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2006 Aboriginal Population Profile

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Table: Population and dwelling counts

Population and dwelling counts	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Population in 2006 1	913,462	Data not available	Data not available		4,113,487†	Data not available	Data not available
Population in 2001 1	908,007	Data not available	Data not available		3,907,738†	Data not available	Data not available
2001 to 2006 population change (%)	0.6	Data not available	Data not available		5.3	Data not available	Data not available
Total private dwellings 2	425,681	Data not available	Data not available		1,788,474	Data not available	Data not available
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents 3	376,829	Data not available	Data not available		1,642,715	Data not available	Data not available
Population density per square kilometre	17.3	Data not available	Data not available		4.4	Data not available	Data not available
Land area (square km)	52,917.45	Data not available	Data not available		924,815.43	Data not available	Data not available

Table: Aboriginal identity population in 2006

Figure Aboriginal identity population in 2006	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total population 4	903,090	435,570	467,520		4,074,385	1,998,385	2,076,000
Total Aboriginal identity population 5	24,175	11,770	12,405		196,070	94,855	101,220
North American Indian - single response 6	15,240	7,320	7,915		129,580	63,190	66,390
Métis - single response	7,680	3,940	3,740		59,445	28,590	30,850
Inuit - single response	320	140	180		795	335	460
Multiple Aboriginal identity responses	100	35	60		1,655	800	855
Aboriginal responses not included elsewhere 7	830	325	505		4,605	1,940	2,660
Non-Aboriginal identity population	878,915	423,800	455,120		3,878,310	1,903,530	1,974,780

Table: Registered Indian status

Figure Registered Indian status	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total population 8	903,090	435,570	467,525		4,074,385	1,998,385	2,075,995
Registered Indian 9	12,425	5,860	6,565		110,545	53,535	57,010
Not a registered Indian	890,665	429,710	460,960		3,963,835	1,944,855	2,018,985

Table: Age characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Age characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 10	24,175	11,770	12,405		196,070	94,855	101,215
0 to 4 years	1,745	875	870		16,195	8,130	8,065
5 to 9 years	2,075	1,065	1,015		18,005	9,155	8,855
10 to 14 years	2,480	1,235	1,240		21,045	10,960	10,085
15 to 19 years	2,430	1,170	1,260		19,940	10,400	9,545
20 to 24 years	1,900	945	955		14,875	7,180	7,695
25 to 29 years	1,590	745	845		12,750	6,110	6,645
30 to 34 years	1,630	705	920		12,855	6,065	6,785
35 to 39 years	1,705	775	930		13,945	6,350	7,595
40 to 44 years	1,925	915	1,005		15,670	7,175	8,500
45 to 49 years	1,930	910	1,020		14,790	6,645	8,140
50 to 54 years	1,590	800	785		11,635	5,440	6,200
55 to 59 years	1,225	635	590		8,275	3,895	4,375
60 to 64 years	705	390	320		6,150	2,890	3,260
65 to 69 years	440	235	205		4,135	1,985	2,155
70 to 74 years	350	190	160		2,705	1,220	1,480
75 to 79 years	195	75	120		1,670	740	935
80 to 84 years	95	25	70		835	320	520
85 years and over	145	60	85		585	195	385
Median age of the Aboriginal identity population 11	29.5	28.9	30.1		28.1	26.2	29.8
% of the Aboriginal identity population aged 15 and over	73.9	73.0	74.8		71.8	70.2	73.3

Table: Common-law status of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Common-law status of the Aboriginal identity population	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over 12	17,870	8,590	9,280		140,825	66,615	74,210
Not in a common-law relationship	15,585	7,485	8,100		116,100	55,255	60,845
In a common-law relationship	2,285	1,105	1,180		24,725	11,355	13,365

Table: Legal marital status of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Legal marital status of the Aboriginal identity population	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over 13	17,870	8,590	9,280		140,820	66,610	74,210
Never legally married (single) 14	8,490	4,250	4,235		75,915	39,290	36,620
Legally married (and not separated) 15	6,655	3,330	3,330		41,000	18,980	22,025
Separated, but still legally married 16	785	320	465		6,970	2,680	4,290
Divorced 17	1,255	525	725		11,690	4,465	7,230
Widowed 18	690	160	520		5,250	1,200	4,045

