Census Population, 1996-2001
The population of the District in 2001 is approximately 4,390 according to the estimates provided by BC Stats, with a rural population of 3,384 that reside in the Vanderhoof Electoral District (“F”) and 413 residents of the Saik’uz First Nation for a total of 8,187. In 2001, the Stuart-Nechako Region population is 16,159 and the population of the Bulkley-Nechako Regional District is 40,856.
Table. Population in Electoral Area “F”
Source: BC Stats & Bulkley-Nechako Regional District
Between 1996 and 2001 the overall Stuart Nechako Region’s (this include Fort St James and Fraser Lake) population declined by 2.9% reflecting the continuing dislocation in the forestry sector from changing patterns of harvest due to regulatory and global market changes. Yet, Area F including Vanderhoof and Saik’uz First Nation had a slight increase in population reflecting a more diversified economy.
Population Growth Rate, Estimates & Density (2001–2004)
BC Stats produces annual population estimates for all municipalities and regions in British Columbia. These estimates are based on population indicators like electricity and telephone connections and Old Age Security recipients and are considered more accurate than Census figures. More recent 2004 data from BC Stats indicated the Bulkley-Nechako Regional District has shown a population increase of 1.5% between 2003 and 2004, as compared to a 1.1% increase for BC. If the overall Bulkley Nechako growth rate holds, indications are that region may have reversed the decline in population reported in the 2001 Census. According to BC Stats estimates, the 2004 population of the district is 43,520.
Vanderhoof was the second fastest growing community in the Regional District from 2001 to 2004 at 5.9%, after Fraser Lake that saw a growth of 7.7%. These figures include census undercounts and include people living on Indian Reservations. Using an estimated growth rate of 2% from the Official Community Plan 2005 over the next 20 years, the Vanderhoof population will be 6,906 in 2024.
Table. Population Statistics 2001-2004*
Vanderhoof, Bulkley Nechako Regional District & British Columbia
Population (2004) Population (2001)* % change since 2001 % of Region Land Area (sq. km.) % of Region Persons/sq. km. Vanderhoof 4,649 4,390 5.9 10.70% 54.9 0.10% 84.7 Fort St James 1,999 1,927 3.7 4.60% 22.1 0.00% 90.4 Fraser Lake 1,366 1,268 7.7 3.10% 3.9 0.00% 350.3 Smithers 5,637 5,414 4.1 13.00% 15.5 0.00% 362.7 Houston 3,666 3,577 2.5 8.40% 72.8 0.10% 50.3 Telkwa 1,417 1,371 3.4 3.30% 6.5 0.00% 217.3 Granisle 366 353 3.7 0.80% 40.2 0.10% 0.3 Burns Lake 2,016 2,575 -21 4.60% 7.1 0.00% 283.5 Rest of Region 22,404 19,981 12.1 51.50% 73,196 99.70% 0.3 Total Region 43,520 40,856 6.5 100.00% 73,419 100.00% 0.6 Total BC 4,196,383 4,078,447 2.9 926,493 4.5 Region as % of BC 1.00% -1.00% 7.90%
Population (2004)
Population (2001)*
% change since 2001
% of Region
Land Area (sq. km.)
Persons/sq. km.
*Including people living on Indian Reserves as of Dec 31, 2004 Source: Statistics Canada & BC Stats
Population by Age Characteristics (2001)
Table. Age Characteristics of Vanderhoof and Regional District compared with British Columbia, 2001
Ages Vanderhoof Bulkley Nechako Regional District British Columbia 0-14 24.10% 27.60% 18.10% 15-24 16.30% 11.00% 13.20% 25-44 30.10% 52.60% 30.10% 45-64 19.90% 30.00% 25.10% 65+ 10.00% 8.80% 13.60%
Ages
Vanderhoof
Bulkley Nechako Regional District
British Columbia
0-14
15-24
25-44
45-64
65+
Vanderhoof had 24.0% of the 2001 Census population under age 15, a rate 6% higher than the BC average of 18.1%. With such a high proportion of its population ready to move into the workforce, the region has the ability to accommodate a significant expansion within its human capital base. Only 10.0% of the Vanderhoof population is 65 years or more, while BC has 13.6% of its population over 64 years. The trend in North America is to an increasingly older population, but this trend is not obvious in the Stuart Nechako Region. Updated senior’s housing coming on stream in 2005 and 2006 will improve the community’s ability to retain our seniors as important community members. The general aging trend will eventually affect the Region, increasing the community reliance on non-employment sources of income, like pensions and earnings from investments and self-employment.
