 5,378 total population in Smithers, the largest gender is female with around 2,780 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 2,600 | 2,780 | -6.47% |
Is Smithers a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Smithers 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
Smithers has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 30 to 34 years old, accounting for 7.90% of the total population. The town median age is 39.60.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 to 34 years | 200 7.70% | 220 7.90% | 9.09% | 425 7.90% |
| 35 to 39 years | 185 7.10% | 215 7.70% | 13.95% | 400 7.40% |
| 25 to 29 years | 185 7.10% | 165 5.90% | 10.81% | 355 6.60% |
| 10 to 14 years | 175 6.70% | 170 6.10% | 2.86% | 350 6.50% |
| 40 to 44 years | 175 6.70% | 175 6.30% | 0.00% | 350 6.50% |
| 60 to 64 years | 165 6.30% | 190 6.80% | 13.16% | 350 6.50% |
| 45 to 49 years | 185 7.10% | 160 5.80% | 13.51% | 345 6.40% |
| 0 to 4 years | 170 6.50% | 155 5.60% | 8.82% | 325 6.00% |
| 15 to 19 years | 165 6.30% | 150 5.40% | 9.09% | 315 5.90% |
| 55 to 59 years | 150 5.80% | 160 5.80% | 6.25% | 315 5.90% |
| 5 to 9 years | 130 5.00% | 170 6.10% | 23.53% | 300 5.60% |
| 50 to 54 years | 135 5.20% | 150 5.40% | 10.00% | 285 5.30% |
| 65 to 69 years | 130 5.00% | 155 5.60% | 16.13% | 280 5.20% |
| 20 to 24 years | 155 6.00% | 120 4.30% | 22.58% | 270 5.00% |
| 70 to 74 years | 100 3.80% | 130 4.70% | 23.08% | 235 4.40% |
| 75 to 79 years | 75 2.90% | 125 4.50% | 40.00% | 205 3.80% |
| 85 years and over | 60 2.30% | 80 2.90% | 25.00% | 135 2.50% |
| 80 to 84 years | 55 2.10% | 75 2.70% | 26.67% | 130 2.40% |
| 85 to 89 years | 40 1.50% | 45 1.60% | 11.11% | 80 1.50% |
| Average age of the population | 39 39.40% | 42 41.80% | 4.78% | 41 40.60% |
| 90 to 94 years | 15 0.60% | 25 0.90% | 40.00% | 40 0.70% |
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 63.50% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 18.30% and 18.20%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Smithers are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age of the population | 38.00% | 40.40% | 39.60% |
| 65 years and over | 16.20% | 20.30% | 18.30% |
| 0 to 14 years | 18.50% | 18.00% | 18.20% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Smithers
Population of Smithers by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Smithers is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Smithers 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 24.14% of the total population, followed by Scottish (21.77%), Dutch (16.73%), Irish (15.87%), and German (14.73%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include Canadian, French, Ukrainian, Norwegian, and British Isles.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 21.26% | 26.65% | 24.14% |
| Scottish | 21.46% | 22.06% | 21.77% |
| Dutch | 16.73% | 16.73% | 16.73% |
| Irish | 15.16% | 16.91% | 15.87% |
| German | 15.75% | 13.97% | 14.73% |
| Canadian | 10.24% | 10.66% | 10.55% |
| French | 6.89% | 8.64% | 7.79% |
| Ukrainian | 7.09% | 5.15% | 6.08% |
| Norwegian | 3.94% | 6.07% | 5.13% |
| British Isles | 5.12% | 4.23% | 4.66% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Smithers's population profile.
About 12.6% of Smithers's population are immigrants (665 people).
The top countries of origin for Smithers's immigrant population are Netherlands (95), United Kingdom (70), Philippines (70), United States of America (65), Germany (55).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Netherlands | 95 |
| United Kingdom | 70 |
| Philippines | 70 |
| United States of America | 65 |
| Germany | 55 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 1,450 of Smithers's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.