Table: Occupied private dwelling characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Occupied private dwelling characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total private dwellings occupied by usual residents 19	11,525	Data not available	Data not available		89,675	Data not available	Data not available
Single detached houses - as a % of total occupied private dwellings	70.6	Data not available	Data not available		54.4	Data not available	Data not available
Semi-detached houses - as a % of total occupied private dwellings	6.1	Data not available	Data not available		4.0	Data not available	Data not available
Row houses - as a % of total occupied private dwellings	2.0	Data not available	Data not available		7.1	Data not available	Data not available
Apartments, duplex - as a % of total occupied private dwellings 20	3.0	Data not available	Data not available		6.9	Data not available	Data not available
Apartments in buildings with fewer than five storeys - as a % of total occupied private dwellings 20	12.1	Data not available	Data not available		19.3	Data not available	Data not available
Apartments in buildings with five or more storeys - as a % of total occupied private dwellings	2.0	Data not available	Data not available		3.1	Data not available	Data not available
Other dwellings - as a % of total occupied private dwellings 21	4.3	Data not available	Data not available		5.3	Data not available	Data not available
Number of owned dwellings 22	6,530	Data not available	Data not available		47,010	Data not available	Data not available
Number of rented dwellings 23	3,200	Data not available	Data not available		38,725	Data not available	Data not available
Number of dwellings constructed before 1986	7,490	Data not available	Data not available		61,235	Data not available	Data not available
Number of dwellings constructed between 1986 and 2006 24	4,035	Data not available	Data not available		28,440	Data not available	Data not available
Dwelling requiring regular maintenance only	5,345	Data not available	Data not available		44,815	Data not available	Data not available
Dwellings requiring minor repairs only	4,080	Data not available	Data not available		28,945	Data not available	Data not available
Dwellings requiring major repairs only	2,100	Data not available	Data not available		15,910	Data not available	Data not available
Average number of rooms per dwelling 25	6.5	Data not available	Data not available		6.2	Data not available	Data not available
Dwellings with more than one person per room - as a % of total occupied private dwellings 25	1.8	Data not available	Data not available		2.8	Data not available	Data not available
Average number of persons per room	0.4	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	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total number of persons in census families 26	24,115	11,730	12,385		195,400	94,460	100,940
Spouses	6,585	3,305	3,285		40,155	18,600	21,550
Common-law partners	2,280	1,105	1,175		24,670	11,330	13,345
Lone parents	2,025	355	1,670		15,350	3,075	12,275
Children in census families	9,945	5,215	4,730		81,115	43,265	37,850
Persons not in census families	3,280	1,760	1,520		34,110	18,190	15,920

Table: Language characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Language characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population	24,175	11,770	12,405		196,075	94,860	101,215
Knowledge of Aboriginal language(s) 27	4,980	2,385	2,590		18,230	8,740	9,495
Knowledge of English only 28	15,735	7,670	8,070		166,890	81,700	85,190
Knowledge of French only 29	45	15	30		65	30	40
Knowledge of English and French only 30	3,195	1,615	1,585		7,865	3,325	4,540
Knowledge of other languages 31	210	80	130		3,025	1,065	1,955
% of the Aboriginal identity population whose mother tongue is an Aboriginal language	18.1	17.6	18.6		7.4	7.1	7.7
% of the Aboriginal identity population who speak an Aboriginal language most often at home	11.3	11.4	11.1		2.2	2.2	2.2
% of the Aboriginal identity population with knowledge of Aboriginal language(s)	20.6	20.3	20.9		9.3	9.2	9.4

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	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total population 1 year and over 32	23,700	11,595	12,105		192,765	93,210	99,560
Lived at the same address 1 year ago	20,430	10,025	10,405		151,750	73,840	77,905
Lived within the same province or territory 1 year ago, but changed address within the same census subdivision (municipality)	2,080	955	1,120		23,465	10,835	12,625
Lived within the same province or territory 1 year ago, but changed address from another census subdivision (municipality) within the province or territory	730	355	370		14,330	6,970	7,360
Lived in a different province or territory 1 year ago	410	215	195		2,830	1,360	1,470
Lived in a different country 1 year ago	50	40	10		395	195	200

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	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total population 5 years and over 33	22,415	10,885	11,530		179,870	86,720	93,145
Lived at the same address 5 years ago	14,370	7,215	7,155		91,010	44,710	46,295
Lived within the same province or territory 5 years ago, but changed address within the same census subdivision (municipality)	4,770	2,235	2,535		48,505	22,975	25,535
Lived within the same province or territory 5 years ago, but changed address from another census subdivision (municipality) within the province or territory	1,670	740	930		32,080	15,080	17,005
Lived in a different province or territory 5 years ago	1,475	645	830		7,395	3,540	3,850
Lived in a different country 5 years ago	130	50	75		875	415	460

