Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Lac Simon has a population of around 1,285 people. The Indian reserve's population is in decreased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Lac Simon has decreased by ▼ -6.88%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,380 | 1,285 | --6.88% |
2026 Population Projection
Lac Simon's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 1,285 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Lac Simon Population Trend & Context
Lac Simon had a 2021 census population of 1,285 — a decline of 95 (▼ 6.88%) people from the 1,380 recorded in 2016.
The Indian reserve's population has declined noticeably over this period, reflecting broader pressures facing Quebec Indian reserves. The Indian reserve's median age of 24.8 years — below the national median of 41.9 — suggests a younger, potentially growing population.
Population By Genders
The male population of Lac Simon is around 635 while the female population is around 655.
Of the 1,285 total population in Lac Simon, the largest gender is female with around 655 female within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 635 | 655 | -3.05% |
Is Lac Simon a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Lac Simon 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.
Lac Simon Population Compared to Quebec
Quebec's population in 2021 was 8,501,833, spread across the area. Here's how Lac Simon compares to the Indian reserve's key indicators:
| Indicator | Lac Simon | Quebec |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $57,200 | $72,500 |
| Unemployment rate | 12.1% | 7.6% |
| Median age | 24.8 | 43.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1.5% | 26.5% |
| Immigrants (%) | 0.0% | 14.6% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Lac Simon has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 10 to 14 years old, accounting for 12.50% of the total population. The Indian reserve median age is 24.80.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 to 14 years | 70 11.00% | 85 13.00% | 17.65% | 160 12.50% |
| 0 to 4 years | 80 12.60% | 75 11.50% | 6.25% | 155 12.10% |
| 5 to 9 years | 85 13.40% | 70 10.70% | 17.65% | 150 11.70% |
| 30 to 34 years | 60 9.40% | 50 7.60% | 16.67% | 110 8.60% |
| 15 to 19 years | 65 10.20% | 40 6.10% | 38.46% | 100 7.80% |
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 61.10% of the population. The other age groups, 0 to 14 years and 65 years and over, account for 35.80% and 3.10%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Lac Simon are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 61.40% | 60.30% | 61.10% |
| 65 years and over | 15.00% | 25.00% | 40.00% |
| 0 to 14 years | 36.20% | 35.90% | 35.80% |
| 65 years and over | 2.40% | 3.80% | 3.10% |
Population of Lac Simon by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Lac Simon is quite diverse, which contributes to the Indian reserve's vibrant cultural landscape. Lac Simon 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 Lac Simon are Anishinaabe, which accounts for 52.55% of the total population, followed by Algonquin (34.90%), First Nations (North American Indian) (10.20%), Cree (3.14%), and Atikamekw (1.96%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Lac Simon include North American Indigenous, Scottish, Irish, French, and German.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anishinaabe | 50.00% | 55.38% | 52.55% |
| Algonquin | 36.51% | 33.08% | 34.90% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 9.52% | 10.77% | 10.20% |
| Cree | 3.97% | 2.31% | 3.14% |
| Atikamekw | 2.38% | 1.54% | 1.96% |
| North American Indigenous | 1.59% | 0.00% | 1.18% |
| Scottish | 1.59% | 0.00% | 0.78% |
| Irish | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| French | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| German | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Indigenous Identity in Lac Simon
About 100.00% of Lac Simon's population (1,275 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 0.00% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 1,255 people (98.40% 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 Lac Simon's population profile.
About 0.0% of Lac Simon's population are immigrants (0 people).
The top countries of origin for Lac Simon'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 |
0.0% of Lac Simon's residents (0 people) are Canadian citizens, and 0.0% are not.
By generation status, 0.0% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 0.0% are second generation, and 99.6% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 310 of Lac Simon's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 5 or more persons household.
Household Size
About 16.65% of the population lives in 5 or more persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 10.15% of the population. 3 persons, 2 persons, and 4 persons households account for 8.70%, 7.95%, and 6.50%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 5 or more persons | 115 | 16.65% |
| 1 person | 70 | 10.15% |
| 3 persons | 60 | 8.70% |
| 2 persons | 55 | 7.95% |
| 4 persons | 45 | 6.50% |
Family and Household Structure in Lac Simon
Of census families in Lac Simon, 65.6% are couple families and 34.4% are one-parent families. The average census family has 3.6 people.
18.8% of households in Lac Simon are one-person households, 34.8% are couple-family households, 15.9% are one-parent-family households, and 11.6% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 65 | 18.8% |
| Couple-family households | 120 | 34.8% |
| One-parent-family households | 55 | 15.9% |
| Multigenerational households | 40 | 11.6% |
Income in Lac Simon
Analyzing income distribution in Lac Simon can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Lac Simon is $29,000.
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 Lac Simon population or around 135 people falls in the Under $10,000 group. The next largest groups are the $10,000 to $29,999, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 125 and 60 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Lac Simon's median household income is $57,200, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Lac Simon's median household income is 26,800 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 Lac Simon
This data sheds light on the distribution of Lac Simon 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.
