Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Wells has a population of around 218 people. The township's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Wells has increased by ▲ 0.46%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 217 | 218 | +0.46% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.09% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Wells's population is projected to reach approximately 219 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 1.39 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 218 | 219 | 1.39 |
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.
Wells Population Trend & Context
Wells is the 243rd-largest township in British Columbia, with a 2021 census population of 218 — an increase of 1 (▲ 0.46%) people from the 217 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 42.8 years closely mirrors the national median of 41.9, suggesting a demographic profile in line with the Canadian average.
How does Wells compare to other British Columbia townships?
- Kippase 2: 220 (2021)
- Stone 1: 219 (2021)
- Wells: 218 (2021) ← 243rd largest
- Kitasoo 1: 217 (2021)
- Slosh 1: 215 (2021)
Population By Genders
The male population of Wells is around 105 while the female population is around 115.
Of the 218 total population in Wells, the largest gender is female with around 115 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 105 | 115 | +8.70% |
Is Wells a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Wells 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.
Wells Population Compared to British Columbia
British Columbia's population in 2021 was 5,000,879, spread across the area. Here's how Wells compares to the township's key indicators:
| Indicator | Wells | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $0 | $85,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 37.5% | 8.4% |
| Median age | 42.8 | 42.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.0% | 31.8% |
| Immigrants (%) | 0.0% | 29.0% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Wells has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 20 to 24 years old, accounting for 9.10% of the total population. The township median age is 42.80.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median age of the population | 43 43.20% | 42 42.40% | 2.31% | 43 42.80% |
| Average age of the population | 44 43.60% | 42 41.60% | 4.59% | 42 42.40% |
| 20 to 24 years | 5 4.80% | 15 13.00% | 66.67% | 20 9.10% |
| 30 to 34 years | 10 9.50% | 5 4.30% | 50.00% | 20 9.10% |
| 60 to 64 years | 15 14.30% | 10 8.70% | 33.33% | 20 9.10% |
| 5 to 9 years | 5 4.80% | 10 8.70% | 50.00% | 15 6.80% |
| 35 to 39 years | 10 9.50% | 10 8.70% | 0.00% | 15 6.80% |
| 55 to 59 years | 10 9.50% | 10 8.70% | 0.00% | 15 6.80% |
| 65 to 69 years | 5 4.80% | 5 4.30% | 0.00% | 15 6.80% |
| 70 to 74 years | 5 4.80% | 10 8.70% | 50.00% | 15 6.80% |
| 0 to 4 years | 5 4.80% | 5 4.30% | 0.00% | 10 4.50% |
| 25 to 29 years | 5 4.80% | 5 4.30% | 0.00% | 10 4.50% |
| 40 to 44 years | 5 4.80% | 5 4.30% | 0.00% | 10 4.50% |
| 45 to 49 years | 0 0.00% | 10 8.70% | 100.00% | 10 4.50% |
| 50 to 54 years | 5 4.80% | 10 8.70% | 50.00% | 10 4.50% |
| 75 to 79 years | 5 4.80% | 0 0.00% | 100.00% | 10 4.50% |
| 10 to 14 years | 5 4.80% | 0 0.00% | 100.00% | 5 2.30% |
| 15 to 19 years | 5 4.80% | 0 0.00% | 100.00% | 0 0.00% |
| 80 to 84 years | 0 0.00% | 0 0.00% | 0.00% | 0 0.00% |
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 68.20% of the population. The other age groups, 15 to 64 years and 65 years and over, account for 68.20% and 18.20%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Wells are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|
Population of Wells by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Wells is quite diverse, which contributes to the township's vibrant cultural landscape. Wells 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 Wells are English, which accounts for 38.71% of the total population, followed by Scottish (35.48%), Irish (32.26%), German (32.26%), and Canadian (12.90%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Wells include French, Dutch, Welsh, Norwegian, and Grenadian.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 43.75% | 26.67% | 38.71% |
| Scottish | 37.50% | 33.33% | 35.48% |
| Irish | 25.00% | 40.00% | 32.26% |
| German | 37.50% | 26.67% | 32.26% |
| Canadian | 0.00% | 20.00% | 12.90% |
| French | 18.75% | 0.00% | 12.90% |
| Dutch | 0.00% | 20.00% | 9.68% |
| Welsh | 0.00% | 13.33% | 9.68% |
| Norwegian | 12.50% | 0.00% | 6.45% |
| Grenadian | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Wells's population profile.
About 0.0% of Wells's population are immigrants (0 people).
The top countries of origin for Wells'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 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 80 of Wells's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.
Household Size
About 23.90% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 17.40% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 4.35%, 4.35%, and 2.15%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 55 | 23.90% |
| 2 persons | 40 | 17.40% |
| 3 persons | 10 | 4.35% |
| 4 persons | 10 | 4.35% |
| 5 or more persons | 5 | 2.15% |
Income in Wells
Analyzing income distribution in Wells can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Wells is $0.
