Farnham, Quebec Population & Demographics: Is It a Good Place to Live?

Data source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population — View the official Farnham census dataset on Statistics Canada

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Farnham. It is a town in Canada that encompasses a land area of 92.12 km2. The town has a population density of 110.20 people per km2.

We highlight the Farnham town's various population characteristics. From gender, age distribution, ethnicity, household and dwelling, and income to spoken languages, occupation, and religion.

Farnham on the Map

Farnham location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Farnham has a population of around 10,149 people. The town's population is in increased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Farnham has increased by ▲ 13.92%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
8,90910,149 +13.92%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.64% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Farnham's population is projected to reach approximately 11,562 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 125.51 people per km².

Population in 2021Projected Population in 2026Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
10,14911,562125.51

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.

Farnham Population Trend & Context

Farnham had a 2021 census population of 10,149 — an increase of 1,240 (▲ 13.92%) people from the 8,909 recorded in 2016.

The town's population has grown steadily over this period, reflecting broader growth trends among Quebec towns. The town's median age of 40.4 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 Farnham is around 5,060 while the female population is around 5,090.

Of the 10,149 total population in Farnham, the largest gender is female with around 5,090 female within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
5,0605,090 +0.59%

Is Farnham a Good Place to Live?

Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Farnham compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Quebec, its own province. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.

Employment & Economy

5.6%
Unemployment rate
2.0 pts below the province
61.0%
Employment rate
1.7 pts above the province
64.7%
Participation rate
0.6 pts above the province

Income & Affordability

$68,000
Median household income
$4,500 below the province
12.4%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
0.5 pts above the province

Commute

64.4%
Commute under 30 minutes
1.9 pts below the province
93.1%
Commute by car
10.7 pts above the province
0.2%
Commute by public transit
8.8 pts below the province

Housing Character

53.5%
Single-detached houses
8.9 pts above the province
39.2%
Apartments (any building size)
7.2 pts below the province

Household Composition

2.20 people
Average household size
About the same as the province
32.9%
One-person households
2.2 pts below the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Farnham Population Compared to Quebec

Quebec's population in 2021 was 8,501,833, spread across the area. Here's how Farnham compares to the town's key indicators:

IndicatorFarnhamQuebec
Median household income$68,000$72,500
Unemployment rate5.6%7.6%
Median age40.443.2
Bachelor's degree or higher11.5%26.5%
Immigrants (%)2.8%14.6%

Population by Age Characteristics

Farnham has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 25 to 29 years old, accounting for 7.10% of the total population. The town median age is 40.40.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
25 to 29 years335 6.60%380 7.50% 11.84%720 7.10%
30 to 34 years375 7.40%330 6.50% 12.00%705 6.90%
55 to 59 years345 6.80%360 7.10% 4.17%705 6.90%
60 to 64 years345 6.80%360 7.10% 4.17%705 6.90%
65 to 69 years355 7.00%350 6.90% 1.41%705 6.90%
0 to 4 years315 6.20%365 7.20% 13.70%680 6.70%
35 to 39 years335 6.60%310 6.10% 7.46%640 6.30%
10 to 14 years325 6.40%310 6.10% 4.62%635 6.30%
40 to 44 years330 6.50%300 5.90% 9.09%635 6.30%
5 to 9 years325 6.40%305 6.00% 6.15%630 6.20%
70 to 74 years285 5.60%260 5.10% 8.77%545 5.40%
45 to 49 years270 5.30%255 5.00% 5.56%530 5.20%
50 to 54 years245 4.80%270 5.30% 9.26%520 5.10%
15 to 19 years235 4.60%260 5.10% 9.62%495 4.90%
20 to 24 years260 5.10%240 4.70% 7.69%495 4.90%
75 to 79 years160 3.20%175 3.40% 8.57%340 3.40%
85 years and over100 2.00%145 2.80% 31.03%245 2.40%
80 to 84 years110 2.20%120 2.40% 8.33%225 2.20%
85 to 89 years80 1.60%75 1.50% 6.25%155 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 60.60% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 20.30% and 19.10%, respectively.

If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Farnham are within the 15 to 64 years age group.

