Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Watson Lake has a population of around 1,133 people. The town's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Watson Lake has increased by 4.62%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,083 | 1,133 | +4.62% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.91% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Watson Lake's population is projected to reach approximately 1,185 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 10.80 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,133 | 1,185 | 10.80 |
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.
Population By Genders
The male population of Watson Lake is around 575 while the female population is around 560.
Of the 1,133 total population in Watson Lake, the largest gender is male with around 575 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 575 | 560 | +2.61% |
Is Watson Lake a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Watson Lake compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Yukon, 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.
Population by Age Characteristics
Watson Lake has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 55 to 59 years old, accounting for 9.30% of the total population. The town median age is 42.00.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55 to 59 years | 45 7.80% | 55 9.80% | 18.18% | 105 9.30% |
| 30 to 34 years | 40 7.00% | 45 8.00% | 11.11% | 90 7.90% |
| 10 to 14 years | 40 7.00% | 40 7.10% | 0.00% | 85 7.50% |
| 5 to 9 years | 35 6.10% | 35 6.30% | 0.00% | 75 6.60% |
| 60 to 64 years | 45 7.80% | 35 6.30% | 22.22% | 75 6.60% |
| 35 to 39 years | 35 6.10% | 35 6.30% | 0.00% | 70 6.20% |
| 70 to 74 years | 30 5.20% | 35 6.30% | 14.29% | 70 6.20% |
| 15 to 19 years | 35 6.10% | 30 5.40% | 14.29% | 65 5.70% |
| 25 to 29 years | 30 5.20% | 30 5.40% | 0.00% | 65 5.70% |
| 50 to 54 years | 40 7.00% | 30 5.40% | 25.00% | 65 5.70% |
| 65 to 69 years | 35 6.10% | 35 6.30% | 0.00% | 65 5.70% |
| 0 to 4 years | 25 4.30% | 35 6.30% | 28.57% | 60 5.30% |
| 45 to 49 years | 30 5.20% | 30 5.40% | 0.00% | 60 5.30% |
| 75 to 79 years | 25 4.30% | 35 6.30% | 28.57% | 60 5.30% |
| 40 to 44 years | 30 5.20% | 25 4.50% | 16.67% | 50 4.40% |
| Median age of the population | 43 43.20% | 41 40.80% | 6.94% | 42 42.00% |
| Average age of the population | 42 42.00% | 41 41.30% | 2.38% | 42 41.70% |
| 20 to 24 years | 20 3.50% | 20 3.60% | 0.00% | 40 3.50% |
| 80 to 84 years | 15 2.60% | 5 0.90% | 66.67% | 15 1.30% |
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 61.20% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 19.40% and 18.90%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Watson Lake are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Watson Lake
Explore Watson Lake Through Videos
Population of Watson Lake by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Watson Lake is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Watson Lake is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the province appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in the province are Scottish, which accounts for 16.89% of the total population, followed by Irish (15.11%), English (14.67%), Canadian (12.44%), and German (10.67%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include First Nations (North American Indian), North American Indigenous, French, Caucasian (White), and Ukrainian.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish | 14.16% | 19.64% | 16.89% |
| Irish | 15.04% | 14.29% | 15.11% |
| English | 14.16% | 15.18% | 14.67% |
| Canadian | 13.27% | 11.61% | 12.44% |
| German | 11.50% | 10.71% | 10.67% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 8.85% | 6.25% | 8.00% |
| North American Indigenous | 8.85% | 6.25% | 7.56% |
| French | 6.19% | 8.04% | 6.67% |
| Caucasian (White) | 4.42% | 4.46% | 4.44% |
| Ukrainian | 2.65% | 5.36% | 3.56% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Watson Lake's population profile.
About 9.3% of Watson Lake's population are immigrants (105 people).
The top countries of origin for Watson Lake's immigrant population are United Kingdom (25), Philippines (20), United States of America (15), China (10), Brazil (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 25 |
| Philippines | 20 |
| United States of America | 15 |
| China | 10 |
| Brazil | 0 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 390 of Watson Lake's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.
