Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Oak Bay has a population of around 17,990 people. The township's population is in decreased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Oak Bay has decreased by -0.57%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 18,094 | 17,990 | --0.57% |
2026 Population Projection
Oak Bay's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 17,990 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Population By Genders
The male population of Oak Bay is around 8,320 while the female population is around 9,670.
Of the 17,990 total population in Oak Bay, the largest gender is female with around 9,670 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 8,320 | 9,670 | -13.96% |
Is Oak Bay a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Oak Bay 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 Townships Near Oak Bay
- Saanich (5.7 km)
- Esquimalt (7.1 km)
- Highlands (15.7 km)
- Metchosin (16.9 km)
- Central Saanich (20.2 km)
- North Saanich (27.0 km)
- Sooke (31.0 km)
- North Cowichan (53.3 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
Oak Bay has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 70 to 74 years old, accounting for 9.40% of the total population. The township median age is 54.40.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 to 74 years | 800 9.60% | 900 9.30% | 11.11% | 1,700 9.40% |
| 65 to 69 years | 700 8.40% | 870 9.00% | 19.54% | 1,565 8.70% |
| 60 to 64 years | 615 7.40% | 795 8.20% | 22.64% | 1,405 7.80% |
| 55 to 59 years | 585 7.00% | 710 7.30% | 17.61% | 1,295 7.20% |
| 75 to 79 years | 565 6.80% | 640 6.60% | 11.72% | 1,205 6.70% |
| 50 to 54 years | 545 6.60% | 630 6.50% | 13.49% | 1,175 6.50% |
| 15 to 19 years | 485 5.80% | 570 5.90% | 14.91% | 1,055 5.90% |
| 45 to 49 years | 465 5.60% | 565 5.80% | 17.70% | 1,035 5.80% |
| 10 to 14 years | 525 6.30% | 485 5.00% | 7.62% | 1,015 5.60% |
| 20 to 24 years | 465 5.60% | 470 4.90% | 1.06% | 930 5.20% |
| 85 years and over | 330 4.00% | 525 5.40% | 37.14% | 855 4.80% |
| 5 to 9 years | 420 5.00% | 420 4.30% | 0.00% | 840 4.70% |
| 40 to 44 years | 375 4.50% | 455 4.70% | 17.58% | 830 4.60% |
| 80 to 84 years | 365 4.40% | 450 4.70% | 18.89% | 820 4.60% |
| 35 to 39 years | 300 3.60% | 355 3.70% | 15.49% | 660 3.70% |
| 25 to 29 years | 270 3.20% | 315 3.30% | 14.29% | 580 3.20% |
| 30 to 34 years | 275 3.30% | 290 3.00% | 5.17% | 570 3.20% |
| 85 to 89 years | 215 2.60% | 270 2.80% | 20.37% | 485 2.70% |
| 0 to 4 years | 240 2.90% | 205 2.10% | 14.58% | 450 2.50% |
| 90 to 94 years | 90 1.10% | 180 1.90% | 50.00% | 270 1.50% |
| 95 to 99 years | 20 0.20% | 75 0.80% | 73.33% | 95 0.50% |
| Median age of the population | 53 52.80% | 56 55.60% | 5.40% | 54 54.40% |
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 53.00% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 34.20% and 12.80%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Oak Bay are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 52.60% | 53.40% | 53.00% |
| Average age of the population | 48.60% | 50.70% | 49.70% |
| 65 years and over | 33.20% | 35.10% | 34.20% |
| 0 to 14 years | 14.20% | 11.50% | 12.80% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Oak Bay
Population of Oak Bay by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Oak Bay is quite diverse, which contributes to the township's vibrant cultural landscape. Oak Bay 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 37.22% of the total population, followed by Scottish (26.64%), Irish (18.68%), German (11.96%), and Canadian (9.16%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include British Isles, French, Chinese, Dutch, and Ukrainian.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 38.15% | 36.43% | 37.22% |
| Scottish | 26.75% | 26.51% | 26.64% |
| Irish | 17.49% | 19.67% | 18.68% |
| German | 11.52% | 12.35% | 11.96% |
| Canadian | 9.75% | 8.70% | 9.16% |
| British Isles | 8.41% | 8.43% | 8.39% |
| French | 6.95% | 7.69% | 7.31% |
| Chinese | 5.12% | 5.36% | 5.24% |
| Dutch | 4.94% | 4.45% | 4.65% |
| Ukrainian | 4.20% | 4.72% | 4.48% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Oak Bay's population profile.