Table: Educational attainment of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Educational attainment of the Aboriginal identity population	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over 34	17,870	8,590	9,280		140,825	66,615	74,210
No certificate, diploma or degree	6,510	3,300	3,210		54,910	28,220	26,695
High school certificate or equivalent 35	3,800	1,530	2,270		35,680	16,550	19,125
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma	2,425	1,545	875		17,615	10,615	7,000
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 36	2,870	1,250	1,620		20,275	7,135	13,140
University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level	565	255	305		4,825	1,445	3,380
University certificate or degree	1,705	710	995		7,515	2,650	4,870
Total Aboriginal identity population aged 15 to 24 37	4,335	2,115	2,220		34,815	17,580	17,235
No certificate, diploma or degree	2,545	1,335	1,210		19,540	10,260	9,280
High school certificate or equivalent 38	1,165	460	705		11,020	5,380	5,640
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma	155	115	35		1,580	990	590
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 39	230	115	110		1,855	715	1,145
University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level	50	15	25		470	145	330
University certificate or degree	190	70	120		345	95	250
Total Aboriginal identity population aged 25 to 34 40	3,220	1,450	1,770		25,610	12,175	13,430
No certificate, diploma or degree	635	375	260		7,340	3,985	3,350
High school certificate or equivalent 41	845	340	510		7,490	3,625	3,865
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma	420	260	160		3,390	1,945	1,445
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 42	680	230	450		4,605	1,610	2,990
University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level	130	65	70		865	330	535
University certificate or degree	500	185	315		1,930	685	1,240
Total Aboriginal identity population aged 35 to 64 43	9,085	4,425	4,655		70,470	32,400	38,070
No certificate, diploma or degree	2,625	1,305	1,320		22,045	11,370	10,675
High school certificate or equivalent 44	1,630	665	965		15,935	7,050	8,890
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma	1,670	1,045	625		11,435	6,960	4,470
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 45	1,850	825	1,025		12,970	4,445	8,520
University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level	350	165	185		3,210	870	2,335
University certificate or degree	955	425	530		4,870	1,695	3,175

Table: Major field of study of the Aboriginal identity population

Major field of study of the Aboriginal identity population	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over 46	17,870	8,590	9,280		140,825	66,615	74,210
No postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree	10,310	4,830	5,480		90,590	44,775	45,820
Education	515	205	315		3,015	695	2,320
Visual and performing arts, and communications technologies	135	65	75		1,740	740	1,005
Humanities	395	170	225		1,875	680	1,195
Social and behavioural sciences and law	600	155	440		4,600	1,110	3,490
Business, management and public administration	1,635	385	1,250		10,425	2,185	8,235
Physical and life sciences and technologies	135	65	65		580	310	270
Mathematics, computer and information sciences	365	155	210		1,500	685	815
Architecture, engineering, and related technologies	1,865	1,725	135		10,770	9,970	800
Agriculture, natural resources and conservation	175	140	35		2,205	1,480	720
Health, parks, recreation and fitness	905	140	765		7,510	1,165	6,345
Personal, protective and transportation services	835	555	280		5,995	2,800	3,195
Other 47	0	0	0		10	10	0

Table: Labour force activity characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Labour force activity characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over 48	17,870	8,590	9,280		140,820	66,615	74,210
In the labour force 49	11,250	5,675	5,575		91,535	46,320	45,215
Employed 50	9,510	4,810	4,695		77,850	38,880	38,970
Unemployed 51	1,735	860	880		13,685	7,440	6,245
Not in the labour force 52	6,620	2,915	3,705		49,290	20,295	28,995
Participation rate 53	63.0	66.1	60.1		65.0	69.5	60.9
Employment rate 54	53.2	56.0	50.6		55.3	58.4	52.5
Unemployment rate 55	15.4	15.2	15.8		15.0	16.1	13.8

