Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Thurso has a population of around 3,084 people. The town's population is in increased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Thurso has increased by ▲ 9.44%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 2,818 | 3,084 | +9.44% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.82% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Thurso's population is projected to reach approximately 3,375 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 507.52 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 3,084 | 3,375 | 507.52 |
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.
Thurso Population Trend & Context
Thurso had a 2021 census population of 3,084 — an increase of 266 (▲ 9.44%) people from the 2,818 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 41.6 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 Thurso is around 1,510 while the female population is around 1,575.
Of the 3,084 total population in Thurso, the largest gender is female with around 1,575 female within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,510 | 1,575 | +4.13% |
Is Thurso a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Thurso 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.
Thurso Population Compared to Quebec
Quebec's population in 2021 was 8,501,833, spread across the area. Here's how Thurso compares to the town's key indicators:
| Indicator | Thurso | Quebec |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $62,000 | $72,500 |
| Unemployment rate | 10.4% | 7.6% |
| Median age | 41.6 | 43.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 5.7% | 26.5% |
| Immigrants (%) | 0.8% | 14.6% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Thurso has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 8.60% of the total population. The town median age is 41.60.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 135 8.90% | 130 8.30% | 3.70% | 265 8.60% |
| 30 to 34 years | 130 8.60% | 120 7.60% | 7.69% | 245 7.90% |
| 55 to 59 years | 100 6.60% | 110 7.00% | 9.09% | 210 6.80% |
| 65 to 69 years | 110 7.30% | 105 6.70% | 4.55% | 210 6.80% |
| 5 to 9 years | 100 6.60% | 110 7.00% | 9.09% | 205 6.60% |
| 25 to 29 years | 95 6.30% | 105 6.70% | 9.52% | 205 6.60% |
| 0 to 4 years | 90 6.00% | 95 6.00% | 5.26% | 185 6.00% |
| 40 to 44 years | 90 6.00% | 100 6.30% | 10.00% | 185 6.00% |
| 45 to 49 years | 105 7.00% | 65 4.10% | 38.10% | 175 5.70% |
| 10 to 14 years | 90 6.00% | 85 5.40% | 5.56% | 170 5.50% |
| 35 to 39 years | 80 5.30% | 90 5.70% | 11.11% | 170 5.50% |
| 70 to 74 years | 80 5.30% | 85 5.40% | 5.88% | 165 5.30% |
| 15 to 19 years | 70 4.60% | 85 5.40% | 17.65% | 155 5.00% |
| 20 to 24 years | 75 5.00% | 75 4.80% | 0.00% | 155 5.00% |
| 50 to 54 years | 70 4.60% | 75 4.80% | 6.67% | 150 4.90% |
| 75 to 79 years | 45 3.00% | 55 3.50% | 18.18% | 100 3.20% |
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 61.80% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 20.10% and 18.20%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Thurso are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 63.20% | 60.60% | 61.80% |
| 65 years and over | 19.20% | 21.00% | 20.10% |
| 0 to 14 years | 17.90% | 18.40% | 18.20% |
Population of Thurso by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Thurso is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Thurso 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 Thurso are Canadian, which accounts for 42.95% of the total population, followed by French (19.02%), French Canadian (11.15%), First Nations (North American Indian) (3.28%), and Irish (3.11%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Thurso include Algonquin, Scottish, English, Christian, n.i.e., and North American Indigenous.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | 43.05% | 43.32% | 42.95% |
| French | 20.20% | 18.24% | 19.02% |
| French Canadian | 10.60% | 11.73% | 11.15% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 3.64% | 2.93% | 3.28% |
| Irish | 4.64% | 1.63% | 3.11% |
| Algonquin | 0.99% | 4.23% | 2.46% |
| Scottish | 2.65% | 1.95% | 2.13% |
| English | 1.32% | 1.30% | 1.48% |
| Christian, n.i.e. | 1.99% | 0.98% | 1.48% |
| North American Indigenous | 0.66% | 1.63% | 1.31% |
Indigenous Identity in Thurso
About 4.75% of Thurso's population (145 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 95.25% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 25 people (0.80% 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 Thurso's population profile.
About 0.8% of Thurso's population are immigrants (25 people).
The top countries of origin for Thurso'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 |
99.3% of Thurso's residents (3,030 people) are Canadian citizens, and 0.5% are not.
By generation status, 1.0% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 1.8% are second generation, and 97.4% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 740 of Thurso's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.
Household Size
About 18.15% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 17.95% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.70%, 4.40%, and 2.80%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 515 | 18.15% |
| 2 persons | 510 | 17.95% |
| 3 persons | 190 | 6.70% |
| 4 persons | 125 | 4.40% |
| 5 or more persons | 80 | 2.80% |
Family and Household Structure in Thurso
Of census families in Thurso, 78.2% are couple families and 21.8% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.7 people.