Population by Family & Household Structure
The Bulkley Nechako Regional District has the lowest percentage of lone parent families in British Columbia, with the British Columbia average being 25.7% and Vanderhoof at 14.5%. The average number of people per household is 2.8, slightly higher than the provincial average (1996/2001).
Table. Population by Family & Household Structure (1996/2001)
Vanderhoof* British Columbia Total Census Families (2001) 1,180 1,086,030 Couples 84% 74.30% Lone-parent families 16% 25.70% Avg. no of children 1.4 1.8 Households 1,560 1,424,635 1-family households 75% 67% Multi-family households 1% 2% Non-family households 25% 31% Marital Status (+15 years - 1996) 3,240 2,989,325 Single, never married 30% 31% Legally married 55% 52% Separated 4% 3% Divorced 6% 8% Widowed 5% 6%
Vanderhoof*
*1996 BC Stats Census Data for Vanderhoof, BC Stats 2001
Population by Language & Ethnic Origin
The community facts for Vanderhoof do not break out visible minorities, ethnic origins, mother tongue and home language for the 2001 census. These numbers are available from the 1996 census. Visible minorities make-up a further 3% of the population, with two ethnic groups represented from South Asia and China. Immigrants to the area are from the following countries in descending order: United States, United Kingdom, India, Ireland, Mexico, China, the Netherlands and Fiji. The percentage of immigrants to the area has risen from 10% in 1996 to 13% in 2001.
The population of Vanderhoof is predominantly from an English speaking Canadian ethnic origin. The next most common single origin is German, followed by British English, Dutch, French, Scottish, Ukrainian, East Indian, Irish, Norwegian, North American Indian, Austrian, American and Chinese.
The Aboriginal population of Vanderhoof Municipality is 4%, and of the Area F is 9.6%, while the overall region’s Aboriginal population is 15%. Aboriginal rights remain undefined in most of British Columbia and some First Nations communities, including the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council and Yekooche, are involved in the BC Treaty Negotiation process to formally define those rights. Negotiations are among specific First Nations, British Columbia and Canada, but the wider community will be affected by the Treaty process. Effects may include a better understanding of First Nations culture and communities, an increased level of business certainty, cooperative joint projects and participation in spin-off benefits from enhanced First Nations economic activity.
Population Mobility
The population mobility is higher in Vanderhoof than in BC by 3%. In 1996, 23% of the population moved from another region in the province, while 2% came from outside of BC, but from another area of Canada.
Family and Employment Income
Vanderhoof, as well as the region, has higher than the BC average number of persons relying on employment income. It is assumed that this is due to the government service centre, school district and several other forest sector-large scale employers in the area.
Average earnings for ‘all males with earnings’ resident in the Stuart Nechako Region are 3.5% higher than the provincial average. Average earning for ‘all females with earnings’ resident in the Stuart Nechako Region are about 18% lower than the provincial average. This category (all males and females with earnings) includes people who had jobs for at least part of the year, and includes individuals with earnings from pensions and investments.
Table. All Persons with Earnings, 2001
Area Males +/- BC Average Females +/- BC Average Median Family Income +/- BC Average Vanderhoof $39,146 2.90% $22,517 -7.70% $60,179 9.74% Fraser Lake $39,385 3.50% $19,078 -21.80% $58,227 6.88% Fort St James $39,490 3.80% $19,144 -21.50% $61,709 12.53% Bulkley Nechako Regional District $39,373 3.50% $20,093 -17.70% $61,675 12.46% British Columbia $38,039 $24,401 $54,840
Area
Males
+/- BC Average
Females
Median Family Income
Source: BC Stats
Income by Source
“BC Stats” information indicates that 76.5% of total income in the Vanderhoof area derived from employment as compared to 66% for province of British Columbia. This is to be expected in an area with a younger population. BC Stats also reports that 18.4% of income earners had total income greater than $50,000 as compared to 16.3% for the province, reflecting the concentration of employment in resource industries.
