Population Demographics

Median Age

The estimated median age of Greater Victoria's population in 2008 is 43.1 years, about 2.6 years older than the provincial median and nearly four years older than the Metro Vancouver median. The local population has been aging slightly more slowly than the province over the last 20 years, adding 6.4 years to its median age compared to an increase of 7.0 years in the provincial median age.

Greater Victoria is projected to age more rapidly than both the province and Metro Vancouver over the next 20 years, reaching a median age of 47.3 years in 2028.

In the national context, Greater Victoria had the highest median age among Canada's top 20 metropolitan areas in both the 2001 and 2006 Census. It also tied for the third largest increase in median age from 2001 to 2006, so it continued to age faster than most other metro areas in the country.

Median age is the point at which half the population is older and half younger. It is an indicator of the overall age profile of a population.

Median age data used in this report is from the BC Stats PEOPLE model that provides population estimates and projections for various jurisdictions throughout the province.

Median Age

Estimates

Estimated Change

1988-2008

Projections

Projected Change

2008-2028

1988

1998

2008

2018

2028

BC

33.5

36.5

40.5

7.0

42.2

43.8

3.3

Greater Victoria

36.7

39.6

43.1

6.4

45.3

47.4

4.3

Metro Vancouver

33.9

36.2

39.2

5.3

40.8

43.1

3.9
Source: BC Stats Population Estimates (to 2008) and Projections (2009 onward)

Income by Source

The share of employment income in Greater Victoria is lower than that for BC as a whole while the share of pension and investment income is higher, a reflection of the greater share of retirees in Greater Victoria.

Over the past 15 years, the shares of income by source in Greater Victoria have been stable, with that from employment accounting for approximately 60% and pensions and investment accounting for around 28%.

Share of income by source provides insight into to the lifestyle and occupational mix within a region.

Higher shares of employment income suggest a younger population. Higher shares of investment and pension income are associated with an older population with more retired people.

Greater Victoria Income Shares

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Change 2005 to 2006

Employment

60.9%

61.3%

60.4%

59.7%

59.7%

59.2%

-0.5 pp

Pension + Investment

26.7%

25.9%

26.9%

27.5%

27.8%

28.9%

1.1 pp

Self-Employment

5.5%

5.7%

5.9%

6.0%

5.9%

5.6%

-0.3 pp

Other

6.9%

7.1%

6.8%

6.8%

6.5%

6.2%

-0.4 pp
Source: Canada Revenue Agency, prepared by BC Stats

Personal Income per Capita

According to official tax returns from 2006, the average tax filer in Greater Victoria earned just over $42,000, which is about $3,500 higher than the provincial average and almost $2,000 higher than the Metro Vancouver average. Average income in Greater Victoria grew by 27% from 2001 to 2006, slightly more than the increase in both BC and Metro Vancouver.

When measured on a per capita basis (which includes children and others who do not report taxable income), Greater Victoria similarly has higher incomes than both BC and Metro Vancouver. Incomes have grown at nearly the same rate in all three places (28-30% from 2001 to 2006).

Per Capita Income (from tax returns)

Personal income per capita is a fundamental measure of the standard of living of a region. It can be calculated in several ways. This indicator uses official tax returns, while the indicator on the next page uses self-reported income through the Census.

The data presented in this section has not been adjusted for inflation, so changes in real (inflation-adjusted) income are somewhat smaller.

2001

2002

2006

2004

2005

2006

Change 05-06

Change 01-06

Average Income

per Taxfiler

BC ($)

30,982

31,316

32,187

33,766

35,834

38,523

7.5%

24%

Greater Victoria ($)

33,161

34,257

35,077

36,814

38,942

42,135

8.2%

27%

Metro Vancouver ($)

32,691

32,544

33,526

35,181

37,095

40,252

8.5%

23%

Estimated Personal Income

per capita

BC ($)

22,129

22,773

23,281

24,813

26,931

28,738

6.7%

30%

Greater Victoria ($)

24,304

25,633

26,826

28,290

29,513

31,464

6.6%

29%

Metro Vancouver ($)

23,427

23,675

24,283

25,871

27,826

30,019

7.9%

28%
Source: Canada Revenue Agency, prepared by BC Stats

Median Income (Census)

The median income in Greater Victoria, as reported through the Statistics Canada Census, was about $28,500 in 2005. This was substantially higher than either the BC or Metro Vancouver median and ranked 7th among Canada's top 20 metro areas.

Income growth has been slow in Greater Victoria, however. The 13% increase from 1995 to 2000 was the lowest among the top 20 metro areas, while the 15% growth from 2000 to 2005 ranked 12th. Overall from 1995 to 2005, the 30% growth in median income was only 17th best among the top 20 metro areas (but is still much higher than Metro Vancouver's 23% growth).

Median income is the point at which half the population earns more and half earns less. It provides a somewhat more representative view of reality than average or per capita incomes because a small number of very high incomes can increase the average, but do not affect the median.

Census questions on income relate to the previous full year, so 2006 Census data is for the year 2005, 2001 Census data is for the year 2000, etc.

Data has not been adjusted for inflation.

Median Income

1995

2000

2005

Growth 1995-2000

Growth 2000-2005

Growth 1995-2005

BC

$19,982

$22,095

$24,867

11%

13%

24%

Greater Victoria

$21,890

$24,727

$28,541

13%

15%

30%

Metro Vancouver

$20,430

$23,237

$25,032

14%

8%

23%

Greater Victoria Rank among

Canada's Top 20 Metro Areas

3

8

7

20

12

17
Source: Statistics Canada Census.

Immigrant Share of Population

Greater Victoria had nearly 62,000 permanent international immigrants residing in the region in 2006, accounting for 19.1% of the total population. This ranks as the 9th highest percentage of immigrants among Canada's top 20 metro areas, but is less than half the percentage in Metro Vancouver.

The share of immigrants in Greater Victoria's population has remained very stable since 1996, whereas the immigrant share continues to increase in Metro Vancouver (and other popular immigrant destinations like Toronto, Montreal and Calgary).

International immigration is a critical source of population and labour force growth. A large immigrant population also provides a region with the benefits of diversity, ranging from cultural activities to business linkages with countries of origin.

Immigrant Share of Population

1996

2001

2006

Change 2001-2006

BC

24.5%

26.1%

27.5%

1.4 pp

Greater Victoria

19.0%

18.8%

19.1%

0.3 pp

Metro Vancouver

34.6%

37.5%

39.6%

2.1 pp

Greater Victoria Immigrants

57,800

57,590

61,980

4,390

Greater Victoria Rank among

Canada's Top 20 Metro Areas

8

8

9

 

Source: Statistics Canada Census.