Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, South River has a population of around 1,101 people. The village's population is in decreased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of South River has decreased by -1.17%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,114 | 1,101 | --1.17% |
2026 Population Projection
South River's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 1,101 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Population By Genders
The male population of South River is around 550 while the female population is around 555.
Of the 1,101 total population in South River, the largest gender is female with around 555 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 550 | 555 | -0.90% |
Is South River a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how South River compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Ontario, 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 Villages Near South River
- Sundridge (7.9 km)
- Burk’s Falls (25.2 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
South River has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 65 to 69 years old, accounting for 9.50% of the total population. The village median age is 49.20.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 to 69 years | 55 10.00% | 50 9.00% | 9.09% | 105 9.50% |
| 55 to 59 years | 50 9.10% | 40 7.20% | 20.00% | 90 8.20% |
| 60 to 64 years | 45 8.20% | 50 9.00% | 10.00% | 90 8.20% |
| 70 to 74 years | 40 7.30% | 35 6.30% | 12.50% | 75 6.80% |
| 50 to 54 years | 35 6.40% | 40 7.20% | 12.50% | 70 6.40% |
| 25 to 29 years | 30 5.50% | 35 6.30% | 14.29% | 65 5.90% |
| 45 to 49 years | 30 5.50% | 35 6.30% | 14.29% | 65 5.90% |
| 15 to 19 years | 25 4.50% | 30 5.40% | 16.67% | 60 5.50% |
| 30 to 34 years | 45 8.20% | 20 3.60% | 55.56% | 60 5.50% |
| 40 to 44 years | 25 4.50% | 35 6.30% | 28.57% | 60 5.50% |
| 75 to 79 years | 30 5.50% | 30 5.40% | 0.00% | 60 5.50% |
| 0 to 4 years | 30 5.50% | 25 4.50% | 16.67% | 55 5.00% |
| 35 to 39 years | 25 4.50% | 30 5.40% | 16.67% | 55 5.00% |
| 5 to 9 years | 25 4.50% | 25 4.50% | 0.00% | 50 4.50% |
| 10 to 14 years | 25 4.50% | 25 4.50% | 0.00% | 50 4.50% |
| Median age of the population | 50 49.60% | 49 49.20% | 0.00% | 49 49.20% |
| Average age of the population | 46 46.00% | 46 46.10% | 0.00% | 46 46.00% |
| 20 to 24 years | 20 3.60% | 20 3.60% | 0.00% | 40 3.60% |
| 80 to 84 years | 15 2.70% | 15 2.70% | 0.00% | 30 2.70% |
| 85 years and over | 10 1.80% | 20 3.60% | 50.00% | 25 2.30% |
Broader Age Groups
If the village'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 59.10% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 26.80% and 14.10%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in South River are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 14 years | 14.50% | 13.50% | 14.10% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in South River
Population of South River by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of South River is quite diverse, which contributes to the village's vibrant cultural landscape. South River 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 39.91% of the total population, followed by Irish (28.44%), Scottish (28.44%), French (15.14%), and German (14.22%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include Canadian, North American Indigenous, Dutch, British Isles, and European.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 36.11% | 42.73% | 39.91% |
| Irish | 25.93% | 30.91% | 28.44% |
| Scottish | 26.85% | 30.00% | 28.44% |
| French | 12.96% | 17.27% | 15.14% |
| German | 14.81% | 14.55% | 14.22% |
| Canadian | 14.81% | 10.91% | 13.30% |
| North American Indigenous | 8.33% | 3.64% | 5.96% |
| Dutch | 3.70% | 7.27% | 5.05% |
| British Isles | 5.56% | 2.73% | 4.13% |
| European | 4.63% | 1.82% | 3.67% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of South River's population profile.
About 4.1% of South River's population are immigrants (45 people).
The top countries of origin for South River's immigrant population are United States of America (10), France (10), Brazil (0), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United States of America | 10 |
| France | 10 |
| Brazil | 0 |
| Colombia | 0 |
| El Salvador | 0 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 395 of South River's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 19.80% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 15.10% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 7.30%, 5.20%, and 3.15%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 190 | 19.80% |
| 1 person | 145 | 15.10% |
| 3 persons | 70 | 7.30% |
| 4 persons | 50 | 5.20% |
| 5 or more persons | 30 | 3.15% |
Income in South River
Analyzing income distribution in South River can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within South River is $31,600.
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 village's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of South River population or around 135 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 110 and 85 people, respectively.
Household Income
The South River's median household income is $61,200, according to 2020 data.
Below national average South River's median household income is 22,800 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the village'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 village's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in South River
This data sheds light on the distribution of South River 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.
38.70% or most of the South River population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 32.40% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 28.70% has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 8.40% has Bachelor's degree or higher.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 255 | 335 | 590 | 38.70% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 260 | 230 | 490 | 32.40% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 245 | 200 | 445 | 28.70% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 50 | 75 | 130 | 8.40% |
Below national average 8.4% of South River's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in South River
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in South River. 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 7.94% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 40.21% |
| Unemployment rate | 7.94% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the village who work as an employee. The majority of South River's population (around 75.80%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the village, there are 40 men and 20 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 60.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 40 | 20 | 60 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The South River industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in South River is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
South River has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (26%) works in the manufacturing sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 12%, followed by Retail trade at 11%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 95 | 20 | 26% |
| Health care and social assistance | 0 | 55 | 12% |
| Retail trade | 15 | 40 | 11% |
| Public administration | 15 | 15 | 9% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 25 | 10 | 8% |
| Accommodation and food services | 0 | 30 | 8% |
| Construction | 25 | 0 | 6% |
| Educational services | 0 | 15 | 4% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 0 | 20 | 4% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 0 | 2% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 0 | 10 | 2% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Utilities | 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% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where South River residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in South River: -33 Manufacturing (26%), Health care and social assistance (12%), -45 Retail trade (11%)
Top occupation categories in South River: Sales and service occupations (24%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (23%), Occupations in manufacturing and utilities (19%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the village. 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 | 130 | 150 | 280 | 73.70% |
| No fixed workplace address | 55 | 20 | 70 | 18.40% |
| Worked at home | 10 | 20 | 25 | 6.60% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how South River 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 South River residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of South River spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the village's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the village.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 52.90% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 17.10% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 15.70% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 8.60% |
| 60 minutes and over | 5.70% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in South Rivershed 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 village's social fabric. We can gain insights into South River's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights village'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 South River. About 1,070 people living in the province speak English, 20 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 1,070 |
| French | 20 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 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 | 95.0% | 98.6% |
| Non-official languages | 2.3% | 0.5% |
| French | 1.8% | 0.0% |
Religion
South River is predominantly Christian. About 545 of its population is Christian (250 males and 250 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.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 50.0% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in South River
Schools
Parks
Green Spaces in South River
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Thomson Park | Parks | 8.0 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Frequently Asked Questions about South River
According to the 2021 census, South River has a population of approximately 1,101 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of South River decreased by 1.17%.
South River has a population density of approximately 268.00 people per square kilometre.
South River covers a land area of approximately 4.11 km².
The median age of the population in South River is 49.20 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in South River is English.
The median household income in South River is $61,200, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in South River.
Christian is the predominant religion in South River.
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.