Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Squamish has a population of around 23,819 people. The township's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Squamish has increased by 22.17%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 19,497 | 23,819 | +22.17% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.09% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Squamish's population is projected to reach approximately 29,099 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 277.90 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 23,819 | 29,099 | 277.90 |
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 Squamish is around 12,040 while the female population is around 11,780.
Of the 23,819 total population in Squamish, the largest gender is male with around 12,040 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 12,040 | 11,780 | +2.16% |
Is Squamish a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Squamish 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 Townships Near Squamish
- West Vancouver (40.8 km)
- North Vancouver (42.4 km)
- Whistler (48.8 km)
- Sechelt (50.5 km)
- Lantzville (83.0 km)
- Mission (87.0 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
Squamish has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 35 to 39 years old, accounting for 10.80% of the total population. The township median age is 37.60.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 to 39 years | 1,260 10.50% | 1,315 11.20% | 4.18% | 2,575 10.80% |
| 30 to 34 years | 1,140 9.50% | 1,185 10.10% | 3.80% | 2,320 9.70% |
| 40 to 44 years | 1,145 9.50% | 1,140 9.70% | 0.44% | 2,285 9.60% |
| 45 to 49 years | 1,030 8.60% | 955 8.10% | 7.28% | 1,985 8.30% |
| 25 to 29 years | 845 7.00% | 850 7.20% | 0.59% | 1,690 7.10% |
| 5 to 9 years | 775 6.40% | 735 6.20% | 5.16% | 1,510 6.30% |
| 10 to 14 years | 750 6.20% | 725 6.20% | 3.33% | 1,470 6.20% |
| 50 to 54 years | 770 6.40% | 700 5.90% | 9.09% | 1,470 6.20% |
| 0 to 4 years | 755 6.30% | 710 6.00% | 5.96% | 1,465 6.20% |
| 55 to 59 years | 630 5.20% | 580 4.90% | 7.94% | 1,210 5.10% |
| 15 to 19 years | 565 4.70% | 490 4.20% | 13.27% | 1,055 4.40% |
| 60 to 64 years | 525 4.40% | 485 4.10% | 7.62% | 1,010 4.20% |
| 20 to 24 years | 515 4.30% | 435 3.70% | 15.53% | 950 4.00% |
| 65 to 69 years | 440 3.70% | 505 4.30% | 12.87% | 945 4.00% |
| 70 to 74 years | 365 3.00% | 365 3.10% | 0.00% | 730 3.10% |
| 75 to 79 years | 270 2.20% | 245 2.10% | 9.26% | 520 2.20% |
| 80 to 84 years | 145 1.20% | 180 1.50% | 19.44% | 325 1.40% |
| 85 years and over | 110 0.90% | 185 1.60% | 40.54% | 295 1.20% |
| 85 to 89 years | 75 0.60% | 115 1.00% | 34.78% | 185 0.80% |
| 90 to 94 years | 25 0.20% | 50 0.40% | 50.00% | 75 0.30% |
| Average age of the population | 38 37.50% | 38 38.20% | 2.62% | 38 37.90% |
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 69.50% of the population. The other age groups, 0 to 14 years and 65 years and over, account for 18.70% and 11.80%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Squamish are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age of the population | 37.60% | 37.60% | 37.60% |
| 0 to 14 years | 19.00% | 18.40% | 18.70% |
| 65 years and over | 11.10% | 12.50% | 11.80% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Squamish
Population of Squamish by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Squamish is quite diverse, which contributes to the township's vibrant cultural landscape. Squamish 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 25.75% of the total population, followed by Scottish (21.02%), Irish (17.11%), Canadian (13.40%), and German (13.21%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include French, British Isles, Dutch, Ukrainian, and Polish.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 27.21% | 24.27% | 25.75% |
| Scottish | 20.75% | 21.26% | 21.02% |
| Irish | 16.35% | 17.90% | 17.11% |
| Canadian | 13.88% | 12.91% | 13.40% |
| German | 12.37% | 14.07% | 13.21% |
| French | 9.48% | 8.95% | 9.21% |
| British Isles | 6.71% | 6.54% | 6.62% |
| Dutch | 4.65% | 5.12% | 4.90% |
| Ukrainian | 4.15% | 4.43% | 4.27% |
| Polish | 3.94% | 4.43% | 4.18% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Squamish's population profile.
About 20.2% of Squamish's population are immigrants (4,765 people).
The top countries of origin for Squamish's immigrant population are United Kingdom (970), India (830), United States of America (340), Philippines (305), Germany (170).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 970 |
| India | 830 |
| United States of America | 340 |
| Philippines | 305 |
| Germany | 170 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 3,730 of Squamish's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 16.80% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 11.85% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 8.95%, 8.55%, and 3.90%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 3,085 | 16.80% |
| 1 person | 2,175 | 11.85% |
| 3 persons | 1,645 | 8.95% |
| 4 persons | 1,570 | 8.55% |
| 5 or more persons | 720 | 3.90% |
Income in Squamish
Analyzing income distribution in Squamish can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Squamish is $51,200.
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 township's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Squamish population or around 3,290 people falls in the $50,000 to $79,999 group. The next largest groups are the $10,000 to $29,999, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 2,855 and 2,720 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Squamish's median household income is $111,000, according to 2020 data.
Above national average Squamish's median household income is 27,000 dollars above 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 Squamish
This data sheds light on the distribution of Squamish 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.
