Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Port Alberni has a population of around 18,259 people. The city's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Port Alberni has increased by 3.29%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 17,678 | 18,259 | +3.29% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.65% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Port Alberni's population is projected to reach approximately 18,859 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 959.26 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 18,259 | 18,859 | 959.26 |
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 Port Alberni is around 8,925 while the female population is around 9,335.
Of the 18,259 total population in Port Alberni, the largest gender is female with around 9,335 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 8,925 | 9,335 | +4.39% |
Is Port Alberni a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Port Alberni 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 Port Alberni
- Parksville (37.0 km)
- Courtenay (52.4 km)
- Nanaimo (63.5 km)
- Campbell River (93.2 km)
- Duncan (94.7 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
Port Alberni has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 65 to 69 years old, accounting for 8.40% of the total population. The city median age is 49.20.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 to 69 years | 735 8.20% | 800 8.60% | 8.13% | 1,535 8.40% |
| 60 to 64 years | 745 8.30% | 790 8.50% | 5.70% | 1,530 8.40% |
| 55 to 59 years | 660 7.40% | 710 7.60% | 7.04% | 1,370 7.50% |
| 70 to 74 years | 655 7.30% | 675 7.20% | 2.96% | 1,330 7.30% |
| 50 to 54 years | 535 6.00% | 545 5.80% | 1.83% | 1,080 5.90% |
| 30 to 34 years | 525 5.90% | 535 5.70% | 1.87% | 1,065 5.80% |
| 35 to 39 years | 510 5.70% | 525 5.60% | 2.86% | 1,035 5.70% |
| 40 to 44 years | 490 5.50% | 505 5.40% | 2.97% | 995 5.50% |
| 75 to 79 years | 475 5.30% | 515 5.50% | 7.77% | 990 5.40% |
| 45 to 49 years | 455 5.10% | 530 5.70% | 14.15% | 985 5.40% |
| 10 to 14 years | 470 5.30% | 480 5.10% | 2.08% | 955 5.20% |
| 25 to 29 years | 490 5.50% | 450 4.80% | 8.16% | 940 5.10% |
| 5 to 9 years | 440 4.90% | 465 5.00% | 5.38% | 905 5.00% |
| 15 to 19 years | 445 5.00% | 435 4.70% | 2.25% | 875 4.80% |
| 20 to 24 years | 390 4.40% | 410 4.40% | 4.88% | 800 4.40% |
| 0 to 4 years | 395 4.40% | 325 3.50% | 17.72% | 720 3.90% |
| 85 years and over | 245 2.70% | 330 3.50% | 25.76% | 580 3.20% |
| 80 to 84 years | 260 2.90% | 305 3.30% | 14.75% | 565 3.10% |
| 85 to 89 years | 175 2.00% | 200 2.10% | 12.50% | 375 2.10% |
| 90 to 94 years | 60 0.70% | 90 1.00% | 33.33% | 150 0.80% |
| Median age of the population | 48 48.40% | 50 50.00% | 4.00% | 49 49.20% |
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 58.50% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 27.40% and 14.10%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Port Alberni are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average age of the population | 45.80% | 47.10% | 46.50% |
| 65 years and over | 26.60% | 28.10% | 27.40% |
| 0 to 14 years | 14.60% | 13.70% | 14.10% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Port Alberni
Population of Port Alberni by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Port Alberni is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Port Alberni 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 28.67% of the total population, followed by Scottish (21.63%), Irish (17.98%), Canadian (13.81%), and German (13.36%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include French, First Nations (North American Indian), Dutch, Ukrainian, and Norwegian.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 29.12% | 28.24% | 28.67% |
| Scottish | 21.56% | 21.65% | 21.63% |
| Irish | 16.72% | 19.25% | 17.98% |
| Canadian | 13.59% | 14.01% | 13.81% |
| German | 12.80% | 13.90% | 13.36% |
| French | 11.72% | 11.40% | 11.55% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 6.20% | 6.87% | 6.54% |
| Dutch | 6.20% | 6.71% | 6.46% |
| Ukrainian | 4.84% | 4.63% | 4.73% |
| Norwegian | 4.04% | 4.20% | 4.15% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Port Alberni's population profile.
About 10.0% of Port Alberni's population are immigrants (1,795 people).