DataMaleFemaleTotal
15 to 64 years60.90%60.20%60.60%
65 years and over20.10%20.50%20.30%
0 to 14 years19.10%19.30%19.10%

Population of Farnham by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Farnham is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Farnham 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 Farnham are Canadian, which accounts for 42.23% of the total population, followed by French (22.32%), Irish (6.62%), French Canadian (6.57%), and Caucasian (White) (4.06%).

Other ethnicities and origins in Farnham include English, Scottish, Italian, First Nations (North American Indian), and German.

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
Canadian41.81%42.64%42.23%
French22.41%22.12%22.32%
Irish6.43%6.81%6.62%
French Canadian6.03%7.01%6.57%
Caucasian (White)3.92%4.10%4.06%
English2.31%2.20%2.26%
Scottish1.81%1.90%1.96%
Italian2.11%1.40%1.76%
First Nations (North American Indian)2.11%1.30%1.65%
German1.41%1.90%1.60%

Indigenous Identity in Farnham

About 1.71% of Farnham's population (170 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 98.29% who report a non-Indigenous identity.

Of the Indigenous population, 10 people (0.10% of the total population) hold Registered or Treaty Indian status.

Indigenous identity
1.71%
Non-Indigenous identity
98.29%

Immigration Profile

Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Farnham's population profile.

About 2.8% of Farnham's population are immigrants (280 people).

The top countries of origin for Farnham's immigrant population are France (110), Haiti (15), China (15), Mexico (10), United States of America (10).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
France110
Haiti15
China15
Mexico10
United States of America10

99.1% of Farnham's residents (9,880 people) are Canadian citizens, and 0.9% are not.

By generation status, 3.4% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 5.1% are second generation, and 91.5% are third generation or more.

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 2,380 of Farnham's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.

Household Size

About 18.45% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 16.45% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.50%, 5.30%, and 3.15%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
2 persons1,64018.45%
1 person1,46516.45%
3 persons5806.50%
4 persons4705.30%
5 or more persons2803.15%

Family and Household Structure in Farnham

Of census families in Farnham, 84.1% are couple families and 15.9% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.8 people.

Couple families
84.06%
One-parent families
15.94%

33.0% of households in Farnham are one-person households, 51.6% are couple-family households, 9.0% are one-parent-family households, and 0.8% are multigenerational households.

Household TypeHouseholdsPercentage
One-person households1,46533.0%
Couple-family households2,29551.6%
One-parent-family households4009.0%
Multigenerational households350.8%

Income in Farnham

Analyzing income distribution in Farnham can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Farnham is $38,800.

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 town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.

Most of Farnham population or around 1,415 people falls in the $30,000 to $49,999 group. The next largest groups are the $10,000 to $29,999, and $50,000 to $79,999 with around 1,405 and 1,235 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Farnham's median household income is $68,000, according to 2020 data.

Below national average Farnham's median household income is 16,000 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 Farnham

This data sheds light on the distribution of Farnham 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.

58.50% or most of the Farnham population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 22.20% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 19.30% 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.)

Population aged 25 to 64 years, using 25% sample data. Individual values may not sum exactly to totals due to Statistics Canada's random rounding.
DegreeMenWomenTotalPercentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree1,3951,6153,00558.50%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate6005401,14022.20%
No certificate, diploma or degree54045599019.30%

Below national average 12.7% of Farnham's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Farnham

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Farnham. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.

The data shows that the unemployment rate in Farnham is at 5.59% which is quite high.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate61.02%
Unemployment rate5.59%

Work Activity During the Reference Year

Of the population aged 15 and over in Farnham, 34.1% worked full year full time in the reference year, 30.1% worked part year and/or part time, and 35.9% did not work.

Only using 25% sample data.
Work ActivityPopulationPercentage
Worked full year full time2,73534.1%
Worked part year and/or part time2,41530.1%
Did not work2,88035.9%

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 Farnham's population (around 78.30%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the town, there are 240 men and 275 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 515.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed240275515

Employment Industry Sectors

The Farnham industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Farnham is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.

