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

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

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Gesgapegiag. It is a indian reserve in Canada that encompasses a land area of 2.20 km2. The indian reserve has a population density of 289.80 people per km2.

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

Gesgapegiag on the Map

The map and listings below are sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors, not Statistics Canada, and may be incomplete depending on how thoroughly the area has been mapped.

Gesgapegiag location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Gesgapegiag has a population of around 637 people. The indian reserve's population is in decreased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Gesgapegiag has decreased by ▼ -2.45%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
653637 --2.45%

2026 Population Projection

Gesgapegiag's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 637 people recorded in the 2021 census.

Gesgapegiag Population Trend & Context

Gesgapegiag is the 45th-largest indian reserve in Quebec, with a 2021 census population of 637 — a decline of 16 (▼ 2.45%) people from the 653 recorded in 2016.

The indian reserve's population has seen a slight decline over this period, reflecting broader pressures facing Quebec indian reserves. The indian reserve's median age of 31.2 years — below the national median of 41.9 — suggests a younger, potentially growing population.

How does Gesgapegiag compare to other Quebec indian reserves?

Population By Genders

The male population of Gesgapegiag is around 300 while the female population is around 335.

Of the 637 total population in Gesgapegiag, the largest gender is female with around 335 women within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
300335 -10.45%

Is Gesgapegiag a Good Place to Live?

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

Employment & Economy

14.1%
Unemployment rate
6.5 pts above the province
66.3%
Employment rate
7.0 pts above the province
77.2%
Participation rate
13.1 pts above the province

Income & Affordability

$65,500
Median household income
$7,000 below the province
15.0%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
3.1 pts above the province

Commute

89.7%
Commute under 30 minutes
23.4 pts above the province
93.1%
Commute by car
10.7 pts above the province
0.0%
Commute by public transit
9.0 pts below the province

Housing Character

81.6%
Single-detached houses
37.0 pts above the province
4.0%
Apartments (any building size)
42.4 pts below the province

Household Composition

2.60 people
Average household size
0.40people above the province
24.5%
One-person households
10.6 pts below the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Gesgapegiag Population Compared to Quebec

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

IndicatorGesgapegiagQuebec
Median household income$65,500$72,500
Unemployment rate14.1%7.6%
Median age31.243.2
Bachelor's degree or higher5.9%26.5%
Immigrants (%)0.0%14.6%

Population by Age Characteristics

Gesgapegiag has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 10 to 14 years old, accounting for 10.90% of the total population. The indian reserve median age is 31.20.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
10 to 14 years30 10.00%40 11.90% 25.00%70 10.90%
5 to 9 years35 11.70%20 6.00% 42.86%55 8.60%
40 to 44 years25 8.30%30 9.00% 16.67%55 8.60%
0 to 4 years30 10.00%20 6.00% 33.33%50 7.80%
25 to 29 years15 5.00%30 9.00% 50.00%50 7.80%
15 to 19 years15 5.00%25 7.50% 40.00%45 7.00%
20 to 24 years30 10.00%15 4.50% 50.00%45 7.00%
30 to 34 years15 5.00%25 7.50% 40.00%45 7.00%
60 to 64 years15 5.00%30 9.00% 50.00%45 7.00%
45 to 49 years15 5.00%15 4.50% 0.00%35 5.50%
55 to 59 years15 5.00%10 3.00% 33.33%35 5.50%
Average age of the population32 32.20%35 35.30% 8.50%34 33.80%
Median age of the population29 29.00%33 33.20% 12.05%31 31.20%
35 to 39 years15 5.00%20 6.00% 25.00%30 4.70%
50 to 54 years15 5.00%15 4.50% 0.00%30 4.70%
65 to 69 years15 5.00%10 3.00% 33.33%20 3.10%
70 to 74 years5 1.70%15 4.50% 66.67%20 3.10%
75 to 79 years0 0.00%5 1.50% 100.00%10 1.60%
80 to 84 years0 0.00%5 1.50% 100.00%5 0.80%

Broader Age Groups

If the indian reserve'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 62.50% of the population. The other age groups, 0 to 14 years and 15 to 64 years, account for 27.30% and 62.50%, respectively.

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

DataMaleFemaleTotal

Photos of Places & Sceneries in Gesgapegiag

Population of Gesgapegiag by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Gesgapegiag is quite diverse, which contributes to the indian reserve's vibrant cultural landscape. Gesgapegiag is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the indian reserve appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.

The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Gesgapegiag are Mi'kmaq, which accounts for 77.95% of the total population, followed by French (10.24%), Irish (9.45%), First Nations (North American Indian) (7.87%), and Canadian (7.09%).

Other ethnicities and origins in Gesgapegiag include English, Scottish, German, Caucasian (White), and Italian.

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
Mi'kmaq78.33%77.61%77.95%
French8.33%10.45%10.24%
Irish10.00%10.45%9.45%
First Nations (North American Indian)6.67%8.96%7.87%
Canadian10.00%5.97%7.09%
English3.33%4.48%4.72%
Scottish3.33%4.48%3.94%
German3.33%2.99%2.36%
Caucasian (White)0.00%0.00%2.36%
Italian3.33%0.00%1.57%

Immigration Profile

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

About 0.0% of Gesgapegiag's population are immigrants (0 people).