The top countries of origin for Port Alberni's immigrant population are United Kingdom (430), India (190), Netherlands (150), United States of America (140), Germany (115).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 430 |
| India | 190 |
| Netherlands | 150 |
| United States of America | 140 |
| Germany | 115 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 5,730 of Port Alberni'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 17.65% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.40%, 4.45%, and 2.35%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 3,240 | 19.15% |
| 1 person | 2,980 | 17.65% |
| 3 persons | 1,080 | 6.40% |
| 4 persons | 755 | 4.45% |
| 5 or more persons | 395 | 2.35% |
Income in Port Alberni
Analyzing income distribution in Port Alberni can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Port Alberni 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 city's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Port Alberni population or around 2,060 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 1,775 and 1,770 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Port Alberni's median household income is $62,800, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Port Alberni's median household income is 21,200 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 Port Alberni
This data sheds light on the distribution of Port Alberni 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.
49.20% or most of the Port Alberni population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 31.50% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 19.30% has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 12.70% has Bachelor's degree or higher.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 5,540 | 6,210 | 11,745 | 49.20% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 3,705 | 3,965 | 7,675 | 31.50% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 2,550 | 2,330 | 4,875 | 19.30% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,175 | 1,815 | 2,995 | 12.70% |
Below national average 12.7% of Port Alberni's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Port Alberni
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Port Alberni. 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 5.13% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 46.73% |
| Unemployment rate | 5.13% |
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 Port Alberni's population (around 69.50%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the city, there are 590 men and 460 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 1,045.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 590 | 460 | 1,045 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Port Alberni industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Port Alberni is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Port Alberni has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (19%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 14%, followed by Construction at 9%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 290 | 1,195 | 19% |
| Retail trade | 480 | 605 | 14% |
| Construction | 630 | 70 | 9% |
| Accommodation and food services | 295 | 375 | 8% |
| Manufacturing | 425 | 125 | 7% |
| Public administration | 260 | 240 | 6% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 365 | 85 | 6% |
| Educational services | 135 | 305 | 6% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 200 | 150 | 4% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 140 | 185 | 4% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 220 | 60 | 4% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 125 | 130 | 3% |
| Finance and insurance | 25 | 135 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 70 | 80 | 2% |
| Information and cultural industries | 15 | 75 | 1% |
| Wholesale trade | 55 | 25 | 1% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 30 | 40 | 1% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 35 | 10 | 1% |
| Utilities | 25 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Port Alberni residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Port Alberni: Health care and social assistance (19%), -45 Retail trade (14%), Construction (9%)
Top occupation categories in Port Alberni: Sales and service occupations (27%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (20%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (13%)
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 | 2,315 | 2,830 | 5,140 | 71.50% |
| No fixed workplace address | 930 | 455 | 1,385 | 19.30% |
| Worked at home | 260 | 405 | 665 | 9.20% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Port Alberni 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 Port Alberni residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Port Alberni 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 | 68.50% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 15.20% |
| 60 minutes and over | 7.70% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 5.60% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 3.10% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Port Albernished 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 Port Alberni'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 Port Alberni. About 17,765 people living in the province speak English, 225 people speak French, 35 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 10 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 17,765 |
| French | 225 |
| Neither English nor French | 35 |
| English and French | 10 |
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 | 89.9% | 96.7% |
| Non-official languages | 7.1% | 2.4% |
| French | 1.6% | 0.2% |
Religion
Port Alberni is predominantly Christian. About 5,785 of its population is Christian (2,595 males and 2,595 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Sikh with 1.2% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Buddhist, both represent 0.7% and 0.6% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.4% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 32.2% |
| Sikh | 1.2% |
| Hindu | 0.7% |
| Buddhist | 0.6% |
| Islam | 0.4% |
| Jewish | 0.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions about Port Alberni
According to the 2021 census, Port Alberni has a population of approximately 18,259 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Port Alberni increased by 3.29%.
Port Alberni has a population density of approximately 928.90 people per square kilometre.
Port Alberni covers a land area of approximately 19.66 km².
The median age of the population in Port Alberni is 49.20 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Port Alberni is English.
The median household income in Port Alberni is $62,800, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Port Alberni.
Christian is the predominant religion in Port Alberni.
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.