55.50% or most of the Lac Simon population has a No certificate, diploma or degree. 29.40% of the population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree, and 14.30% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 165 | 165 | 330 | 55.50% |
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 80 | 100 | 175 | 29.40% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 40 | 50 | 85 | 14.30% |
Below national average 1.7% of Lac Simon's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Lac Simon
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Lac Simon. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Lac Simon is at 12.28% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 30.67% |
| Unemployment rate | 12.28% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Lac Simon, 16.6% worked full year full time in the reference year, 16.6% worked part year and/or part time, and 66.9% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 135 | 16.6% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 135 | 16.6% |
| Did not work | 545 | 66.9% |
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 Lac Simon's population (around 75.90%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the Indian reserve, there are 0 men and 0 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 0.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Lac Simon industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Lac Simon is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Lac Simon has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (22%) works in the public administration sector. The Educational services sector comes second at 16%, followed by Health care and social assistance at 16%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public administration | 45 | 25 | 22% |
| Educational services | 10 | 35 | 16% |
| Health care and social assistance | 10 | 35 | 16% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 25 | 10 | 12% |
| Retail trade | 20 | 15 | 10% |
| Construction | 15 | 0 | 5% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 10 | 0 | 3% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 0 | 3% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 10 | 10 | 3% |
| Accommodation and food services | 0 | 0 | 3% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 10 | 0 | 3% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Manufacturing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Wholesale trade | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Lac Simon residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Lac Simon: Public administration (22%), Educational services (16%), Health care and social assistance (16%)
Top occupation categories in Lac Simon: Sales and service occupations (26%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (22%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (22%)
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.
| Work Location | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual place of work | 115 | 105 | 220 | 86.30% |
| No fixed workplace address | 25 | 0 | 25 | 9.80% |
| Worked at home | 0 | 10 | 10 | 3.90% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Lac Simon 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 Lac Simon residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Lac Simon 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.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 70.80% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 18.80% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 6.30% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 4.20% |
| 60 minutes and over | 0.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Lac Simon 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 Indian reserve's social fabric. We can gain insights into Lac Simon's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
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.
French is the most spoken official language in Lac Simon. About 1,160 people living in the Indian reserve speak French, 85 people speak English, 35 people speak English and French language, and 5 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| French | 1,160 |
| English | 85 |
| English and French | 35 |
| Neither English nor French | 5 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 34.2% of Lac Simon's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 2.3% know English only, 63.4% know French only, and 0.4% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 30 | 2.3% |
| French only | 815 | 63.4% |
| English and French | 440 | 34.2% |
| Neither English nor French | 5 | 0.4% |
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 | 70.8% | 75.1% |
| Non-official languages | 15.2% | 6.6% |
| English | 5.4% | 3.9% |
Religion
Lac Simon is predominantly Christian. About 515 of its population is Christian (275 males and 240 females).
The second largest religion in the Indian reserve 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.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 40.4% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Lac Simon
Schools
Parks
Libraries
Community Centres
Green Spaces in Lac Simon
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Parc Robert-Latour | Parks | 3.0 ha |
| Parc Joseph-Omer-Montpellier | Parks | 3.1 ha |
| Réserve Faunique de Papineau-Labelle | Nature Reserves | 163,881.4 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Nearest Indian Reserves to Lac Simon
- Doncaster 75.8 km
- Kitigan Zibi 86.3 km · 1,204 people
- Kanesatake 88.9 km
- Akwesasne 107.4 km
- Kahnawake 123.1 km
- Communaute Atikamekw de Manawan 155.6 km · 2,000 people
- Odanak 177.1 km · 481 people
- Lac-Rapide 193.8 km
Frequently Asked Questions about Lac Simon
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Lac Simon has a population of 1,285 people, making it the 241st Indian reserve in Quebec. The population declined significantly from 1,380 in 2016, a decrease of 95 people or 6.88%. The Indian reserve has a population density of 409.2 people per km² across a land area of 3.14 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Lac Simon's population declined by 6.88% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 1,380 to 1,285 people, a loss of 95 residents. This decline is consistent with pressures faced by many other Quebec Indian reserves during this period. The median age of 24.80 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.
Lac Simon has a population density of approximately 409.20 people per square kilometre.
Lac Simon covers a land area of approximately 3.14 km².
The median age of the population in Lac Simon is 24.80 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Lac Simon is Anishinaabe.
The median household income in Lac Simon is $57,200, based on 2020 data.
French is the most common first official language spoken in Lac Simon.
Christian is the predominant religion in Lac Simon.
According to the 2021 Census, 100.0% of Lac Simon's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
0.0% of Lac Simon's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 34.4% of census families in Lac Simon, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 11.6% of all households in Lac Simon, per the 2021 Census.
34.2% of Lac Simon'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 Lac Simon, 16.6% 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.