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

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

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Salmon Arm. It is a city in Canada that encompasses a land area of 155.19 km2. The city has a population density of 125.20 people per km2.

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

Salmon Arm 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.

Salmon Arm location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Salmon Arm has a population of around 19,432 people. The city's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Salmon Arm has increased by 9.75%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
17,70619,432 +9.75%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.88% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Salmon Arm's population is projected to reach approximately 21,326 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 137.42 people per km².

Population in 2021Projected Population in 2026Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
19,43221,326137.42

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 Salmon Arm is around 9,215 while the female population is around 10,215.

Of the 19,432 total population in Salmon Arm, the largest gender is female with around 10,215 women within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
9,21510,215 +9.79%

Is Salmon Arm a Good Place to Live?

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

Employment & Economy

7.9%
Unemployment rate
0.5 pts below the province
52.5%
Employment rate
5.4 pts below the province
56.9%
Participation rate
6.4 pts below the province

Income & Affordability

$75,000
Median household income
$10,000 below the province
10.7%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
0.1 pts below the province

Commute

85.0%
Commute under 30 minutes
19.2 pts above the province
88.7%
Commute by car
8.8 pts above the province
0.9%
Commute by public transit
8.4 pts below the province

Housing Character

62.4%
Single-detached houses
20.0 pts above the province
22.1%
Apartments (any building size)
21.4 pts below the province

Household Composition

2.30 people
Average household size
0.10people below the province
29.4%
One-person households
About the same as the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Other Cities Near Salmon Arm

Population by Age Characteristics

Salmon Arm has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 8.60% of the total population. The city median age is 51.60.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
60 to 64 years735 8.00%925 9.10% 20.54%1,665 8.60%
65 to 69 years725 7.90%860 8.40% 15.70%1,580 8.10%
70 to 74 years670 7.30%740 7.20% 9.46%1,415 7.30%
55 to 59 years610 6.60%755 7.40% 19.21%1,355 7.00%
75 to 79 years505 5.50%645 6.30% 21.71%1,145 5.90%
50 to 54 years545 5.90%595 5.80% 8.40%1,135 5.80%
10 to 14 years585 6.30%525 5.10% 10.26%1,105 5.70%
40 to 44 years505 5.50%560 5.50% 9.82%1,060 5.50%
15 to 19 years540 5.90%505 4.90% 6.48%1,045 5.40%
35 to 39 years480 5.20%515 5.00% 6.80%995 5.10%
45 to 49 years480 5.20%495 4.80% 3.03%970 5.00%
5 to 9 years515 5.60%450 4.40% 12.62%965 5.00%
85 years and over350 3.80%610 6.00% 42.62%960 4.90%
30 to 34 years455 4.90%500 4.90% 9.00%955 4.90%
25 to 29 years405 4.40%410 4.00% 1.22%820 4.20%
80 to 84 years380 4.10%430 4.20% 11.63%815 4.20%
0 to 4 years390 4.20%355 3.50% 8.97%745 3.80%
20 to 24 years360 3.90%355 3.50% 1.39%715 3.70%
85 to 89 years225 2.40%370 3.60% 39.19%595 3.10%
90 to 94 years115 1.20%190 1.90% 39.47%305 1.60%
Median age of the population49 48.80%54 53.60% 9.33%52 51.60%

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 55.10% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 30.40% and 14.50%, respectively.

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

DataMaleFemaleTotal
Average age of the population46.20%49.50%47.90%
65 years and over28.50%32.10%30.40%
0 to 14 years16.10%13.00%14.50%

Photos of Places & Sceneries in Salmon Arm

Population of Salmon Arm by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Salmon Arm is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Salmon Arm 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 31.31% of the total population, followed by Scottish (24.06%), German (19.74%), Irish (18.56%), and Canadian (14.15%).

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

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
English31.27%31.35%31.31%
Scottish24.02%24.15%24.06%
German18.39%20.97%19.74%
Irish18.90%18.24%18.56%
Canadian14.40%13.98%14.15%
French9.51%10.59%10.04%
Ukrainian7.42%7.50%7.49%
Dutch6.97%7.30%7.14%
Norwegian5.91%6.01%5.96%
British Isles4.44%4.16%4.30%

Immigration Profile

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

About 10.2% of Salmon Arm's population are immigrants (1,895 people).

