About Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay hits different. Perched on the northwestern edge of Lake Superior, this city of roughly 110,000 people sits closer to Winnipeg than it does to Toronto — and honestly, that tells you everything. It has always done things on its own terms.
The Sleeping Giant is the first thing locals will shout about, and rightfully so. That iconic mesa rising from the lake looks like a god decided to lie down and never get back up. On a clear October morning, with the lake fog rolling in slow and the leaves burning orange across the Nor’Wester Mountains, you’d swear someone painted the whole scene just to show off.
What most outsiders miss, though, is the food culture. Thunder Bay has more Finnish heritage per capita than almost anywhere outside Finland itself, which means nisu bread and pannukakku are as common here as Tim Hortons. The Italian community, rooted deep since the early 1900s, gave the city a signature dish — the Persian — a cinnamon doughnut with pink strawberry icing that you genuinely cannot find anywhere else on the planet. Yes, really.
The city has faced honest struggles too. Conversations around Indigenous reconciliation, poverty on the waterfront, and economic stagnation after the forestry industry’s long collapse aren’t swept under the rug — they’re in the local papers every week. Thunder Bay doesn’t pretend those wounds aren’t there.
So why does everyone who leaves always seem to end up missing it? Maybe it’s the sheer, overwhelming scale of the lake stretching to the horizon like a freshwater sea. Maybe it’s something harder to name. Either way, Thunder Bay has a way of staying with you.
Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Thunder Bay has a population of around 108,843 people. The city's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Thunder Bay has increased by 0.87%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 107,909 | 108,843 | +0.87% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.17% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Thunder Bay's population is projected to reach approximately 109,785 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 334.95 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 108,843 | 109,785 | 334.95 |
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 Thunder Bay is around 53,505 while the female population is around 55,330.
Of the 108,843 total population in Thunder Bay, the largest gender is female with around 55,330 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 53,505 | 55,330 | +3.30% |
Is Thunder Bay a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Thunder Bay 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.
Population by Age Characteristics
Thunder Bay has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 7.70% of the total population. The city median age is 44.00.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 4,035 7.50% | 4,360 7.90% | 7.45% | 8,390 7.70% |
| 25 to 29 years | 4,160 7.80% | 3,910 7.10% | 6.01% | 8,070 7.40% |
| 55 to 59 years | 3,860 7.20% | 4,130 7.50% | 6.54% | 7,990 7.30% |
| 20 to 24 years | 3,895 7.30% | 3,430 6.20% | 11.94% | 7,325 6.70% |
| 65 to 69 years | 3,480 6.50% | 3,730 6.70% | 6.70% | 7,215 6.60% |
| 30 to 34 years | 3,565 6.70% | 3,405 6.20% | 4.49% | 6,970 6.40% |
| 50 to 54 years | 3,265 6.10% | 3,520 6.40% | 7.24% | 6,785 6.20% |
| 35 to 39 years | 3,250 6.10% | 3,245 5.90% | 0.15% | 6,500 6.00% |
| 70 to 74 years | 2,970 5.60% | 3,285 5.90% | 9.59% | 6,255 5.70% |
| 45 to 49 years | 3,075 5.70% | 3,165 5.70% | 2.84% | 6,235 5.70% |
| 40 to 44 years | 2,870 5.40% | 3,050 5.50% | 5.90% | 5,920 5.40% |
| 10 to 14 years | 2,750 5.10% | 2,680 4.80% | 2.55% | 5,435 5.00% |
| 15 to 19 years | 2,775 5.20% | 2,625 4.70% | 5.41% | 5,405 5.00% |
| 5 to 9 years | 2,720 5.10% | 2,445 4.40% | 10.11% | 5,165 4.70% |
| 0 to 4 years | 2,440 4.60% | 2,380 4.30% | 2.46% | 4,825 4.40% |
| 75 to 79 years | 1,875 3.50% | 2,200 4.00% | 14.77% | 4,075 3.70% |
| 85 years and over | 1,255 2.30% | 2,065 3.70% | 39.23% | 3,320 3.10% |
| 80 to 84 years | 1,255 2.30% | 1,705 3.10% | 26.39% | 2,960 2.70% |
| 85 to 89 years | 835 1.60% | 1,170 2.10% | 28.63% | 2,005 1.80% |
| 90 to 94 years | 350 0.70% | 670 1.20% | 47.76% | 1,020 0.90% |
| 95 to 99 years | 70 0.10% | 200 0.40% | 65.00% | 265 0.20% |
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 63.90% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 21.90% and 14.20%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Thunder Bay are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age of the population | 42.00% | 45.60% | 44.00% |
| Average age of the population | 42.50% | 44.90% | 43.70% |
| 65 years and over | 20.30% | 23.50% | 21.90% |
| 0 to 14 years | 14.80% | 13.60% | 14.20% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Thunder Bay
Explore Thunder Bay Through Videos
