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

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

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Sechelt. It is a township in Canada that encompasses a land area of 39.02 km2. The township has a population density of 278.00 people per km2.

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

Sechelt 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.

Sechelt location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Sechelt has a population of around 10,847 people. The township's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Sechelt has increased by 6.18%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
10,21610,847 +6.18%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.21% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Sechelt's population is projected to reach approximately 11,517 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 295.16 people per km².

Population in 2021Projected Population in 2026Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
10,84711,517295.16

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 Sechelt is around 5,110 while the female population is around 5,735.

Of the 10,847 total population in Sechelt, the largest gender is female with around 5,735 women within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
5,1105,735 +10.90%

Is Sechelt a Good Place to Live?

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

Employment & Economy

6.5%
Unemployment rate
1.9 pts below the province
48.6%
Employment rate
9.3 pts below the province
52.0%
Participation rate
11.3 pts below the province

Income & Affordability

$73,500
Median household income
$11,500 below the province
12.6%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
1.8 pts above the province

Commute

78.1%
Commute under 30 minutes
12.3 pts above the province
86.2%
Commute by car
6.3 pts above the province
2.3%
Commute by public transit
7.0 pts below the province

Housing Character

75.3%
Single-detached houses
32.9 pts above the province
14.4%
Apartments (any building size)
29.1 pts below the province

Household Composition

2.10 people
Average household size
0.30people below the province
34.7%
One-person households
5.3 pts above the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Other Townships Near Sechelt

Population by Age Characteristics

Sechelt has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 65 to 69 years old, accounting for 10.50% of the total population. The township median age is 57.60.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
65 to 69 years520 10.20%625 10.90% 16.80%1,140 10.50%
70 to 74 years475 9.30%575 10.00% 17.39%1,050 9.70%
60 to 64 years455 8.90%545 9.50% 16.51%1,000 9.20%
75 to 79 years370 7.20%425 7.40% 12.94%795 7.30%
55 to 59 years340 6.70%420 7.30% 19.05%765 7.10%
50 to 54 years300 5.90%320 5.60% 6.25%625 5.80%
35 to 39 years260 5.10%320 5.60% 18.75%575 5.30%
40 to 44 years280 5.50%300 5.20% 6.67%575 5.30%
45 to 49 years260 5.10%270 4.70% 3.70%535 4.90%
80 to 84 years235 4.60%265 4.60% 11.32%505 4.70%
85 years and over200 3.90%285 5.00% 29.82%485 4.50%
10 to 14 years245 4.80%235 4.10% 4.08%480 4.40%
30 to 34 years205 4.00%265 4.60% 22.64%470 4.30%
5 to 9 years235 4.60%205 3.60% 12.77%440 4.10%
0 to 4 years200 3.90%170 3.00% 15.00%370 3.40%
15 to 19 years170 3.30%175 3.10% 2.86%345 3.20%
20 to 24 years170 3.30%170 3.00% 0.00%340 3.10%
25 to 29 years185 3.60%160 2.80% 13.51%340 3.10%
85 to 89 years140 2.70%170 3.00% 17.65%310 2.90%
90 to 94 years45 0.90%90 1.60% 50.00%135 1.20%
Median age of the population56 55.60%58 58.40% 5.14%58 57.60%
Average age of the population50 50.30%53 52.70% 3.80%52 51.60%

Broader Age Groups

If the township'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 51.40% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 36.60% and 11.90%, respectively.

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

DataMaleFemaleTotal
15 to 64 years51.50%51.40%51.40%
65 years and over35.20%37.90%36.60%
0 to 14 years13.30%10.60%11.90%

Photos of Places & Sceneries in Sechelt

Population of Sechelt by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Sechelt is quite diverse, which contributes to the township's vibrant cultural landscape. Sechelt 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 33.98% of the total population, followed by Scottish (24.60%), Irish (18.66%), German (12.87%), and Canadian (9.94%).

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

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
English35.67%32.65%33.98%
Scottish24.45%24.64%24.60%
Irish18.54%18.77%18.66%
German11.92%13.70%12.87%
Canadian10.42%9.52%9.94%
French8.02%9.96%9.05%
British Isles6.41%6.58%6.50%
Norwegian4.81%5.34%5.04%
Dutch5.51%4.27%4.85%
Ukrainian4.11%4.18%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 Sechelt's population profile.

About 22.7% of Sechelt's population are immigrants (2,410 people).

The top countries of origin for Sechelt's immigrant population are United Kingdom (605), Philippines (265), United States of America (245), Germany (160), India (80).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
United Kingdom605
Philippines265
United States of America245
Germany160
India80

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 3,865 of Sechelt's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.

Household Size

About 21.20% 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 5.20%, 4.15%, and 2.10%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
2 persons2,17521.20%
1 person1,78017.35%
3 persons5355.20%
4 persons4254.15%
5 or more persons2152.10%

Income in Sechelt

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

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Sechelt is $39,600.

