Bathurst, New Brunswick Population & Demographics: How Many People Live Here?

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

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Bathurst. It is a city in Canada that encompasses a land area of 91.62 km2. The city has a population density of 132.70 people per km2.

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

Bathurst 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.

Bathurst location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Bathurst has a population of around 12,157 people. The city's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Bathurst has increased by 2.19%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
11,89712,157 +2.19%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.43% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Bathurst's population is projected to reach approximately 12,423 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 135.59 people per km².

Population in 2021Projected Population in 2026Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
12,15712,423135.59

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 Bathurst is around 5,895 while the female population is around 6,265.

Of the 12,157 total population in Bathurst, the largest gender is female with around 6,265 women within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
5,8956,265 +5.91%

Is Bathurst a Good Place to Live?

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

Employment & Economy

12.1%
Unemployment rate
1.8 pts above the province
44.3%
Employment rate
9.6 pts below the province
50.3%
Participation rate
9.8 pts below the province

Income & Affordability

$54,800
Median household income
$15,200 below the province
20.3%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
6.1 pts above the province

Commute

89.8%
Commute under 30 minutes
9.1 pts above the province
89.1%
Commute by car
2.9 pts below the province
0.4%
Commute by public transit
1.1 pts below the province

Housing Character

56.9%
Single-detached houses
10.9 pts below the province
29.9%
Apartments (any building size)
9.1 pts above the province

Household Composition

2.00 people
Average household size
0.30people below the province
38.7%
One-person households
8.9 pts above the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Other Cities Near Bathurst

Population by Age Characteristics

Bathurst has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 55 to 59 years old, accounting for 8.10% of the total population. The city median age is 53.20.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
55 to 59 years490 8.30%505 8.10% 2.97%990 8.10%
65 to 69 years460 7.80%530 8.50% 13.21%990 8.10%
70 to 74 years455 7.70%530 8.50% 14.15%985 8.10%
60 to 64 years475 8.10%510 8.10% 6.86%985 8.10%
50 to 54 years400 6.80%420 6.70% 4.76%825 6.80%
75 to 79 years305 5.20%410 6.50% 25.61%710 5.80%
45 to 49 years325 5.50%365 5.80% 10.96%695 5.70%
20 to 24 years360 6.10%305 4.90% 15.28%665 5.50%
25 to 29 years365 6.20%270 4.30% 26.03%635 5.20%
40 to 44 years320 5.40%315 5.00% 1.56%635 5.20%
30 to 34 years290 4.90%280 4.50% 3.45%570 4.70%
80 to 84 years260 4.40%295 4.70% 11.86%550 4.50%
35 to 39 years275 4.70%270 4.30% 1.82%550 4.50%
85 years and over185 3.10%355 5.70% 47.89%540 4.40%
15 to 19 years260 4.40%250 4.00% 3.85%505 4.20%
10 to 14 years240 4.10%225 3.60% 6.25%465 3.80%
5 to 9 years210 3.60%220 3.50% 4.55%430 3.50%
0 to 4 years225 3.80%200 3.20% 11.11%425 3.50%
85 to 89 years120 2.00%200 3.20% 40.00%320 2.60%
90 to 94 years60 1.00%110 1.80% 45.45%170 1.40%
Median age of the population51 51.20%55 55.20% 7.25%53 53.20%

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 58.00% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 31.20% and 10.90%, respectively.

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

DataMaleFemaleTotal
Average age of the population47.70%51.00%49.40%
65 years and over28.30%33.80%31.20%
0 to 14 years11.40%10.30%10.90%

Photos of Places & Sceneries in Bathurst

Explore Bathurst Through Videos

Population of Bathurst by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Bathurst is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Bathurst 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 Canadian, which accounts for 24.78% of the total population, followed by Acadian (23.06%), French (21.94%), Irish (18.03%), and Scottish (13.60%).

Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include English, Caucasian (White), French Canadian, German, and New Brunswicker.

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
Canadian23.08%26.40%24.78%
Acadian22.19%23.89%23.06%
French22.81%21.12%21.94%
Irish18.57%17.44%18.03%
Scottish13.00%14.25%13.60%
English7.16%8.30%7.75%
Caucasian (White)4.51%5.20%4.86%
French Canadian3.27%3.44%3.31%
German2.65%3.02%2.88%
New Brunswicker2.03%2.60%2.32%

Immigration Profile

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

About 4.4% of Bathurst's population are immigrants (510 people).

