Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Desbiens has a population of around 995 people. The town's population is in decreased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Desbiens has decreased by ▼ -3.21%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,028 | 995 | --3.21% |
2026 Population Projection
Desbiens's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 995 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Desbiens Population Trend & Context
Desbiens had a 2021 census population of 995 — a decline of 33 (▼ 3.21%) people from the 1,028 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 50 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 Desbiens is around 505 while the female population is around 490.
Of the 995 total population in Desbiens, the largest gender is male with around 505 male within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 505 | 490 | -2.97% |
Is Desbiens a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Desbiens 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.
Desbiens Population Compared to Quebec
Quebec's population in 2021 was 8,501,833, spread across the area. Here's how Desbiens compares to the town's key indicators:
| Indicator | Desbiens | Quebec |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,600 | $72,500 |
| Unemployment rate | 10.2% | 7.6% |
| Median age | 50 | 43.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8.1% | 26.5% |
| Immigrants (%) | 0.0% | 14.6% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Desbiens has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 8.60% of the total population. The town median age is 50.00.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|
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 55.60% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 28.80% and 15.20%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Desbiens are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 56.40% | 53.10% | 55.60% |
| 65 years and over | 28.70% | 29.60% | 28.80% |
| 0 to 14 years | 14.90% | 16.30% | 15.20% |
Population of Desbiens by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Desbiens is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Desbiens 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 Desbiens are Canadian, which accounts for 42.35% of the total population, followed by French (19.39%), French Canadian (13.27%), First Nations (North American Indian) (4.59%), and Caucasian (White) (2.55%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Desbiens include North American Indigenous, Mi'kmaq, Innu/Montagnais, Mongolian, and Azorean.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | 42.57% | 41.05% | 42.35% |
| French | 22.77% | 15.79% | 19.39% |
| French Canadian | 10.89% | 14.74% | 13.27% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 5.94% | 3.16% | 4.59% |
| Caucasian (White) | 2.97% | 2.11% | 2.55% |
| North American Indigenous | 1.98% | 0.00% | 1.02% |
| Mi'kmaq | 1.98% | 0.00% | 1.02% |
| Innu/Montagnais | 1.98% | 0.00% | 1.02% |
| Mongolian | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Azorean | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Indigenous Identity in Desbiens
About 5.61% of Desbiens's population (55 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 94.39% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 15 people (1.50% 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 Desbiens's population profile.
About 0.0% of Desbiens's population are immigrants (0 people).
The top countries of origin for Desbiens's immigrant population are Brazil (0), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0), Guyana (0), Haiti (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 0 |
| Colombia | 0 |
| El Salvador | 0 |
| Guyana | 0 |
| Haiti | 0 |
100.0% of Desbiens's residents (980 people) are Canadian citizens, and 0.0% are not.
By generation status, 0.0% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 1.0% are second generation, and 98.0% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 310 of Desbiens's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 20.00% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 18.40% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 5.80%, 4.75%, and 2.10%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 190 | 20.00% |
| 1 person | 175 | 18.40% |
| 3 persons | 55 | 5.80% |
| 4 persons | 45 | 4.75% |
| 5 or more persons | 20 | 2.10% |
Family and Household Structure in Desbiens
Of census families in Desbiens, 84.7% are couple families and 15.3% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.7 people.
35.8% of households in Desbiens are one-person households, 51.6% are couple-family households, 8.4% are one-parent-family households, and 0.0% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 170 | 35.8% |
| Couple-family households | 245 | 51.6% |
| One-parent-family households | 40 | 8.4% |
| Multigenerational households | 0 | 0.0% |
Income in Desbiens
Analyzing income distribution in Desbiens can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Desbiens is $37,200.
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 Desbiens population or around 140 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 135 and 80 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Desbiens's median household income is $61,600, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Desbiens's median household income is 22,400 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 Desbiens
This data sheds light on the distribution of Desbiens 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.