Population of Thunder Bay by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Thunder Bay is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Thunder Bay 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 22.62% of the total population, followed by Scottish (19.32%), Irish (17.95%), Italian (14.28%), and French (13.58%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include Ukrainian, Canadian, Finnish, German, and Polish.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 22.04% | 23.17% | 22.62% |
| Scottish | 19.08% | 19.57% | 19.32% |
| Irish | 17.12% | 18.75% | 17.95% |
| Italian | 14.80% | 13.77% | 14.28% |
| French | 13.15% | 14.00% | 13.58% |
| Ukrainian | 11.07% | 11.96% | 11.52% |
| Canadian | 11.02% | 10.85% | 10.93% |
| Finnish | 9.63% | 10.43% | 10.04% |
| German | 9.26% | 9.38% | 9.32% |
| Polish | 5.67% | 6.43% | 6.07% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Thunder Bay's population profile.
About 8.6% of Thunder Bay's population are immigrants (9,190 people).
The top countries of origin for Thunder Bay's immigrant population are Italy (1,665), United Kingdom (935), United States of America (635), Germany (395), Poland (395).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Italy | 1,665 |
| United Kingdom | 935 |
| United States of America | 635 |
| Germany | 395 |
| Poland | 395 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 31,685 of Thunder Bay's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 17.50% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 17.30% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.90%, 5.55%, and 2.70%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 16,960 | 17.50% |
| 1 person | 16,765 | 17.30% |
| 3 persons | 6,670 | 6.90% |
| 4 persons | 5,385 | 5.55% |
| 5 or more persons | 2,625 | 2.70% |
Income in Thunder Bay
Analyzing income distribution in Thunder Bay can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Thunder Bay is $42,800.
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 Thunder Bay population or around 12,885 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $50,000 to $79,999, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 12,750 and 11,000 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Thunder Bay's median household income is $77,500, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Thunder Bay's median household income is 6,500 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 Thunder Bay
This data sheds light on the distribution of Thunder Bay 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.
59.55% or most of the Thunder Bay population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 26.70% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 24.95% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.75% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 40,805 | 45,500 | 86,305 | 59.55% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 20,120 | 19,555 | 39,680 | 26.70% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15,590 | 20,350 | 35,945 | 24.95% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 11,180 | 10,230 | 21,415 | 13.75% |
Below national average 25.0% of Thunder Bay's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Thunder Bay
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Thunder Bay. 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 6.53% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 51.95% |
| Unemployment rate | 6.53% |
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 Thunder Bay's population (around 73.80%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the city, there are 2,765 men and 1,710 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 4,475.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 2,765 | 1,710 | 4,475 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Thunder Bay industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Thunder Bay is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Thunder Bay has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (20%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 13%, followed by Educational services at 9%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 2,220 | 8,465 | 20% |
| Retail trade | 3,385 | 3,510 | 13% |
| Educational services | 1,695 | 3,025 | 9% |
| Public administration | 2,010 | 1,855 | 7% |
| Accommodation and food services | 1,750 | 1,985 | 7% |
| Construction | 3,205 | 395 | 7% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 2,420 | 600 | 6% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 1,685 | 1,280 | 6% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 1,205 | 1,145 | 4% |
| Manufacturing | 1,535 | 360 | 4% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 1,210 | 550 | 3% |
| Finance and insurance | 430 | 670 | 2% |
| Wholesale trade | 825 | 255 | 2% |