The top countries of origin for Bathurst's immigrant population are Philippines (70), Congo, Democratic Republic of the (45), United Kingdom (40), United States of America (35), China (25).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
Philippines70
Congo, Democratic Republic of the45
United Kingdom40
United States of America35
China25

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 3,315 of Bathurst's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.

Household Size

About 19.35% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 19.05% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.25%, 3.75%, and 1.60%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
1 person2,25519.35%
2 persons2,22019.05%
3 persons7306.25%
4 persons4353.75%
5 or more persons1851.60%

Income in Bathurst

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

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Bathurst is $33,200.

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

Most of Bathurst population or around 1,595 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $30,000 to $49,999, and $50,000 to $79,999 with around 1,140 and 970 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Bathurst's median household income is $54,800, according to 2020 data.

Below national average Bathurst's median household income is 29,200 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 Bathurst

This data sheds light on the distribution of Bathurst 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.

51.90% or most of the Bathurst population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 30.35% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 18.20% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.80% has No certificate, diploma or degree.

Only using 25% sample data.
DegreeMenWomenTotalPercentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree3,9004,2208,12051.90%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate2,4602,4054,87030.35%
Bachelor's degree or higher1,2951,5102,81018.20%
No certificate, diploma or degree1,5201,5353,06017.80%

Below national average 18.2% of Bathurst's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Bathurst

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Bathurst. 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 6.07% which is quite high.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate44.25%
Unemployment rate6.07%

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 Bathurst's population (around 64.70%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the city, there are 265 men and 205 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 470.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed265205470

Employment Industry Sectors

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

Bathurst has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (19%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 16%, followed by Public administration at 13%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Health care and social assistance24073019%
Retail trade38043516%
Public administration38531013%
Accommodation and food services2452059%
Educational services952106%
Construction210305%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services165504%
Other services (except public administration)1051104%
Transportation and warehousing120503%
Manufacturing140253%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction140103%
Professional, scientific and technical services65753%
Wholesale trade95352%
Finance and insurance30602%
Information and cultural industries55201%
Arts, entertainment and recreation30351%
Utilities6501%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting4501%
Real estate and rental and leasing35101%
Management of companies and enterprises000%

Labour Market Snapshot

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

Top employer sectors in Bathurst: Health care and social assistance (19%), -45 Retail trade (16%), Public administration (13%)

Top occupation categories in Bathurst: Sales and service occupations (35%), Business, finance and administration occupations (14%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related 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.

Only using 25% sample data.
Work LocationMenWomenTotalPercentage
Usual place of work1,7401,7753,52077.20%
Worked at home24529053511.70%
No fixed workplace address34015550011.00%
Worked outside Canada0000.00%

Commuting

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

Commuting Duration

This data reveals the average time that the residents of Bathurst 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.

Only using 25% sample data.
DurationPercentage
Less than 15 minutes69.00%
15 to 29 minutes20.80%
60 minutes and over4.40%
30 to 44 minutes4.10%
45 to 59 minutes1.70%

Marital Status

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

Married or living common-law
52.49%
Married or living common-law
47.51%

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 Bathurst. About 5,955 people living in the province speak English, 5,650 people speak French, 125 people speak English and French language, and 5 people speak Neither English nor French language.

LanguagePopulation
English5,955
French5,650
English and French125
Neither English nor French5

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
French47.0%37.6%
English46.6%58.3%
Non-official languages2.3%1.1%

Religion

Bathurst is predominantly Christian. About 9,150 of its population is Christian (4,310 males and 4,310 females).

The second largest religion in the province is Muslim with 1.3% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Jewish, both represent 0.3% and 0.1% of the population, while Buddhist represent 0.1% of the population.

ReligionPopulation
Christian78.7%
Islam1.3%
Hindu0.3%
Jewish0.1%
Buddhist0.1%
Sikh0.0%

Points of Interest in Bathurst

Schools

Parks

Libraries

Community Centres

Places to Visit in Bathurst

Museums

Historic Sites

Frequently Asked Questions about Bathurst

According to the 2021 census, Bathurst has a population of approximately 12,157 people.

Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Bathurst increased by 2.19%.

Bathurst has a population density of approximately 132.70 people per square kilometre.

Bathurst covers a land area of approximately 91.62 km².

The median age of the population in Bathurst is 53.20 years.

The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Bathurst is Canadian.

The median household income in Bathurst is $54,800, based on 2020 data.

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

Christian is the predominant religion in Bathurst.

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.