Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Belfast has a population of around 1,687 people. The township's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Belfast has increased by 3.12%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,636 | 1,687 | +3.12% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.62% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Belfast's population is projected to reach approximately 1,740 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 7.59 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,687 | 1,740 | 7.59 |
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 Belfast is around 825 while the female population is around 865.
Of the 1,687 total population in Belfast, the largest gender is female with around 865 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 825 | 865 | +4.62% |
Is Belfast a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Belfast compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Prince Edward Island, 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 Townships Near Belfast
- Alexandra (17.0 km)
- Hazelbrook (18.2 km)
- Murray River (21.7 km)
- Murray Harbour (28.6 km)
- York (31.3 km)
- Mount Stewart (32.0 km)
- Brackley (32.5 km)
- Clyde River (33.4 km)
- Union Road (33.6 km)
- Miltonvale Park (33.9 km)
- Warren Grove (34.2 km)
- West River (36.6 km)
- Kingston (36.9 km)
- North Shore (37.5 km)
- Hampshire (38.6 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
Belfast has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 9.20% of the total population. The township median age is 51.20.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 80 9.70% | 75 8.70% | 6.25% | 155 9.20% |
| 55 to 59 years | 65 7.90% | 75 8.70% | 13.33% | 135 8.00% |
| 65 to 69 years | 65 7.90% | 75 8.70% | 13.33% | 135 8.00% |
| 70 to 74 years | 65 7.90% | 60 6.90% | 7.69% | 120 7.10% |
| 50 to 54 years | 45 5.50% | 50 5.80% | 10.00% | 100 5.90% |
| 45 to 49 years | 50 6.10% | 45 5.20% | 10.00% | 95 5.60% |
| 85 years and over | 35 4.20% | 60 6.90% | 41.67% | 95 5.60% |
| 25 to 29 years | 50 6.10% | 45 5.20% | 10.00% | 90 5.30% |
| 30 to 34 years | 40 4.80% | 50 5.80% | 20.00% | 90 5.30% |
| 40 to 44 years | 50 6.10% | 35 4.00% | 30.00% | 90 5.30% |
| 0 to 4 years | 50 6.10% | 40 4.60% | 20.00% | 85 5.00% |
| 5 to 9 years | 40 4.80% | 40 4.60% | 0.00% | 85 5.00% |
| 10 to 14 years | 45 5.50% | 45 5.20% | 0.00% | 85 5.00% |
| 35 to 39 years | 40 4.80% | 45 5.20% | 11.11% | 85 5.00% |
| 75 to 79 years | 50 6.10% | 30 3.50% | 40.00% | 80 4.70% |
| 15 to 19 years | 30 3.60% | 40 4.60% | 25.00% | 65 3.90% |
| 20 to 24 years | 25 3.00% | 25 2.90% | 0.00% | 55 3.30% |
| Median age of the population | 50 50.00% | 53 53.20% | 5.64% | 51 51.20% |
| 85 to 89 years | 20 2.40% | 35 4.00% | 42.86% | 50 3.00% |
| Average age of the population | 47 46.50% | 49 48.60% | 4.12% | 48 47.60% |
| 80 to 84 years | 15 1.80% | 25 2.90% | 40.00% | 40 2.40% |
Broader Age Groups
If the township'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 56.70% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 28.50% and 15.10%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Belfast are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 years and over | 26.70% | 29.50% | 28.50% |
| 0 to 14 years | 16.40% | 13.90% | 15.10% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Belfast
Population of Belfast by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Belfast is quite diverse, which contributes to the township's vibrant cultural landscape. Belfast 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 Scottish, which accounts for 45.03% of the total population, followed by Irish (27.64%), English (23.60%), Canadian (15.22%), and French (11.18%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include German, Dutch, Prince Edward Islander, Italian, and British Isles.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish | 47.77% | 42.68% | 45.03% |
| Irish | 26.75% | 28.66% | 27.64% |
| English | 21.66% | 25.61% | 23.60% |
| Canadian | 14.01% | 15.85% | 15.22% |
| French | 7.64% | 14.63% | 11.18% |
| German | 6.37% | 7.32% | 6.83% |
| Dutch | 5.73% | 6.10% | 5.90% |
| Prince Edward Islander | 1.91% | 4.88% | 3.42% |
| Italian | 3.18% | 2.44% | 3.11% |
| British Isles | 3.18% | 2.44% | 2.80% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Belfast's population profile.