64.10% or most of the Desbiens population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 19.60% of the population has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 17.40% 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 | 155 | 135 | 295 | 64.10% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 50 | 35 | 90 | 19.60% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 30 | 55 | 80 | 17.40% |
Below national average 8.7% of Desbiens's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Desbiens
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Desbiens. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Desbiens is at 10.34% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 47.85% |
| Unemployment rate | 10.34% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Desbiens, 27.4% worked full year full time in the reference year, 27.4% worked part year and/or part time, and 44.5% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 225 | 27.4% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 225 | 27.4% |
| Did not work | 365 | 44.5% |
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 Desbiens's population (around 72.40%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 15 men and 15 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 30.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 15 | 15 | 30 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Desbiens industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Desbiens is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Desbiens has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (21%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 15%, followed by Manufacturing at 12%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 0 | 85 | 21% |
| Retail trade | 35 | 35 | 15% |
| Manufacturing | 40 | 0 | 12% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 30 | 0 | 9% |
| Construction | 25 | 0 | 7% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 20 | 0 | 6% |
| Accommodation and food services | 10 | 15 | 6% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 20 | 0 | 6% |
| Public administration | 10 | 10 | 5% |
| Wholesale trade | 10 | 0 | 3% |
| Educational services | 10 | 10 | 3% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 10 | 0 | 2% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 0 | 0 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 0 | 0 | 2% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Finance and insurance | 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% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Desbiens residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Desbiens: Health care and social assistance (21%), Retail trade (15%), Manufacturing (12%)
Top occupation categories in Desbiens: Sales and service occupations (29%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (29%), Health occupations (10%)
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 | 155 | 140 | 295 | 74.70% |
| No fixed workplace address | 45 | 15 | 65 | 16.50% |
| Worked at home | 15 | 20 | 30 | 7.60% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Desbiens 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 Desbiens residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Desbiens 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 | 44.40% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 26.40% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 19.40% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 5.60% |
| 60 minutes and over | 5.60% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Desbiens 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 Desbiens'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 Desbiens. About 980 people living in the town speak French, 10 people speak English, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| French | 980 |
| English | 10 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 0 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 13.1% of Desbiens's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 0.0% know English only, 86.9% know French only, and 0.0% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 0 | 0.0% |
| French only | 860 | 86.9% |
| English and French | 130 | 13.1% |
| 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 | 98.5% | 99.0% |
| English | 1.0% | 0.0% |
| Non-official languages | 0.5% | 0.0% |
Religion
Desbiens is predominantly Christian. About 770 of its population is Christian (395 males and 375 females).
The second largest religion in the town 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 | 78.6% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Places to Visit in Desbiens
Attractions
Nearest Towns to Desbiens
- Metabetchouan--Lac-a-la-Croix 5.9 km · 4,121 people
- Roberval 23.0 km · 9,840 people
- Alma 26.4 km · 30,331 people
- Saint-Felicien 45.2 km · 10,089 people
- Dolbeau-Mistassini 55.8 km · 13,718 people
- Normandin 63.2 km · 2,991 people
- Saint-Honore 65.0 km · 6,376 people
- La Tuque 125.2 km · 11,129 people
Frequently Asked Questions about Desbiens
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Desbiens has a population of 995 people, making it the 249th town in Quebec. The population declined moderately from 1,028 in 2016, a decrease of 33 people or 3.21%. The town has a population density of 95.7 people per km² across a land area of 10.39 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Desbiens's population declined by 3.21% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 1,028 to 995 people, a loss of 33 residents. This decline is consistent with pressures faced by many other Quebec towns during this period. The median age of 50.00 years suggests an aging population. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (36.8%) 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.
Desbiens has a population density of approximately 95.70 people per square kilometre.
Desbiens covers a land area of approximately 10.39 km².
The median age of the population in Desbiens is 50.00 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Desbiens is Canadian.
The median household income in Desbiens is $61,600, based on 2020 data.
French is the most common first official language spoken in Desbiens.
Christian is the predominant religion in Desbiens.
According to the 2021 Census, 5.6% of Desbiens's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
100.0% of Desbiens's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 15.3% of census families in Desbiens, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 0.0% of all households in Desbiens, per the 2021 Census.
13.1% of Desbiens'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 Desbiens, 27.4% 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.