Table: Occupation characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Occupation characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total experienced labour force 15 years and over with an Aboriginal identity 56	10,810	5,485	5,320		87,720	44,440	43,275
A Management occupations 57	720	370	355		5,515	2,645	2,870
B Business, finance and administration occupations	1,625	430	1,200		11,830	2,390	9,440
C Natural and applied sciences and related occupations	440	325	110		2,885	2,230	655
D Health occupations	505	95	410		2,805	505	2,300
E Occupations in social science, education, government service and religion	1,010	335	670		7,955	1,885	6,075
F Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport	295	100	195		2,315	1,175	1,140
G Sales and service occupations	2,920	1,095	1,825		25,205	8,325	16,880
H Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations	1,535	1,420	115		17,435	15,880	1,555
I Occupations unique to primary industry	1,135	975	160		6,775	5,545	1,230
J Occupations unique to processing, manufacturing and utilities	630	345	290		4,990	3,865	1,125

Table: Industry characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Industry characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total experienced labour force 15 years and over with an Aboriginal identity 58	10,810	5,490	5,320		87,720	44,445	43,275
Agriculture and other resource-based industries	1,125	930	195		7,720	6,220	1,505
Construction	620	585	30		8,660	7,535	1,130
Manufacturing	980	630	345		7,850	6,150	1,695
Wholesale trade	255	170	85		2,065	1,455	610
Retail trade	1,245	495	745		9,135	3,430	5,705
Finance and real estate	315	125	190		2,530	705	1,825
Health care and social services	1,170	210	965		8,370	1,280	7,095
Educational services	675	225	445		5,125	1,220	3,905
Business services	1,420	785	630		12,390	6,980	5,415
Other services	3,005	1,325	1,680		23,855	9,460	14,395

Table: Place of work status of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Place of work status of the Aboriginal identity population	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total employed labour force 15 years and over with an Aboriginal identity 59	9,510	4,810	4,695		77,850	38,875	38,970
Worked at home	510	240	275		4,975	2,190	2,785
Worked outside Canada	35	20	15		175	105	70
No fixed workplace address	1,630	1,270	360		13,795	10,320	3,470
Worked at usual place	7,340	3,285	4,055		58,900	26,260	32,645
Worked in census subdivision (municipality) of residence	5,180	2,270	2,910		32,360	13,230	19,135
Worked in a different census subdivision (municipality) within the census division (county) of residence	1,430	660	775		22,855	10,995	11,860
Worked in a different census division (county)	655	300	355		3,245	1,770	1,475
Worked in a different province	70	55	10		445	265	180

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

Figure Mode of transportation to work of the Aboriginal identity population	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	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	8,970	4,555	4,410		72,695	36,580	36,115
Car, truck, van, as driver	6,200	3,290	2,910		45,560	22,860	22,705
Car, truck, van, as passenger	1,165	550	615		9,155	5,095	4,060
Public transit	480	185	295		5,850	2,530	3,325
Walked or bicycled	950	450	495		10,300	4,875	5,420
All other modes	175	80	95		1,825	1,215	610

Table: Earnings in 2005 of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Earnings in 2005 of the Aboriginal identity population	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over with earnings (counts) 61	11,775	5,855	5,915		91,760	45,545	46,215
Median earnings - Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over ($) 62	17,048	21,057	13,250		17,978	21,053	15,362
Average earnings - Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over ($)	23,560	28,042	19,122		24,836	28,972	20,759
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over with earnings who worked full year, full time (counts) 63	4,815	2,565	2,250		35,235	18,520	16,715
Median earnings - Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over who worked full year, full time ($) 62	32,744	35,281	28,920		34,601	39,662	30,533
Average earnings - Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over who worked full year, full time ($) 62	37,199	41,588	32,188		39,237	44,109	33,840

Table: Income in 2005 of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Income in 2005 of the Aboriginal identity population	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over with income (counts) 64	16,245	7,865	8,375		129,165	61,160	68,005
Median income - Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over ($) 65	16,146	19,133	14,372		15,836	17,695	14,899
Composition of total income (100%) 66	100	100	100		100	100	100
Earnings - As a % of total income	75.0	78.9	69.8		77.0	82.3	70.6
Government transfers - As a % of total income	18.3	14.0	23.8		17.8	12.5	24.0
Other money - As a % of total income	6.7	7.0	6.4		5.3	5.2	5.4

Table: Households characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

Households characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population	Nova Scotia				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total private Aboriginal households 67	11,530	Data not available	Data not available		89,670	Data not available	Data not available
Median income in 2005 - All private households ($) 68	38,183	Data not available	Data not available		42,059	Data not available	Data not available

Definitions, sources and symbols

Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population.

How to cite: Statistics Canada. 2007. Nova Scotia (Code12) (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 24, 2024).