About 7.1% of Belfast's population are immigrants (115 people).
The top countries of origin for Belfast's immigrant population are United States of America (40), United Kingdom (40), Poland (10), Eritrea (0), Ethiopia (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United States of America | 40 |
| United Kingdom | 40 |
| Poland | 10 |
| Eritrea | 0 |
| Ethiopia | 0 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 630 of Belfast's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 18.90% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 14.80% of the population. 3 persons, 5 or more persons, and 4 persons households account for 8.15%, 4.45%, and 4.05%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 255 | 18.90% |
| 1 person | 200 | 14.80% |
| 3 persons | 110 | 8.15% |
| 5 or more persons | 60 | 4.45% |
| 4 persons | 55 | 4.05% |
Income in Belfast
Analyzing income distribution in Belfast can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Belfast is $36,400.
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 township's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Belfast population or around 245 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 210 and 160 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Belfast's median household income is $70,500, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Belfast's median household income is 13,500 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the township'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 township's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in Belfast
This data sheds light on the distribution of Belfast 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.
56.80% or most of the Belfast population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 31.90% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 22.40% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.15% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 550 | 650 | 1,200 | 56.80% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 375 | 320 | 700 | 31.90% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 190 | 275 | 470 | 22.40% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 140 | 110 | 265 | 11.15% |
Below national average 22.4% of Belfast's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Belfast
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Belfast. 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 6.37% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 54.31% |
| Unemployment rate | 6.37% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the township who work as an employee. The majority of Belfast's population (around 56.80%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the township, there are 105 men and 40 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 145.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 105 | 40 | 145 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Belfast industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Belfast is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Belfast has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (14%) works in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 13%, followed by Construction at 11%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 90 | 20 | 14% |
| Health care and social assistance | 10 | 100 | 13% |
| Construction | 85 | 0 | 11% |
| Public administration | 35 | 50 | 10% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 30 | 30 | 7% |
| Manufacturing | 35 | 20 | 7% |
| Retail trade | 25 | 35 | 7% |
| Accommodation and food services | 20 | 20 | 5% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 30 | 0 | 4% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 25 | 15 | 4% |
| Educational services | 10 | 20 | 3% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 15 | 10 | 3% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 10 | 3% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 10 | 10 | 3% |
| Wholesale trade | 15 | 0 | 2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 10 | 1% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Belfast residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Belfast: Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (14%), Health care and social assistance (13%), Construction (11%)
Top occupation categories in Belfast: Sales and service occupations (22%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (21%), Business, finance and administration occupations (15%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the township. 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 | 200 | 225 | 430 | 59.30% |
| Worked at home | 85 | 65 | 150 | 20.70% |
| No fixed workplace address | 100 | 35 | 135 | 18.60% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Belfast 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 Belfast residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Belfast spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the township's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the township.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 15 to 29 minutes | 34.50% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 30.10% |
| Less than 15 minutes | 23.90% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 8.80% |
| 60 minutes and over | 2.70% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Belfastshed 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 township's social fabric. We can gain insights into Belfast's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights township'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 Belfast. About 1,565 people living in the province speak English, 15 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 1,565 |
| French | 15 |
| 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 | 95.3% | 98.4% |
| Non-official languages | 2.8% | 1.3% |
| French | 1.3% | 0.3% |
Religion
Belfast is predominantly Christian. About 1,085 of its population is Christian (525 males and 525 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Buddhist with 1.9% 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 | 67.6% |
| Buddhist | 1.9% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions about Belfast
According to the 2021 census, Belfast has a population of approximately 1,687 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Belfast increased by 3.12%.
Belfast has a population density of approximately 7.40 people per square kilometre.
Belfast covers a land area of approximately 229.27 km².
The median age of the population in Belfast is 51.20 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Belfast is Scottish.
The median household income in Belfast is $70,500, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Belfast.
Christian is the predominant religion in Belfast.
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.