Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Cap-Chat has a population of around 2,516 people. The town's population is in increased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Cap-Chat has increased by ▲ 1.62%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 2,476 | 2,516 | +1.62% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.32% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Cap-Chat's population is projected to reach approximately 2,557 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 14.10 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 2,516 | 2,557 | 14.10 |
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.
Cap-Chat Population Trend & Context
Cap-Chat had a 2021 census population of 2,516 — an increase of 40 (▲ 1.62%) people from the 2,476 recorded in 2016.
The town's population has grown slightly over this period, reflecting broader growth trends among Quebec towns. The town's median age of 58.8 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 Cap-Chat is around 1,250 while the female population is around 1,265.
Of the 2,516 total population in Cap-Chat, the largest gender is female with around 1,265 female within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,250 | 1,265 | +1.19% |
Is Cap-Chat a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Cap-Chat compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Quebec, 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.
Cap-Chat Population Compared to Quebec
Quebec's population in 2021 was 8,501,833, spread across the area. Here's how Cap-Chat compares to the town's key indicators:
| Indicator | Cap-Chat | Quebec |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $50,800 | $72,500 |
| Unemployment rate | 10.2% | 7.6% |
| Median age | 58.8 | 43.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.9% | 26.5% |
| Immigrants (%) | 3.3% | 14.6% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Cap-Chat has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 65 to 69 years old, accounting for 11.90% of the total population. The town median age is 58.80.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 to 69 years | 150 12.00% | 150 11.90% | 0.00% | 300 11.90% |
| 60 to 64 years | 150 12.00% | 140 11.10% | 6.67% | 285 11.30% |
| 70 to 74 years | 130 10.40% | 115 9.10% | 11.54% | 245 9.70% |
| 55 to 59 years | 110 8.80% | 110 8.70% | 0.00% | 220 8.70% |
| 75 to 79 years | 75 6.00% | 80 6.30% | 6.25% | 160 6.40% |
| 45 to 49 years | 65 5.20% | 65 5.10% | 0.00% | 135 5.40% |
| 50 to 54 years | 75 6.00% | 50 4.00% | 33.33% | 130 5.20% |
| 35 to 39 years | 55 4.40% | 70 5.50% | 21.43% | 120 4.80% |
| 10 to 14 years | 55 4.40% | 60 4.70% | 8.33% | 115 4.60% |
| 40 to 44 years | 60 4.80% | 60 4.70% | 0.00% | 115 4.60% |
| 80 to 84 years | 50 4.00% | 55 4.30% | 9.09% | 110 4.40% |
| 15 to 19 years | 50 4.00% | 50 4.00% | 0.00% | 100 4.00% |
| 85 years and over | 30 2.40% | 65 5.10% | 53.85% | 100 4.00% |
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 53.10% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 36.60% and 10.50%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Cap-Chat are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 54.00% | 51.80% | 53.10% |
| 65 years and over | 35.20% | 37.50% | 36.60% |
| 0 to 14 years | 10.40% | 11.10% | 10.50% |
Population of Cap-Chat by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Cap-Chat is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Cap-Chat 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 Cap-Chat are Canadian, which accounts for 37.58% of the total population, followed by French (27.93%), French Canadian (9.86%), First Nations (North American Indian) (3.90%), and Gaspesian (2.87%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Cap-Chat include Irish, North American Indigenous, German, Caucasian (White), and Christian, n.i.e..
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | 37.94% | 37.18% | 37.58% |
| French | 30.43% | 25.21% | 27.93% |
| French Canadian | 9.09% | 10.68% | 9.86% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 2.77% | 4.70% | 3.90% |
| Gaspesian | 3.16% | 2.56% | 2.87% |
| Irish | 1.98% | 3.42% | 2.67% |
| North American Indigenous | 1.98% | 1.28% | 1.64% |
| German | 1.19% | 2.14% | 1.64% |
| Caucasian (White) | 1.19% | 1.71% | 1.23% |
| Christian, n.i.e. | 1.19% | 0.85% | 1.23% |
Indigenous Identity in Cap-Chat
About 5.75% of Cap-Chat's population (140 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 94.25% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 10 people (0.40% 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 Cap-Chat's population profile.
About 3.3% of Cap-Chat's population are immigrants (80 people).
The top countries of origin for Cap-Chat's immigrant population are France (30), Portugal (30), Brazil (0), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| France | 30 |
| Portugal | 30 |
| Brazil | 0 |
| Colombia | 0 |
| El Salvador | 0 |
98.8% of Cap-Chat's residents (2,405 people) are Canadian citizens, and 1.4% are not.
By generation status, 3.5% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 1.0% are second generation, and 95.3% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 970 of Cap-Chat's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 20.80% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 19.00% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 5.30%, 3.05%, and 2.05%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 510 | 20.80% |
| 1 person | 465 | 19.00% |
| 3 persons | 130 | 5.30% |
| 4 persons | 75 | 3.05% |
| 5 or more persons | 50 | 2.05% |
Family and Household Structure in Cap-Chat
Of census families in Cap-Chat, 85.6% are couple families and 14.4% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.5 people.
38.0% of households in Cap-Chat are one-person households, 46.9% are couple-family households, 7.8% are one-parent-family households, and 0.8% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 465 | 38.0% |
| Couple-family households | 575 | 46.9% |
| One-parent-family households | 95 | 7.8% |
| Multigenerational households | 10 | 0.8% |
Income in Cap-Chat
Analyzing income distribution in Cap-Chat can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Cap-Chat is $29,200.
