Changing Patterns in Canadian Homeownership and Shelter Costs, 2006 Census: Geographical differences

Quebec

Quebec has traditionally had the lowest rate of homeownership among the provinces. The 2006 Census showed that this continues to be the case. Of the 3,189,345 households in Quebec, only 60.1% owned their dwelling, compared with 57.9% in 2001.

About 58.2% of Quebec homeowners had a mortgage in 2006, the third highest rate among the provinces. This was up from 56.2% five years earlier.

The proportion of Quebec households spending 30% or more of their income on shelter was below the national average of 24.9%. Between 2001 and 2006, this proportion edged down from 23.3% to 22.5%.

The proportion of Quebec households spending 30% or more of their income on shelter declined among both renters and owners. In 2006, 13.9% of Quebec owners spent 30% or more of their income on shelter, well below the national average of 17.8%. Over one-third (35.6%) of renters spent above the 30% threshold, the second lowest percentage among all the provinces.

The median price Quebec homeowners expected to receive for selling their home was $150,181 in 2006, below the national median of $200,474.

Homeownership rates varied widely among the province's census metropolitan areas. Rates were highest in the Quebec portion of Ottawa - Gatineau (67.5%) and Saguenay (63.3%).

They were lowest in the census metropolitan areas of Montréal (53.4%) and Sherbrooke (53.5%). Over one-third (34.4%) of households owned their dwelling in the city of Montréal.

Roughly one-fifth (19.9%) of households in the census metropolitan area of Québec spent 30% or more of their income on shelter. The percentage was higher in Montréal (26.4%).

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