Sutton, Quebec Population & Demographics: Is It a Good Place to Live?

Data source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population — View the official Sutton census dataset on Statistics Canada

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Sutton. It is a town in Canada that encompasses a land area of 245.69 km2. The town has a population density of 18.50 people per km2.

We highlight the Sutton town's various population characteristics. From gender, age distribution, ethnicity, household and dwelling, and income to spoken languages, occupation, and religion.

Sutton on the Map

Sutton location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Sutton has a population of around 4,548 people. The town's population is in increased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Sutton has increased by ▲ 13.36%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
4,0124,548 +13.36%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.54% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Sutton's population is projected to reach approximately 5,156 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 20.99 people per km².

Population in 2021Projected Population in 2026Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
4,5485,15620.99

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.

Sutton Population Trend & Context

Sutton had a 2021 census population of 4,548 — an increase of 536 (▲ 13.36%) people from the 4,012 recorded in 2016.

The town's population has grown steadily over this period, reflecting broader growth trends among Quebec towns. The town's median age of 60.4 years — above the national median of 41.9 — suggests a mature, established community rather than a rapidly growing one.

Population By Genders

The male population of Sutton is around 2,215 while the female population is around 2,335.

Of the 4,548 total population in Sutton, the largest gender is female with around 2,335 female within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
2,2152,335 +5.14%

Is Sutton a Good Place to Live?

Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Sutton compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Quebec, its own province. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.

Employment & Economy

6.6%
Unemployment rate
1.0 pts below the province
48.1%
Employment rate
11.2 pts below the province
51.5%
Participation rate
12.6 pts below the province

Income & Affordability

$66,500
Median household income
$6,000 below the province
15.4%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
3.5 pts above the province

Commute

73.1%
Commute under 30 minutes
6.8 pts above the province
89.5%
Commute by car
7.1 pts above the province
1.0%
Commute by public transit
8.0 pts below the province

Housing Character

67.2%
Single-detached houses
22.6 pts above the province
24.7%
Apartments (any building size)
21.7 pts below the province

Household Composition

1.90 people
Average household size
0.30people below the province
41.8%
One-person households
6.7 pts above the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Sutton Population Compared to Quebec

Quebec's population in 2021 was 8,501,833, spread across the area. Here's how Sutton compares to the town's key indicators:

IndicatorSuttonQuebec
Median household income$66,500$72,500
Unemployment rate6.6%7.6%
Median age60.443.2
Bachelor's degree or higher36.8%26.5%
Immigrants (%)9.1%14.6%

Population by Age Characteristics

Sutton has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 65 to 69 years old, accounting for 13.10% of the total population. The town median age is 60.40.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
65 to 69 years275 12.40%320 13.70% 14.06%595 13.10%
60 to 64 years250 11.30%260 11.10% 3.85%510 11.20%
70 to 74 years255 11.50%235 10.10% 7.84%495 10.90%
55 to 59 years210 9.50%225 9.60% 6.67%430 9.50%
75 to 79 years175 7.90%155 6.60% 11.43%330 7.30%
50 to 54 years125 5.60%145 6.20% 13.79%265 5.80%
45 to 49 years115 5.20%115 4.90% 0.00%230 5.10%
40 to 44 years95 4.30%115 4.90% 17.39%205 4.50%
80 to 84 years95 4.30%100 4.30% 5.00%200 4.40%
35 to 39 years95 4.30%100 4.30% 5.00%195 4.30%
10 to 14 years65 2.90%85 3.60% 23.53%150 3.30%
85 years and over60 2.70%90 3.90% 33.33%150 3.30%
20 to 24 years70 3.20%65 2.80% 7.14%140 3.10%
5 to 9 years60 2.70%75 3.20% 20.00%130 2.90%
15 to 19 years70 3.20%60 2.60% 14.29%130 2.90%
25 to 29 years70 3.20%60 2.60% 14.29%130 2.90%
0 to 4 years70 3.20%55 2.40% 21.43%125 2.70%
30 to 34 years50 2.30%70 3.00% 28.57%115 2.50%

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 52.10% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 38.90% and 8.90%, respectively.

If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Sutton are within the 15 to 64 years age group.

