Val-d’Or, Quebec Population & Demographics: Is It a Good Place to Live?

Data source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population — View the official Val-d’Or census dataset on Statistics Canada

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Val-d’Or. It is a town in Canada that encompasses a land area of 3,536.84 km2. The town has a population density of 9.30 people per km2.

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

Val-d’Or on the Map

Val-d’Or location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Val-d’Or has a population of around 32,752 people. The town's population is in increased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Val-d’Or has increased by ▲ 0.80%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
32,49132,752 +0.80%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.16% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Val-d’Or's population is projected to reach approximately 33,015 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 9.33 people per km².

Population in 2021Projected Population in 2026Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
32,75233,0159.33

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.

Val-d’Or Population Trend & Context

Val-d’Or had a 2021 census population of 32,752 — an increase of 261 (▲ 0.80%) people from the 32,491 recorded in 2016.

The town's population has remained relatively stable over this period, reflecting broader trends in mid-sized Quebec towns. The town's median age of 43.2 years closely mirrors the national median of 41.9, suggesting a demographic profile in line with the Canadian average.

Population By Genders

The male population of Val-d’Or is around 16,615 while the female population is around 16,135.

Of the 32,752 total population in Val-d’Or, the largest gender is male with around 16,615 male within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
16,61516,135 +2.89%

Is Val-d’Or a Good Place to Live?

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

Employment & Economy

4.5%
Unemployment rate
3.1 pts below the province
63.2%
Employment rate
3.9 pts above the province
66.2%
Participation rate
2.1 pts above the province

Income & Affordability

$75,500
Median household income
$3,000 above the province
10.8%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
1.1 pts below the province

Commute

85.9%
Commute under 30 minutes
19.6 pts above the province
89.7%
Commute by car
7.3 pts above the province
0.4%
Commute by public transit
8.6 pts below the province

Housing Character

51.3%
Single-detached houses
6.7 pts above the province
41.0%
Apartments (any building size)
5.4 pts below the province

Household Composition

2.10 people
Average household size
0.10people below the province
37.2%
One-person households
2.1 pts above the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Val-d’Or Population Compared to Quebec

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

IndicatorVal-d’OrQuebec
Median household income$75,500$72,500
Unemployment rate4.5%7.6%
Median age43.243.2
Bachelor's degree or higher16.7%26.5%
Immigrants (%)2.3%14.6%

Population by Age Characteristics

Val-d’Or has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 8.20% of the total population. The town median age is 43.20.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
60 to 64 years1,350 8.10%1,350 8.40% 0.00%2,700 8.20%
55 to 59 years1,325 8.00%1,250 7.70% 5.66%2,575 7.90%
65 to 69 years1,105 6.70%1,075 6.70% 2.71%2,180 6.70%
30 to 34 years1,115 6.70%1,045 6.50% 6.28%2,155 6.60%
35 to 39 years1,105 6.70%945 5.90% 14.48%2,045 6.20%
25 to 29 years1,005 6.00%1,000 6.20% 0.50%2,005 6.10%
40 to 44 years1,005 6.00%995 6.20% 1.00%2,005 6.10%
10 to 14 years1,045 6.30%890 5.50% 14.83%1,935 5.90%
50 to 54 years965 5.80%975 6.00% 1.03%1,935 5.90%
45 to 49 years1,000 6.00%915 5.70% 8.50%1,915 5.80%
0 to 4 years970 5.80%905 5.60% 6.70%1,875 5.70%
5 to 9 years885 5.30%935 5.80% 5.35%1,820 5.60%
70 to 74 years855 5.10%865 5.40% 1.16%1,715 5.20%
20 to 24 years890 5.40%790 4.90% 11.24%1,685 5.10%
15 to 19 years845 5.10%760 4.70% 10.06%1,610 4.90%
75 to 79 years575 3.50%620 3.80% 7.26%1,200 3.70%
80 to 84 years330 2.00%405 2.50% 18.52%735 2.20%
85 years and over245 1.50%415 2.60% 40.96%660 2.00%
85 to 89 years175 1.10%260 1.60% 32.69%440 1.30%
90 to 94 years55 0.30%120 0.70% 54.17%175 0.50%

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 63.00% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 19.80% and 17.20%, respectively.

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

DataMaleFemaleTotal
15 to 64 years63.90%62.10%63.00%
65 years and over18.70%21.00%19.80%
0 to 14 years17.40%16.90%17.20%

Population of Val-d’Or by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Val-d’Or is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Val-d’Or 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 Val-d’Or are Canadian, which accounts for 40.72% of the total population, followed by French (19.96%), French Canadian (10.11%), Irish (3.84%), and Caucasian (White) (3.47%).