The top countries of origin for Gesgapegiag's immigrant population are Brazil (0), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0), Guyana (0), Haiti (0).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
Brazil0
Colombia0
El Salvador0
Guyana0
Haiti0

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 200 of Gesgapegiag's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.

Household Size

About 17.35% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 12.25% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 9.20%, 6.10%, and 6.10%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
2 persons8517.35%
1 person6012.25%
3 persons459.20%
4 persons306.10%
5 or more persons306.10%

Income in Gesgapegiag

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

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Gesgapegiag is $39,200.

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

Most of Gesgapegiag population or around 155 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $30,000 to $49,999, and Under $10,000 with around 90 and 35 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Gesgapegiag's median household income is $65,500, according to 2020 data.

Below national average Gesgapegiag's median household income is 18,500 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).

The data provides important insights into the indian reserve'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 indian reserve's income distribution, disparities, and trends.

Education Levels in Gesgapegiag

This data sheds light on the distribution of Gesgapegiag 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.

48.20% or most of the Gesgapegiag population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 32.25% of the population has a No certificate, diploma or degree, 21.15% has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 5.85% has Bachelor's degree or higher.

Only using 25% sample data.
DegreeMenWomenTotalPercentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree15520536548.20%
No certificate, diploma or degree10514525532.25%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate808016521.15%
Bachelor's degree or higher1035455.85%

Below national average 5.9% of Gesgapegiag's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Gesgapegiag

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

The data shows that the unemployment rate in Gesgapegiag is at 10.87% which is very high.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate66.30%
Unemployment rate10.87%

Working as an Employee

The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the indian reserve who work as an employee. The majority of Gesgapegiag's population (around 54.90%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the indian reserve, there are 10 men and 0 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 10.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed10010

Employment Industry Sectors

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

Gesgapegiag has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (24%) works in the public administration sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 23%, followed by Educational services at 13%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Public administration404524%
Health care and social assistance206023%
Educational services103013%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting30010%
Retail trade10209%
Construction2006%
Arts, entertainment and recreation0104%
Accommodation and food services0104%
Professional, scientific and technical services003%
Other services (except public administration)1003%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction000%
Utilities000%
Manufacturing000%
Wholesale trade000%
Transportation and warehousing000%
Information and cultural industries000%
Finance and insurance000%
Real estate and rental and leasing000%
Management of companies and enterprises000%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services10100%

Labour Market Snapshot

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

Top employer sectors in Gesgapegiag: Public administration (24%), Health care and social assistance (23%), Educational services (13%)

Top occupation categories in Gesgapegiag: Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (27%), Sales and service occupations (17%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (16%)

Places of Work

The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the indian reserve. 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 work7514022072.10%
No fixed workplace address70107023.00%
Worked at home015103.30%
Worked outside Canada0000.00%

Commuting

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

Commuting Duration

This data reveals the average time that the residents of Gesgapegiag spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the indian reserve's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the indian reserve.

Only using 25% sample data.
DurationPercentage
Less than 15 minutes82.80%
15 to 29 minutes6.90%
60 minutes and over5.20%
45 to 59 minutes3.40%
30 to 44 minutes0.00%

Marital Status

The statistics on marital status in Gesgapegiagshed 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 indian reserve's social fabric. We can gain insights into Gesgapegiag's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.

Married or living common-law
35.48%
Married or living common-law
64.52%

Language Spoken

The data below highlights indian reserve'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 Gesgapegiag. About 550 people living in the province speak English, 50 people speak French, 35 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.

LanguagePopulation
English550
French50
English and French35
Neither English nor French0

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
English66.1%85.0%
Non-official languages24.4%11.0%
French6.3%3.9%

Religion

Gesgapegiag is predominantly Christian. About 205 of its population is Christian (85 males and 85 females).

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

ReligionPopulation
Christian32.0%
Hindu0.0%
Jewish0.0%
Islam0.0%
Sikh0.0%
Buddhist0.0%

Points of Interest in Gesgapegiag

Parks

Green Spaces in Gesgapegiag

NameTypeApprox. Area
Gesgapegiag Community ParkParks3.9 ha

Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.

Other Indian Reserves in Quebec

Frequently Asked Questions about Gesgapegiag

According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Gesgapegiag has a population of 637 people, making it the 45th indian reserve in Quebec. The population declined moderately from 653 in 2016, a decrease of 16 people or 2.45%. The indian reserve has a population density of 289.8 people per km² across a land area of 2.20 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.

Gesgapegiag's population declined by 2.45% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 653 to 637 people, a loss of 16 residents. This decline is consistent with pressures faced by many other Quebec indian reserves during this period. The median age of 31.20 years suggests a comparatively young population. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.

Gesgapegiag has a population density of approximately 289.80 people per square kilometre.

Gesgapegiag covers a land area of approximately 2.20 km².

The median age of the population in Gesgapegiag is 31.20 years.

The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Gesgapegiag is Mi'kmaq.

The median household income in Gesgapegiag is $65,500, based on 2020 data.

English is the most common first official language spoken in Gesgapegiag.

Christian is the predominant religion in Gesgapegiag.

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.