Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Williams Lake has a population of around 10,947 people. The city's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Williams Lake has increased by 1.80%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 10,753 | 10,947 | +1.80% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.36% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Williams Lake's population is projected to reach approximately 11,145 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 336.50 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 10,947 | 11,145 | 336.50 |
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 Williams Lake is around 5,395 while the female population is around 5,555.
Of the 10,947 total population in Williams Lake, the largest gender is female with around 5,555 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 5,395 | 5,555 | +2.88% |
Is Williams Lake a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Williams Lake 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 Cities Near Williams Lake
- Quesnel (97.5 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
Williams Lake has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 25 to 29 years old, accounting for 6.90% of the total population. The city median age is 40.80.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 to 29 years | 380 7.00% | 385 6.90% | 1.30% | 760 6.90% |
| 30 to 34 years | 360 6.70% | 370 6.70% | 2.70% | 725 6.60% |
| 50 to 54 years | 345 6.40% | 360 6.50% | 4.17% | 705 6.40% |
| 35 to 39 years | 340 6.30% | 360 6.50% | 5.56% | 700 6.40% |
| 20 to 24 years | 375 7.00% | 325 5.90% | 13.33% | 695 6.30% |
| 60 to 64 years | 345 6.40% | 345 6.20% | 0.00% | 695 6.30% |
| 65 to 69 years | 315 5.80% | 365 6.60% | 13.70% | 685 6.30% |
| 55 to 59 years | 320 5.90% | 355 6.40% | 9.86% | 675 6.20% |
| 15 to 19 years | 340 6.30% | 305 5.50% | 10.29% | 650 5.90% |
| 45 to 49 years | 315 5.80% | 330 5.90% | 4.55% | 645 5.90% |
| 10 to 14 years | 330 6.10% | 315 5.70% | 4.55% | 640 5.80% |
| 40 to 44 years | 305 5.70% | 325 5.90% | 6.15% | 635 5.80% |
| 5 to 9 years | 320 5.90% | 295 5.30% | 7.81% | 615 5.60% |
| 0 to 4 years | 295 5.50% | 290 5.20% | 1.69% | 580 5.30% |
| 70 to 74 years | 250 4.60% | 300 5.40% | 16.67% | 555 5.10% |
| 75 to 79 years | 185 3.40% | 200 3.60% | 7.50% | 385 3.50% |
| 85 years and over | 160 3.00% | 160 2.90% | 0.00% | 320 2.90% |
| 80 to 84 years | 110 2.00% | 180 3.20% | 38.89% | 285 2.60% |
| 85 to 89 years | 110 2.00% | 85 1.50% | 22.73% | 200 1.80% |
| 90 to 94 years | 45 0.80% | 70 1.30% | 35.71% | 115 1.10% |
| Average age of the population | 41 40.70% | 43 42.70% | 4.68% | 42 41.70% |
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 62.80% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 20.30% and 16.80%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Williams Lake are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age of the population | 39.20% | 42.40% | 40.80% |
| 65 years and over | 18.90% | 21.80% | 20.30% |
| 0 to 14 years | 17.50% | 16.10% | 16.80% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Williams Lake
Population of Williams Lake by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Williams Lake is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Williams Lake 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 24.85% of the total population, followed by Scottish (17.89%), Irish (15.79%), Canadian (15.23%), and German (15.18%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include First Nations (North American Indian), French, Ukrainian, Dutch, and Norwegian.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 24.14% | 25.50% | 24.85% |
| Scottish | 17.40% | 18.44% | 17.89% |
| Irish | 15.87% | 15.60% | 15.79% |
| Canadian | 15.49% | 14.95% | 15.23% |
| German | 14.83% | 15.41% | 15.18% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 9.51% | 9.08% | 9.29% |
| French | 8.56% | 8.17% | 8.36% |
| Ukrainian | 5.51% | 5.78% | 5.65% |
| Dutch | 4.28% | 4.95% | 4.62% |
| Norwegian | 4.28% | 4.13% | 4.25% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Williams Lake's population profile.
About 8.9% of Williams Lake's population are immigrants (955 people).
