Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Fort St. John has a population of around 21,465 people. The city's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Fort St. John has increased by 5.95%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 20,260 | 21,465 | +5.95% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.16% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Fort St. John's population is projected to reach approximately 22,742 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 696.11 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 21,465 | 22,742 | 696.11 |
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 Fort St. John is around 11,010 while the female population is around 10,455.
Of the 21,465 total population in Fort St. John, the largest gender is male with around 11,010 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 11,010 | 10,455 | +5.04% |
Is Fort St. John a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Fort St. John 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 Fort St. John
- Dawson Creek (66.6 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
Fort St. John has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 25 to 29 years old, accounting for 10.00% of the total population. The city median age is 32.40.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 to 29 years | 1,135 10.30% | 1,025 9.80% | 9.69% | 2,155 10.00% |
| 30 to 34 years | 1,130 10.30% | 1,025 9.80% | 9.29% | 2,155 10.00% |
| 35 to 39 years | 990 9.00% | 925 8.80% | 6.57% | 1,910 8.90% |
| 0 to 4 years | 840 7.60% | 820 7.80% | 2.38% | 1,660 7.70% |
| 20 to 24 years | 875 7.90% | 760 7.30% | 13.14% | 1,635 7.60% |
| 40 to 44 years | 765 6.90% | 760 7.30% | 0.65% | 1,525 7.10% |
| 5 to 9 years | 785 7.10% | 700 6.70% | 10.83% | 1,485 6.90% |
| 10 to 14 years | 760 6.90% | 675 6.50% | 11.18% | 1,430 6.70% |
| 45 to 49 years | 690 6.30% | 625 6.00% | 9.42% | 1,315 6.10% |
| 15 to 19 years | 660 6.00% | 600 5.70% | 9.09% | 1,260 5.90% |
| 50 to 54 years | 570 5.20% | 565 5.40% | 0.88% | 1,135 5.30% |
| 55 to 59 years | 545 5.00% | 535 5.10% | 1.83% | 1,075 5.00% |
| 60 to 64 years | 475 4.30% | 470 4.50% | 1.05% | 945 4.40% |
| 65 to 69 years | 325 3.00% | 345 3.30% | 5.80% | 670 3.10% |
| 70 to 74 years | 190 1.70% | 205 2.00% | 7.32% | 395 1.80% |
| 75 to 79 years | 125 1.10% | 165 1.60% | 24.24% | 295 1.40% |
| 80 to 84 years | 90 0.80% | 120 1.10% | 25.00% | 215 1.00% |
| 85 years and over | 65 0.60% | 135 1.30% | 51.85% | 205 1.00% |
| 85 to 89 years | 40 0.40% | 75 0.70% | 46.67% | 110 0.50% |
| 90 to 94 years | 20 0.20% | 45 0.40% | 55.56% | 65 0.30% |
| Average age of the population | 34 33.50% | 35 34.80% | 2.87% | 34 34.10% |
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 70.40% of the population. The other age groups, 0 to 14 years and 65 years and over, account for 21.30% and 8.30%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Fort St. John are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age of the population | 32.00% | 33.20% | 32.40% |
| 0 to 14 years | 21.60% | 21.00% | 21.30% |
| 65 years and over | 7.30% | 9.30% | 8.30% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Fort St. John
Population of Fort St. John by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Fort St. John is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Fort St. John 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 18.52% of the total population, followed by Scottish (18.33%), German (17.12%), Canadian (16.70%), and Irish (15.45%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include French, Ukrainian, Filipino, Norwegian, and First Nations (North American Indian).
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 16.85% | 20.33% | 18.52% |
| Scottish | 17.31% | 19.41% | 18.33% |
| German | 16.85% | 17.36% | 17.12% |
| Canadian | 17.77% | 15.56% | 16.70% |
| Irish | 14.14% | 16.88% | 15.45% |
| French | 9.18% | 10.21% | 9.68% |
| Ukrainian | 5.37% | 5.54% | 5.46% |
| Filipino | 3.99% | 5.59% | 4.75% |
| Norwegian | 4.45% | 5.01% | 4.75% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 3.95% | 4.18% | 4.06% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Fort St. John's population profile.
About 12.4% of Fort St. John's population are immigrants (2,630 people).
The top countries of origin for Fort St. John's immigrant population are Philippines (835), India (405), United States of America (185), Germany (155), United Kingdom (105).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Philippines | 835 |
| India | 405 |
| United States of America | 185 |
| Germany | 155 |
| United Kingdom | 105 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 4,375 of Fort St. John's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 15.65% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 15.25% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 8.30%, 6.70%, and 4.05%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 2,745 | 15.65% |
| 1 person | 2,680 | 15.25% |
| 3 persons | 1,460 | 8.30% |
| 4 persons | 1,180 | 6.70% |
| 5 or more persons | 715 | 4.05% |
Income in Fort St. John
Analyzing income distribution in Fort St. John can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Fort St. John is $51,600.
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 Fort St. John population or around 2,950 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 2,435 and 2,245 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Fort St. John's median household income is $102,000, according to 2020 data.
Above national average Fort St. John's median household income is 18,000 dollars above 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 Fort St. John
This data sheds light on the distribution of Fort St. John 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.
