Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Torbay has a population of around 7,852 people. The town's population is in decreased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Torbay has decreased by ▼ -0.60%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 7,899 | 7,852 | --0.60% |
2026 Population Projection
Torbay's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 7,852 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Torbay Population Trend & Context
Torbay had a 2021 census population of 7,852 — a decline of 47 (▼ 0.60%) people from the 7,899 recorded in 2016.
The town's population has remained relatively stable over this period, reflecting broader trends in mid-sized Newfoundland and Labrador towns. The town'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.
Population By Genders
The male population of Torbay is around 3,880 while the female population is around 3,975.
Of the 7,852 total population in Torbay, the largest gender is female with around 3,975 female within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 3,880 | 3,975 | -2.39% |
Is Torbay a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Torbay compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Newfoundland and Labrador, 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.
Torbay Population Compared to Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador's population in 2021 was 510,550, spread across the area. Here's how Torbay compares to the town's key indicators:
| Indicator | Torbay | Newfoundland and Labrador |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $108,000 | $71,500 |
| Unemployment rate | 9.7% | 15.2% |
| Median age | 42.8 | 48.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.6% | 18.7% |
| Immigrants (%) | 2.6% | 2.8% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Torbay has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 45 to 49 years old, accounting for 9.20% of the total population. The town median age is 42.80.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 to 49 years | 355 9.10% | 365 9.20% | 2.74% | 725 9.20% |
| 40 to 44 years | 315 8.10% | 355 8.90% | 11.27% | 675 8.60% |
| 50 to 54 years | 340 8.80% | 330 8.30% | 2.94% | 670 8.50% |
| 10 to 14 years | 335 8.60% | 285 7.20% | 14.93% | 615 7.80% |
| 55 to 59 years | 290 7.50% | 280 7.00% | 3.45% | 570 7.30% |
| 15 to 19 years | 270 7.00% | 275 6.90% | 1.82% | 545 6.90% |
| 60 to 64 years | 270 7.00% | 270 6.80% | 0.00% | 545 6.90% |
| 5 to 9 years | 255 6.60% | 235 5.90% | 7.84% | 490 6.20% |
| 35 to 39 years | 210 5.40% | 250 6.30% | 16.00% | 460 5.90% |
| 30 to 34 years | 215 5.50% | 215 5.40% | 0.00% | 430 5.50% |
| 65 to 69 years | 200 5.20% | 210 5.30% | 4.76% | 415 5.30% |
| 20 to 24 years | 180 4.60% | 180 4.50% | 0.00% | 355 4.50% |
| 25 to 29 years | 165 4.30% | 190 4.80% | 13.16% | 355 4.50% |
| 70 to 74 years | 165 4.30% | 165 4.20% | 0.00% | 335 4.30% |
| 0 to 4 years | 180 4.60% | 145 3.60% | 19.44% | 330 4.20% |
| 75 to 79 years | 70 1.80% | 95 2.40% | 26.32% | 165 2.10% |
Broader Age Groups
If the town'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 67.90% of the population. The other age groups, 0 to 14 years and 65 years and over, account for 18.20% and 13.90%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Torbay are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 67.30% | 68.40% | 67.90% |
| 0 to 14 years | 19.70% | 16.70% | 18.20% |
| 65 years and over | 12.90% | 14.80% | 13.90% |
Explore Torbay Through Videos
Population of Torbay by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Torbay is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Torbay is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the town appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Torbay are Irish, which accounts for 39.72% of the total population, followed by English (39.46%), Canadian (22.75%), Scottish (7.90%), and Newfoundlander (5.98%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Torbay include Caucasian (White), French, Mi'kmaq, British Isles, and German.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish | 39.12% | 40.18% | 39.72% |
| English | 38.34% | 40.69% | 39.46% |
| Canadian | 22.28% | 23.34% | 22.75% |
| Scottish | 8.42% | 7.40% | 7.90% |
| Newfoundlander | 6.22% | 5.87% | 5.98% |
| Caucasian (White) | 5.44% | 5.99% | 5.78% |
| French | 4.66% | 5.10% | 4.88% |
| Mi'kmaq | 3.50% | 3.19% | 3.34% |
| British Isles | 2.59% | 2.68% | 2.63% |
| German | 2.33% | 1.79% | 1.99% |
Indigenous Identity in Torbay
About 4.11% of Torbay's population (320 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 95.89% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 115 people (1.50% of the total population) hold Registered or Treaty Indian status.
