Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Upper Island Cove has a population of around 1,401 people. The town's population is in decreased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Upper Island Cove has decreased by ▼ -10.25%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,561 | 1,401 | --10.25% |
2026 Population Projection
Upper Island Cove's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 1,401 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Upper Island Cove Population Trend & Context
Upper Island Cove had a 2021 census population of 1,401 — a decline of 160 (▼ 10.25%) people from the 1,561 recorded in 2016.
The town's population has declined noticeably over this period, reflecting broader pressures facing Newfoundland and Labrador towns. The town's median age of 53.2 years — above the national median of 41.9 — suggests a mature, established community rather than a rapidly growing one.
Population By Genders
The male population of Upper Island Cove is around 665 while the female population is around 735.
Of the 1,401 total population in Upper Island Cove, the largest gender is female with around 735 female within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 665 | 735 | -9.52% |
Is Upper Island Cove a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Upper Island Cove 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.
Upper Island Cove Population Compared to Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador's population in 2021 was 510,550, spread across the area. Here's how Upper Island Cove compares to the town's key indicators:
| Indicator | Upper Island Cove | Newfoundland and Labrador |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $64,500 | $71,500 |
| Unemployment rate | 24.1% | 15.2% |
| Median age | 53.2 | 48.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.0% | 18.7% |
| Immigrants (%) | 1.1% | 2.8% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Upper Island Cove has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 65 to 69 years old, accounting for 10.40% of the total population. The town median age is 53.20.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 to 69 years | 65 9.80% | 85 11.60% | 23.53% | 145 10.40% |
| 60 to 64 years | 70 10.50% | 70 9.50% | 0.00% | 140 10.00% |
| 55 to 59 years | 55 8.30% | 70 9.50% | 21.43% | 125 8.90% |
| 70 to 74 years | 55 8.30% | 60 8.20% | 8.33% | 115 8.20% |
| 50 to 54 years | 45 6.80% | 55 7.50% | 18.18% | 105 7.50% |
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 58.90% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 28.90% and 12.10%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Upper Island Cove are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 60.20% | 58.50% | 58.90% |
| 65 years and over | 27.80% | 29.90% | 28.90% |
| 0 to 14 years | 12.00% | 12.20% | 12.10% |
Explore Upper Island Cove Through Videos
Population of Upper Island Cove by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Upper Island Cove is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Upper Island Cove 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 Upper Island Cove are English, which accounts for 39.29% of the total population, followed by Canadian (31.79%), Irish (20.36%), Newfoundlander (11.43%), and Caucasian (White) (3.93%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Upper Island Cove include German, European, British Isles, Scottish, and French.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 36.92% | 41.33% | 39.29% |
| Canadian | 35.38% | 29.33% | 31.79% |
| Irish | 15.38% | 24.67% | 20.36% |
| Newfoundlander | 12.31% | 11.33% | 11.43% |
| Caucasian (White) | 3.08% | 4.00% | 3.93% |
| German | 2.31% | 3.33% | 2.86% |
| European | 2.31% | 4.00% | 2.86% |
| British Isles | 3.08% | 2.00% | 2.50% |
| Scottish | 0.00% | 2.67% | 1.43% |
| French | 1.54% | 0.00% | 1.43% |
Indigenous Identity in Upper Island Cove
About 0.71% of Upper Island Cove's population (10 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 99.29% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 0 people (0.00% 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 Upper Island Cove's population profile.
About 1.1% of Upper Island Cove's population are immigrants (15 people).
The top countries of origin for Upper Island Cove's immigrant population are United Kingdom (10), Brazil (0), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0), Guyana (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 10 |
| Brazil | 0 |
| Colombia | 0 |
| El Salvador | 0 |
| Guyana | 0 |
100.0% of Upper Island Cove's residents (1,400 people) are Canadian citizens, and 0.0% are not.
By generation status, 1.1% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 1.1% are second generation, and 97.5% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 550 of Upper Island Cove's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 22.00% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 10.80% of the population. 4 persons, 3 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 7.75%, 7.35%, and 2.60%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 255 | 22.00% |
| 1 person | 125 | 10.80% |
| 4 persons | 90 | 7.75% |
| 3 persons | 85 | 7.35% |
| 5 or more persons | 30 | 2.60% |
Family and Household Structure in Upper Island Cove
Of census families in Upper Island Cove, 86.0% are couple families and 14.0% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.7 people.
21.6% of households in Upper Island Cove are one-person households, 63.8% are couple-family households, 7.8% are one-parent-family households, and 4.3% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 125 | 21.6% |
| Couple-family households | 370 | 63.8% |
| One-parent-family households | 45 | 7.8% |
| Multigenerational households | 25 | 4.3% |
Income in Upper Island Cove
Analyzing income distribution in Upper Island Cove can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Upper Island Cove is $31,200.