The top countries of origin for Williams Lake's immigrant population are India (235), United States of America (125), United Kingdom (110), Philippines (85), South Africa, Republic of (45).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| India | 235 |
| United States of America | 125 |
| United Kingdom | 110 |
| Philippines | 85 |
| South Africa, Republic of | 45 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 2,170 of Williams Lake's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 17.20% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 17.00% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.90%, 5.35%, and 3.55%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 1,630 | 17.20% |
| 1 person | 1,610 | 17.00% |
| 3 persons | 655 | 6.90% |
| 4 persons | 505 | 5.35% |
| 5 or more persons | 335 | 3.55% |
Income in Williams Lake
Analyzing income distribution in Williams Lake can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Williams Lake is $40,800.
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 Williams Lake population or around 1,325 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 1,285 and 1,220 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Williams Lake's median household income is $76,500, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Williams Lake's median household income is 7,500 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 Williams Lake
This data sheds light on the distribution of Williams Lake 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.
45.75% or most of the Williams Lake population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 35.35% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 18.90% has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 15.90% has Bachelor's degree or higher.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 2,995 | 3,475 | 6,465 | 45.75% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 2,585 | 2,495 | 5,075 | 35.35% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 1,420 | 1,410 | 2,830 | 18.90% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 850 | 1,365 | 2,210 | 15.90% |
Below national average 15.9% of Williams Lake's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Williams Lake
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Williams Lake. 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 4.79% which is pretty low.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 56.09% |
| Unemployment rate | 4.79% |
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 Williams Lake's population (around 75.00%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the city, there are 280 men and 235 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 515.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 280 | 235 | 515 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Williams Lake industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Williams Lake is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Williams Lake has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (15%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 13%, followed by Manufacturing at 11%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 130 | 660 | 15% |
| Retail trade | 365 | 355 | 13% |
| Manufacturing | 480 | 100 | 11% |
| Public administration | 150 | 260 | 8% |
| Accommodation and food services | 130 | 250 | 7% |
| Construction | 300 | 35 | 6% |
| Educational services | 100 | 225 | 6% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 240 | 40 | 5% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 245 | 35 | 5% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 110 | 115 | 4% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 90 | 120 | 4% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 110 | 60 | 3% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 100 | 50 | 3% |
| Wholesale trade | 85 | 40 | 2% |
| Finance and insurance | 20 | 90 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 25 | 70 | 2% |
| Information and cultural industries | 35 | 10 | 1% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 20 | 15 | 1% |
| Utilities | 15 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Williams Lake residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Williams Lake: Health care and social assistance (15%), -45 Retail trade (13%), -33 Manufacturing (11%)
Top occupation categories in Williams Lake: Sales and service occupations (27%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (19%), Business, finance and administration occupations (13%)
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.
| Work Location | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual place of work | 2,025 | 2,030 | 4,055 | 81.50% |
| No fixed workplace address | 385 | 150 | 530 | 10.70% |
| Worked at home | 170 | 215 | 385 | 7.70% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Williams Lake 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 Williams Lake residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Williams Lake 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.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 73.50% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 14.80% |
| 60 minutes and over | 5.00% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 3.40% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 3.30% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Williams Lakeshed 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 Williams Lake's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
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 Williams Lake. About 10,580 people living in the province speak English, 85 people speak French, 45 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 10 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 10,580 |
| French | 85 |
| Neither English nor French | 45 |
| English and French | 10 |
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 | 87.7% | 94.0% |
| Non-official languages | 9.4% | 4.6% |
| French | 1.0% | 0.1% |
Religion
Williams Lake is predominantly Christian. About 3,655 of its population is Christian (1,590 males and 1,590 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Sikh with 3.0% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Buddhist, both represent 0.4% and 0.2% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.2% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 34.1% |
| Sikh | 3.0% |
| Hindu | 0.4% |
| Buddhist | 0.2% |
| Islam | 0.2% |
| Jewish | 0.1% |
Frequently Asked Questions about Williams Lake
According to the 2021 census, Williams Lake has a population of approximately 10,947 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Williams Lake increased by 1.80%.
Williams Lake has a population density of approximately 330.50 people per square kilometre.
Williams Lake covers a land area of approximately 33.12 km².
The median age of the population in Williams Lake is 40.80 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Williams Lake is English.
The median household income in Williams Lake is $76,500, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Williams Lake.
Christian is the predominant religion in Williams Lake.
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.