Wells, British Columbia Population & Demographics: Is It a Good Place to Live?

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

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Wells. It is a township in Canada that encompasses a land area of 158.09 km2. The township has a population density of 1.40 people per km2.

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

Wells 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.

Wells location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Wells has a population of around 218 people. The township's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Wells has increased by ▲ 0.46%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
217218 +0.46%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.09% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Wells's population is projected to reach approximately 219 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 1.39 people per km².

Population in 2021Projected Population in 2026Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
2182191.39

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.

Wells Population Trend & Context

Wells is the 243rd-largest township in British Columbia, with a 2021 census population of 218 — an increase of 1 (▲ 0.46%) people from the 217 recorded in 2016.

The township's population has remained relatively stable over this period, reflecting broader trends in mid-sized British Columbia townships. The township's median age of 42.8 years closely mirrors the national median of 41.9, suggesting a demographic profile in line with the Canadian average.

How does Wells compare to other British Columbia townships?

Population By Genders

The male population of Wells is around 105 while the female population is around 115.

Of the 218 total population in Wells, the largest gender is female with around 115 women within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
105115 +8.70%

Is Wells a Good Place to Live?

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

Employment & Economy

37.5%
Unemployment rate
29.1 pts above the province
51.7%
Employment rate
6.2 pts below the province
82.8%
Participation rate
19.5 pts above the province

Income & Affordability

$0
Median household income
$85,000 below the province
0.0%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
10.8 pts below the province

Commute

100.0%
Commute under 30 minutes
34.2 pts above the province
84.6%
Commute by car
4.7 pts above the province
0.0%
Commute by public transit
9.3 pts below the province

Housing Character

69.6%
Single-detached houses
27.2 pts above the province
8.7%
Apartments (any building size)
34.8 pts below the province

Household Composition

1.90 people
Average household size
0.50people below the province
47.8%
One-person households
18.4 pts above the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Wells Population Compared to British Columbia

British Columbia's population in 2021 was 5,000,879, spread across the area. Here's how Wells compares to the township's key indicators:

IndicatorWellsBritish Columbia
Median household income$0$85,000
Unemployment rate37.5%8.4%
Median age42.842.8
Bachelor's degree or higher16.0%31.8%
Immigrants (%)0.0%29.0%

Population by Age Characteristics

Wells has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 20 to 24 years old, accounting for 9.10% of the total population. The township median age is 42.80.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
Median age of the population43 43.20%42 42.40% 2.31%43 42.80%
Average age of the population44 43.60%42 41.60% 4.59%42 42.40%
20 to 24 years5 4.80%15 13.00% 66.67%20 9.10%
30 to 34 years10 9.50%5 4.30% 50.00%20 9.10%
60 to 64 years15 14.30%10 8.70% 33.33%20 9.10%
5 to 9 years5 4.80%10 8.70% 50.00%15 6.80%
35 to 39 years10 9.50%10 8.70% 0.00%15 6.80%
55 to 59 years10 9.50%10 8.70% 0.00%15 6.80%
65 to 69 years5 4.80%5 4.30% 0.00%15 6.80%
70 to 74 years5 4.80%10 8.70% 50.00%15 6.80%
0 to 4 years5 4.80%5 4.30% 0.00%10 4.50%
25 to 29 years5 4.80%5 4.30% 0.00%10 4.50%
40 to 44 years5 4.80%5 4.30% 0.00%10 4.50%
45 to 49 years0 0.00%10 8.70% 100.00%10 4.50%
50 to 54 years5 4.80%10 8.70% 50.00%10 4.50%
75 to 79 years5 4.80%0 0.00% 100.00%10 4.50%
10 to 14 years5 4.80%0 0.00% 100.00%5 2.30%
15 to 19 years5 4.80%0 0.00% 100.00%0 0.00%
80 to 84 years0 0.00%0 0.00% 0.00%0 0.00%

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 68.20% of the population. The other age groups, 15 to 64 years and 65 years and over, account for 68.20% and 18.20%, respectively.

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

DataMaleFemaleTotal

Photos of Places & Sceneries in Wells

Population of Wells by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Wells is quite diverse, which contributes to the township's vibrant cultural landscape. Wells is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the township appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.

The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Wells are English, which accounts for 38.71% of the total population, followed by Scottish (35.48%), Irish (32.26%), German (32.26%), and Canadian (12.90%).

Other ethnicities and origins in Wells include French, Dutch, Welsh, Norwegian, and Grenadian.

