Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Chibougamau has a population of around 7,233 people. The town's population is in decreased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Chibougamau has decreased by ▼ -3.61%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 7,504 | 7,233 | --3.61% |
2026 Population Projection
Chibougamau's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 7,233 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Chibougamau Population Trend & Context
Chibougamau had a 2021 census population of 7,233 — a decline of 271 (▼ 3.61%) people from the 7,504 recorded in 2016.
The town's population has seen a slight decline over this period, reflecting broader pressures facing Quebec towns. The town's median age of 40.8 years closely mirrors the national median of 41.9, suggesting a demographic profile in line with the Canadian average.
Population By Genders
The male population of Chibougamau is around 3,730 while the female population is around 3,505.
Of the 7,233 total population in Chibougamau, the largest gender is male with around 3,730 male within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 3,730 | 3,505 | -6.03% |
Is Chibougamau a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Chibougamau 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.
Chibougamau Population Compared to Quebec
Quebec's population in 2021 was 8,501,833, spread across the area. Here's how Chibougamau compares to the town's key indicators:
| Indicator | Chibougamau | Quebec |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $85,000 | $72,500 |
| Unemployment rate | 3.7% | 7.6% |
| Median age | 40.8 | 43.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.5% | 26.5% |
| Immigrants (%) | 1.5% | 14.6% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Chibougamau has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 55 to 59 years old, accounting for 8.30% of the total population. The town median age is 40.80.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 to 59 years | 310 8.30% | 290 8.30% | 6.45% | 600 8.30% |
| 60 to 64 years | 315 8.40% | 250 7.10% | 20.63% | 560 7.70% |
| 40 to 44 years | 250 6.70% | 245 7.00% | 2.00% | 495 6.80% |
| 35 to 39 years | 260 7.00% | 230 6.60% | 11.54% | 485 6.70% |
| 30 to 34 years | 245 6.60% | 220 6.30% | 10.20% | 470 6.50% |
| 10 to 14 years | 225 6.00% | 240 6.80% | 6.25% | 465 6.40% |
| 25 to 29 years | 235 6.30% | 235 6.70% | 0.00% | 465 6.40% |
| 50 to 54 years | 230 6.20% | 230 6.60% | 0.00% | 465 6.40% |
| 5 to 9 years | 230 6.20% | 220 6.30% | 4.35% | 450 6.20% |
| 0 to 4 years | 240 6.40% | 195 5.60% | 18.75% | 430 5.90% |
| 45 to 49 years | 215 5.80% | 220 6.30% | 2.27% | 430 5.90% |
| 15 to 19 years | 230 6.20% | 195 5.60% | 15.22% | 425 5.90% |
| 65 to 69 years | 215 5.80% | 170 4.90% | 20.93% | 390 5.40% |
| 20 to 24 years | 170 4.60% | 180 5.10% | 5.56% | 350 4.80% |
| 70 to 74 years | 135 3.60% | 135 3.90% | 0.00% | 270 3.70% |
| 75 to 79 years | 110 2.90% | 115 3.30% | 4.35% | 225 3.10% |
| 80 to 84 years | 70 1.90% | 80 2.30% | 12.50% | 150 2.10% |
| 85 years and over | 45 1.20% | 70 2.00% | 35.71% | 110 1.50% |
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 65.60% of the population. The other age groups, 0 to 14 years and 65 years and over, account for 18.50% and 15.90%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Chibougamau are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 65.80% | 65.30% | 65.60% |
| 0 to 14 years | 18.50% | 18.50% | 18.50% |
| 65 years and over | 15.50% | 16.30% | 15.90% |
Population of Chibougamau by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Chibougamau is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Chibougamau 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 Chibougamau are Canadian, which accounts for 33.78% of the total population, followed by French (22.10%), French Canadian (10.70%), Caucasian (White) (6.29%), and Irish (3.92%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Chibougamau include Cree, First Nations (North American Indian), North American Indigenous, European, and Italian.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | 34.46% | 32.95% | 33.78% |
| French | 21.49% | 22.79% | 22.10% |
| French Canadian | 10.00% | 11.47% | 10.70% |
| Caucasian (White) | 6.89% | 5.81% | 6.29% |
| Irish | 3.92% | 3.77% | 3.92% |
| Cree | 2.57% | 3.34% | 2.80% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 2.57% | 2.90% | 2.73% |
| North American Indigenous | 2.30% | 1.16% | 1.75% |
| European | 1.22% | 1.74% | 1.47% |
| Italian | 1.22% | 1.16% | 1.26% |
Indigenous Identity in Chibougamau
About 7.83% of Chibougamau's population (560 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 92.17% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 355 people (5.00% 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 Chibougamau's population profile.
About 1.5% of Chibougamau's population are immigrants (105 people).
The top countries of origin for Chibougamau's immigrant population are France (20), Morocco (15), Brazil (0), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| France | 20 |
| Morocco | 15 |
| Brazil | 0 |
| Colombia | 0 |
| El Salvador | 0 |
97.3% of Chibougamau's residents (6,960 people) are Canadian citizens, and 2.7% are not.
By generation status, 4.2% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 1.5% are second generation, and 94.3% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 1,610 of Chibougamau's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 18.95% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 15.75% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.65%, 5.80%, and 2.80%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 1,210 | 18.95% |
| 1 person | 1,005 | 15.75% |
| 3 persons | 425 | 6.65% |
| 4 persons | 370 | 5.80% |
| 5 or more persons | 180 | 2.80% |
Family and Household Structure in Chibougamau
Of census families in Chibougamau, 84.9% are couple families and 15.1% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.8 people.
