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

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

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Parksville. It is a city in Canada that encompasses a land area of 14.52 km2. The city has a population density of 939.50 people per km2.

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

Parksville 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.

Parksville location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Parksville has a population of around 13,642 people. The city's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Parksville has increased by 9.55%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
12,45313,642 +9.55%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.84% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Parksville's population is projected to reach approximately 14,945 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 1,029.27 people per km².

Population in 2021Projected Population in 2026Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
13,64214,9451,029.27

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 Parksville is around 6,195 while the female population is around 7,445.

Of the 13,642 total population in Parksville, the largest gender is female with around 7,445 women within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
6,1957,445 +16.79%

Is Parksville a Good Place to Live?

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

Employment & Economy

6.7%
Unemployment rate
1.7 pts below the province
39.3%
Employment rate
18.6 pts below the province
42.2%
Participation rate
21.1 pts below the province

Income & Affordability

$66,500
Median household income
$18,500 below the province
11.4%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
0.6 pts above the province

Commute

78.1%
Commute under 30 minutes
12.3 pts above the province
84.2%
Commute by car
4.3 pts above the province
1.5%
Commute by public transit
7.8 pts below the province

Housing Character

60.2%
Single-detached houses
17.8 pts above the province
16.5%
Apartments (any building size)
27.0 pts below the province

Household Composition

2.00 people
Average household size
0.40people below the province
34.7%
One-person households
5.3 pts above the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Other Cities Near Parksville

Population by Age Characteristics

Parksville has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 70 to 74 years old, accounting for 12.50% of the total population. The city median age is 62.00.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
70 to 74 years745 12.00%950 12.80% 21.58%1,700 12.50%
65 to 69 years635 10.30%830 11.10% 23.49%1,465 10.70%
75 to 79 years605 9.80%735 9.90% 17.69%1,335 9.80%
60 to 64 years530 8.60%740 9.90% 28.38%1,270 9.30%
55 to 59 years375 6.10%520 7.00% 27.88%885 6.50%
80 to 84 years410 6.60%435 5.80% 5.75%845 6.20%
85 years and over290 4.70%415 5.60% 30.12%710 5.20%
50 to 54 years285 4.60%345 4.60% 17.39%630 4.60%
35 to 39 years255 4.10%320 4.30% 20.31%580 4.30%
45 to 49 years265 4.30%300 4.00% 11.67%565 4.10%
40 to 44 years270 4.40%290 3.90% 6.90%560 4.10%
30 to 34 years235 3.80%250 3.40% 6.00%485 3.60%
15 to 19 years240 3.90%230 3.10% 4.17%475 3.50%
5 to 9 years225 3.60%230 3.10% 2.17%455 3.30%
85 to 89 years195 3.10%265 3.60% 26.42%455 3.30%
25 to 29 years220 3.60%230 3.10% 4.35%450 3.30%
20 to 24 years240 3.90%190 2.60% 20.83%435 3.20%
10 to 14 years200 3.20%230 3.10% 13.04%430 3.20%
0 to 4 years185 3.00%190 2.60% 2.63%375 2.70%
90 to 94 years90 1.50%120 1.60% 25.00%210 1.50%
Median age of the population61 61.20%63 62.80% 1.59%62 62.00%
Average age of the population54 53.90%56 55.90% 3.58%55 55.00%

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 46.40% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 44.30% and 9.20%, respectively.

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

DataMaleFemaleTotal
15 to 64 years47.00%46.00%46.40%
65 years and over43.30%45.30%44.30%
0 to 14 years9.80%8.70%9.20%

Photos of Places & Sceneries in Parksville

Population of Parksville by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Parksville is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Parksville 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 34.42% of the total population, followed by Scottish (23.34%), Irish (18.26%), German (15.03%), and Canadian (10.00%).

Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include French, British Isles, Ukrainian, Dutch, and Norwegian.

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
English33.44%35.30%34.42%
Scottish22.82%23.83%23.34%
Irish16.68%19.57%18.26%
German14.94%15.18%15.03%
Canadian9.88%10.16%10.00%
French9.38%9.82%9.62%
British Isles7.05%6.80%6.91%
Ukrainian6.31%5.49%5.86%
Dutch4.48%4.60%4.55%
Norwegian3.57%4.95%4.36%

Immigration Profile

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

About 17.1% of Parksville's population are immigrants (2,275 people).

