Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Trail has a population of around 7,920 people. The city's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Trail has increased by 2.74%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 7,709 | 7,920 | +2.74% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.54% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Trail's population is projected to reach approximately 8,137 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 233.15 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 7,920 | 8,137 | 233.15 |
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 Trail is around 3,820 while the female population is around 4,100.
Of the 7,920 total population in Trail, the largest gender is female with around 4,100 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 3,820 | 4,100 | +6.83% |
Is Trail a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Trail 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 Trail
- Rossland (6.8 km)
- Castlegar (24.9 km)
- Grand Forks (53.6 km)
- Nelson (53.9 km)
- Greenwood (70.4 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
Trail has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 8.90% of the total population. The city median age is 49.60.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 345 9.00% | 365 8.90% | 5.48% | 705 8.90% |
| 65 to 69 years | 295 7.70% | 345 8.40% | 14.49% | 645 8.10% |
| 70 to 74 years | 260 6.80% | 330 8.00% | 21.21% | 590 7.40% |
| 55 to 59 years | 255 6.70% | 320 7.80% | 20.31% | 575 7.30% |
| 25 to 29 years | 275 7.20% | 240 5.90% | 12.73% | 515 6.50% |
| 35 to 39 years | 230 6.00% | 250 6.10% | 8.00% | 475 6.00% |
| 50 to 54 years | 215 5.60% | 230 5.60% | 6.52% | 445 5.60% |
| 30 to 34 years | 220 5.80% | 210 5.10% | 4.55% | 430 5.40% |
| 45 to 49 years | 210 5.50% | 215 5.20% | 2.33% | 415 5.20% |
| 40 to 44 years | 205 5.40% | 195 4.80% | 4.88% | 400 5.10% |
| 20 to 24 years | 215 5.60% | 175 4.30% | 18.60% | 390 4.90% |
| 10 to 14 years | 180 4.70% | 200 4.90% | 10.00% | 380 4.80% |
| 75 to 79 years | 175 4.60% | 200 4.90% | 12.50% | 375 4.70% |
| 5 to 9 years | 200 5.20% | 165 4.00% | 17.50% | 365 4.60% |
| 15 to 19 years | 175 4.60% | 165 4.00% | 5.71% | 340 4.30% |
| 85 years and over | 115 3.00% | 200 4.90% | 42.50% | 315 4.00% |
| 0 to 4 years | 140 3.70% | 145 3.50% | 3.45% | 280 3.50% |
| 80 to 84 years | 120 3.10% | 165 4.00% | 27.27% | 280 3.50% |
| 85 to 89 years | 70 1.80% | 120 2.90% | 41.67% | 195 2.50% |
| 90 to 94 years | 35 0.90% | 55 1.30% | 36.36% | 90 1.10% |
| Median age of the population | 47 46.80% | 52 52.40% | 11.45% | 50 49.60% |
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 59.20% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 27.80% and 12.90%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Trail are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average age of the population | 45.40% | 48.70% | 47.10% |
| 65 years and over | 25.10% | 30.20% | 27.80% |
| 0 to 14 years | 13.60% | 12.40% | 12.90% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Trail
Population of Trail by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Trail is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Trail 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 30.18% of the total population, followed by Scottish (24.65%), Irish (17.42%), German (15.06%), and Italian (14.53%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include Canadian, French, Norwegian, Ukrainian, and Welsh.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 29.30% | 31.06% | 30.18% |
| Scottish | 24.06% | 25.13% | 24.65% |
| Irish | 17.20% | 17.78% | 17.42% |
| German | 13.58% | 16.49% | 15.06% |
| Italian | 14.78% | 14.30% | 14.53% |
| Canadian | 14.78% | 11.98% | 13.28% |
| French | 11.29% | 9.41% | 10.32% |
| Norwegian | 4.84% | 5.15% | 4.93% |
| Ukrainian | 4.97% | 4.51% | 4.73% |
| Welsh | 3.63% | 5.67% | 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 Trail's population profile.