Other ethnicities and origins in Val-d’Or include First Nations (North American Indian), Algonquin, European, Christian, n.i.e., and Scottish.

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
Canadian40.61%40.84%40.72%
French20.27%19.59%19.96%
French Canadian9.68%10.53%10.11%
Irish3.97%3.71%3.84%
Caucasian (White)3.63%3.30%3.47%
First Nations (North American Indian)2.75%2.89%2.82%
Algonquin2.23%2.35%2.30%
European1.74%1.68%1.71%
Christian, n.i.e.1.37%1.40%1.37%
Scottish1.25%1.08%1.17%

Indigenous Identity in Val-d’Or

About 5.20% of Val-d’Or's population (1,670 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 94.80% who report a non-Indigenous identity.

Of the Indigenous population, 980 people (3.00% of the total population) hold Registered or Treaty Indian status.

Indigenous identity
5.20%
Non-Indigenous identity
94.80%

Immigration Profile

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

About 2.3% of Val-d’Or's population are immigrants (735 people).

The top countries of origin for Val-d’Or's immigrant population are France (85), Haiti (50), Morocco (40), Algeria (35), Colombia (30).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
France85
Haiti50
Morocco40
Algeria35
Colombia30

98.2% of Val-d’Or's residents (31,570 people) are Canadian citizens, and 1.8% are not.

By generation status, 3.5% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 3.1% are second generation, and 93.5% are third generation or more.

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 7,720 of Val-d’Or's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.

Household Size

About 18.60% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 17.70% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 5.90%, 5.05%, and 2.80%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
1 person5,59518.60%
2 persons5,31517.70%
3 persons1,7705.90%
4 persons1,5155.05%
5 or more persons8352.80%

Family and Household Structure in Val-d’Or

Of census families in Val-d’Or, 85.5% are couple families and 14.5% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.8 people.

Couple families
85.46%
One-parent families
14.54%

37.2% of households in Val-d’Or are one-person households, 49.9% are couple-family households, 7.7% are one-parent-family households, and 0.7% are multigenerational households.

Household TypeHouseholdsPercentage
One-person households5,60037.2%
Couple-family households7,50549.9%
One-parent-family households1,1607.7%
Multigenerational households1100.7%

Income in Val-d’Or

Analyzing income distribution in Val-d’Or can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Val-d’Or is $44,400.

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 Val-d’Or population or around 3,975 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 3,965 and 3,835 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Val-d’Or's median household income is $75,500, according to 2020 data.

Below national average Val-d’Or's median household income is 8,500 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 Val-d’Or

This data sheds light on the distribution of Val-d’Or 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.

64.20% or most of the Val-d’Or population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 18.30% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 17.60% 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 degree5,5405,51511,05564.20%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate1,5601,5803,14518.30%
No certificate, diploma or degree1,7101,3203,03017.60%

Below national average 18.8% of Val-d’Or's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Val-d’Or

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Val-d’Or. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.

The data shows that the unemployment rate in Val-d’Or is at 4.50% which is pretty low.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate63.16%
Unemployment rate4.50%

Work Activity During the Reference Year

Of the population aged 15 and over in Val-d’Or, 36.5% worked full year full time in the reference year, 31.3% worked part year and/or part time, and 32.1% did not work.

Only using 25% sample data.
Work ActivityPopulationPercentage
Worked full year full time9,69036.5%
Worked part year and/or part time8,31031.3%
Did not work8,52032.1%

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 Val-d’Or's population (around 78.10%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the town, there are 805 men and 620 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 1,420.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed8056201,420

Employment Industry Sectors

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

Val-d’Or has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (15%) works in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 14%, followed by Retail trade at 12%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction2,21040015%
Health care and social assistance3652,06014%
Retail trade8651,17512%
Educational services2459257%
Manufacturing9302307%
Accommodation and food services3856806%
Professional, scientific and technical services5254756%
Construction7751105%
Transportation and warehousing6252455%
Other services (except public administration)4454105%
Public administration3504254%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services3702754%
Wholesale trade3751653%
Information and cultural industries2051052%
Finance and insurance1052002%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting145551%
Real estate and rental and leasing105751%
Utilities125201%
Arts, entertainment and recreation95451%
Management of companies and enterprises000%

Labour Market Snapshot

A quick snapshot of where Val-d’Or residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.