68.85% or most of the Squamish population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 37.80% of the population has a Bachelor's degree or higher, 24.60% has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 6.60% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 11,025 | 11,930 | 22,945 | 68.85% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 5,485 | 7,080 | 12,565 | 37.80% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 4,590 | 3,765 | 8,355 | 24.60% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 1,340 | 970 | 2,310 | 6.60% |
Above national average 37.8% of Squamish's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Squamish
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Squamish. 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 5.24% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 71.67% |
| Unemployment rate | 5.24% |
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 Squamish's population (around 67.20%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the township, there are 1,745 men and 1,290 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 3,035.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 1,745 | 1,290 | 3,035 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Squamish industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Squamish is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Squamish has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (12%) works in the professional, scientific and technical services sector. The Construction sector comes second at 12%, followed by Retail trade at 12%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 925 | 855 | 12% |
| Construction | 1,590 | 170 | 12% |
| Retail trade | 910 | 810 | 12% |
| Health care and social assistance | 255 | 1,425 | 12% |
| Accommodation and food services | 675 | 720 | 10% |
| Educational services | 355 | 530 | 6% |
| Public administration | 375 | 410 | 5% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 350 | 295 | 4% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 420 | 185 | 4% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 235 | 345 | 4% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 270 | 205 | 3% |
| Information and cultural industries | 270 | 175 | 3% |
| Manufacturing | 295 | 140 | 3% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 170 | 215 | 3% |
| Finance and insurance | 150 | 170 | 2% |
| Wholesale trade | 125 | 90 | 1% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 125 | 60 | 1% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 95 | 15 | 1% |
| Utilities | 65 | 35 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 10 | 15 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Squamish residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Squamish: Professional, scientific and technical services (12%), Construction (12%), -45 Retail trade (12%)
Top occupation categories in Squamish: Sales and service occupations (26%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (20%), Business, finance and administration occupations (15%)
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.
| Work Location | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual place of work | 3,680 | 3,955 | 7,635 | 55.80% |
| Worked at home | 1,790 | 1,960 | 3,750 | 27.40% |
| No fixed workplace address | 1,700 | 560 | 2,260 | 16.50% |
| Worked outside Canada | 20 | 20 | 45 | 0.30% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Squamish 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 Squamish residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Squamish 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.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 47.90% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 17.40% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 13.40% |
| 60 minutes and over | 13.40% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 7.90% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Squamishshed 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 Squamish's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
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 Squamish. About 22,655 people living in the province speak English, 755 people speak French, 220 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 85 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 22,655 |
| French | 755 |
| Neither English nor French | 220 |
| English and French | 85 |
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 | 79.6% | 88.7% |
| Non-official languages | 14.2% | 7.6% |
| French | 3.2% | 1.4% |
Religion
Squamish is predominantly Christian. About 5,110 of its population is Christian (2,295 males and 2,295 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Sikh with 5.4% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Muslim and Hindu, both represent 0.7% and 0.4% of the population, while Jewish represent 0.3% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 21.7% |
| Sikh | 5.4% |
| Islam | 0.7% |
| Hindu | 0.4% |
| Jewish | 0.3% |
| Buddhist | 0.3% |
Points of Interest in Squamish
Hospitals
Schools
- Mamquam Elementary School
- Squamish Waldorf School
- Stawamus Elementary
- Valleycliffe Elementary School
- École Squamish Elementary
- Howe Sound Secondary School
- Squamish Montessori School
- Garibaldi Highlands Elementary
Parks
- Eagle Run Park
- Cottonwood Park
- Fisherman's Park
- McNaugnton Park
- Pat Goode Park
- Edgewater Park
- Junction Park
- Stan Clarke Park
- Brennan Park
- Xwu’nekw (whoo-nay-oak) Park
- Mamquam River Kayak Site
- Sp’akw'us Feather Park
- Miyíw̓ts (my-oats) Park
- Rose Park
- Squamish Dirt Jumps
- Dentville Park
- Baldwin and Cooper Park
Libraries
Community Centres
Places to Visit in Squamish
Museums
Attractions
- Shannon Falls
- Shannon Falls Pools
- Sea to Sky Gondola
- Squamish Spit & Estuary
- Murrin Provincial Park Pictograph
- Squamish Canyon
- Bird Display
Historic Sites
Green Spaces in Squamish
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Eagle Run Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Cottonwood Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Fisherman's Park | Parks | 3.9 ha |
| McNaugnton Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
| Pat Goode Park | Parks | 0.8 ha |
| Edgewater Park | Parks | 0.2 ha |
| Junction Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
| Stan Clarke Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
| Brennan Park | Parks | 20.7 ha |
| Xwu’nekw (whoo-nay-oak) Park | Parks | 0.6 ha |
| Mamquam River Kayak Site | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| Baynes Island Ecological Reserve | Nature Reserves | 44.5 ha |
| Cat Lake Recreation Site | Nature Reserves | 40.0 ha |
| East Shore N - Watts Pt. South Recreation Reserve | Nature Reserves | 1.9 ha |
| East Shore Watts Point Recreation Reserve | Nature Reserves | 4.5 ha |
| Tantalus Landing Marine Site | Nature Reserves | 3.0 ha |
| Swift Creek Recreation Reserve | Nature Reserves | 4.0 ha |
| Swift Creek Recreation Reserve | Nature Reserves | 2.8 ha |
| Hut Lakes Recreation Site | Nature Reserves | 98.3 ha |
| Hut Lakes Recreation Site | Nature Reserves | 73.1 ha |
| Levette Lake Recreation Site | Nature Reserves | 24.6 ha |
| Raffuse Creek Recreation Reserve | Nature Reserves | 13.3 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Frequently Asked Questions about Squamish
According to the 2021 census, Squamish has a population of approximately 23,819 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Squamish increased by 22.17%.
Squamish has a population density of approximately 227.50 people per square kilometre.
Squamish covers a land area of approximately 104.71 km².
The median age of the population in Squamish is 37.60 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Squamish is English.
The median household income in Squamish is $111,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Squamish.
Christian is the predominant religion in Squamish.
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.