Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, La Tuque has a population of around 11,129 people. The town's population is in increased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of La Tuque has increased by ▲ 1.16%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 11,001 | 11,129 | +1.16% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.23% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, La Tuque's population is projected to reach approximately 11,258 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 0.45 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 11,129 | 11,258 | 0.45 |
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.
La Tuque Population Trend & Context
La Tuque had a 2021 census population of 11,129 — an increase of 128 (▲ 1.16%) people from the 11,001 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 51.6 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 La Tuque is around 5,685 while the female population is around 5,445.
Of the 11,129 total population in La Tuque, the largest gender is male with around 5,685 male within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 5,685 | 5,445 | +4.22% |
Is La Tuque a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how La Tuque 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.
La Tuque Population Compared to Quebec
Quebec's population in 2021 was 8,501,833, spread across the area. Here's how La Tuque compares to the town's key indicators:
| Indicator | La Tuque | Quebec |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $59,600 | $72,500 |
| Unemployment rate | 6.9% | 7.6% |
| Median age | 51.6 | 43.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.6% | 26.5% |
| Immigrants (%) | 1.1% | 14.6% |
Population by Age Characteristics
La Tuque has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 10.50% of the total population. The town median age is 51.60.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 605 10.60% | 570 10.50% | 5.79% | 1,170 10.50% |
| 65 to 69 years | 485 8.50% | 405 7.40% | 16.49% | 895 8.00% |
| 55 to 59 years | 440 7.70% | 450 8.30% | 2.22% | 885 8.00% |
| 70 to 74 years | 390 6.90% | 390 7.20% | 0.00% | 780 7.00% |
| 40 to 44 years | 355 6.20% | 315 5.80% | 11.27% | 670 6.00% |
| 50 to 54 years | 315 5.50% | 320 5.90% | 1.56% | 635 5.70% |
| 35 to 39 years | 320 5.60% | 285 5.20% | 10.94% | 605 5.40% |
| 45 to 49 years | 325 5.70% | 280 5.10% | 13.85% | 605 5.40% |
| 30 to 34 years | 300 5.30% | 300 5.50% | 0.00% | 600 5.40% |
| 75 to 79 years | 290 5.10% | 295 5.40% | 1.69% | 585 5.30% |
| 10 to 14 years | 290 5.10% | 275 5.10% | 5.17% | 560 5.00% |
| 0 to 4 years | 250 4.40% | 255 4.70% | 1.96% | 505 4.50% |
| 25 to 29 years | 255 4.50% | 235 4.30% | 7.84% | 490 4.40% |
| 5 to 9 years | 250 4.40% | 230 4.20% | 8.00% | 480 4.30% |
| 15 to 19 years | 255 4.50% | 210 3.90% | 17.65% | 465 4.20% |
| 20 to 24 years | 215 3.80% | 200 3.70% | 6.98% | 410 3.70% |
| 80 to 84 years | 200 3.50% | 195 3.60% | 2.50% | 395 3.50% |
| 85 years and over | 150 2.60% | 245 4.50% | 38.78% | 395 3.50% |
| 85 to 89 years | 110 1.90% | 145 2.70% | 24.14% | 260 2.30% |
| 90 to 94 years | 25 0.40% | 75 1.40% | 66.67% | 100 0.90% |
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 58.80% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 27.40% and 13.90%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in La Tuque are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 59.50% | 57.90% | 58.80% |
| 65 years and over | 26.60% | 28.10% | 27.40% |
| 0 to 14 years | 13.90% | 13.90% | 13.90% |
Population of La Tuque by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of La Tuque is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. La Tuque 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 La Tuque are Canadian, which accounts for 45.58% of the total population, followed by French (17.59%), French Canadian (9.80%), Atikamekw (4.76%), and Irish (3.62%).
Other ethnicities and origins in La Tuque include First Nations (North American Indian), North American Indigenous, Caucasian (White), English, and Scottish.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | 45.50% | 45.57% | 45.58% |
| French | 18.43% | 16.70% | 17.59% |
| French Canadian | 10.15% | 9.43% | 9.80% |
| Atikamekw | 4.27% | 5.38% | 4.76% |
| Irish | 3.74% | 3.58% | 3.62% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 2.49% | 3.30% | 2.89% |
| North American Indigenous | 2.05% | 2.36% | 2.20% |
| Caucasian (White) | 1.69% | 2.55% | 2.11% |
| English | 1.42% | 1.98% | 1.69% |
| Scottish | 1.42% | 1.89% | 1.65% |
Indigenous Identity in La Tuque
About 11.92% of La Tuque's population (1,300 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 88.08% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 820 people (7.50% 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 La Tuque's population profile.
About 1.1% of La Tuque's population are immigrants (115 people).
