Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Sooke has a population of around 15,086 people. The township's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Sooke has increased by 16.04%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 13,001 | 15,086 | +16.04% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.02% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Sooke's population is projected to reach approximately 17,505 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 309.28 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 15,086 | 17,505 | 309.28 |
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 Sooke is around 7,400 while the female population is around 7,685.
Of the 15,086 total population in Sooke, the largest gender is female with around 7,685 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 7,400 | 7,685 | +3.71% |
Is Sooke a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Sooke 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 Townships Near Sooke
- Metchosin (14.5 km)
- Highlands (19.5 km)
- Esquimalt (24.1 km)
- Saanich (27.6 km)
- Oak Bay (31.0 km)
- Central Saanich (32.9 km)
- North Saanich (37.6 km)
- North Cowichan (49.2 km)
- Lantzville (99.7 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
Sooke has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 8.10% of the total population. The township median age is 44.80.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 550 7.40% | 660 8.60% | 16.67% | 1,215 8.10% |
| 55 to 59 years | 585 7.90% | 600 7.80% | 2.50% | 1,185 7.90% |
| 65 to 69 years | 525 7.10% | 610 7.90% | 13.93% | 1,135 7.50% |
| 35 to 39 years | 555 7.50% | 560 7.30% | 0.89% | 1,110 7.40% |
| 40 to 44 years | 500 6.80% | 570 7.40% | 12.28% | 1,075 7.10% |
| 50 to 54 years | 520 7.00% | 555 7.20% | 6.31% | 1,075 7.10% |
| 45 to 49 years | 515 7.00% | 485 6.30% | 5.83% | 1,000 6.60% |
| 70 to 74 years | 450 6.10% | 485 6.30% | 7.22% | 935 6.20% |
| 30 to 34 years | 440 5.90% | 465 6.10% | 5.38% | 905 6.00% |
| 5 to 9 years | 440 5.90% | 415 5.40% | 5.68% | 855 5.70% |
| 10 to 14 years | 410 5.50% | 410 5.30% | 0.00% | 815 5.40% |
| 15 to 19 years | 415 5.60% | 360 4.70% | 13.25% | 780 5.20% |
| 0 to 4 years | 385 5.20% | 350 4.60% | 9.09% | 735 4.90% |
| 25 to 29 years | 345 4.70% | 370 4.80% | 6.76% | 710 4.70% |
| 20 to 24 years | 305 4.10% | 265 3.40% | 13.11% | 570 3.80% |
| 75 to 79 years | 235 3.20% | 260 3.40% | 9.62% | 500 3.30% |
| 80 to 84 years | 135 1.80% | 145 1.90% | 6.90% | 280 1.90% |
| 85 years and over | 90 1.20% | 120 1.60% | 25.00% | 210 1.40% |
| 85 to 89 years | 60 0.80% | 80 1.00% | 25.00% | 140 0.90% |
| 90 to 94 years | 20 0.30% | 35 0.50% | 42.86% | 50 0.30% |
| Median age of the population | 44 44.00% | 46 45.60% | 2.19% | 45 44.80% |
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 63.80% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 20.30% and 15.90%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Sooke are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average age of the population | 42.50% | 44.10% | 43.30% |
| 65 years and over | 19.40% | 21.10% | 20.30% |
| 0 to 14 years | 16.70% | 15.20% | 15.90% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Sooke
Population of Sooke by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Sooke is quite diverse, which contributes to the township's vibrant cultural landscape. Sooke 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 35.58% of the total population, followed by Scottish (27.14%), Irish (22.26%), Canadian (13.72%), and German (13.45%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include French, Ukrainian, British Isles, Dutch, and Polish.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 35.25% | 35.92% | 35.58% |
| Scottish | 26.17% | 28.09% | 27.14% |
| Irish | 20.20% | 24.28% | 22.26% |
| Canadian | 14.03% | 13.49% | 13.72% |
| German | 13.49% | 13.49% | 13.45% |
| French | 8.75% | 11.32% | 10.05% |
| Ukrainian | 5.36% | 5.79% | 5.57% |
| British Isles | 5.49% | 5.53% | 5.51% |
| Dutch | 4.20% | 6.51% | 5.37% |
| Polish | 4.95% | 4.41% | 4.67% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Sooke's population profile.
About 11.7% of Sooke's population are immigrants (1,750 people).
The top countries of origin for Sooke's immigrant population are United Kingdom (620), United States of America (230), Germany (120), Philippines (110), Netherlands (80).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 620 |
| United States of America | 230 |
| Germany | 120 |
| Philippines | 110 |
| Netherlands | 80 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 3,820 of Sooke's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 19.60% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 12.20% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 7.85%, 6.60%, and 3.75%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 2,400 | 19.60% |
| 1 person | 1,495 | 12.20% |
| 3 persons | 960 | 7.85% |
| 4 persons | 810 | 6.60% |
| 5 or more persons | 460 | 3.75% |
Income in Sooke
Analyzing income distribution in Sooke can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Sooke is $43,200.
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 township's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Sooke population or around 1,985 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 1,710 and 1,595 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Sooke's median household income is $90,000, according to 2020 data.
Above national average Sooke's median household income is 6,000 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 Sooke
This data sheds light on the distribution of Sooke 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.