31.5% of households in Chibougamau are one-person households, 54.7% are couple-family households, 9.4% are one-parent-family households, and 0.5% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 1,005 | 31.5% |
| Couple-family households | 1,745 | 54.7% |
| One-parent-family households | 300 | 9.4% |
| Multigenerational households | 15 | 0.5% |
Income in Chibougamau
Analyzing income distribution in Chibougamau can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Chibougamau is $49,200.
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 Chibougamau population or around 1,175 people falls in the $50,000 to $79,999 group. The next largest groups are the $10,000 to $29,999, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 930 and 785 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Chibougamau's median household income is $85,000, according to 2020 data.
Above national average Chibougamau's median household income is 1,000 dollars above 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 Chibougamau
This data sheds light on the distribution of Chibougamau 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.
70.90% or most of the Chibougamau population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 15.40% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 13.60% 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 | 1,430 | 1,355 | 2,780 | 70.90% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 245 | 360 | 605 | 15.40% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 310 | 220 | 535 | 13.60% |
Below national average 16.5% of Chibougamau's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Chibougamau
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Chibougamau. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Chibougamau is at 3.73% which is pretty low.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 66.67% |
| Unemployment rate | 3.73% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Chibougamau, 40.6% worked full year full time in the reference year, 32.2% worked part year and/or part time, and 27.2% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 2,355 | 40.6% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 1,870 | 32.2% |
| Did not work | 1,580 | 27.2% |
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 Chibougamau's population (around 78.00%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 175 men and 105 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 280.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 175 | 105 | 280 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Chibougamau industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Chibougamau is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Chibougamau has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (19%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Manufacturing sector comes second at 15%, followed by Retail trade at 12%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 170 | 580 | 19% |
| Manufacturing | 540 | 80 | 15% |
| Retail trade | 230 | 240 | 12% |
| Public administration | 130 | 140 | 7% |
| Educational services | 55 | 205 | 6% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 195 | 45 | 6% |
| Accommodation and food services | 55 | 170 | 6% |
| Construction | 165 | 20 | 5% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 85 | 80 | 4% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 55 | 85 | 4% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 75 | 30 | 3% |
| Utilities | 95 | 10 | 3% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 55 | 50 | 3% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 75 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 45 | 30 | 2% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 60 | 0 | 2% |
| Wholesale trade | 30 | 20 | 1% |
| Information and cultural industries | 25 | 0 | 1% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 15 | 10 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Chibougamau residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Chibougamau: Health care and social assistance (19%), Manufacturing (15%), Retail trade (12%)
Top occupation categories in Chibougamau: Sales and service occupations (22%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (21%), Business, finance and administration occupations (14%)
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 | 1,630 | 1,665 | 3,295 | 85.10% |
| No fixed workplace address | 265 | 50 | 305 | 7.90% |
| Worked at home | 115 | 145 | 260 | 6.70% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Chibougamau 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 Chibougamau residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Chibougamau 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 | 75.00% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 13.70% |
| 60 minutes and over | 5.10% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 3.50% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 2.80% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Chibougamau 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 Chibougamau'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 Chibougamau. About 6,800 people living in the town speak French, 380 people speak English, 40 people speak English and French language, and 5 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| French | 6,800 |
| English | 380 |
| English and French | 40 |
| Neither English nor French | 5 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 28.8% of Chibougamau's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 2.6% know English only, 68.5% know French only, and 0.1% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 190 | 2.6% |
| French only | 4,950 | 68.5% |
| English and French | 2,080 | 28.8% |
| Neither English nor French | 10 | 0.1% |
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 | 92.5% | 93.9% |
| English | 3.0% | 3.4% |
| Non-official languages | 3.0% | 1.2% |
Religion
Chibougamau is predominantly Christian. About 5,425 of its population is Christian (2,805 males and 2,615 females).
The second largest religion in the town is Muslim with 0.8% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Jewish, both represent 0.0% and 0.0% of the population, while Sikh represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 75.9% |
| Islam | 0.8% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Chibougamau
Hospitals
Schools
Parks
Libraries
Green Spaces in Chibougamau
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Parc Kiwanis | Parks | 3.0 ha |
| Parc Optimiste | Parks | 4.7 ha |
| Place de la fraternité | Parks | 0.6 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Nearest Towns to Chibougamau
- Chapais 37.7 km · 1,468 people
- Normandin 179.2 km · 2,991 people
- Dolbeau-Mistassini 192.5 km · 13,718 people
- Saint-Felicien 197.6 km · 10,089 people
- Lebel-sur-Quevillon 211.4 km · 2,091 people
- Roberval 220.2 km · 9,840 people
- Matagami 232.6 km · 1,402 people
- Desbiens 242.2 km · 995 people
Frequently Asked Questions about Chibougamau
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Chibougamau has a population of 7,233 people, making it the 128th town in Quebec. The population declined moderately from 7,504 in 2016, a decrease of 271 people or 3.61%. The town has a population density of 10.4 people per km² across a land area of 694.87 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Chibougamau's population declined by 3.61% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 7,504 to 7,233 people, a loss of 271 residents. This decline is consistent with pressures faced by many other Quebec towns during this period. The median age of 40.80 years suggests a mature, established community. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.
Chibougamau has a population density of approximately 10.40 people per square kilometre.
Chibougamau covers a land area of approximately 694.87 km².
The median age of the population in Chibougamau is 40.80 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Chibougamau is Canadian.
The median household income in Chibougamau is $85,000, based on 2020 data.
French is the most common first official language spoken in Chibougamau.
Christian is the predominant religion in Chibougamau.
According to the 2021 Census, 7.8% of Chibougamau's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
97.3% of Chibougamau's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 15.1% of census families in Chibougamau, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 0.5% of all households in Chibougamau, per the 2021 Census.
28.8% of Chibougamau'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 Chibougamau, 40.6% 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.