DataMaleFemaleTotal
15 to 64 years51.90%52.20%52.10%
65 years and over39.30%38.50%38.90%
0 to 14 years8.60%9.20%8.90%

Population of Sutton by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Sutton is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Sutton is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the town appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.

The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Sutton are French, which accounts for 35.75% of the total population, followed by Canadian (24.13%), Irish (11.28%), English (8.60%), and French Canadian (8.38%).

Other ethnicities and origins in Sutton include Scottish, German, Polish, Italian, and British Isles.

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
French36.01%35.73%35.75%
Canadian25.69%22.88%24.13%
Irish9.63%13.07%11.28%
English7.80%9.15%8.60%
French Canadian8.26%8.28%8.38%
Scottish7.57%6.54%7.04%
German2.98%4.36%3.69%
Polish2.06%3.27%2.68%
Italian2.75%2.40%2.57%
British Isles1.83%1.96%1.90%

Indigenous Identity in Sutton

About 0.89% of Sutton's population (40 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 99.11% who report a non-Indigenous identity.

Of the Indigenous population, 20 people (0.40% of the total population) hold Registered or Treaty Indian status.

Indigenous identity
0.89%
Non-Indigenous identity
99.11%

Immigration Profile

Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Sutton's population profile.

About 9.1% of Sutton's population are immigrants (405 people).

The top countries of origin for Sutton's immigrant population are France (130), Germany (40), United States of America (35), United Kingdom (30), Brazil (0).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
France130
Germany40
United States of America35
United Kingdom30
Brazil0

98.8% of Sutton's residents (4,420 people) are Canadian citizens, and 1.1% are not.

By generation status, 10.3% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 9.8% are second generation, and 79.8% are third generation or more.

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 1,605 of Sutton's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.

Household Size

About 20.90% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 20.90% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 3.75%, 3.05%, and 1.35%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
1 person1,00020.90%
2 persons1,00020.90%
3 persons1803.75%
4 persons1453.05%
5 or more persons651.35%

Family and Household Structure in Sutton

Of census families in Sutton, 90.0% are couple families and 10.0% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.5 people.

Couple families
89.96%
One-parent families
10.04%

41.9% of households in Sutton are one-person households, 48.6% are couple-family households, 5.0% are one-parent-family households, and 0.8% are multigenerational households.

Household TypeHouseholdsPercentage
One-person households1,00041.9%
Couple-family households1,16048.6%
One-parent-family households1205.0%
Multigenerational households200.8%

Income in Sutton

Analyzing income distribution in Sutton can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Sutton 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 town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.

Most of Sutton population or around 635 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 340 and 325 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Sutton's median household income is $66,500, according to 2020 data.

Below national average Sutton's median household income is 17,500 dollars below 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 Sutton

This data sheds light on the distribution of Sutton 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.

74.90% or most of the Sutton population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 19.40% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 5.70% has a No certificate, diploma or degree. (Individual figures may not sum to exactly 100% due to Statistics Canada's random rounding of small-area 25% sample data.)

Population aged 25 to 64 years, using 25% sample data. Individual values may not sum exactly to totals due to Statistics Canada's random rounding.
DegreeMenWomenTotalPercentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree7358301,56574.90%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate22018540519.40%
No certificate, diploma or degree90351205.70%

Above national average 38.8% of Sutton's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Sutton

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Sutton. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.

The data shows that the unemployment rate in Sutton is at 6.64% which is quite high.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate48.11%
Unemployment rate6.64%

Work Activity During the Reference Year

Of the population aged 15 and over in Sutton, 23.6% worked full year full time in the reference year, 31.9% worked part year and/or part time, and 44.6% did not work.

Only using 25% sample data.
Work ActivityPopulationPercentage
Worked full year full time96523.6%
Worked part year and/or part time1,30531.9%
Did not work1,82544.6%

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 Sutton's population (around 53.90%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the town, there are 360 men and 265 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 625.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed360265625

Employment Industry Sectors

The Sutton industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Sutton is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.