The top countries of origin for La Tuque's immigrant population are Colombia (15), France (15), Romania (10), Ukraine (10), Brazil (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Colombia | 15 |
| France | 15 |
| Romania | 10 |
| Ukraine | 10 |
| Brazil | 0 |
98.8% of La Tuque's residents (10,785 people) are Canadian citizens, and 1.1% are not.
By generation status, 2.0% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 1.2% are second generation, and 96.7% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 3,295 of La Tuque's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.
Household Size
About 20.65% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 18.65% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 5.10%, 3.65%, and 1.95%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 2,290 | 20.65% |
| 2 persons | 2,070 | 18.65% |
| 3 persons | 565 | 5.10% |
| 4 persons | 405 | 3.65% |
| 5 or more persons | 215 | 1.95% |
Family and Household Structure in La Tuque
Of census families in La Tuque, 86.3% are couple families and 13.7% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.6 people.
41.3% of households in La Tuque are one-person households, 47.7% are couple-family households, 7.2% are one-parent-family households, and 0.4% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 2,290 | 41.3% |
| Couple-family households | 2,645 | 47.7% |
| One-parent-family households | 400 | 7.2% |
| Multigenerational households | 20 | 0.4% |
Income in La Tuque
Analyzing income distribution in La Tuque can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within La Tuque 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 town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of La Tuque population or around 1,385 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 1,210 and 1,175 people, respectively.
Household Income
The La Tuque's median household income is $59,600, according to 2020 data.
Below national average La Tuque's median household income is 24,400 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 La Tuque
This data sheds light on the distribution of La Tuque 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.
62.50% or most of the La Tuque population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 19.00% of the population has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 18.60% 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 | 1,795 | 1,745 | 3,545 | 62.50% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 615 | 460 | 1,075 | 19.00% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 550 | 510 | 1,055 | 18.60% |
Below national average 12.2% of La Tuque's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in La Tuque
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in La Tuque. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in La Tuque is at 6.85% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 49.46% |
| Unemployment rate | 6.85% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in La Tuque, 29.9% worked full year full time in the reference year, 25.2% worked part year and/or part time, and 45.0% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 2,795 | 29.9% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 2,350 | 25.2% |
| Did not work | 4,205 | 45.0% |
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 La Tuque's population (around 75.10%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 210 men and 180 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 390.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 210 | 180 | 390 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The La Tuque industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in La Tuque is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
La Tuque has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (18%) works in the manufacturing sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 16%, followed by Retail trade at 12%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 735 | 145 | 18% |
| Health care and social assistance | 95 | 715 | 16% |
| Retail trade | 270 | 340 | 12% |
| Accommodation and food services | 110 | 230 | 7% |
| Educational services | 80 | 250 | 7% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 230 | 70 | 6% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 150 | 125 | 6% |
| Construction | 255 | 0 | 5% |
| Public administration | 120 | 130 | 5% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 150 | 65 | 4% |
| Utilities | 140 | 25 | 3% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 55 | 75 | 3% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 80 | 40 | 2% |
| Wholesale trade | 35 | 10 | 1% |
| Finance and insurance | 10 | 25 | 1% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 20 | 0 | 1% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 20 | 15 | 1% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 20 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 10 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 10 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where La Tuque residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in La Tuque: Manufacturing (18%), Health care and social assistance (16%), Retail trade (12%)
Top occupation categories in La Tuque: Sales and service occupations (24%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (23%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (13%)
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 | 2,030 | 1,955 | 3,985 | 86.30% |
| No fixed workplace address | 295 | 60 | 355 | 7.70% |
| Worked at home | 125 | 155 | 275 | 6.00% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how La Tuque 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 La Tuque residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of La Tuque 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 | 73.70% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 16.90% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 5.50% |
| 60 minutes and over | 3.50% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 0.30% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in La Tuque 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 La Tuque'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 La Tuque. About 10,795 people living in the town speak French, 180 people speak English, 55 people speak English and French language, and 10 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| French | 10,795 |
| English | 180 |
| English and French | 55 |
| Neither English nor French | 10 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 20.9% of La Tuque's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 0.1% know English only, 78.8% know French only, and 0.1% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 10 | 0.1% |
| French only | 8,705 | 78.8% |
| English and French | 2,305 | 20.9% |
| Neither English nor French | 15 | 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 | 92.9% | 95.4% |
| Non-official languages | 3.9% | 1.8% |
| English | 1.4% | 1.0% |
Religion
La Tuque is predominantly Christian. About 8,300 of its population is Christian (4,170 males and 4,130 females).