About 9.2% of Trail's population are immigrants (700 people).
The top countries of origin for Trail's immigrant population are United Kingdom (145), United States of America (95), Italy (95), India (60), Philippines (50).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 145 |
| United States of America | 95 |
| Italy | 95 |
| India | 60 |
| Philippines | 50 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 2,630 of Trail's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.
Household Size
About 19.70% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 17.90% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.00%, 4.30%, and 2.00%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 1,475 | 19.70% |
| 2 persons | 1,340 | 17.90% |
| 3 persons | 450 | 6.00% |
| 4 persons | 320 | 4.30% |
| 5 or more persons | 150 | 2.00% |
Income in Trail
Analyzing income distribution in Trail can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Trail is $39,200.
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 Trail population or around 875 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 780 and 620 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Trail's median household income is $68,000, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Trail's median household income is 16,000 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 Trail
This data sheds light on the distribution of Trail 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.
55.10% or most of the Trail population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 33.20% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 13.95% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.80% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 2,840 | 2,820 | 5,665 | 55.10% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 1,610 | 1,875 | 3,475 | 33.20% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 655 | 760 | 1,415 | 13.95% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 635 | 680 | 1,310 | 11.80% |
Below national average 14.0% of Trail's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Trail
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Trail. 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 4.18% which is pretty low.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 48.97% |
| Unemployment rate | 4.18% |
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 Trail's population (around 69.30%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the city, there are 215 men and 170 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 395.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 215 | 170 | 395 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Trail industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Trail is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Trail has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (16%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 15%, followed by Manufacturing at 12%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 100 | 460 | 16% |
| Retail trade | 245 | 285 | 15% |
| Manufacturing | 375 | 45 | 12% |
| Accommodation and food services | 125 | 155 | 8% |
| Construction | 195 | 35 | 7% |
| Educational services | 50 | 145 | 6% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 90 | 90 | 5% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 130 | 35 | 5% |
| Public administration | 65 | 75 | 4% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 45 | 85 | 4% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 105 | 20 | 4% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 60 | 25 | 2% |
| Wholesale trade | 55 | 20 | 2% |
| Finance and insurance | 15 | 50 | 2% |
| Utilities | 45 | 15 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 25 | 35 | 2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 25 | 20 | 1% |
| Information and cultural industries | 15 | 0 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 20 | 1% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 20 | 0 | 1% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Trail residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Trail: Health care and social assistance (16%), -45 Retail trade (15%), -33 Manufacturing (12%)
Top occupation categories in Trail: Sales and service occupations (31%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (18%), Business, finance and administration occupations (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 | 1,220 | 1,275 | 2,495 | 77.40% |
| No fixed workplace address | 310 | 110 | 420 | 13.00% |
| Worked at home | 125 | 170 | 290 | 9.00% |
| Worked outside Canada | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0.30% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Trail 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 Trail residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Trail 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 | 68.00% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 21.60% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 6.30% |
| 60 minutes and over | 2.70% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 1.40% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Trailshed 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 Trail'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 Trail. About 7,630 people living in the province speak English, 50 people speak French, 15 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 5 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 7,630 |
| French | 50 |
| Neither English nor French | 15 |
| 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 | 90.4% | 96.2% |
| Non-official languages | 7.6% | 2.9% |
| French | 0.7% | 0.1% |
Religion
Trail is predominantly Christian. About 3,455 of its population is Christian (1,545 males and 1,545 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Sikh with 1.3% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Buddhist, both represent 1.0% and 0.2% of the population, while Jewish represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 45.5% |
| Sikh | 1.3% |
| Hindu | 1.0% |
| Buddhist | 0.2% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions about Trail
According to the 2021 census, Trail has a population of approximately 7,920 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Trail increased by 2.74%.
Trail has a population density of approximately 226.90 people per square kilometre.
Trail covers a land area of approximately 34.90 km².
The median age of the population in Trail is 49.60 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Trail is English.
The median household income in Trail is $68,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Trail.
Christian is the predominant religion in Trail.
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.