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

Most of Sechelt population or around 1,145 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $50,000 to $79,999, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 960 and 920 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Sechelt's median household income is $73,500, according to 2020 data.

Below national average Sechelt's median household income is 10,500 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).

The data provides important insights into the township'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 township's income distribution, disparities, and trends.

Education Levels in Sechelt

This data sheds light on the distribution of Sechelt 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.

61.95% or most of the Sechelt population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 28.20% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 25.30% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.85% has No certificate, diploma or degree.

Only using 25% sample data.
DegreeMenWomenTotalPercentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree4,0404,5358,58061.95%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate1,7952,2454,03528.20%
Bachelor's degree or higher1,5551,9403,49025.30%
No certificate, diploma or degree7157651,4809.85%

Below national average 25.3% of Sechelt's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Sechelt

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Sechelt. 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 3.37% which is pretty low.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate48.63%
Unemployment rate3.37%

Working as an Employee

The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the township who work as an employee. The majority of Sechelt's population (around 61.20%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the township, there are 720 men and 605 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 1,330.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed7206051,330

Employment Industry Sectors

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

Sechelt 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 Construction at 10%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Health care and social assistance13549013%
Retail trade24035512%
Construction4306010%
Accommodation and food services1353009%
Professional, scientific and technical services2052058%
Educational services752006%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services1401005%
Public administration1001355%
Other services (except public administration)951305%
Manufacturing195255%
Transportation and warehousing165454%
Real estate and rental and leasing85854%
Arts, entertainment and recreation90703%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting90453%
Finance and insurance40903%
Wholesale trade55302%
Information and cultural industries40301%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction40101%
Utilities15151%
Management of companies and enterprises000%

Labour Market Snapshot

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

Top employer sectors in Sechelt: Health care and social assistance (13%), -45 Retail trade (12%), Construction (10%)

Top occupation categories in Sechelt: Sales and service occupations (29%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (18%), Business, finance and administration occupations (14%)

Places of Work

The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the township. 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 work1,2101,5952,80561.80%
Worked at home39551090519.90%
No fixed workplace address60022082018.10%
Worked outside Canada0000.00%

Commuting

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

Commuting Duration

This data reveals the average time that the residents of Sechelt spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the township's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the township.

Only using 25% sample data.
DurationPercentage
Less than 15 minutes55.60%
15 to 29 minutes22.50%
30 to 44 minutes12.50%
60 minutes and over4.80%
45 to 59 minutes4.30%

Marital Status

The statistics on marital status in Secheltshed 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 township's social fabric. We can gain insights into Sechelt's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.

Married or living common-law
61.66%
Married or living common-law
38.34%

Language Spoken

The data below highlights township'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 Sechelt. About 10,460 people living in the province speak English, 160 people speak French, 60 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 20 people speak English and French language.

LanguagePopulation
English10,460
French160
Neither English nor French60
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
English85.0%94.4%
Non-official languages11.3%3.8%
French1.6%0.3%

Religion

Sechelt is predominantly Christian. About 4,010 of its population is Christian (1,750 males and 1,750 females).

The second largest religion in the province is Buddhist with 1.6% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Sikh and Jewish, both represent 1.4% and 0.9% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.7% of the population.

ReligionPopulation
Christian37.8%
Buddhist1.6%
Sikh1.4%
Jewish0.9%
Islam0.7%
Hindu0.4%

Points of Interest in Sechelt

Hospitals

Schools

Parks

Libraries

Community Centres

Places to Visit in Sechelt

Museums

Historic Sites

Theatres

Green Spaces in Sechelt

NameTypeApprox. Area
Hidden GroveParks
Kinnikinnick ParkParks62.2 ha
Whitaker ParkParks0.5 ha
Snickett ParkParks0.4 ha
Picadilly ParkParks0.7 ha
Tyler Heights ParkParks0.5 ha
Osborne ParkParks0.4 ha
Mission Point ParkParks1.5 ha
Pacific View ParkParks0.8 ha
Granite Trail ParkParks0.1 ha
Legacy ParkParks0.1 ha
Brookman ParkParks2.5 ha
Sandy Hook ParkParks0.2 ha
Sechelt Inlets Marine Provincial Park - Piper Point SiteNature Reserves5.5 ha
Big Tree Trail & Picnic Recreation SiteNature Reserves43.4 ha
Burnett Falls ParkNature Reserves1.3 ha

Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sechelt

According to the 2021 census, Sechelt has a population of approximately 10,847 people.

Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Sechelt increased by 6.18%.

Sechelt has a population density of approximately 278.00 people per square kilometre.

Sechelt covers a land area of approximately 39.02 km².

The median age of the population in Sechelt is 57.60 years.

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

The median household income in Sechelt is $73,500, based on 2020 data.

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

Christian is the predominant religion in Sechelt.

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.