Oliver, British Columbia Population & Demographics: How Many People Live Here?

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

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Oliver. It is a town in Canada that encompasses a land area of 5.49 km2. The town has a population density of 927.90 people per km2.

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

Oliver on the Map

The map and listings below are sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors, not Statistics Canada, and may be incomplete depending on how thoroughly the area has been mapped.

Oliver location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Oliver has a population of around 5,094 people. The town's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Oliver has increased by 3.37%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
4,9285,094 +3.37%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.66% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Oliver's population is projected to reach approximately 5,266 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 959.20 people per km².

Population in 2021Projected Population in 2026Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
5,0945,266959.20

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 Oliver is around 2,435 while the female population is around 2,660.

Of the 5,094 total population in Oliver, the largest gender is female with around 2,660 women within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
2,4352,660 +8.46%

Is Oliver a Good Place to Live?

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

Employment & Economy

8.4%
Unemployment rate
About the same as the province
46.0%
Employment rate
11.9 pts below the province
50.3%
Participation rate
13.0 pts below the province

Income & Affordability

$68,500
Median household income
$16,500 below the province
11.6%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
0.8 pts above the province

Commute

82.6%
Commute under 30 minutes
16.8 pts above the province
87.0%
Commute by car
7.1 pts above the province
0.5%
Commute by public transit
8.8 pts below the province

Housing Character

66.5%
Single-detached houses
24.1 pts above the province
13.6%
Apartments (any building size)
29.9 pts below the province

Household Composition

2.20 people
Average household size
0.20people below the province
30.5%
One-person households
1.1 pts above the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Population by Age Characteristics

Oliver has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 65 to 69 years old, accounting for 10.70% of the total population. The town median age is 58.00.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
65 to 69 years240 9.90%295 11.10% 18.64%545 10.70%
70 to 74 years280 11.50%260 9.80% 7.14%540 10.60%
60 to 64 years200 8.20%280 10.50% 28.57%475 9.30%
55 to 59 years160 6.60%210 7.90% 23.81%365 7.20%
75 to 79 years155 6.40%185 7.00% 16.22%335 6.60%
35 to 39 years140 5.70%150 5.60% 6.67%290 5.70%
80 to 84 years125 5.10%140 5.30% 10.71%270 5.30%
50 to 54 years120 4.90%145 5.50% 17.24%265 5.20%
45 to 49 years125 5.10%120 4.50% 4.00%245 4.80%
40 to 44 years105 4.30%125 4.70% 16.00%235 4.60%
10 to 14 years120 4.90%100 3.80% 16.67%220 4.30%
85 years and over85 3.50%135 5.10% 37.04%220 4.30%
15 to 19 years120 4.90%95 3.60% 20.83%210 4.10%
30 to 34 years100 4.10%110 4.10% 9.09%210 4.10%
5 to 9 years105 4.30%90 3.40% 14.29%195 3.80%
0 to 4 years90 3.70%90 3.40% 0.00%175 3.40%
25 to 29 years75 3.10%70 2.60% 6.67%150 2.90%
20 to 24 years85 3.50%60 2.30% 29.41%140 2.70%
85 to 89 years50 2.10%85 3.20% 41.18%135 2.60%
Median age of the population56 56.00%59 59.20% 5.07%58 58.00%
90 to 94 years30 1.20%25 0.90% 16.67%55 1.10%
Average age of the population50 50.30%53 53.20% 5.64%52 51.80%

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 50.90% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 37.40% and 11.60%, respectively.

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

DataMaleFemaleTotal
15 to 64 years50.90%50.90%50.90%
65 years and over36.60%38.30%37.40%
0 to 14 years12.70%10.70%11.60%

Photos of Places & Sceneries in Oliver

Population of Oliver by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Oliver is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Oliver 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 25.81% of the total population, followed by Scottish (20.36%), German (17.34%), Irish (15.83%), and Canadian (10.69%).

Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include French, Ukrainian, Dutch, Indian (India), and Norwegian.

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
English25.83%26.04%25.81%
Scottish20.25%20.71%20.36%
German15.91%18.74%17.34%
Irish14.46%16.96%15.83%
Canadian11.16%10.45%10.69%
French6.82%8.48%7.66%
Ukrainian5.79%4.93%5.34%
Dutch3.51%5.72%4.54%
Indian (India)3.93%4.93%4.44%
Norwegian3.10%4.54%3.93%

Immigration Profile

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

About 18.9% of Oliver's population are immigrants (935 people).