About 21.9% of Oak Bay's population are immigrants (3,855 people).
The top countries of origin for Oak Bay's immigrant population are United Kingdom (1,265), United States of America (515), China (270), Germany (155), South Africa, Republic of (85).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 1,265 |
| United States of America | 515 |
| China | 270 |
| Germany | 155 |
| South Africa, Republic of | 85 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 4,915 of Oak Bay's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 19.15% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 15.55% of the population. 4 persons, 3 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.45%, 6.00%, and 2.85%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 2,990 | 19.15% |
| 1 person | 2,430 | 15.55% |
| 4 persons | 1,010 | 6.45% |
| 3 persons | 935 | 6.00% |
| 5 or more persons | 445 | 2.85% |
Income in Oak Bay
Analyzing income distribution in Oak Bay can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Oak Bay is $52,400.
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 township's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Oak Bay population or around 1,755 people falls in the $150,000 and over group. The next largest groups are the $100,000 to $149,999, and $10,000 to $29,999 with around 1,685 and 1,630 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Oak Bay's median household income is $107,000, according to 2020 data.
Above national average Oak Bay's median household income is 23,000 dollars above 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 Oak Bay
This data sheds light on the distribution of Oak Bay 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.
78.85% or most of the Oak Bay population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 58.55% of the population has a Bachelor's degree or higher, 16.20% has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 5.00% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 8,065 | 9,570 | 17,645 | 78.85% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 6,040 | 6,975 | 13,015 | 58.55% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 1,690 | 2,285 | 3,985 | 16.20% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 685 | 645 | 1,320 | 5.00% |
Above national average 58.6% of Oak Bay's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Oak Bay
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Oak Bay. 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 3.75% which is pretty low.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 49.49% |
| Unemployment rate | 3.75% |
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 Oak Bay's population (around 57.10%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the township, there are 1,275 men and 855 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 2,130.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 1,275 | 855 | 2,130 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Oak Bay industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Oak Bay is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Oak Bay has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (17%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Professional, scientific and technical services sector comes second at 13%, followed by Public administration at 12%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 385 | 970 | 17% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 720 | 360 | 13% |
| Public administration | 465 | 495 | 12% |
| Educational services | 320 | 580 | 11% |
| Retail trade | 335 | 385 | 9% |
| Construction | 365 | 75 | 5% |
| Accommodation and food services | 185 | 260 | 5% |
| Finance and insurance | 225 | 110 | 4% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 205 | 135 | 4% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 165 | 100 | 3% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 110 | 160 | 3% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 80 | 175 | 3% |
| Information and cultural industries | 105 | 80 | 2% |
| Manufacturing | 150 | 25 | 2% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 120 | 0 | 2% |
| Wholesale trade | 70 | 40 | 1% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 40 | 25 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 15 | 10 | 0% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 20 | 0 | 0% |
| Utilities | 0 | 10 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Oak Bay residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Oak Bay: Health care and social assistance (17%), Professional, scientific and technical services (13%), Public administration (12%)
Top occupation categories in Oak Bay: Sales and service occupations (20%), Business, finance and administration occupations (20%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (17%)
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 | 1,890 | 2,140 | 4,030 | 53.10% |