The second largest religion in the town is Buddhist with 0.1% 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 | 76.1% |
| Buddhist | 0.1% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in La Tuque
Hospitals
Schools
- Polyvalente Jean-Dolbeau (Pavillon Le Tournant)
- Juvenat Saint-Jean
- École Primaire Niska
- École Secondaire Champagnat
- École Monseigneur Bluteau
- École Hébert
- Polyvalente des Quatre-Vents
- École Secondaire
- École secondaire Mikisiw
- École Centrale
- École Benoit-Duhamel
- École Sainte-Lucie
- École Sainte-Marie
Universities
Parks
- Base de plein air du Lac à Jim
- Parc du Centenaire
- Castors
- Chameaux
- Ours Polaire
- Petite Ferme
- Phoques
- Volière
- Yaks
- Yanghir
- Tigres de l'Amour
- Carcajou
- Parc du Sacré-Coeur
- Pac des Cigales
- Parc des Ancêtres
- Parc Corbeil
- Parc du Carré-Iberville
- Parc des Érables
- Parc Bertrand
- Parc de la Terrasse-Saint-Maurice
- Parc Saint-Eugène
Libraries
Community Centres
- Centre Mère-Enfant
- Maison des Jeunes le Jouvenceau
- Centre Communautaire de Sainte-Élisabeth-de-Proulx
- St-Eugene Salle Communautaire
- Centre social Langelier
- Salle de l'OTJ
Places to Visit in La Tuque
Museums
Attractions
- CHAM - Centre d'Histoire et d'Archéologie de la Métabetchouane
- Site Uashassihtsh
- Terain lac de la chaine
- Le Vieux Moulin
- baie de couleuvres
- Quai pourvoirie l'aventurier du Gouin
- Pont couvert Ducharme
- Parc Le Trou-de-la-Fée
- Île de Monte-Christo
- Château d’If (Rémond/Rousse)
Historic Sites
- Intersection route 25 et chemin Rapide Blanc
- le poisson
- site crash
- Domaine Van Bruyssel
- tour du lac de la tour
Theatres
Green Spaces in La Tuque
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Base de plein air du Lac à Jim | Parks | — |
| Parc du Centenaire | Parks | 0.6 ha |
| Castors | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| Chameaux | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Ours Polaire | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| Petite Ferme | Parks | 0.2 ha |
| Phoques | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| Volière | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| Yaks | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| Yanghir | Parks | 0.3 ha |
| Tigres de l'Amour | Parks | 0.3 ha |
| Carcajou | Parks | 0.0 ha |
| Parc du Sacré-Coeur | Parks | 0.7 ha |
| Réserve faunique de Portneuf | Nature Reserves | — |
| Réserve faunique de Portneuf | Nature Reserves | — |
| Réserve faunique des Laurentides | Nature Reserves | — |
| Réserve faunique de Portneuf | Nature Reserves | — |
| Réserve faunique des Laurentides | Nature Reserves | — |
| Réserve faunique des Laurentides | Nature Reserves | — |
| Val-Jalbert | Nature Reserves | — |
| Réserve faunique Ashuapmushuan | Nature Reserves | — |
| Réserve faunique Ashuapmushuan | Nature Reserves | — |
| Réserve faunique Ashuapmushuan | Nature Reserves | — |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Nearest Towns to La Tuque
- Portneuf 77.0 km · 3,329 people
- Saint-Tite 81.0 km · 3,672 people
- Saint-Tite 81.0 km · 3,672 people
- Saint-Raymond 94.5 km · 11,108 people
- Saint-Marc-des-Carrieres 101.1 km · 2,901 people
- Lac-Sergent 102.5 km · 541 people
- Lac-Saint-Joseph 102.8 km · 304 people
- Saint-Basile 105.2 km · 2,709 people
Frequently Asked Questions about La Tuque
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, La Tuque has a population of 11,129 people, making it the 97th town in Quebec. The population increased moderately from 11,001 in 2016, an increase of 128 people or 1.16%. The town has a population density of 0.4 people per km² across a land area of 24,809.40 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
La Tuque's population grew by 1.16% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 11,001 to 11,129 people, a gain of 128 residents. This modest growth reflects patterns seen in many other Quebec towns during this period. The median age of 51.60 years suggests an aging population. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (41.3%) 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.
La Tuque has a population density of approximately 0.40 people per square kilometre.
La Tuque covers a land area of approximately 24,809.40 km².
The median age of the population in La Tuque is 51.60 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in La Tuque is Canadian.
The median household income in La Tuque is $59,600, based on 2020 data.
French is the most common first official language spoken in La Tuque.
Christian is the predominant religion in La Tuque.
According to the 2021 Census, 11.9% of La Tuque's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
98.8% of La Tuque's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 13.7% of census families in La Tuque, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 0.4% of all households in La Tuque, per the 2021 Census.
20.9% of La Tuque'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 La Tuque, 29.9% 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.