51.15% or most of the Fort St. John population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 33.15% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 18.85% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.65% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 7,465 | 7,070 | 14,535 | 51.15% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 4,705 | 4,875 | 9,580 | 33.15% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 2,230 | 3,090 | 5,320 | 18.85% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 2,565 | 2,070 | 4,630 | 15.65% |
Below national average 18.9% of Fort St. John's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Fort St. John
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Fort St. John. 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 6.78% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 69.16% |
| Unemployment rate | 6.78% |
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 Fort St. John's population (around 77.40%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the city, there are 700 men and 485 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 1,195.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 700 | 485 | 1,195 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Fort St. John industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Fort St. John is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Fort St. John has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (13%) works in the construction sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 12%, followed by Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction at 11%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 1,300 | 280 | 13% |
| Retail trade | 755 | 755 | 12% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 1,135 | 220 | 11% |
| Accommodation and food services | 475 | 660 | 9% |
| Health care and social assistance | 130 | 885 | 8% |
| Educational services | 200 | 610 | 6% |
| Public administration | 335 | 415 | 6% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 370 | 335 | 6% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 340 | 240 | 5% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 420 | 145 | 5% |
| Manufacturing | 385 | 115 | 4% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 190 | 245 | 4% |
| Wholesale trade | 225 | 130 | 3% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 150 | 105 | 2% |
| Finance and insurance | 50 | 175 | 2% |
| Utilities | 165 | 60 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 55 | 95 | 1% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 95 | 40 | 1% |
| Information and cultural industries | 50 | 40 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 10 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Fort St. John residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Fort St. John: Construction (13%), -45 Retail trade (12%), Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (11%)
Top occupation categories in Fort St. John: Sales and service occupations (27%), 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 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 | 4,130 | 3,990 | 8,120 | 70.70% |
| No fixed workplace address | 1,815 | 495 | 2,315 | 20.20% |
| Worked at home | 370 | 665 | 1,035 | 9.00% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Fort St. John 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 Fort St. John residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Fort St. John 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 | 67.00% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 19.30% |
| 60 minutes and over | 6.20% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 5.60% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 1.90% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Fort St. Johnshed 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 Fort St. John'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 Fort St. John. About 20,960 people living in the province speak English, 185 people speak French, 80 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 30 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 20,960 |
| French | 185 |
| Neither English nor French | 80 |
| English and French | 30 |
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 | 84.3% | 91.1% |
| Non-official languages | 11.9% | 6.4% |
| French | 0.9% | 0.3% |
Religion
Fort St. John is predominantly Christian. About 7,685 of its population is Christian (3,585 males and 3,585 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Sikh with 2.3% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Muslim, both represent 1.4% and 1.2% of the population, while Buddhist represent 0.2% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 36.3% |
| Sikh | 2.3% |
| Hindu | 1.4% |
| Islam | 1.2% |
| Buddhist | 0.2% |
| Jewish | 0.1% |
Points of Interest in Fort St. John
Hospitals
Schools
- Robert Ogilvie Elementary School
- Duncan Cran Elementary
- North Peace Secondary School
- Bert Bowes Middle School
- Ecole Central Elementary
- Key Learning Centre
- C.M. Finch Elementary School
- Margaret Ma Murray Community School
- Anne Roberts Young Elementary School
- Dr. Kearney Middle School
- Alwin Holland Elementary
- Christian Life School
- Bert Ambrose Elementary
- Fort St. John Child Development Centre
Parks
- Kin Park
- Concord Park
- Surerus Park
- Triangle Park
- Kerney Park
- Duncan Cran Park
- W. I. Centennial Park
- Pickell Park
- Cadet Park
- Toboggan Hill Park
- Station Park
- Sunset Ridge Park
- Princess Crescent Park
- Panorama Park
- Carrier Park
- Garrison Park
- Westridge Park
- Estates Park
- Centennial Park
- Tot Lot Park
- Energy Park
- Chiulli Triangle
- Way-Loe Subdivision Park
- Heritage Park
Libraries
Community Centres
Green Spaces in Fort St. John
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Kin Park | Parks | 14.6 ha |
| Concord Park | Parks | 0.7 ha |
| Surerus Park | Parks | 17.5 ha |
| Triangle Park | Parks | 0.3 ha |
| Kerney Park | Parks | 0.3 ha |
| Duncan Cran Park | Parks | 1.5 ha |
| W. I. Centennial Park | Parks | 1.0 ha |
| Pickell Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Cadet Park | Parks | 0.2 ha |
| Toboggan Hill Park | Parks | 20.3 ha |
| Station Park | Parks | 1.2 ha |
| Sunset Ridge Park | Parks | 1.5 ha |
| Princess Crescent Park | Parks | 0.6 ha |
| Panorama Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Carrier Park | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| Garrison Park | Parks | 1.2 ha |
| Westridge Park | Parks | 1.7 ha |
| Estates Park | Parks | 0.9 ha |
| Centennial Park | Parks | 3.4 ha |
| Tot Lot Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Energy Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fort St. John
According to the 2021 census, Fort St. John has a population of approximately 21,465 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Fort St. John increased by 5.95%.
Fort St. John has a population density of approximately 656.90 people per square kilometre.
Fort St. John covers a land area of approximately 32.67 km².
The median age of the population in Fort St. John is 32.40 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Fort St. John is English.
The median household income in Fort St. John is $102,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Fort St. John.
Christian is the predominant religion in Fort St. John.
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.