Household Size
About 17.15% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 17.15% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 7.60%, 4.55%, and 4.05%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 170 | 17.15% |
| 2 persons | 170 | 17.15% |
| 3 persons | 75 | 7.60% |
| 4 persons | 45 | 4.55% |
| 5 or more persons | 40 | 4.05% |
Income in Watson Lake
Analyzing income distribution in Watson Lake can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Watson Lake is $44,800.
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 town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Watson Lake population or around 125 people falls in the $50,000 to $79,999 group. The next largest groups are the $10,000 to $29,999, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 120 and 110 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Watson Lake's median household income is $78,500, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Watson Lake's median household income is 5,500 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 Watson Lake
This data sheds light on the distribution of Watson Lake 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.
46.35% or most of the Watson Lake population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 28.55% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 24.75% has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 14.00% has Bachelor's degree or higher.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 330 | 355 | 685 | 46.35% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 200 | 235 | 430 | 28.55% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 225 | 150 | 375 | 24.75% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 65 | 135 | 205 | 14.00% |
Below national average 14.0% of Watson Lake's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Watson Lake
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Watson Lake. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Newfoundland and Labrador is at 7.14% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 53.85% |
| Unemployment rate | 7.14% |
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 Watson Lake's population (around 61.30%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 40 men and 25 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 65.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 40 | 25 | 65 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Watson Lake industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Watson Lake is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Watson Lake 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 13%, followed by Retail trade at 12%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public administration | 70 | 65 | 24% |
| Health care and social assistance | 10 | 60 | 13% |
| Retail trade | 30 | 30 | 12% |
| Educational services | 15 | 40 | 9% |
| Construction | 35 | 0 | 6% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 20 | 10 | 6% |
| Accommodation and food services | 10 | 20 | 5% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 25 | 0 | 5% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 10 | 0 | 2% |
| Wholesale trade | 0 | 0 | 2% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 10 | 2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 10 | 2% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 0 | 0 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 10 | 0 | 2% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 10 | 0 | 2% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Manufacturing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 10 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Watson Lake residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Watson Lake: Public administration (24%), Health care and social assistance (13%), -45 Retail trade (12%)
Top occupation categories in Watson Lake: Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (22%), Sales and service occupations (21%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (19%)
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 | 175 | 220 | 395 | 80.60% |
| No fixed workplace address | 45 | 20 | 70 | 14.30% |
| Worked at home | 15 | 15 | 30 | 6.10% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Watson Lake 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 Watson Lake residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Watson Lake 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 | 79.30% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 13.00% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 4.30% |
| 60 minutes and over | 4.30% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 0.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Watson Lakeshed 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 Watson Lake'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.
English is the most spoken official language in Watson Lake. About 1,120 people living in the province speak English, 10 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 1,120 |
| French | 10 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| English | 89.0% | 96.9% |
| Non-official languages | 7.0% | 2.2% |
| French | 0.9% | 0.4% |
Religion
Watson Lake is predominantly Christian. About 400 of its population is Christian (180 males and 180 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Buddhist with 0.9% 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 | 35.6% |
| Buddhist | 0.9% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Watson Lake
Hospitals
Schools
Parks
Libraries
Community Centres
Places to Visit in Watson Lake
Attractions
Theatres
Green Spaces in Watson Lake
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Sign Post Forest | Parks | 1.2 ha |
| Lucky Lake Recreation Area | Parks | 4.9 ha |
| Wye Lake Park | Parks | 2.4 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Frequently Asked Questions about Watson Lake
According to the 2021 census, Watson Lake has a population of approximately 1,133 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Watson Lake increased by 4.62%.
Watson Lake has a population density of approximately 10.30 people per square kilometre.
Watson Lake covers a land area of approximately 109.77 km².
The median age of the population in Watson Lake is 42.00 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Watson Lake is Scottish.
The median household income in Watson Lake is $78,500, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Watson Lake.
Christian is the predominant religion in Watson Lake.
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.