Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec Population & Demographics: Is It a Good Place to Live?

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

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Saint-Hyacinthe. It is a city in Canada that encompasses a land area of 188.85 km2. The city has a population density of 303.10 people per km2.

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

Saint-Hyacinthe on the Map

Saint-Hyacinthe location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Saint-Hyacinthe has a population of around 57,239 people. The city's population is in increased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Saint-Hyacinthe has increased by ▲ 2.86%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
55,64857,239 +2.86%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.57% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Saint-Hyacinthe's population is projected to reach approximately 58,875 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 311.76 people per km².

Population in 2021Projected Population in 2026Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
57,23958,875311.76

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.

Saint-Hyacinthe Population Trend & Context

Saint-Hyacinthe had a 2021 census population of 57,239 — an increase of 1,591 (▲ 2.86%) people from the 55,648 recorded in 2016.

The city's population has grown slightly over this period, reflecting broader growth trends among Quebec cities. The city's median age of 46.4 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 Saint-Hyacinthe is around 27,455 while the female population is around 29,785.

Of the 57,239 total population in Saint-Hyacinthe, the largest gender is female with around 29,785 female within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
27,45529,785 +7.82%

Is Saint-Hyacinthe a Good Place to Live?

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

Employment & Economy

6.1%
Unemployment rate
1.5 pts below the province
58.0%
Employment rate
1.3 pts below the province
61.7%
Participation rate
2.4 pts below the province

Income & Affordability

$61,200
Median household income
$11,300 below the province
14.1%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
2.2 pts above the province

Commute

79.6%
Commute under 30 minutes
13.3 pts above the province
88.6%
Commute by car
6.2 pts above the province
1.6%
Commute by public transit
7.4 pts below the province

Housing Character

34.4%
Single-detached houses
10.2 pts below the province
56.5%
Apartments (any building size)
10.1 pts above the province

Household Composition

2.00 people
Average household size
0.20people below the province
41.0%
One-person households
5.9 pts above the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Saint-Hyacinthe Population Compared to Quebec

Quebec's population in 2021 was 8,501,833, spread across the area. Here's how Saint-Hyacinthe compares to the city's key indicators:

IndicatorSaint-HyacintheQuebec
Median household income$61,200$72,500
Unemployment rate6.1%7.6%
Median age46.443.2
Bachelor's degree or higher16.4%26.5%
Immigrants (%)7.7%14.6%

Population by Age Characteristics

Saint-Hyacinthe has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 7.50% of the total population. The city median age is 46.40.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
60 to 64 years2,070 7.50%2,225 7.50% 6.97%4,295 7.50%
65 to 69 years1,920 7.00%2,220 7.50% 13.51%4,145 7.20%
55 to 59 years1,965 7.20%2,055 6.90% 4.38%4,015 7.00%
40 to 44 years1,870 6.80%1,790 6.00% 4.28%3,655 6.40%
70 to 74 years1,660 6.00%1,970 6.60% 15.74%3,635 6.40%
50 to 54 years1,620 5.90%1,670 5.60% 2.99%3,295 5.80%
25 to 29 years1,630 5.90%1,645 5.50% 0.91%3,275 5.70%
35 to 39 years1,605 5.80%1,600 5.40% 0.31%3,205 5.60%
30 to 34 years1,645 6.00%1,500 5.00% 8.81%3,140 5.50%
10 to 14 years1,565 5.70%1,560 5.20% 0.32%3,120 5.50%
45 to 49 years1,560 5.70%1,525 5.10% 2.24%3,085 5.40%
20 to 24 years1,515 5.50%1,525 5.10% 0.66%3,040 5.30%
75 to 79 years1,270 4.60%1,650 5.50% 23.03%2,920 5.10%
5 to 9 years1,470 5.40%1,380 4.60% 6.12%2,855 5.00%
15 to 19 years1,365 5.00%1,405 4.70% 2.85%2,770 4.80%
0 to 4 years1,305 4.80%1,205 4.00% 7.66%2,515 4.40%
85 years and over650 2.40%1,690 5.70% 61.54%2,340 4.10%
80 to 84 years755 2.70%1,165 3.90% 35.19%1,920 3.40%
85 to 89 years435 1.60%925 3.10% 52.97%1,355 2.40%
90 to 94 years170 0.60%500 1.70% 66.00%675 1.20%
95 to 99 years40 0.10%220 0.70% 81.82%260 0.50%

Broader Age Groups

If the city'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 59.00% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 26.10% and 14.80%, respectively.

