Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Sayward has a population of around 334 people. The village's population is in increased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Sayward has increased by ▲ 7.40%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 311 | 334 | +7.40% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.44% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Sayward's population is projected to reach approximately 359 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 80.86 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 334 | 359 | 80.86 |
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.
Sayward Population Trend & Context
Sayward had a 2021 census population of 334 — an increase of 23 (▲ 7.40%) people from the 311 recorded in 2016.
The village's population has grown steadily over this period, reflecting broader growth trends among British Columbia villages. The village's median age of 60.4 years — above the national median of 41.9 — suggests a mature, established community rather than a rapidly growing one.
Population By Genders
The male population of Sayward is around 175 while the female population is around 155.
Of the 334 total population in Sayward, the largest gender is male with around 175 male within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 175 | 155 | +11.43% |
Is Sayward a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Sayward 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.
Sayward Population Compared to British Columbia
British Columbia's population in 2021 was 5,000,879, spread across the area. Here's how Sayward compares to the village's key indicators:
| Indicator | Sayward | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $55,200 | $85,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 16.7% | 8.4% |
| Median age | 60.4 | 42.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.6% | 31.8% |
| Immigrants (%) | 12.3% | 29.0% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Sayward has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 65 to 69 years old, accounting for 19.40% of the total population. The village median age is 60.40.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|
Broader Age Groups
If the village'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 52.20% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 38.80% and 9.00%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Sayward are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 51.40% | 54.80% | 52.20% |
| 65 years and over | 42.90% | 38.70% | 38.80% |
| 0 to 14 years | 10.00% | 20.00% | 30.00% |
| 0 to 14 years | 5.70% | 12.90% | 9.00% |
Population of Sayward by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Sayward is quite diverse, which contributes to the village's vibrant cultural landscape. Sayward is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the village appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Sayward are English, which accounts for 36.84% of the total population, followed by Irish (22.81%), Scottish (22.81%), Norwegian (17.54%), and Canadian (15.79%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Sayward include German, British Isles, Dutch, First Nations (North American Indian), and French.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 44.83% | 33.33% | 36.84% |
| Irish | 24.14% | 25.93% | 22.81% |
| Scottish | 17.24% | 29.63% | 22.81% |
| Norwegian | 10.34% | 22.22% | 17.54% |
| Canadian | 17.24% | 14.81% | 15.79% |
| German | 10.34% | 18.52% | 14.04% |
| British Isles | 10.34% | 7.41% | 8.77% |
| Dutch | 13.79% | 0.00% | 7.02% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 0.00% | 7.41% | 7.02% |
| French | 10.34% | 0.00% | 5.26% |
Indigenous Identity in Sayward
About 19.64% of Sayward's population (55 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 80.36% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 10 people (3.50% of the total population) hold Registered or Treaty Indian status.
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Sayward's population profile.
About 12.3% of Sayward's population are immigrants (35 people).
The top countries of origin for Sayward's immigrant population are United Kingdom (10), Brazil (0), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0), Guyana (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 10 |
| Brazil | 0 |
| Colombia | 0 |
| El Salvador | 0 |
| Guyana | 0 |
100.0% of Sayward's residents (285 people) are Canadian citizens, and 0.0% are not.
By generation status, 10.5% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 19.3% are second generation, and 68.4% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 130 of Sayward's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 25.75% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 16.65% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 4.55%, 1.50%, and 1.50%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 85 | 25.75% |
| 1 person | 55 | 16.65% |
| 3 persons | 15 | 4.55% |
| 4 persons | 5 | 1.50% |
| 5 or more persons | 5 | 1.50% |
Family and Household Structure in Sayward
Of census families in Sayward, 90.0% are couple families and 10.0% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.4 people.
30.3% of households in Sayward are one-person households, 54.5% are couple-family households, 6.1% are one-parent-family households, and 3.0% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 50 | 30.3% |
| Couple-family households | 90 | 54.5% |
| One-parent-family households | 10 | 6.1% |
| Multigenerational households | 5 | 3.0% |
Income in Sayward
Analyzing income distribution in Sayward can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Sayward is $29,600.
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 village's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Sayward population or around 35 people falls in the Under $10,000 group. The next largest groups are the $50,000 to $79,999, and $10,000 to $29,999 with around 30 and 25 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Sayward's median household income is $55,200, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Sayward's median household income is 28,800 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the village'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 village's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in Sayward
This data sheds light on the distribution of Sayward 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.