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 Cap-Chat population or around 325 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 245 and 175 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Cap-Chat's median household income is $50,800, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Cap-Chat's median household income is 33,200 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 Cap-Chat
This data sheds light on the distribution of Cap-Chat 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.
58.60% or most of the Cap-Chat population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 26.40% of the population has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 15.90% has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate. (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 | 325 | 315 | 645 | 58.60% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 170 | 120 | 290 | 26.40% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 95 | 80 | 175 | 15.90% |
Below national average 10.9% of Cap-Chat's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Cap-Chat
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Cap-Chat. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Cap-Chat is at 10.17% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 36.30% |
| Unemployment rate | 10.17% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Cap-Chat, 18.3% worked full year full time in the reference year, 26.5% worked part year and/or part time, and 55.5% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 400 | 18.3% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 580 | 26.5% |
| Did not work | 1,215 | 55.5% |
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 Cap-Chat's population (around 61.00%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 60 men and 55 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 120.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 60 | 55 | 120 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Cap-Chat industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Cap-Chat is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Cap-Chat has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (27%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector comes second at 9%, followed by Manufacturing at 7%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 50 | 180 | 27% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 55 | 20 | 9% |
| Manufacturing | 60 | 10 | 7% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 30 | 35 | 7% |
| Retail trade | 30 | 25 | 7% |
| Educational services | 25 | 35 | 7% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 35 | 20 | 6% |
| Public administration | 40 | 25 | 6% |
| Accommodation and food services | 30 | 20 | 5% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 30 | 10 | 5% |
| Construction | 25 | 10 | 4% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 15 | 0 | 2% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 15 | 0 | 2% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 1% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 0 | 1% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 0 | 0 | 1% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Wholesale trade | 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 Cap-Chat residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Cap-Chat: Health care and social assistance (27%), Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting (9%), Manufacturing (7%)
Top occupation categories in Cap-Chat: Sales and service occupations (20%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (15%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (15%)
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 | 300 | 305 | 600 | 75.00% |
| Worked at home | 80 | 60 | 135 | 16.90% |
| No fixed workplace address | 35 | 25 | 60 | 7.50% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Cap-Chat 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 Cap-Chat residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Cap-Chat 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 |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 53.80% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 38.60% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 3.00% |
| 60 minutes and over | 3.00% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 0.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Cap-Chat 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 Cap-Chat'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.
French is the most spoken official language in Cap-Chat. About 2,440 people living in the town speak French, 10 people speak English, 5 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| French | 2,440 |
| English | 10 |
| English and French | 5 |
| Neither English nor French | 0 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 17.9% of Cap-Chat's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 0.0% know English only, 81.9% know French only, and 0.0% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 0 | 0.0% |
| French only | 2,010 | 81.9% |
| English and French | 440 | 17.9% |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| French | 98.6% | 99.4% |
| Non-official languages | 0.6% | 0.4% |
| English | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Religion
Cap-Chat is predominantly Christian. About 2,035 of its population is Christian (1,040 males and 995 females).
The second largest religion in the town is Muslim with 0.0% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Sikh and Buddhist, both represent 0.0% and 0.0% of the population, while Hindu represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 83.6% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Cap-Chat
Schools
Parks
Community Centres
Places to Visit in Cap-Chat
Museums
Green Spaces in Cap-Chat
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Halte de Cap-Chat | Parks | 2.8 ha |
| Parc des Braves | Parks | 0.1 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Nearest Towns to Cap-Chat
- Sainte-Anne-des-Monts 15.2 km · 6,121 people
- Matane 67.4 km · 13,987 people
- Gaspe 70.2 km · 15,063 people
- Murdochville 88.2 km · 643 people
- Amqui 88.8 km · 5,999 people
- Causapscal 91.5 km · 2,147 people
- Port-Cartier 103.5 km · 6,516 people
- Metis-sur-Mer 106.3 km · 594 people
Frequently Asked Questions about Cap-Chat
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Cap-Chat has a population of 2,516 people, making it the 198th town in Quebec. The population increased moderately from 2,476 in 2016, an increase of 40 people or 1.62%. The town has a population density of 13.9 people per km² across a land area of 181.31 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Cap-Chat's population grew by 1.62% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 2,476 to 2,516 people, a gain of 40 residents. This modest growth reflects patterns seen in many other Quebec towns during this period. The median age of 58.80 years suggests an aging population. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (38.0%) may indicate young adults leaving for larger centres. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Cap-Chat has a population density of approximately 13.90 people per square kilometre.
Cap-Chat covers a land area of approximately 181.31 km².
The median age of the population in Cap-Chat is 58.80 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Cap-Chat is Canadian.
The median household income in Cap-Chat is $50,800, based on 2020 data.
French is the most common first official language spoken in Cap-Chat.
Christian is the predominant religion in Cap-Chat.
According to the 2021 Census, 5.7% of Cap-Chat's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
98.8% of Cap-Chat's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 14.5% of census families in Cap-Chat, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 0.8% of all households in Cap-Chat, per the 2021 Census.
17.9% of Cap-Chat'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 Cap-Chat, 18.3% 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.