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2006 Aboriginal Population Profile

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Table: Population and dwelling counts

Population and dwelling counts	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Population in 2006 1	4,113,487†	Data not available	Data not available		31,612,897†	Data not available	Data not available
Population in 2001 1	3,907,738†	Data not available	Data not available		30,007,094†	Data not available	Data not available
2001 to 2006 population change (%)	5.3	Data not available	Data not available		5.4	Data not available	Data not available
Total private dwellings 2	1,788,474	Data not available	Data not available		13,576,855	Data not available	Data not available
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents 3	1,642,715	Data not available	Data not available		12,435,520	Data not available	Data not available
Population density per square kilometre	4.4	Data not available	Data not available		3.5	Data not available	Data not available
Land area (square km)	924,815.43	Data not available	Data not available		9,017,698.92	Data not available	Data not available

Table: Aboriginal identity population in 2006

Figure Aboriginal identity population in 2006	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total population 4	4,074,385	1,998,385	2,076,000		31,241,030	15,326,265	15,914,765
Total Aboriginal identity population 5	196,070	94,855	101,220		1,172,785	572,095	600,695
North American Indian - single response 6	129,580	63,190	66,390		698,025	338,050	359,975
Métis - single response	59,445	28,590	30,850		389,785	193,500	196,285
Inuit - single response	795	335	460		50,480	25,025	25,455
Multiple Aboriginal identity responses	1,655	800	855		7,740	3,690	4,050
Aboriginal responses not included elsewhere 7	4,605	1,940	2,660		26,760	11,830	14,930
Non-Aboriginal identity population	3,878,310	1,903,530	1,974,780		30,068,240	14,754,175	15,314,065

Table: Registered Indian status

Figure Registered Indian status	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total population 8	4,074,385	1,998,385	2,075,995		31,241,030	15,326,265	15,914,760
Registered Indian 9	110,545	53,535	57,010		623,780	300,830	322,945
Not a registered Indian	3,963,835	1,944,855	2,018,985		30,617,250	15,025,435	15,591,815

Table: Age characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Age characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 10	196,070	94,855	101,215		1,172,790	572,095	600,695
0 to 4 years	16,195	8,130	8,065		108,900	55,380	53,515
5 to 9 years	18,005	9,155	8,855		114,765	58,910	55,855
10 to 14 years	21,045	10,960	10,085		125,235	64,120	61,115
15 to 19 years	19,940	10,400	9,545		118,105	60,250	57,860
20 to 24 years	14,875	7,180	7,695		93,900	45,390	48,510
25 to 29 years	12,750	6,110	6,645		81,760	38,550	43,210
30 to 34 years	12,855	6,065	6,785		79,810	37,675	42,140
35 to 39 years	13,945	6,350	7,595		81,480	37,915	43,560
40 to 44 years	15,670	7,175	8,500		87,990	41,285	46,705
45 to 49 years	14,790	6,645	8,140		79,230	37,255	41,970
50 to 54 years	11,635	5,440	6,200		64,060	30,285	33,775
55 to 59 years	8,275	3,895	4,375		48,270	23,365	24,905
60 to 64 years	6,150	2,890	3,260		32,820	16,055	16,765
65 to 69 years	4,135	1,985	2,155		22,680	10,870	11,815
70 to 74 years	2,705	1,220	1,480		16,125	7,465	8,660
75 to 79 years	1,670	740	935		9,435	4,110	5,325
80 to 84 years	835	320	520		5,240	2,080	3,165
85 years and over	585	195	385		2,980	1,125	1,850
Median age of the Aboriginal identity population 11	28.1	26.2	29.8		26.5	25.2	27.7
% of the Aboriginal identity population aged 15 and over	71.8	70.2	73.3		70.3	68.8	71.6

Table: Common-law status of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Common-law status of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over 12	140,825	66,615	74,210		823,890	393,680	430,205
Not in a common-law relationship	116,100	55,255	60,845		681,425	326,380	355,040
In a common-law relationship	24,725	11,355	13,365		142,465	67,305	75,160

Table: Legal marital status of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Legal marital status of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over 13	140,820	66,610	74,210		823,890	393,680	430,205
Never legally married (single) 14	75,915	39,290	36,620		440,570	224,155	216,410
Legally married (and not separated) 15	41,000	18,980	22,025		254,930	122,405	132,525
Separated, but still legally married 16	6,970	2,680	4,290		35,480	14,270	21,205
Divorced 17	11,690	4,465	7,230		62,410	25,975	36,435
Widowed 18	5,250	1,200	4,045		30,505	6,880	23,630