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
English43.75%26.67%38.71%
Scottish37.50%33.33%35.48%
Irish25.00%40.00%32.26%
German37.50%26.67%32.26%
Canadian0.00%20.00%12.90%
French18.75%0.00%12.90%
Dutch0.00%20.00%9.68%
Welsh0.00%13.33%9.68%
Norwegian12.50%0.00%6.45%
Grenadian0.00%0.00%0.00%

Immigration Profile

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

About 0.0% of Wells's population are immigrants (0 people).

The top countries of origin for Wells's immigrant population are Brazil (0), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0), Guyana (0), Haiti (0).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
Brazil0
Colombia0
El Salvador0
Guyana0
Haiti0

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 80 of Wells's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.

Household Size

About 23.90% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 17.40% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 4.35%, 4.35%, and 2.15%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
1 person5523.90%
2 persons4017.40%
3 persons104.35%
4 persons104.35%
5 or more persons52.15%

Income in Wells

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

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Wells is $0.

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 Wells population or around 0 people falls in the Under $10,000 group. The next largest groups are the Under $10,000, and Under $10,000 with around 0 and 0 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Wells's median household income is $0, according to 2020 data.

Below national average Wells's median household income is 84,000 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 Wells

This data sheds light on the distribution of Wells 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.

47.40% or most of the Wells population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 29.15% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 23.40% has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 16.00% has Bachelor's degree or higher.

Only using 25% sample data.
DegreeMenWomenTotalPercentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree606012047.40%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate35457529.15%
No certificate, diploma or degree5506023.40%
Bachelor's degree or higher10254016.00%

Below national average 16.0% of Wells's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Wells

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Wells. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.

The data shows that the unemployment rate in Wells is at 31.03% which is very high.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate51.72%
Unemployment rate31.03%

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 Wells's population (around 50.00%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the township, there are 0 men and 10 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 15.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed01015

Employment Industry Sectors

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

Wells has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (17%) works in the construction sector. The Arts, entertainment and recreation sector comes second at 17%, followed by Retail trade at 13%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Construction15017%
Arts, entertainment and recreation15017%
Retail trade01513%
Finance and insurance101013%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction1008%
Professional, scientific and technical services008%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting000%
Utilities000%
Manufacturing000%
Wholesale trade000%
Transportation and warehousing000%
Information and cultural industries000%
Real estate and rental and leasing000%
Management of companies and enterprises000%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services000%
Educational services000%
Health care and social assistance000%
Accommodation and food services000%
Other services (except public administration)000%
Public administration000%

Labour Market Snapshot

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

Top employer sectors in Wells: Construction (17%), Arts, entertainment and recreation (17%), -45 Retail trade (13%)

Top occupation categories in Wells: Sales and service occupations (33%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (21%), Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport (13%)

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 work45105573.30%
Worked at home0101013.30%
Worked outside Canada0000.00%
No fixed workplace address0000.00%

Commuting

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

Commuting Duration

This data reveals the average time that the residents of Wells 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 minutes61.50%
15 to 29 minutes38.50%
30 to 44 minutes0.00%
45 to 59 minutes0.00%
60 minutes and over0.00%

Marital Status

The statistics on marital status in Wellsshed 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 Wells's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.

Married or living common-law
51.35%
Married or living common-law
48.65%

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 Wells. About 215 people living in the province speak English, 0 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.

LanguagePopulation
English215
French0
English and French0
Neither English nor French0

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
English97.7%100.0%
Non-official languages2.3%0.0%
French0.0%0.0%

Religion

Wells is predominantly Christian. About 35 of its population is Christian (10 males and 10 females).

The second largest religion in the province 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.

ReligionPopulation
Christian21.9%
Buddhist0.0%
Hindu0.0%
Jewish0.0%
Islam0.0%
Sikh0.0%

Points of Interest in Wells

Schools

Libraries

Community Centres

Places to Visit in Wells

Museums

Attractions

Historic Sites

Theatres

Other Townships in British Columbia

Frequently Asked Questions about Wells

According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Wells has a population of 218 people, making it the 243rd township in British Columbia. The population increased slightly from 217 in 2016, an increase of 1 people or 0.46%. The township has a population density of 1.4 people per km² across a land area of 158.09 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.

Wells's population remained essentially flat between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 217 to 218 people, a marginal change of 1 residents. This stability is characteristic of many mid-sized other British Columbia townships during this period. The median age of 42.80 years suggests a mature, established community. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (47.8%) 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.

Wells has a population density of approximately 1.40 people per square kilometre.

Wells covers a land area of approximately 158.09 km².

The median age of the population in Wells is 42.80 years.

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

The median household income in Wells is $0, based on 2020 data.

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

Christian is the predominant religion in Wells.

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.