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

DataMaleFemaleTotal
15 to 64 years61.40%56.90%59.00%
65 years and over22.80%29.20%26.10%
0 to 14 years15.80%13.90%14.80%

Population of Saint-Hyacinthe by Ethnicity and Origin

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

The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Saint-Hyacinthe are Canadian, which accounts for 38.89% of the total population, followed by French (21.85%), French Canadian (8.07%), Irish (2.78%), and Caucasian (White) (2.01%).

Other ethnicities and origins in Saint-Hyacinthe include First Nations (North American Indian), Colombian, Italian, Christian, n.i.e., and European.

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
Canadian38.53%39.22%38.89%
French22.13%21.57%21.85%
French Canadian8.04%8.10%8.07%
Irish2.81%2.78%2.78%
Caucasian (White)2.02%1.98%2.01%
First Nations (North American Indian)1.72%1.83%1.78%
Colombian1.70%1.76%1.74%
Italian1.08%1.21%1.16%
Christian, n.i.e.1.03%1.14%1.09%
European1.27%0.87%1.07%

Indigenous Identity in Saint-Hyacinthe

About 1.29% of Saint-Hyacinthe's population (710 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 98.71% who report a non-Indigenous identity.

Of the Indigenous population, 100 people (0.20% of the total population) hold Registered or Treaty Indian status.

Indigenous identity
1.29%
Non-Indigenous identity
98.71%

Immigration Profile

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

About 7.7% of Saint-Hyacinthe's population are immigrants (4,200 people).

The top countries of origin for Saint-Hyacinthe's immigrant population are Colombia (770), France (355), Algeria (330), Congo, Democratic Republic of the (245), Morocco (180).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
Colombia770
France355
Algeria330
Congo, Democratic Republic of the245
Morocco180

94.3% of Saint-Hyacinthe's residents (51,680 people) are Canadian citizens, and 5.8% are not.

By generation status, 10.5% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 4.6% are second generation, and 84.9% are third generation or more.

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 12,780 of Saint-Hyacinthe's population live in a apartment in a building that has fewer than five storeys. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.

Household Size

About 20.50% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 17.45% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 5.30%, 4.30%, and 2.45%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
1 person11,03020.50%
2 persons9,38017.45%
3 persons2,8505.30%
4 persons2,3104.30%
5 or more persons1,3052.45%

Family and Household Structure in Saint-Hyacinthe

Of census families in Saint-Hyacinthe, 82.3% are couple families and 17.7% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.7 people.

Couple families
82.30%
One-parent families
17.70%

41.0% of households in Saint-Hyacinthe are one-person households, 44.3% are couple-family households, 8.8% are one-parent-family households, and 0.8% are multigenerational households.

Household TypeHouseholdsPercentage
One-person households11,02541.0%
Couple-family households11,90544.3%
One-parent-family households2,3658.8%
Multigenerational households2200.8%

Income in Saint-Hyacinthe

Analyzing income distribution in Saint-Hyacinthe can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Saint-Hyacinthe 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 city's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.

Most of Saint-Hyacinthe population or around 7,680 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 7,650 and 6,275 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Saint-Hyacinthe's median household income is $61,200, according to 2020 data.

Below national average Saint-Hyacinthe's median household income is 22,800 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).

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

Education Levels in Saint-Hyacinthe

This data sheds light on the distribution of Saint-Hyacinthe 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.

63.50% or most of the Saint-Hyacinthe population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 19.80% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 16.80% 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 degree8,1959,39517,58563.50%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate2,7752,7105,48019.80%
No certificate, diploma or degree2,8101,8404,64516.80%

Below national average 18.7% of Saint-Hyacinthe's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Saint-Hyacinthe

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

The data shows that the unemployment rate in Saint-Hyacinthe is at 6.10% which is quite high.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate57.96%
Unemployment rate6.10%

Work Activity During the Reference Year

Of the population aged 15 and over in Saint-Hyacinthe, 33.8% worked full year full time in the reference year, 28.5% worked part year and/or part time, and 37.6% did not work.