56.55% or most of the Sooke population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 30.70% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 18.15% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.75% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 5,430 | 6,175 | 11,605 | 56.55% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 3,135 | 3,255 | 6,385 | 30.70% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,495 | 2,240 | 3,740 | 18.15% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 1,590 | 1,130 | 2,725 | 12.75% |
Below national average 18.2% of Sooke's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Sooke
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Sooke. 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 4.13% which is pretty low.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 57.55% |
| Unemployment rate | 4.13% |
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 Sooke's population (around 69.70%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the township, there are 795 men and 615 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 1,410.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 795 | 615 | 1,410 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Sooke industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Sooke is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Sooke has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (14%) works in the construction sector. The Public administration sector comes second at 12%, followed by Retail trade at 12%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 925 | 120 | 14% |
| Public administration | 550 | 400 | 12% |
| Retail trade | 440 | 505 | 12% |
| Health care and social assistance | 155 | 740 | 12% |
| Educational services | 190 | 405 | 8% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 305 | 255 | 7% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 280 | 210 | 6% |
| Accommodation and food services | 145 | 285 | 6% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 170 | 185 | 5% |
| Manufacturing | 225 | 105 | 4% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 195 | 90 | 4% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 90 | 105 | 3% |
| Finance and insurance | 50 | 120 | 2% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 85 | 10 | 1% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 45 | 40 | 1% |
| Wholesale trade | 65 | 15 | 1% |
| Information and cultural industries | 50 | 30 | 1% |
| Utilities | 20 | 0 | 0% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 15 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 15 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Sooke residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Sooke: Construction (14%), Public administration (12%), -45 Retail trade (12%)
Top occupation categories in Sooke: Sales and service occupations (25%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (23%), Business, finance and administration occupations (14%)
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 | 2,025 | 2,225 | 4,250 | 58.70% |
| Worked at home | 680 | 845 | 1,525 | 21.10% |
| No fixed workplace address | 1,090 | 365 | 1,455 | 20.10% |
| Worked outside Canada | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0.10% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Sooke 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 Sooke residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Sooke 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 |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 26.20% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 26.00% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 19.00% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 15.10% |
| 60 minutes and over | 13.80% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Sookeshed 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 Sooke'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 Sooke. About 14,695 people living in the province speak English, 280 people speak French, 20 people speak English and French language, and 5 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 14,695 |
| French | 280 |
| English and French | 20 |
| Neither English nor 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 | 91.5% | 97.4% |
| Non-official languages | 5.2% | 1.3% |
| French | 1.9% | 0.5% |
Religion
Sooke is predominantly Christian. About 4,755 of its population is Christian (2,125 males and 2,125 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Jewish with 0.5% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Buddhist and Muslim, both represent 0.3% and 0.3% of the population, while Hindu represent 0.1% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 31.8% |
| Jewish | 0.5% |
| Buddhist | 0.3% |
| Islam | 0.3% |
| Hindu | 0.1% |
| Sikh | 0.1% |
Points of Interest in Sooke
Schools
Parks
- Park Heights Park
- Seagirt Ponds Park
- Copper Mine Park
- Allman Park
- Banford Park
- Cains Family Park
- Cedarview Place Park
- Church Hill Park
- Fred Milne Play Field
- Helgesen Park
- Kaltasin Park
- Ludlow Road Park
- Painters Pond Park
- Seabroom Park
- Sooke River Park
- Sunriver Place Tot Lot
- Sunriver Stormwater Park
- Throup Road Ball Fields
- Throup Road Park
- John Phillips Memorial Park
- Pineridge Park
- Poirier Park
- Amethyst Way Park
- Boomstick Park
- Brooks Park
- Burr Park
- Cedar Brook Park
- Charval Place Park
- Deerlepe Park
- Eakin Park
- Ella Park
- Erinan Park
- Eve Grove Park
- Firwood Park
- Foreman Heights Park
- Govenlock Park
- Millennium Memorial Park
- Murray Park
- Olympic View Park
- Possession Point Park
- Quimper Park
- Sooke Bluffs Park
- Spar Tree Park
- Stoneridge Rainwater Park
- Valley View Park
- Winfield Park
- DeMamiel Park
- Blythwood Park
- Driftwood Ponds Park
- Riverstone Park
- Brailsford Park
- West Trail Park
Libraries
Community Centres
Places to Visit in Sooke
Museums
Historic Sites
Green Spaces in Sooke
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Park Heights Park | Parks | 1.2 ha |
| Seagirt Ponds Park | Parks | 7.1 ha |
| Copper Mine Park | Parks | 0.9 ha |
| Allman Park | Parks | 11.6 ha |
| Banford Park | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| Cains Family Park | Parks | 0.0 ha |
| Cedarview Place Park | Parks | 0.2 ha |
| Church Hill Park | Parks | 0.3 ha |
| Fred Milne Play Field | Parks | 3.5 ha |
| Helgesen Park | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| Kaltasin Park | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| Ludlow Road Park | Parks | 9.5 ha |
| Painters Pond Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Seabroom Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
| Sooke River Park | Parks | 6.6 ha |
| Sunriver Place Tot Lot | Parks | 0.2 ha |
| Sunriver Stormwater Park | Parks | 1.2 ha |
| Throup Road Ball Fields | Parks | 1.8 ha |
| Throup Road Park | Parks | 2.8 ha |
| John Phillips Memorial Park | Parks | 7.0 ha |
| Pineridge Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
| Poirier Park | Parks | 0.0 ha |
| Amethyst Way Park | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| Boomstick Park | Parks | 0.0 ha |
| Brooks Park | Parks | 0.1 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sooke
According to the 2021 census, Sooke has a population of approximately 15,086 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Sooke increased by 16.04%.
Sooke has a population density of approximately 266.60 people per square kilometre.
Sooke covers a land area of approximately 56.60 km².
The median age of the population in Sooke is 44.80 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Sooke is English.
The median household income in Sooke is $90,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Sooke.
Christian is the predominant religion in Sooke.
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.