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Torbay's population profile.
About 2.6% of Torbay's population are immigrants (205 people).
The top countries of origin for Torbay's immigrant population are United States of America (30), United Kingdom (25), Italy (20), Germany (15), Brazil (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United States of America | 30 |
| United Kingdom | 25 |
| Italy | 20 |
| Germany | 15 |
| Brazil | 0 |
99.2% of Torbay's residents (7,720 people) are Canadian citizens, and 0.8% are not.
By generation status, 3.5% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 4.0% are second generation, and 92.5% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 2,395 of Torbay's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 17.00% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 3 persons households ranked second, accounting for 10.20% of the population. 4 persons, 1 person, and 5 or more persons households account for 10.05%, 9.70%, and 3.00%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 1,015 | 17.00% |
| 3 persons | 610 | 10.20% |
| 4 persons | 600 | 10.05% |
| 1 person | 580 | 9.70% |
| 5 or more persons | 180 | 3.00% |
Family and Household Structure in Torbay
Of census families in Torbay, 85.4% are couple families and 14.6% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.9 people.
19.4% of households in Torbay are one-person households, 63.1% are couple-family households, 9.5% are one-parent-family households, and 3.0% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 580 | 19.4% |
| Couple-family households | 1,885 | 63.1% |
| One-parent-family households | 285 | 9.5% |
| Multigenerational households | 90 | 3.0% |
Income in Torbay
Analyzing income distribution in Torbay can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Torbay is $48,800.
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 town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Torbay population or around 1,000 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 810 and 740 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Torbay's median household income is $108,000, according to 2020 data.
Above national average Torbay's median household income is 24,000 dollars above the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the town'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 town's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in Torbay
This data sheds light on the distribution of Torbay 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.
72.80% or most of the Torbay population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 21.30% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 5.70% has a No certificate, diploma or degree. (Individual figures may not sum to exactly 100% due to Statistics Canada's random rounding of small-area 25% sample data.)
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 1,490 | 1,715 | 3,200 | 72.80% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 490 | 450 | 935 | 21.30% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 170 | 85 | 250 | 5.70% |
Below national average 29.8% of Torbay's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Torbay
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Torbay. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Torbay is at 9.65% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 61.23% |
| Unemployment rate | 9.65% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Torbay, 39.6% worked full year full time in the reference year, 28.9% worked part year and/or part time, and 31.6% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 2,510 | 39.6% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 1,835 | 28.9% |
| Did not work | 2,005 | 31.6% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the town who work as an employee. The majority of Torbay's population (around 68.70%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 220 men and 100 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 315.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 220 | 100 | 315 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Torbay industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Torbay is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Torbay has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (14%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Public administration sector comes second at 12%, followed by Retail trade at 11%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 145 | 445 | 14% |
| Public administration | 225 | 300 | 12% |
| Retail trade | 235 | 245 | 11% |
| Educational services | 135 | 220 | 8% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 205 | 130 | 8% |
| Construction | 250 | 45 | 7% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 205 | 50 | 6% |
| Accommodation and food services | 70 | 155 | 5% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 155 | 45 | 5% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 55 | 125 | 4% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 100 | 45 | 3% |
| Finance and insurance | 50 | 70 | 3% |
| Manufacturing | 75 | 30 | 2% |
| Wholesale trade | 75 | 0 | 2% |
| Information and cultural industries | 40 | 30 | 2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 35 | 30 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 40 | 30 | 2% |