36.3% of households in Thurso are one-person households, 44.7% are couple-family households, 12.0% are one-parent-family households, and 1.4% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 515 | 36.3% |
| Couple-family households | 635 | 44.7% |
| One-parent-family households | 170 | 12.0% |
| Multigenerational households | 20 | 1.4% |
Income in Thurso
Analyzing income distribution in Thurso can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Thurso 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 Thurso population or around 480 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 390 and 315 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Thurso's median household income is $62,000, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Thurso's median household income is 22,000 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 Thurso
This data sheds light on the distribution of Thurso 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.
49.70% or most of the Thurso population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 25.60% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 24.70% 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.)
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 355 | 450 | 805 | 49.70% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 190 | 230 | 415 | 25.60% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 250 | 145 | 400 | 24.70% |
Below national average 6.2% of Thurso's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Thurso
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Thurso. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Thurso is at 10.42% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 54.67% |
| Unemployment rate | 10.42% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Thurso, 34.3% worked full year full time in the reference year, 26.4% worked part year and/or part time, and 39.1% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 865 | 34.3% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 665 | 26.4% |
| Did not work | 985 | 39.1% |
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 Thurso's population (around 75.60%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 85 men and 55 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 145.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 85 | 55 | 145 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Thurso industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Thurso is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Thurso has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (14%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 14%, followed by Construction at 11%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 20 | 190 | 14% |
| Retail trade | 90 | 120 | 14% |
| Construction | 150 | 15 | 11% |
| Manufacturing | 145 | 20 | 11% |
| Public administration | 75 | 55 | 8% |
| Educational services | 25 | 90 | 7% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 55 | 40 | 6% |
| Accommodation and food services | 35 | 50 | 6% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 35 | 40 | 5% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 35 | 30 | 4% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 35 | 10 | 3% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 30 | 10 | 3% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 15 | 15 | 2% |
| Finance and insurance | 10 | 15 | 2% |
| Wholesale trade | 15 | 0 | 1% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 10 | 1% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 10 | 1% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Thurso residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Thurso: Health care and social assistance (14%), Retail trade (14%), Construction (11%)
Top occupation categories in Thurso: Sales and service occupations (25%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (24%), Business, finance and administration occupations (12%)
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 | 475 | 515 | 990 | 72.00% |
| No fixed workplace address | 215 | 25 | 240 | 17.50% |
| Worked at home | 40 | 105 | 145 | 10.50% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Thurso 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 Thurso residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Thurso 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 |
|---|---|
| 15 to 29 minutes | 36.70% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 24.10% |
| Less than 15 minutes | 17.60% |
| 60 minutes and over | 11.40% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 10.60% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Thurso 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 Thurso'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 Thurso. About 2,945 people living in the town speak French, 110 people speak English, 20 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| French | 2,945 |
| English | 110 |
| English and French | 20 |
| Neither English nor French | 0 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 42.5% of Thurso's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 1.3% know English only, 56.0% know French only, and 0.0% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 40 | 1.3% |
| French only | 1,725 | 56.0% |
| English and French | 1,310 | 42.5% |
| Neither English nor French | 0 | 0.0% |
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.
| Language | Mother Tongue | Spoken Most Often at Home |
|---|---|---|
| French | 94.0% | 95.0% |
| English | 2.9% | 3.1% |
| Non-official languages | 0.8% | 0.2% |
Religion
Thurso is predominantly Christian. About 2,235 of its population is Christian (1,100 males and 1,135 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 0.0% and 0.0% of the population, while Jewish represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 73.3% |
| Islam | 0.3% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Thurso
Schools
Parks
Green Spaces in Thurso
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Place Guy Lafleur | Parks | 0.1 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Nearest Towns to Thurso
- Gatineau 40.9 km · 291,041 people
- Gatineau 40.9 km · 291,041 people
- Gatineau 40.9 km · 291,041 people
- Gatineau 40.9 km · 291,041 people
- Brownsburg-Chatham 66.0 km · 7,247 people
- Barkmere 68.6 km · 81 people
- Lachute 70.7 km · 14,100 people
- Rigaud 74.7 km · 7,854 people
Frequently Asked Questions about Thurso
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Thurso has a population of 3,084 people, making it the 181st town in Quebec. The population increased significantly from 2,818 in 2016, an increase of 266 people or 9.44%. The town has a population density of 463.8 people per km² across a land area of 6.65 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Thurso's population grew by 9.44% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 2,818 to 3,084 people, a gain of 266 residents. This growth is above average compared to many other Quebec towns during this period. The median age of 41.60 years suggests a mature, established community. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (36.3%) 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.
Thurso has a population density of approximately 463.80 people per square kilometre.
Thurso covers a land area of approximately 6.65 km².
The median age of the population in Thurso is 41.60 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Thurso is Canadian.
The median household income in Thurso is $62,000, based on 2020 data.
French is the most common first official language spoken in Thurso.
Christian is the predominant religion in Thurso.
According to the 2021 Census, 4.8% of Thurso's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
99.3% of Thurso's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 21.7% of census families in Thurso, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 1.4% of all households in Thurso, per the 2021 Census.
42.5% of Thurso'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 Thurso, 34.3% 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.