Table: Occupied private dwelling characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Occupied private dwelling characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total private dwellings occupied by usual residents 19	89,675	Data not available	Data not available		506,235	Data not available	Data not available
Single detached houses - as a % of total occupied private dwellings	54.4	Data not available	Data not available		61.1	Data not available	Data not available
Semi-detached houses - as a % of total occupied private dwellings	4.0	Data not available	Data not available		5.1	Data not available	Data not available
Row houses - as a % of total occupied private dwellings	7.1	Data not available	Data not available		6.3	Data not available	Data not available
Apartments, duplex - as a % of total occupied private dwellings 20	6.9	Data not available	Data not available		4.0	Data not available	Data not available
Apartments in buildings with fewer than five storeys - as a % of total occupied private dwellings 20	19.3	Data not available	Data not available		16.1	Data not available	Data not available
Apartments in buildings with five or more storeys - as a % of total occupied private dwellings	3.1	Data not available	Data not available		4.0	Data not available	Data not available
Other dwellings - as a % of total occupied private dwellings 21	5.3	Data not available	Data not available		3.4	Data not available	Data not available
Number of owned dwellings 22	47,010	Data not available	Data not available		255,415	Data not available	Data not available
Number of rented dwellings 23	38,725	Data not available	Data not available		202,415	Data not available	Data not available
Number of dwellings constructed before 1986	61,235	Data not available	Data not available		352,975	Data not available	Data not available
Number of dwellings constructed between 1986 and 2006 24	28,440	Data not available	Data not available		153,255	Data not available	Data not available
Dwelling requiring regular maintenance only	44,815	Data not available	Data not available		244,780	Data not available	Data not available
Dwellings requiring minor repairs only	28,945	Data not available	Data not available		166,130	Data not available	Data not available
Dwellings requiring major repairs only	15,910	Data not available	Data not available		95,330	Data not available	Data not available
Average number of rooms per dwelling 25	6.2	Data not available	Data not available		6.1	Data not available	Data not available
Dwellings with more than one person per room - as a % of total occupied private dwellings 25	2.8	Data not available	Data not available		4.2	Data not available	Data not available
Average number of persons per room	0.5	Data not available	Data not available		0.5	Data not available	Data not available

Table: Census family status of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Census family status of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total number of persons in census families 26	195,400	94,460	100,940		1,169,435	570,050	599,380
Spouses	40,155	18,600	21,550		250,615	120,440	130,170
Common-law partners	24,670	11,330	13,345		142,160	67,155	75,000
Lone parents	15,350	3,075	12,275		96,205	19,180	77,025
Children in census families	81,115	43,265	37,850		506,685	271,000	235,685
Persons not in census families	34,110	18,190	15,920		173,765	92,270	81,495

Table: Language characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Language characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population	196,075	94,860	101,215		1,172,790	572,095	600,695
Knowledge of Aboriginal language(s) 27	18,230	8,740	9,495		252,045	122,805	129,240
Knowledge of English only 28	166,890	81,700	85,190		772,290	378,915	393,375
Knowledge of French only 29	65	30	40		35,570	17,345	18,225
Knowledge of English and French only 30	7,865	3,325	4,540		100,070	47,895	52,170
Knowledge of other languages 31	3,025	1,065	1,955		12,810	5,130	7,680
% of the Aboriginal identity population whose mother tongue is an Aboriginal language	7.4	7.1	7.7		18.7	18.5	18.8
% of the Aboriginal identity population who speak an Aboriginal language most often at home	2.2	2.2	2.2		11.8	12.2	11.4
% of the Aboriginal identity population with knowledge of Aboriginal language(s)	9.3	9.2	9.4		21.5	21.5	21.5

Table: Mobility status - Place of residence 1 year ago of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Mobility status - Place of residence 1 year ago of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total population 1 year and over 32	192,765	93,210	99,560		1,150,510	560,875	589,635
Lived at the same address 1 year ago	151,750	73,840	77,905		926,950	455,335	471,620
Lived within the same province or territory 1 year ago, but changed address within the same census subdivision (municipality)	23,465	10,835	12,625		135,650	63,585	72,070
Lived within the same province or territory 1 year ago, but changed address from another census subdivision (municipality) within the province or territory	14,330	6,970	7,360		68,805	32,810	35,995
Lived in a different province or territory 1 year ago	2,830	1,360	1,470		17,540	8,375	9,165
Lived in a different country 1 year ago	395	195	200		1,560	775	790

Table: Mobility status - Place of residence 5 years ago of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Mobility status - Place of residence 5 years ago of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total population 5 years and over 33	179,870	86,720	93,145		1,063,780	516,655	547,125
Lived at the same address 5 years ago	91,010	44,710	46,295		585,840	291,470	294,375
Lived within the same province or territory 5 years ago, but changed address within the same census subdivision (municipality)	48,505	22,975	25,535		274,485	129,710	144,770
Lived within the same province or territory 5 years ago, but changed address from another census subdivision (municipality) within the province or territory	32,080	15,080	17,005		152,955	71,475	81,480
Lived in a different province or territory 5 years ago	7,395	3,540	3,850		46,500	22,055	24,445
Lived in a different country 5 years ago	875	415	460		3,995	1,940	2,060