Farnham has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (21%) works in the manufacturing sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 13%, followed by Retail trade at 10%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Manufacturing72036021%
Health care and social assistance8561013%
Retail trade22031510%
Construction425259%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting1651256%
Other services (except public administration)1301355%
Educational services801705%
Public administration1451005%
Transportation and warehousing170605%
Accommodation and food services1301004%
Professional, scientific and technical services701504%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services95954%
Wholesale trade90753%
Finance and insurance35702%
Arts, entertainment and recreation40352%
Utilities50101%
Information and cultural industries20101%
Real estate and rental and leasing0150%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction000%
Management of companies and enterprises000%

Labour Market Snapshot

A quick snapshot of where Farnham residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.

Top employer sectors in Farnham: Manufacturing (21%), Health care and social assistance (13%), Retail trade (10%)

Top occupation categories in Farnham: Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (26%), Sales and service occupations (22%), Business, finance and administration occupations (11%)

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.

Only using 25% sample data.
Work LocationMenWomenTotalPercentage
Usual place of work1,8451,8803,72575.90%
No fixed workplace address50512563012.80%
Worked at home20034054011.00%
Worked outside Canada00100.20%

Commuting

The data sheds light on how Farnham 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 Farnham residents and sustainable urban planning.

Commuting Duration

This data reveals the average time that the residents of Farnham 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.

Only using 25% sample data.
DurationPercentage
Less than 15 minutes34.20%
15 to 29 minutes30.20%
30 to 44 minutes22.50%
45 to 59 minutes7.60%
60 minutes and over5.60%

Marital Status

The statistics on marital status in Farnham 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 Farnham's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.

Married or living common-law
59.29%
Married or living common-law
40.71%

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 Farnham. About 9,575 people living in the town speak French, 415 people speak English, 60 people speak English and French language, and 5 people speak Neither English nor French language.

LanguagePopulation
French9,575
English415
English and French60
Neither English nor French5

Knowledge of Official Languages

About 36.6% of Farnham's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 0.9% know English only, 62.4% know French only, and 0.0% know neither official language.

Knowledge of Official LanguagesPopulationPercentage
English only950.9%
French only6,28062.4%
English and French3,68036.6%
Neither English nor French50.0%

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.

LanguageMother TongueSpoken Most Often at Home
French92.9%94.9%
English3.8%3.2%
Non-official languages1.2%0.4%

Religion

Farnham is predominantly Christian. About 6,520 of its population is Christian (3,190 males and 3,330 females).

The second largest religion in the town is Muslim with 0.3% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Buddhist and Hindu, both represent 0.2% and 0.0% of the population, while Jewish represent 0.0% of the population.

ReligionPopulation
Christian65.4%
Islam0.3%
Buddhist0.2%
Hindu0.0%
Jewish0.0%
Sikh0.0%

Points of Interest in Farnham

Schools

Parks

Community Centres

Places to Visit in Farnham

Historic Sites

Green Spaces in Farnham

Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.

Nearest Towns to Farnham

Frequently Asked Questions about Farnham

According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Farnham has a population of 10,149 people, making it the 102nd town in Quebec. The population increased significantly from 8,909 in 2016, an increase of 1,240 people or 13.92%. The town has a population density of 110.2 people per km² across a land area of 92.12 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.

Farnham's population grew by 13.92% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 8,909 to 10,149 people, a gain of 1,240 residents. This growth is above average compared to many other Quebec towns during this period. The median age of 40.40 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.

Farnham has a population density of approximately 110.20 people per square kilometre.

Farnham covers a land area of approximately 92.12 km².

The median age of the population in Farnham is 40.40 years.

The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Farnham is Canadian.

The median household income in Farnham is $68,000, based on 2020 data.

French is the most common first official language spoken in Farnham.

Christian is the predominant religion in Farnham.

According to the 2021 Census, 1.7% of Farnham's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.

99.1% of Farnham's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.

One-parent families make up 16.0% of census families in Farnham, according to the 2021 Census.

Multigenerational households make up 0.8% of all households in Farnham, per the 2021 Census.

36.6% of Farnham'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 Farnham, 34.1% 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.