| Information and cultural industries | 530 | 335 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 445 | 400 | 2% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 535 | 255 | 2% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 655 | 125 | 2% |
| Utilities | 500 | 165 | 1% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 365 | 215 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 20 | 10 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Thunder Bay residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Thunder Bay: Health care and social assistance (20%), -45 Retail trade (13%), Educational services (9%)
Top occupation categories in Thunder Bay: Sales and service occupations (26%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (17%), 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 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 | 17,095 | 17,100 | 34,195 | 72.20% |
| Worked at home | 3,200 | 4,785 | 7,990 | 16.90% |
| No fixed workplace address | 3,910 | 1,240 | 5,155 | 10.90% |
| Worked outside Canada | 40 | 25 | 60 | 0.10% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Thunder Bay 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 Thunder Bay residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Thunder Bay 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 | 53.10% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 37.30% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 5.60% |
| 60 minutes and over | 2.60% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 1.40% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Thunder Bayshed 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 Thunder Bay'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 Thunder Bay. About 104,655 people living in the province speak English, 1,925 people speak French, 455 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 150 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 104,655 |
| French | 1,925 |
| Neither English nor French | 455 |
| English and French | 150 |
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 | 84.9% | 94.1% |
| Non-official languages | 10.8% | 3.8% |
| French | 1.9% | 0.5% |
Religion
Thunder Bay is predominantly Christian. About 59,765 of its population is Christian (27,540 males and 27,540 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Hindu with 1.1% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Muslim and Buddhist, both represent 0.9% and 0.2% of the population, while Sikh represent 0.2% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 56.0% |
| Hindu | 1.1% |
| Islam | 0.9% |
| Buddhist | 0.2% |
| Sikh | 0.2% |
| Jewish | 0.1% |
Points of Interest in Thunder Bay
Schools
Parks
- Military Field, Current River Park
- Toivo Pit dirt jumps/pumptack
- Cascades Conservation Area
- Prince Arthur's Landing at Marina Park
- Volunteer Pool Playfield
- Brent Park
- Balsam Pit
- Hillcrest Park
- Paterson Park
- Paterson Park
- Alma Adair Park
- Waverley Park
- Heath Park
- Current River Park
- Junot Park
- Albert Allin Park
- Soroptimist International Friendship Gardens
- George Burke Park
- Northwood Playfield
Libraries
- Thunder Bay Public Library
- Waverley Resource Library
- Caution!! Blind Bend
- Thunder Bay Public Library: Brodie Resource Library
Community Centres
Places to Visit in Thunder Bay
Museums
Attractions
Historic Sites
- Terry Fox Memorial
- Canadian Car and Foundry
- Terry Fox 1958- 1981
- Centennial conservatory and botanical garden
Green Spaces in Thunder Bay
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Military Field, Current River Park | Parks | — |
| Toivo Pit dirt jumps/pumptack | Parks | — |
| Cascades Conservation Area | Parks | — |
| Prince Arthur's Landing at Marina Park | Parks | — |
| Volunteer Pool Playfield | Parks | 2.6 ha |
| Brent Park | Parks | 1.0 ha |
| Balsam Pit | Parks | 3.0 ha |
| Hillcrest Park | Parks | 3.8 ha |
| Paterson Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Paterson Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
| Alma Adair Park | Parks | 3.0 ha |
| Cascades Conservation Area | Nature Reserves | — |
| Mission Island Marsh | Nature Reserves | — |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Frequently Asked Questions about Thunder Bay
According to the 2021 census, Thunder Bay has a population of approximately 108,843 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Thunder Bay increased by 0.87%.
Thunder Bay has a population density of approximately 332.10 people per square kilometre.
Thunder Bay covers a land area of approximately 327.77 km².
The median age of the population in Thunder Bay is 44.00 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Thunder Bay is English.
The median household income in Thunder Bay is $77,500, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Thunder Bay.
Christian is the predominant religion in Thunder Bay.
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.