Table: Educational attainment of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Educational attainment of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over 34	140,825	66,615	74,210		823,890	393,680	430,205
No certificate, diploma or degree	54,910	28,220	26,695		359,780	182,410	177,365
High school certificate or equivalent 35	35,680	16,550	19,125		179,590	81,210	98,380
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma	17,615	10,615	7,000		93,885	58,520	35,360
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 36	20,275	7,135	13,140		119,680	45,750	73,925
University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level	4,825	1,445	3,380		22,950	8,190	14,760
University certificate or degree	7,515	2,650	4,870		48,015	17,600	30,415
Total Aboriginal identity population aged 15 to 24 37	34,815	17,580	17,235		212,010	105,645	106,365
No certificate, diploma or degree	19,540	10,260	9,280		132,670	68,975	63,695
High school certificate or equivalent 38	11,020	5,380	5,640		54,785	25,620	29,165
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma	1,580	990	590		7,845	4,875	2,965
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 39	1,855	715	1,145		11,695	4,560	7,130
University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level	470	145	330		1,745	680	1,070
University certificate or degree	345	95	250		3,265	925	2,335
Total Aboriginal identity population aged 25 to 34 40	25,610	12,175	13,430		161,570	76,220	85,350
No certificate, diploma or degree	7,340	3,985	3,350		51,565	26,815	24,750
High school certificate or equivalent 41	7,490	3,625	3,865		42,390	20,100	22,290
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma	3,390	1,945	1,445		19,100	11,700	7,395
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 42	4,605	1,610	2,990		30,500	11,290	19,210
University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level	865	330	535		4,680	1,680	3,005
University certificate or degree	1,930	685	1,240		13,335	4,630	8,705
Total Aboriginal identity population aged 35 to 64 43	70,470	32,400	38,070		393,845	186,165	207,680
No certificate, diploma or degree	22,045	11,370	10,675		137,845	70,285	67,565
High school certificate or equivalent 44	15,935	7,050	8,890		76,570	33,255	43,315
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma	11,435	6,960	4,470		60,970	37,960	23,010
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 45	12,970	4,445	8,520		73,405	28,125	45,285
University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level	3,210	870	2,335		15,370	5,420	9,950
University certificate or degree	4,870	1,695	3,175		29,680	11,125	18,560

Table: Major field of study of the Aboriginal identity population

Major field of study of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over 46	140,825	66,615	74,210		823,890	393,680	430,205
No postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree	90,590	44,775	45,820		539,365	263,615	275,745
Education	3,015	695	2,320		20,095	4,845	15,250
Visual and performing arts, and communications technologies	1,740	740	1,005		7,650	3,650	3,995
Humanities	1,875	680	1,195		10,505	4,090	6,410
Social and behavioural sciences and law	4,600	1,110	3,490		26,090	6,770	19,325
Business, management and public administration	10,425	2,185	8,235		60,060	14,295	45,765
Physical and life sciences and technologies	580	310	270		3,510	1,755	1,760
Mathematics, computer and information sciences	1,500	685	815		9,375	4,350	5,030
Architecture, engineering, and related technologies	10,770	9,970	800		66,130	60,555	5,575
Agriculture, natural resources and conservation	2,205	1,480	720		8,385	5,780	2,600
Health, parks, recreation and fitness	7,510	1,165	6,345		40,865	6,355	34,510
Personal, protective and transportation services	5,995	2,800	3,195		31,805	17,605	14,205
Other 47	10	10	0		45	10	35

Table: Labour force activity characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Labour force activity characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over 48	140,820	66,615	74,210		823,890	393,680	430,205
In the labour force 49	91,535	46,320	45,215		519,250	264,980	254,270
Employed 50	77,850	38,880	38,970		442,395	222,355	220,045
Unemployed 51	13,685	7,440	6,245		76,860	42,625	34,225
Not in the labour force 52	49,290	20,295	28,995		304,635	128,705	175,935
Participation rate 53	65.0	69.5	60.9		63.0	67.3	59.1
Employment rate 54	55.3	58.4	52.5		53.7	56.5	51.1
Unemployment rate 55	15.0	16.1	13.8		14.8	16.1	13.5