58.30% or most of the Sayward population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 25.00% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 25.00% has a No certificate, diploma or degree. (Individual figures may not sum to exactly 100% due to Statistics Canada's random rounding of small-area 25% sample data.)
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 25 | 40 | 70 | 58.30% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 10 | 15 | 30 | 25.00% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 15 | 10 | 30 | 25.00% |
Below national average 8.3% of Sayward's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Sayward
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Sayward. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Sayward is at 16.67% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 36.36% |
| Unemployment rate | 16.67% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Sayward, 12.5% worked full year full time in the reference year, 30.4% worked part year and/or part time, and 58.9% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 35 | 12.5% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 85 | 30.4% |
| Did not work | 165 | 58.9% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the village who work as an employee. The majority of Sayward's population (around 52.20%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the village, there are 10 men and 15 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 20.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 10 | 15 | 20 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Sayward industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Sayward is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Sayward has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (26%) works in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector. The Manufacturing sector comes second at 9%, followed by Transportation and warehousing at 9%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 20 | 15 | 26% |
| Manufacturing | 0 | 0 | 9% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 10 | 0 | 9% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 0 | 10 | 9% |
| Accommodation and food services | 0 | 0 | 9% |
| Public administration | 0 | 10 | 9% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Construction | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Wholesale trade | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Retail trade | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Educational services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Health care and social assistance | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Sayward residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Sayward: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (26%), Manufacturing (9%), Transportation and warehousing (9%)
Top occupation categories in Sayward: Business, finance and administration occupations (26%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (22%), Sales and service occupations (17%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the village. 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 | 30 | 20 | 50 | 52.60% |
| No fixed workplace address | 20 | 10 | 25 | 26.30% |
| Worked at home | 10 | 10 | 15 | 15.80% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Sayward 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 Sayward residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Sayward spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the village's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the village.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 45 to 59 minutes | 31.30% |
| Less than 15 minutes | 25.00% |
| 60 minutes and over | 25.00% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 18.80% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 0.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Sayward shed 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 village's social fabric. We can gain insights into Sayward's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights village'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 Sayward. About 330 people living in the village speak English, 5 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 330 |
| French | 5 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 0 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 3.0% of Sayward's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 95.5% know English only, 0.0% know French only, and 0.0% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 320 | 95.5% |
| French only | 0 | 0.0% |
| English and French | 10 | 3.0% |
| Neither English nor French | 0 | 0.0% |
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 | 92.5% | 98.5% |
| Non-official languages | 3.0% | 0.0% |
| French | 1.5% | 0.0% |
Religion
Sayward is predominantly Christian. About 105 of its population is Christian (45 males and 60 females).
The second largest religion in the village is Buddhist with 0.0% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Jewish, both represent 0.0% and 0.0% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 36.2% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Sayward
Libraries
Community Centres
Places to Visit in Sayward
Historic Sites
Nearest Villages to Sayward
- Gold River 66.7 km · 1,246 people
- Tahsis 71.9 km · 393 people
- Alert Bay 72.2 km · 449 people
- Zeballos 77.0 km · 126 people
- Cumberland 107.4 km · 4,447 people
- Port Alice 108.5 km · 739 people
- Lions Bay 220.2 km · 1,390 people
- Pemberton 223.7 km · 3,407 people
Frequently Asked Questions about Sayward
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Sayward has a population of 334 people, making it the 203rd village in British Columbia. The population increased significantly from 311 in 2016, an increase of 23 people or 7.40%. The village has a population density of 75.2 people per km² across a land area of 4.44 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Sayward's population grew by 7.40% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 311 to 334 people, a gain of 23 residents. This growth is above average compared to many other British Columbia villages during this period. The median age of 60.40 years suggests an aging population. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (33.3%) may indicate young adults leaving for larger centres. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Sayward has a population density of approximately 75.20 people per square kilometre.
Sayward covers a land area of approximately 4.44 km².
The median age of the population in Sayward is 60.40 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Sayward is English.
The median household income in Sayward is $55,200, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Sayward.
Christian is the predominant religion in Sayward.
According to the 2021 Census, 19.3% of Sayward's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
100.0% of Sayward's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 9.5% of census families in Sayward, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 3.0% of all households in Sayward, per the 2021 Census.
3.0% of Sayward's population knows both English and French, based on 2021 Census data on knowledge of official languages.
Of the population aged 15 and over in Sayward, 12.5% worked full year full time in the 2021 Census reference year.
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.