Sutton has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (12%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Professional, scientific and technical services sector comes second at 12%, followed by Retail trade at 11%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Health care and social assistance9018012%
Professional, scientific and technical services14510512%
Retail trade9013011%
Accommodation and food services100909%
Construction130509%
Educational services551208%
Arts, entertainment and recreation80707%
Manufacturing90306%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting55455%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services60305%
Other services (except public administration)25403%
Wholesale trade35153%
Finance and insurance20353%
Public administration20352%
Real estate and rental and leasing20202%
Transportation and warehousing3002%
Information and cultural industries15202%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction000%
Utilities000%
Management of companies and enterprises000%

Labour Market Snapshot

A quick snapshot of where Sutton residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.

Top employer sectors in Sutton: Health care and social assistance (12%), Professional, scientific and technical services (12%), Retail trade (11%)

Top occupation categories in Sutton: Sales and service occupations (28%), Business, finance and administration occupations (15%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (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.

Only using 25% sample data.
Work LocationMenWomenTotalPercentage
Usual place of work5605901,15058.40%
Worked at home26527553527.20%
No fixed workplace address2008528014.20%
Worked outside Canada0000.00%

Commuting

The data sheds light on how Sutton 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 Sutton residents and sustainable urban planning.

Commuting Duration

This data reveals the average time that the residents of Sutton 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.

Only using 25% sample data.
DurationPercentage
Less than 15 minutes40.20%
15 to 29 minutes32.90%
30 to 44 minutes13.30%
60 minutes and over7.00%
45 to 59 minutes6.60%

Marital Status

The statistics on marital status in Sutton shed 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 Sutton's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.

Married or living common-law
59.71%
Married or living common-law
40.29%

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.

French is the most spoken official language in Sutton. About 3,155 people living in the town speak French, 1,235 people speak English, 90 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.

LanguagePopulation
French3,155
English1,235
English and French90
Neither English nor French0

Knowledge of Official Languages

About 71.9% of Sutton's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 10.5% know English only, 17.4% know French only, and 0.1% know neither official language.

Knowledge of Official LanguagesPopulationPercentage
English only47010.5%
French only78017.4%
English and French3,22571.9%
Neither English nor French50.1%

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.

LanguageMother TongueSpoken Most Often at Home
French68.6%67.1%
English23.6%28.4%
Non-official languages4.5%1.0%

Religion

Sutton is predominantly Christian. About 2,765 of its population is Christian (1,320 males and 1,440 females).

The second largest religion in the town is Buddhist with 0.6% 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.

ReligionPopulation
Christian61.8%
Buddhist0.6%
Hindu0.0%
Jewish0.0%
Islam0.0%
Sikh0.0%

Points of Interest in Sutton

Schools

Parks

Libraries

Places to Visit in Sutton

Museums

Attractions

Historic Sites

Theatres

Green Spaces in Sutton

NameTypeApprox. Area
Parc Goyette-HillParks3.4 ha
Parc TartreParks0.4 ha
Place Rosanne-CohenParks0.3 ha
Parc GodueParks0.1 ha
Parc Sutton - Parc d'environnement naturel de Sutton - PENSNature Reserves—

Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.

Nearest Towns to Sutton

Frequently Asked Questions about Sutton

According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Sutton has a population of 4,548 people, making it the 157th town in Quebec. The population increased significantly from 4,012 in 2016, an increase of 536 people or 13.36%. The town has a population density of 18.5 people per km² across a land area of 245.69 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.

Sutton's population grew by 13.36% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 4,012 to 4,548 people, a gain of 536 residents. This growth is above average compared to many other Quebec towns during this period. The median age of 60.40 years suggests an aging population. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (41.8%) 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.

Sutton has a population density of approximately 18.50 people per square kilometre.

Sutton covers a land area of approximately 245.69 km².

The median age of the population in Sutton is 60.40 years.

The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Sutton is French.

The median household income in Sutton is $66,500, based on 2020 data.

French is the most common first official language spoken in Sutton.

Christian is the predominant religion in Sutton.

According to the 2021 Census, 0.9% of Sutton's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.

98.8% of Sutton's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.

One-parent families make up 10.0% of census families in Sutton, according to the 2021 Census.

Multigenerational households make up 0.8% of all households in Sutton, per the 2021 Census.

71.9% of Sutton's population knows both English and French, based on 2021 Census data on knowledge of official languages.

Of the population aged 15 and over in Sutton, 23.6% worked full year full time in the 2021 Census reference year.

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.