The top countries of origin for Oliver's immigrant population are India (275), United Kingdom (120), United States of America (65), Portugal (60), Germany (55).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
India275
United Kingdom120
United States of America65
Portugal60
Germany55

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 1,540 of Oliver's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.

Household Size

About 23.25% 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 5.30%, 3.55%, and 2.80%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
2 persons1,07523.25%
1 person70515.25%
3 persons2455.30%
4 persons1653.55%
5 or more persons1302.80%

Income in Oliver

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

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Oliver is $35,600.

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 town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.

Most of Oliver population or around 630 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 495 and 455 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Oliver's median household income is $68,500, according to 2020 data.

Below national average Oliver's median household income is 15,500 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 Oliver

This data sheds light on the distribution of Oliver 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.

49.95% or most of the Oliver population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 33.75% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 16.50% has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 15.10% has Bachelor's degree or higher.

Only using 25% sample data.
DegreeMenWomenTotalPercentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree1,4451,7903,24049.95%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate1,1651,0452,21533.75%
No certificate, diploma or degree5655951,16016.50%
Bachelor's degree or higher41057097515.10%

Below national average 15.1% of Oliver's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Oliver

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Oliver. 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 4.22% which is pretty low.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate46.00%
Unemployment rate4.22%

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 Oliver's population (around 67.30%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the town, there are 130 men and 130 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 260.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed130130260

Employment Industry Sectors

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

Oliver has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (13%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 12%, followed by Accommodation and food services at 12%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Health care and social assistance7022013%
Retail trade11515012%
Accommodation and food services13512512%
Manufacturing135759%
Construction135207%
Educational services301107%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting85556%
Public administration95506%
Finance and insurance15453%
Professional, scientific and technical services25453%
Arts, entertainment and recreation55103%
Other services (except public administration)35253%
Transportation and warehousing45103%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services35253%
Wholesale trade35102%
Information and cultural industries20202%
Real estate and rental and leasing15101%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction1501%
Utilities2001%
Management of companies and enterprises000%

Labour Market Snapshot

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

Top employer sectors in Oliver: Health care and social assistance (13%), -45 Retail trade (12%), Accommodation and food services (12%)

Top occupation categories in Oliver: Sales and service occupations (33%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (16%), Business, finance and administration occupations (13%)

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 work7908051,59078.90%
No fixed workplace address1757025512.70%
Worked at home601101708.40%
Worked outside Canada00100.50%

Commuting

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

Commuting Duration

This data reveals the average time that the residents of Oliver 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 minutes66.90%
15 to 29 minutes15.70%
30 to 44 minutes11.40%
45 to 59 minutes3.80%
60 minutes and over2.70%

Marital Status

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

Married or living common-law
61.89%
Married or living common-law
38.11%

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.

English is the most spoken official language in Oliver. About 4,850 people living in the province speak English, 115 people speak Neither English nor French, 70 people speak French language, and 10 people speak English and French language.

LanguagePopulation
English4,850
Neither English nor French115
French70
English and French10

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
English80.1%88.8%
Non-official languages16.6%9.3%
French1.5%0.2%

Religion

Oliver is predominantly Christian. About 2,145 of its population is Christian (945 males and 945 females).

The second largest religion in the province is Sikh with 7.6% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Muslim, both represent 0.4% and 0.2% of the population, while Buddhist represent 0.0% of the population.

ReligionPopulation
Christian43.2%
Sikh7.6%
Hindu0.4%
Islam0.2%
Buddhist0.0%
Jewish0.0%

Frequently Asked Questions about Oliver

According to the 2021 census, Oliver has a population of approximately 5,094 people.

Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Oliver increased by 3.37%.

Oliver has a population density of approximately 927.90 people per square kilometre.

Oliver covers a land area of approximately 5.49 km².

The median age of the population in Oliver is 58.00 years.

The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Oliver is English.

The median household income in Oliver is $68,500, based on 2020 data.

English is the most common first official language spoken in Oliver.

Christian is the predominant religion in Oliver.

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.