Table: Occupation characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Occupation characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total experienced labour force 15 years and over with an Aboriginal identity 56	87,720	44,440	43,275		497,280	253,825	243,455
A Management occupations 57	5,515	2,645	2,870		31,970	17,250	14,715
B Business, finance and administration occupations	11,830	2,390	9,440		71,980	15,995	55,985
C Natural and applied sciences and related occupations	2,885	2,230	655		16,405	12,170	4,235
D Health occupations	2,805	505	2,300		20,085	2,940	17,140
E Occupations in social science, education, government service and religion	7,955	1,885	6,075		47,790	12,055	35,730
F Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport	2,315	1,175	1,140		11,010	5,245	5,760
G Sales and service occupations	25,205	8,325	16,880		141,870	53,095	88,770
H Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations	17,435	15,880	1,555		100,050	91,285	8,765
I Occupations unique to primary industry	6,775	5,545	1,230		30,345	25,475	4,865
J Occupations unique to processing, manufacturing and utilities	4,990	3,865	1,125		25,785	18,310	7,480

Table: Industry characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Industry characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total experienced labour force 15 years and over with an Aboriginal identity 58	87,720	44,445	43,275		497,280	253,825	243,455
Agriculture and other resource-based industries	7,720	6,220	1,505		39,705	32,005	7,700
Construction	8,660	7,535	1,130		43,880	39,175	4,705
Manufacturing	7,850	6,150	1,695		39,770	28,985	10,785
Wholesale trade	2,065	1,455	610		11,995	8,290	3,700
Retail trade	9,135	3,430	5,705		51,465	20,905	30,565
Finance and real estate	2,530	705	1,825		14,970	5,400	9,565
Health care and social services	8,370	1,280	7,095		58,160	10,080	48,075
Educational services	5,125	1,220	3,905		32,955	9,165	23,790
Business services	12,390	6,980	5,415		69,900	40,950	28,950
Other services	23,855	9,460	14,395		134,480	58,865	75,615

Table: Place of work status of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Place of work status of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total employed labour force 15 years and over with an Aboriginal identity 59	77,850	38,875	38,970		442,395	222,350	220,045
Worked at home	4,975	2,190	2,785		22,995	10,500	12,490
Worked outside Canada	175	105	70		1,180	700	480
No fixed workplace address	13,795	10,320	3,470		65,295	50,105	15,190
Worked at usual place	58,900	26,260	32,645		352,925	161,045	191,880
Worked in census subdivision (municipality) of residence	32,360	13,230	19,135		235,720	102,030	133,685
Worked in a different census subdivision (municipality) within the census division (county) of residence	22,855	10,995	11,860		78,545	37,540	41,005
Worked in a different census division (county)	3,245	1,770	1,475		33,475	18,435	15,035
Worked in a different province	445	265	180		5,190	3,030	2,155

Table: Mode of transportation to work of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Mode of transportation to work of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total employed labour force 15 years and over with a usual place of work or no fixed workplace address with an Aboriginal identity 60	72,695	36,580	36,115		418,225	211,150	207,070
Car, truck, van, as driver	45,560	22,860	22,705		264,600	138,565	126,030
Car, truck, van, as passenger	9,155	5,095	4,060		49,360	25,035	24,325
Public transit	5,850	2,530	3,325		31,845	13,025	18,820
Walked or bicycled	10,300	4,875	5,420		58,870	26,345	32,525
All other modes	1,825	1,215	610		13,550	8,175	5,365

Table: Earnings in 2005 of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Earnings in 2005 of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over with earnings (counts) 61	91,760	45,545	46,215		538,290	270,415	267,875
Median earnings - Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over ($) 62	17,978	21,053	15,362		18,962	22,386	16,079
Average earnings - Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over ($)	24,836	28,972	20,759		25,961	30,110	21,773
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over with earnings who worked full year, full time (counts) 63	35,235	18,520	16,715		227,810	120,430	107,385
Median earnings - Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over who worked full year, full time ($) 62	34,601	39,662	30,533		34,940	39,501	30,938
Average earnings - Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over who worked full year, full time ($) 62	39,237	44,109	33,840		39,942	44,605	34,712

Table: Income in 2005 of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Income in 2005 of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over with income (counts) 64	129,165	61,160	68,005		760,910	364,155	396,760
Median income - Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over ($) 65	15,836	17,695	14,899		16,752	18,714	15,654
Composition of total income (100%) 66	100	100	100		100	100	100
Earnings - As a % of total income	77.0	82.3	70.6		76.9	82.4	70.3
Government transfers - As a % of total income	17.8	12.5	24.0		18.1	12.5	24.8
Other money - As a % of total income	5.3	5.2	5.4		5.0	5.1	4.9

Table: Households characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

Households characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population	British Columbia				Canada
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total private Aboriginal households 67	89,670	Data not available	Data not available		506,235	Data not available	Data not available
Median income in 2005 - All private households ($) 68	42,059	Data not available	Data not available		43,261	Data not available	Data not available

Definitions, sources and symbols

Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population.

How to cite: Statistics Canada. 2007. British Columbia (Code59) (table). Aboriginal Population Profile. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-594-XWE. Ottawa. Released January 15, 2008.
https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-594/index.cfm?Lang=E
(accessed May 14, 2024).