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 Wells population or around 0 people falls in the Under $10,000 group. The next largest groups are the Under $10,000, and Under $10,000 with around 0 and 0 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Wells's median household income is $0, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Wells's median household income is 84,000 dollars below 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 Wells
This data sheds light on the distribution of Wells 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.
47.40% or most of the Wells population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 29.15% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 23.40% has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 16.00% has Bachelor's degree or higher.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 60 | 60 | 120 | 47.40% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 35 | 45 | 75 | 29.15% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 55 | 0 | 60 | 23.40% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10 | 25 | 40 | 16.00% |
Below national average 16.0% of Wells's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Wells
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Wells. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Wells is at 31.03% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 51.72% |
| Unemployment rate | 31.03% |
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 Wells's population (around 50.00%) 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 Wells industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Wells is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Wells has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (17%) works in the construction sector. The Arts, entertainment and recreation sector comes second at 17%, followed by Retail trade at 13%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 15 | 0 | 17% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 15 | 0 | 17% |
| Retail trade | 0 | 15 | 13% |
| Finance and insurance | 10 | 10 | 13% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 10 | 0 | 8% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 0 | 0 | 8% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Manufacturing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Wholesale trade | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Educational services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Health care and social assistance | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Accommodation and food services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Public administration | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Wells residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Wells: Construction (17%), Arts, entertainment and recreation (17%), -45 Retail trade (13%)
Top occupation categories in Wells: Sales and service occupations (33%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (21%), Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport (13%)
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 | 45 | 10 | 55 | 73.30% |
| Worked at home | 0 | 10 | 10 | 13.30% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
| No fixed workplace address | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Wells 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 Wells residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Wells 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 | 61.50% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 38.50% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 0.00% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 0.00% |
| 60 minutes and over | 0.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Wellsshed 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 Wells'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 Wells. About 215 people living in the province speak English, 0 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 215 |
| French | 0 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 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 | 97.7% | 100.0% |
| Non-official languages | 2.3% | 0.0% |
| French | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Religion
Wells is predominantly Christian. About 35 of its population is Christian (10 males and 10 females).
The second largest religion in the province 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 | 21.9% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Wells
Schools
Libraries
Community Centres
Places to Visit in Wells
Museums
- Wells Museum
- Barkerville Historic Town & Park
- Barkerville, British Columbia
- Halverson House
- Lee Chong Co. Store
Attractions
Historic Sites
Theatres
Other Townships in British Columbia
- Saanich 117,735
- North Vancouver 88,168
- West Vancouver 44,122
- Mission 41,519
- North Cowichan 31,990
- Squamish 23,819
- Oak Bay 17,990
- Esquimalt 17,533
- Central Saanich 17,385
- Lake Country 15,817
- Sooke 15,086
- Whistler 13,982
- North Saanich 12,235
- Summerland 12,042
- Coldstream 11,171
- Sechelt 10,847
- Kitimat 8,236
- Hope 6,686
- Kent 6,300
- Peachland 5,789
- Spallumcheen 5,307
- Metchosin 5,067
- Vanderhoof 4,346
- Sparwood 4,148
- Northern Rockies 3,947
- Invermere 3,917
- Port Hardy 3,902
- Lantzville 3,817
- Mackenzie 3,281
- Houston 3,052
- Elkford 2,749
- Sicamous 2,613
- Tofino 2,516
- Highlands 2,482
- Tumbler Ridge 2,399
- Clearwater 2,388
- Chetwynd 2,302
- Lillooet 2,302
- Logan Lake 2,255
- Ucluelet 2,066
- One Hundred Mile House 1,928
- Barriere 1,765
- Fort St. James 1,386
- Taylor 1,317
- Hudson's Hope 841
- New Hazelton 602
- Stewart 517
- Port Edward 470
Frequently Asked Questions about Wells
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Wells has a population of 218 people, making it the 243rd township in British Columbia. The population increased slightly from 217 in 2016, an increase of 1 people or 0.46%. The township has a population density of 1.4 people per km² across a land area of 158.09 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Wells's population remained essentially flat between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 217 to 218 people, a marginal change of 1 residents. This stability is characteristic of many mid-sized other British Columbia townships during this period. The median age of 42.80 years suggests a mature, established community. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (47.8%) may indicate young adults leaving for larger centres. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Wells has a population density of approximately 1.40 people per square kilometre.
Wells covers a land area of approximately 158.09 km².
The median age of the population in Wells is 42.80 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Wells is English.
The median household income in Wells is $0, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Wells.
Christian is the predominant religion in Wells.
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.