The top countries of origin for Salmon Arm's immigrant population are United Kingdom (460), United States of America (210), Germany (170), Netherlands (145), Philippines (140).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
United Kingdom460
United States of America210
Germany170
Netherlands145
Philippines140

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 5,055 of Salmon Arm's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.

Household Size

About 19.90% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 14.70% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.50%, 5.50%, and 3.40%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
2 persons3,22519.90%
1 person2,38014.70%
3 persons1,0556.50%
4 persons8905.50%
5 or more persons5503.40%

Income in Salmon Arm

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

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Salmon Arm is $38,400.

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

Most of Salmon Arm population or around 2,275 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 1,805 and 1,790 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Salmon Arm's median household income is $75,000, according to 2020 data.

Below national average Salmon Arm's median household income is 9,000 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 Salmon Arm

This data sheds light on the distribution of Salmon Arm 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.

59.20% or most of the Salmon Arm population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 28.65% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 20.65% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.15% has No certificate, diploma or degree.

Only using 25% sample data.
DegreeMenWomenTotalPercentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree6,5307,75014,28559.20%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate3,2853,8457,12528.65%
Bachelor's degree or higher2,2752,6754,95020.65%
No certificate, diploma or degree1,7151,5203,23512.15%

Below national average 20.7% of Salmon Arm's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Salmon Arm

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Salmon Arm. 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 4.49% which is pretty low.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate52.47%
Unemployment rate4.49%

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 Salmon Arm's population (around 63.50%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the city, there are 1,080 men and 760 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 1,840.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed1,0807601,840

Employment Industry Sectors

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

Salmon Arm has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (14%) works in the retail trade sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 14%, followed by Construction at 9%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Retail trade62066514%
Health care and social assistance2051,01514%
Construction6951059%
Educational services2205709%
Manufacturing5251407%
Accommodation and food services2503757%
Professional, scientific and technical services2802456%
Other services (except public administration)2352656%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting2602005%
Public administration1451854%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services2001204%
Finance and insurance951953%
Arts, entertainment and recreation1451003%
Transportation and warehousing160552%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction145152%
Real estate and rental and leasing60802%
Wholesale trade85251%
Information and cultural industries45451%
Utilities8501%
Management of companies and enterprises0100%

Labour Market Snapshot

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

Top employer sectors in Salmon Arm: -45 Retail trade (14%), Health care and social assistance (14%), Construction (9%)

Top occupation categories in Salmon Arm: Sales and service occupations (26%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (19%), 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.

Only using 25% sample data.
Work LocationMenWomenTotalPercentage
Usual place of work2,7203,1805,90071.20%
No fixed workplace address8853151,21014.60%
Worked at home5306401,17014.10%
Worked outside Canada150150.20%

Commuting

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

Commuting Duration

This data reveals the average time that the residents of Salmon Arm 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 minutes64.00%
15 to 29 minutes21.00%
30 to 44 minutes6.70%
60 minutes and over4.90%
45 to 59 minutes3.50%

Marital Status

The statistics on marital status in Salmon Armshed 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 Salmon Arm's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.

Married or living common-law
59.54%
Married or living common-law
40.46%

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 Salmon Arm. About 18,850 people living in the province speak English, 165 people speak French, 55 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 20 people speak English and French language.

LanguagePopulation
English18,850
French165
Neither English nor French55
English and French20

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
English90.7%96.9%
Non-official languages7.2%2.2%
French1.0%0.2%

Religion

Salmon Arm is predominantly Christian. About 7,780 of its population is Christian (3,350 males and 3,350 females).

The second largest religion in the province is Muslim with 0.6% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Sikh and Buddhist, both represent 0.5% and 0.4% of the population, while Jewish represent 0.1% of the population.

ReligionPopulation
Christian41.8%
Islam0.6%
Sikh0.5%
Buddhist0.4%
Jewish0.1%
Hindu0.0%

Frequently Asked Questions about Salmon Arm

According to the 2021 census, Salmon Arm has a population of approximately 19,432 people.

Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Salmon Arm increased by 9.75%.

Salmon Arm has a population density of approximately 125.20 people per square kilometre.

Salmon Arm covers a land area of approximately 155.19 km².

The median age of the population in Salmon Arm is 51.60 years.

The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Salmon Arm is English.

The median household income in Salmon Arm is $75,000, based on 2020 data.

English is the most common first official language spoken in Salmon Arm.

Christian is the predominant religion in Salmon Arm.

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.