The top countries of origin for Parksville's immigrant population are United Kingdom (915), Germany (215), Philippines (210), United States of America (195), Netherlands (90).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
United Kingdom915
Germany215
Philippines210
United States of America195
Netherlands90

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 4,065 of Parksville's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.

Household Size

About 23.55% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 17.35% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 4.50%, 3.10%, and 1.50%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
2 persons3,18023.55%
1 person2,34017.35%
3 persons6104.50%
4 persons4203.10%
5 or more persons2001.50%

Income in Parksville

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

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Parksville is $37,200.

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

Most of Parksville population or around 1,435 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 1,100 and 1,020 people, respectively.

Household Income

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

Below national average Parksville'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 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 Parksville

This data sheds light on the distribution of Parksville 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.

58.45% or most of the Parksville population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 30.40% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 18.80% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.05% has No certificate, diploma or degree.

Only using 25% sample data.
DegreeMenWomenTotalPercentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree4,4455,4959,94058.45%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate2,2703,0805,35030.40%
Bachelor's degree or higher1,3401,9003,23518.80%
No certificate, diploma or degree1,0551,0102,06511.05%

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

Employment in Parksville

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Parksville. 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 2.82% which is pretty low.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate39.32%
Unemployment rate2.82%

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 Parksville's population (around 67.50%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the city, there are 530 men and 465 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 995.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed530465995

Employment Industry Sectors

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

Parksville has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (17%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 16%, followed by Construction at 11%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Health care and social assistance14073517%
Retail trade35547516%
Construction5005011%
Accommodation and food services1802709%
Professional, scientific and technical services1801958%
Educational services702056%
Other services (except public administration)901755%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services1251105%
Public administration120854%
Manufacturing135403%
Transportation and warehousing100453%
Finance and insurance40803%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting80302%
Arts, entertainment and recreation75352%
Wholesale trade70302%
Information and cultural industries45402%
Real estate and rental and leasing40302%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction2501%
Utilities1000%
Management of companies and enterprises1000%

Labour Market Snapshot

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

Top employer sectors in Parksville: Health care and social assistance (17%), -45 Retail trade (16%), Construction (11%)

Top occupation categories in Parksville: Sales and service occupations (34%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (18%), Business, finance and administration occupations (15%)

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.

Only using 25% sample data.
Work LocationMenWomenTotalPercentage
Usual place of work1,3401,8103,15066.50%
Worked at home38043081017.10%
No fixed workplace address52525577516.40%
Worked outside Canada0000.00%

Commuting

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

Commuting Duration

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

Only using 25% sample data.
DurationPercentage
Less than 15 minutes53.90%
15 to 29 minutes24.20%
30 to 44 minutes13.10%
45 to 59 minutes4.60%
60 minutes and over4.30%

Marital Status

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

Married or living common-law
61.43%
Married or living common-law
38.57%

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 Parksville. About 13,325 people living in the province speak English, 165 people speak French, 30 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 5 people speak English and French language.

LanguagePopulation
English13,325
French165
Neither English nor French30
English and French5

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
English89.3%97.3%
Non-official languages7.8%1.7%
French1.3%0.2%

Religion

Parksville is predominantly Christian. About 6,085 of its population is Christian (2,530 males and 2,530 females).

The second largest religion in the province is Buddhist with 0.5% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Jewish and Hindu, both represent 0.3% and 0.2% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.1% of the population.

ReligionPopulation
Christian45.7%
Buddhist0.5%
Jewish0.3%
Hindu0.2%
Islam0.1%
Sikh0.1%

Frequently Asked Questions about Parksville

According to the 2021 census, Parksville has a population of approximately 13,642 people.

Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Parksville increased by 9.55%.

Parksville has a population density of approximately 939.50 people per square kilometre.

Parksville covers a land area of approximately 14.52 km².

The median age of the population in Parksville is 62.00 years.

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

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

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

Christian is the predominant religion in Parksville.

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.