Top employer sectors in Val-d’Or: Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (15%), Health care and social assistance (14%), Retail trade (12%)

Top occupation categories in Val-d’Or: Sales and service occupations (24%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (20%), Business, finance and administration occupations (15%)

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 work6,8906,56013,45080.30%
No fixed workplace address1,3904751,87011.20%
Worked at home6008151,4158.40%
Worked outside Canada100150.10%

Commuting

The data sheds light on how Val-d’Or 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 Val-d’Or residents and sustainable urban planning.

Commuting Duration

This data reveals the average time that the residents of Val-d’Or 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 minutes61.80%
15 to 29 minutes24.10%
30 to 44 minutes7.10%
60 minutes and over3.80%
45 to 59 minutes3.10%

Marital Status

The statistics on marital status in Val-d’Or 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 Val-d’Or's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.

Married or living common-law
58.37%
Married or living common-law
41.63%

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 Val-d’Or. About 31,140 people living in the town speak French, 1,130 people speak English, 205 people speak English and French language, and 20 people speak Neither English nor French language.

LanguagePopulation
French31,140
English1,130
English and French205
Neither English nor French20

Knowledge of Official Languages

About 35.5% of Val-d’Or's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 0.9% know English only, 63.5% know French only, and 0.1% know neither official language.

Knowledge of Official LanguagesPopulationPercentage
English only3000.9%
French only20,64063.5%
English and French11,53535.5%
Neither English nor French200.1%

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
French93.3%95.3%
English2.6%2.4%
Non-official languages2.4%0.9%

Religion

Val-d’Or is predominantly Christian. About 22,930 of its population is Christian (11,475 males and 11,445 females).

The second largest religion in the town is Muslim with 1.3% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Buddhist and Hindu, both represent 0.1% and 0.0% of the population, while Jewish represent 0.0% of the population.

ReligionPopulation
Christian71.3%
Islam1.3%
Buddhist0.1%
Hindu0.0%
Jewish0.0%
Sikh0.0%

Points of Interest in Val-d’Or

Hospitals

Schools

Universities

Parks

Libraries

Community Centres

Places to Visit in Val-d’Or

Museums

Stadiums

Theatres

Green Spaces in Val-d’Or

NameTypeApprox. Area
Parc de L'EskerParks3.9 ha
Parc KanousParks0.3 ha
Parc VanierParks1.0 ha
Parc LemoineParks1.0 ha
Parc de la côte de 100 piedsParks6.4 ha
Parc des MaraisParks2.8 ha
Parc PierretParks0.9 ha
Parc BourlamaqueParks0.3 ha
Parc L'HoumeauParks1.6 ha
Parc SabourinParks0.8 ha
Parc Espace 75Parks0.2 ha
Parc LapointeParks0.1 ha
Parc BlouinParks4.0 ha
Parc LionsParks1.1 ha
Parc Lucien-ClicheParks0.8 ha
Parc GosselinParks0.7 ha
Parc LévesqueParks0.1 ha
Parc Florent-HoudeParks0.4 ha
Parc OasisParks0.2 ha
Parc Edgard-DavignonParks0.6 ha
Parc PoirierParks0.9 ha
Réserve faunique La VérendryeNature Reserves—

Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.

Nearest Towns to Val-d’Or

Frequently Asked Questions about Val-d’Or

According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Val-d’Or has a population of 32,752 people, making it the 35th town in Quebec. The population increased slightly from 32,491 in 2016, an increase of 261 people or 0.80%. The town has a population density of 9.3 people per km² across a land area of 3,536.84 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.

Val-d’Or's population grew by 0.80% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 32,491 to 32,752 people, a gain of 261 residents. This modest growth reflects patterns seen in many other Quebec towns during this period. The median age of 43.20 years suggests a mature, established community. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (37.2%) 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.

Val-d’Or has a population density of approximately 9.30 people per square kilometre.

Val-d’Or covers a land area of approximately 3,536.84 km².

The median age of the population in Val-d’Or is 43.20 years.

The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Val-d’Or is Canadian.

The median household income in Val-d’Or is $75,500, based on 2020 data.

French is the most common first official language spoken in Val-d’Or.

Christian is the predominant religion in Val-d’Or.

According to the 2021 Census, 5.2% of Val-d’Or's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.

98.2% of Val-d’Or's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.

One-parent families make up 14.6% of census families in Val-d’Or, according to the 2021 Census.

Multigenerational households make up 0.7% of all households in Val-d’Or, per the 2021 Census.

35.5% of Val-d’Or'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 Val-d’Or, 36.5% 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.