Only using 25% sample data.
Work ActivityPopulationPercentage
Worked full year full time15,68533.8%
Worked part year and/or part time13,23028.5%
Did not work17,43537.6%

Working as an Employee

The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the city who work as an employee. The majority of Saint-Hyacinthe's population (around 75.30%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the city, there are 1,545 men and 1,130 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 2,675.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed1,5451,1302,675

Employment Industry Sectors

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

Saint-Hyacinthe has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (17%) works in the manufacturing sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 15%, followed by Retail trade at 12%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Manufacturing3,2351,58517%
Health care and social assistance8353,46515%
Retail trade1,4501,87512%
Educational services6951,5708%
Construction1,7451607%
Professional, scientific and technical services7656955%
Accommodation and food services6657005%
Other services (except public administration)6307355%
Wholesale trade9204305%
Finance and insurance4055954%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services6553253%
Public administration5154753%
Transportation and warehousing8001653%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting4203053%
Arts, entertainment and recreation2101501%
Information and cultural industries200951%
Real estate and rental and leasing1451251%
Utilities110801%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction40100%
Management of companies and enterprises20350%

Labour Market Snapshot

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

Top employer sectors in Saint-Hyacinthe: Manufacturing (17%), Health care and social assistance (15%), Retail trade (12%)

Top occupation categories in Saint-Hyacinthe: Sales and service occupations (24%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (17%), Business, finance and administration occupations (15%)

Places of Work

The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the city. 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 work10,33010,49020,81577.50%
Worked at home1,5601,8203,38512.60%
No fixed workplace address1,9456802,6259.80%
Worked outside Canada350400.10%

Commuting

The data sheds light on how Saint-Hyacinthe 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 Saint-Hyacinthe residents and sustainable urban planning.

Commuting Duration

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

Only using 25% sample data.
DurationPercentage
Less than 15 minutes52.20%
15 to 29 minutes27.40%
30 to 44 minutes11.90%
45 to 59 minutes4.80%
60 minutes and over3.70%

Marital Status

The statistics on marital status in Saint-Hyacinthe 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 city's social fabric. We can gain insights into Saint-Hyacinthe's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.

Married or living common-law
52.36%
Married or living common-law
47.64%

Language Spoken

The data below highlights city'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 Saint-Hyacinthe. About 54,370 people living in the city speak French, 725 people speak English, 585 people speak English and French language, and 405 people speak Neither English nor French language.

LanguagePopulation
French54,370
English725
English and French585
Neither English nor French405

Knowledge of Official Languages

About 30.1% of Saint-Hyacinthe's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 0.3% know English only, 68.9% know French only, and 0.8% know neither official language.

Knowledge of Official LanguagesPopulationPercentage
English only1800.3%
French only38,61568.9%
English and French16,86530.1%
Neither English nor French4250.8%

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
French90.9%93.4%
Non-official languages6.7%4.0%
English0.9%0.7%

Religion

Saint-Hyacinthe is predominantly Christian. About 39,390 of its population is Christian (18,675 males and 20,715 females).

The second largest religion in the city is Muslim with 2.6% 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
Christian71.8%
Islam2.6%
Buddhist0.2%
Hindu0.0%
Jewish0.0%
Sikh0.0%

Nearest Cities to Saint-Hyacinthe

Frequently Asked Questions about Saint-Hyacinthe

According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Saint-Hyacinthe has a population of 57,239 people, making it the 19th city in Quebec. The population increased moderately from 55,648 in 2016, an increase of 1,591 people or 2.86%. The city has a population density of 303.1 people per km² across a land area of 188.85 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.

Saint-Hyacinthe's population grew by 2.86% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 55,648 to 57,239 people, a gain of 1,591 residents. This modest growth reflects patterns seen in many other Quebec cities during this period. The median age of 46.40 years suggests an aging population. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (41.0%) 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.

Saint-Hyacinthe has a population density of approximately 303.10 people per square kilometre.

Saint-Hyacinthe covers a land area of approximately 188.85 km².

The median age of the population in Saint-Hyacinthe is 46.40 years.

The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Saint-Hyacinthe is Canadian.

The median household income in Saint-Hyacinthe is $61,200, based on 2020 data.

French is the most common first official language spoken in Saint-Hyacinthe.

Christian is the predominant religion in Saint-Hyacinthe.

According to the 2021 Census, 1.3% of Saint-Hyacinthe's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.

94.3% of Saint-Hyacinthe's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.

One-parent families make up 17.7% of census families in Saint-Hyacinthe, according to the 2021 Census.

Multigenerational households make up 0.8% of all households in Saint-Hyacinthe, per the 2021 Census.

30.1% of Saint-Hyacinthe'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 Saint-Hyacinthe, 33.8% 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.