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 town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Upper Island Cove population or around 205 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $30,000 to $49,999, and Under $10,000 with around 130 and 110 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Upper Island Cove's median household income is $64,500, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Upper Island Cove's median household income is 19,500 dollars below 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 Upper Island Cove
This data sheds light on the distribution of Upper Island Cove 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.
57.30% or most of the Upper Island Cove population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 28.70% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 13.30% 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 | 200 | 230 | 430 | 57.30% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 95 | 120 | 215 | 28.70% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 55 | 45 | 100 | 13.30% |
Below national average 12.7% of Upper Island Cove's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Upper Island Cove
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Upper Island Cove. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Upper Island Cove is at 24.14% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 35.48% |
| Unemployment rate | 24.14% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Upper Island Cove, 16.9% worked full year full time in the reference year, 30.6% worked part year and/or part time, and 52.4% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 210 | 16.9% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 380 | 30.6% |
| Did not work | 650 | 52.4% |
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 Upper Island Cove's population (around 49.10%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 15 men and 10 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 25.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 15 | 10 | 25 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Upper Island Cove industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Upper Island Cove is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Upper Island Cove has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (16%) works in the construction sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 15%, followed by Retail trade at 10%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 95 | 0 | 16% |
| Health care and social assistance | 10 | 80 | 15% |
| Retail trade | 20 | 35 | 10% |
| Accommodation and food services | 25 | 25 | 9% |
| Manufacturing | 20 | 25 | 8% |
| Educational services | 15 | 30 | 8% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 15 | 20 | 7% |
| Public administration | 15 | 20 | 6% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 15 | 10 | 4% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 15 | 3% |
| Utilities | 10 | 0 | 3% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 15 | 0 | 3% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 10 | 0 | 2% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 10 | 0 | 2% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 0 | 0 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Wholesale trade | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Upper Island Cove residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Upper Island Cove: Construction (16%), Health care and social assistance (15%), Retail trade (10%)
Top occupation categories in Upper Island Cove: Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (28%), Sales and service occupations (19%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (16%)
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 | 115 | 185 | 300 | 68.20% |
| No fixed workplace address | 70 | 25 | 90 | 20.50% |
| Worked at home | 15 | 25 | 40 | 9.10% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2.30% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Upper Island Cove 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 Upper Island Cove residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Upper Island Cove 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 | 48.70% |
| Less than 15 minutes | 20.50% |
| 60 minutes and over | 17.90% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 7.70% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 3.80% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Upper Island Cove 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 Upper Island Cove'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 Upper Island Cove. About 1,400 people living in the town speak English, 0 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 1,400 |
| French | 0 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 0 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 0.7% of Upper Island Cove's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 98.9% know English only, 0.0% know French only, and 0.0% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 1,385 | 98.9% |
| French only | 0 | 0.0% |
| English and French | 10 | 0.7% |
| Neither English nor French | 0 | 0.0% |
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 | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| French | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Non-official languages | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Religion
Upper Island Cove is predominantly Christian. About 1,280 of its population is Christian (605 males and 675 females).
The second largest religion in the town 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.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 91.4% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Upper Island Cove
Schools
Parks
Community Centres
Green Spaces in Upper Island Cove
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Long Island Shore Lookout | Parks | 0.1 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Nearest Towns to Upper Island Cove
- Bryant's Cove 2.1 km · 343 people
- Bishop's Cove 2.7 km · 252 people
- Harbour Grace 5.5 km · 2,796 people
- Spaniard's Bay 5.9 km · 2,630 people
- Bay Roberts 9.4 km · 5,974 people
- Carbonear 10.1 km · 4,696 people
- Cupids 10.3 km · 699 people
- Brigus 12.0 km · 699 people
Frequently Asked Questions about Upper Island Cove
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Upper Island Cove has a population of 1,401 people, making it the 51st town in Newfoundland and Labrador. The population declined significantly from 1,561 in 2016, a decrease of 160 people or 10.25%. The town has a population density of 179.2 people per km² across a land area of 7.82 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Upper Island Cove's population declined by 10.25% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 1,561 to 1,401 people, a loss of 160 residents. This decline is consistent with pressures faced by many other Newfoundland and Labrador towns during this period. The median age of 53.20 years suggests an aging population. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Upper Island Cove has a population density of approximately 179.20 people per square kilometre.
Upper Island Cove covers a land area of approximately 7.82 km².
The median age of the population in Upper Island Cove is 53.20 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Upper Island Cove is English.
The median household income in Upper Island Cove is $64,500, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Upper Island Cove.
Christian is the predominant religion in Upper Island Cove.
According to the 2021 Census, 0.7% of Upper Island Cove's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
100.0% of Upper Island Cove's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 14.0% of census families in Upper Island Cove, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 4.3% of all households in Upper Island Cove, per the 2021 Census.
0.7% of Upper Island Cove'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 Upper Island Cove, 16.9% 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.