| Utilities | 35 | 20 | 1% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 25 | 0 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Torbay residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Torbay: Health care and social assistance (14%), Public administration (12%), Retail trade (11%)
Top occupation categories in Torbay: Sales and service occupations (23%), Business, finance and administration occupations (20%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (18%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the town. 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 | 1,260 | 1,330 | 2,590 | 66.70% |
| Worked at home | 280 | 480 | 760 | 19.60% |
| No fixed workplace address | 420 | 110 | 530 | 13.60% |
| Worked outside Canada | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0.30% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Torbay 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 Torbay residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Torbay spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the town's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the town.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 15 to 29 minutes | 51.80% |
| Less than 15 minutes | 32.60% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 11.20% |
| 60 minutes and over | 3.40% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 0.80% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Torbay shed 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 town's social fabric. We can gain insights into Torbay's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights town'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 Torbay. About 7,815 people living in the town speak English, 30 people speak French, 10 people speak English and French language, and 5 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 7,815 |
| French | 30 |
| English and French | 10 |
| Neither English nor French | 5 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 9.2% of Torbay's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 90.8% know English only, 0.0% know French only, and 0.1% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 7,130 | 90.8% |
| French only | 0 | 0.0% |
| English and French | 720 | 9.2% |
| Neither English nor French | 5 | 0.1% |
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 | 98.2% | 99.2% |
| Non-official languages | 1.0% | 0.5% |
| French | 0.3% | 0.1% |
Religion
Torbay is predominantly Christian. About 6,265 of its population is Christian (3,025 males and 3,240 females).
The second largest religion in the town is Muslim with 0.6% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Jewish and Buddhist, both represent 0.1% and 0.0% of the population, while Hindu represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 80.5% |
| Islam | 0.6% |
| Jewish | 0.1% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Torbay
Schools
Parks
Libraries
Community Centres
Places to Visit in Torbay
Attractions
Historic Sites
- Red Cliff Radar Station
- Red Cliff Radar Station
- Red Cliff Radar Station
- Red Cliff Radar Station
- Red Cliff Radar Station
- Red Cliff Radar Station
Green Spaces in Torbay
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Three Corner Pond Park | Parks | 16.7 ha |
| Woodbridge Park | Parks | 1.6 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Nearest Towns to Torbay
- Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove 3.7 km · 2,364 people
- Flatrock 5.3 km · 1,722 people
- Portugal Cove-St. Philip's 8.4 km · 8,415 people
- Bauline 9.7 km · 412 people
- St. Joseph's 9.8 km · 86 people
- St. George's 10.8 km · 1,139 people
- Pouch Cove 12.1 km · 2,063 people
- Wabana 16.3 km · 1,815 people
Frequently Asked Questions about Torbay
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Torbay has a population of 7,852 people, making it the 10th town in Newfoundland and Labrador. The population declined slightly from 7,899 in 2016, a decrease of 47 people or 0.60%. The town has a population density of 225.0 people per km² across a land area of 34.89 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Torbay's population declined by 0.60% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 7,899 to 7,852 people, a loss of 47 residents. This stability is characteristic of many mid-sized other Newfoundland and Labrador towns during this period. The median age of 42.80 years suggests a mature, established community. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Torbay has a population density of approximately 225.00 people per square kilometre.
Torbay covers a land area of approximately 34.89 km².
The median age of the population in Torbay is 42.80 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Torbay is Irish.
The median household income in Torbay is $108,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Torbay.
Christian is the predominant religion in Torbay.
According to the 2021 Census, 4.1% of Torbay's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
99.2% of Torbay's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 14.6% of census families in Torbay, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 3.0% of all households in Torbay, per the 2021 Census.
9.2% of Torbay's population knows both English and French, based on 2021 Census data on knowledge of official languages.
Of the population aged 15 and over in Torbay, 39.6% worked full year full time in the 2021 Census reference year.
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.