| Worked at home | 1,435 | 1,420 | 2,855 | 37.60% |
| No fixed workplace address | 470 | 200 | 670 | 8.80% |
| Worked outside Canada | 35 | 0 | 35 | 0.50% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Oak Bay 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 Oak Bay residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Oak Bay 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 |
|---|---|
| 15 to 29 minutes | 42.60% |
| Less than 15 minutes | 38.70% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 13.60% |
| 60 minutes and over | 2.80% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 2.20% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Oak Bayshed 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 Oak Bay'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 Oak Bay. About 17,580 people living in the province speak English, 255 people speak French, 95 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 60 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 17,580 |
| French | 255 |
| Neither English nor French | 95 |
| English and French | 60 |
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 | 85.8% | 94.3% |
| Non-official languages | 10.8% | 4.0% |
| French | 1.4% | 0.5% |
Religion
Oak Bay is predominantly Christian. About 6,430 of its population is Christian (2,720 males and 2,720 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Jewish with 1.5% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Buddhist and Sikh, both represent 1.0% and 0.7% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.5% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 36.5% |
| Jewish | 1.5% |
| Buddhist | 1.0% |
| Sikh | 0.7% |
| Islam | 0.5% |
| Hindu | 0.3% |
Points of Interest in Oak Bay
Hospitals
Schools
- Canadian College of Performing Arts
- Willows Elementary
- Oak Bay High School
- Campus View Elementary
- Frank Hobbs Elementary School
- Lansdowne Middle School - North Campus
- Lansdowne Middle School - South Campus
- St. Michaels University School
- St. Patrick's School
- École Élémentaire Margaret Jenkins Elementary
- Sundance-Bank Elementary
- Monterey Middle School
- School House
- Glenlyon Norfolk School - Beach Drive Campus
- St. Michaels University School - Junior School
- Victoria International High School - Uplands Campus
- Play Field - Glenlyon Norfolk School - Beach Drive Campus
- Glenlyon Norfolk School - Pemberton Woods Campus
Parks
- Willows Park
- Allenby Park
- Carnarvon Park
- Nottingham Park
- Firefighter's Park
- Oakdowne Park
- Windsor Park
- Gonzales Hill Regional Park
- Redfern Park
- Lafayette Park
- Cochrane's Common
- Mount Tolmie Park
- Henderson Recreation Centre
- Horner Park
- Onyx Park
- Pemberton Park
- Anderson Hill Park
- Entrance Park
- Gyro-Henderson Park
- Haynes Park
- Loon Bay Park
- Native Plant Garden
- Quimper Park
- Goward Park
- Maynard Park
- Kings Park
- Gonzales Green
- Maddison Green
- Wilmer Green Park
- Midland Circle
- Costain Green
- Thompson/Topp Park
Libraries
Places to Visit in Oak Bay
Museums
Attractions
Historic Sites
Theatres
Green Spaces in Oak Bay
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Willows Park | Parks | 1.2 ha |
| Allenby Park | Parks | 1.2 ha |
| Carnarvon Park | Parks | 3.9 ha |
| Nottingham Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Firefighter's Park | Parks | 1.3 ha |
| Oakdowne Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Windsor Park | Parks | 4.3 ha |
| Gonzales Hill Regional Park | Parks | 1.8 ha |
| Redfern Park | Parks | 0.7 ha |
| Lafayette Park | Parks | 0.7 ha |
| Cochrane's Common | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| Mount Tolmie Park | Parks | 18.3 ha |
| Henderson Recreation Centre | Parks | 8.2 ha |
| Horner Park | Parks | 2.1 ha |
| Onyx Park | Parks | 0.3 ha |
| Pemberton Park | Parks | 1.9 ha |
| Anderson Hill Park | Parks | 2.8 ha |
| Entrance Park | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| Gyro-Henderson Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
| Haynes Park | Parks | 0.2 ha |
| Loon Bay Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Native Plant Garden | Parks | 0.2 ha |
| Quimper Park | Parks | 0.2 ha |
| Goward Park | Parks | 2.4 ha |
| Maynard Park | Parks | 1.2 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Frequently Asked Questions about Oak Bay
According to the 2021 census, Oak Bay has a population of approximately 17,990 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Oak Bay decreased by 0.57%.
Oak Bay has a population density of approximately 1,710.10 people per square kilometre.
Oak Bay covers a land area of approximately 10.52 km².
The median age of the population in Oak Bay is 54.40 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Oak Bay is English.
The median household income in Oak Bay is $107,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Oak Bay.
Christian is the predominant religion in Oak Bay.
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.