Household Size
About 16.90% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 16.65% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.70%, 6.15%, and 3.45%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 780 | 16.90% |
| 2 persons | 770 | 16.65% |
| 3 persons | 310 | 6.70% |
| 4 persons | 285 | 6.15% |
| 5 or more persons | 160 | 3.45% |
Income in Smithers
Analyzing income distribution in Smithers can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Smithers is $46,000.
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 town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Smithers population or around 710 people falls in the $50,000 to $79,999 group. The next largest groups are the $10,000 to $29,999, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 665 and 570 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Smithers's median household income is $85,000, according to 2020 data.
Above national average Smithers's median household income is 1,000 dollars above 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 Smithers
This data sheds light on the distribution of Smithers 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.
56.85% or most of the Smithers population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 30.80% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 26.75% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.40% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 1,905 | 2,050 | 3,955 | 56.85% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 1,085 | 1,105 | 2,190 | 30.80% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 865 | 970 | 1,840 | 26.75% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 430 | 500 | 935 | 12.40% |
Below national average 26.8% of Smithers's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Smithers
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Smithers. 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 4.21% which is pretty low.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 66.47% |
| Unemployment rate | 4.21% |
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 Smithers's population (around 68.40%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 195 men and 175 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 370.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 195 | 175 | 370 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Smithers industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Smithers is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Smithers has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (14%) works in the retail trade sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 13%, followed by Public administration at 9%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | 210 | 220 | 14% |
| Health care and social assistance | 65 | 320 | 13% |
| Public administration | 115 | 165 | 9% |
| Accommodation and food services | 145 | 80 | 7% |
| Construction | 195 | 25 | 7% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 185 | 35 | 7% |
| Educational services | 70 | 125 | 7% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 90 | 95 | 6% |
| Manufacturing | 100 | 40 | 5% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 45 | 75 | 4% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 85 | 25 | 4% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 85 | 0 | 3% |
| Wholesale trade | 40 | 35 | 3% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 25 | 55 | 3% |
| Finance and insurance | 20 | 50 | 2% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 40 | 30 | 2% |
| Information and cultural industries | 20 | 15 | 1% |
| Utilities | 15 | 0 | 1% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 10 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Smithers residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Smithers: -45 Retail trade (14%), Health care and social assistance (13%), Public administration (9%)
Top occupation categories in Smithers: 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 town. 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 | 1,070 | 1,090 | 2,160 | 75.90% |
| Worked at home | 175 | 205 | 380 | 13.40% |
| No fixed workplace address | 245 | 50 | 295 | 10.40% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Smithers 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 Smithers residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Smithers 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.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 78.90% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 13.40% |
| 60 minutes and over | 3.50% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 3.30% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 1.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Smithersshed 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 Smithers's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
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 Smithers. About 5,205 people living in the province speak English, 60 people speak French, 15 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 10 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 5,205 |
| French | 60 |
| Neither English nor French | 15 |
| 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 | 86.3% | 94.4% |
| Non-official languages | 10.1% | 3.8% |
| French | 1.2% | 0.5% |
Religion
Smithers is predominantly Christian. About 2,290 of its population is Christian (955 males and 955 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Sikh with 1.8% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Jewish and Buddhist, both represent 0.7% and 0.2% of the population, while Hindu represent 0.2% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 43.5% |
| Sikh | 1.8% |
| Jewish | 0.7% |
| Buddhist | 0.2% |
| Hindu | 0.2% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions about Smithers
According to the 2021 census, Smithers has a population of approximately 5,378 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Smithers decreased by 0.43%.
Smithers has a population density of approximately 352.40 people per square kilometre.
Smithers covers a land area of approximately 15.26 km².
The median age of the population in Smithers is 39.60 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Smithers is English.
The median household income in Smithers is $85,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Smithers.
Christian is the predominant religion in Smithers.
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.