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Focus on Geography Series, 2011 Census
Northwest Territories 1
In 2011, the enumerated population of Northwest Territories was 41,462 which represents a change of 0.0% from 2006. This compares to the national average of 5.9%.
The land area of Northwest Territories is 1,143,793.47 square kilometres with a population density of 0.0 persons per square kilometre. This compares to the national land area of 8,965,121.42 square kilometres with a population density of 3.7 persons per square kilometre.
In total, there were 14,700 private dwellings occupied by usual residents in Northwest Territories in 2011. This represents an increase of 3.3% of the number of private dwellings occupied by usual residents from 2006. For Canada as a whole, the total number of private dwellings occupied by usual residents increased 7.1%.
Population and dwelling counts
Canada, provinces and territories – Population, percentage change between 2006 and 2011
Geographic name | Population | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | 2006 | Change | % change | % of nat. pop. | |
Canada † | 33,476,688 | 31,612,897 | 1,863,791 | 5.9 | 100.00 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 514,536 | 505,469 | 9,067 | 1.8 | 1.54 |
Prince Edward Island | 140,204 | 135,851 | 4,353 | 3.2 | 0.42 |
Nova Scotia | 921,727 | 913,462 | 8,265 | 0.9 | 2.75 |
New Brunswick | 751,171 | 729,997 | 21,174 | 2.9 | 2.24 |
Quebec † | 7,903,001 | 7,546,131 | 356,870 | 4.7 | 23.61 |
Ontario † | 12,851,821 | 12,160,282 | 691,539 | 5.7 | 38.39 |
Manitoba † | 1,208,268 | 1,148,401 | 59,867 | 5.2 | 3.61 |
Saskatchewan † | 1,033,381 | 968,157 | 65,224 | 6.7 | 3.09 |
Alberta † | 3,645,257 | 3,290,350 | 354,907 | 10.8 | 10.89 |
British Columbia † | 4,400,057 | 4,113,487 | 286,570 | 7.0 | 13.14 |
Yukon | 33,897 | 30,372 | 3,525 | 11.6 | 0.10 |
Northwest Territories | 41,462 | 41,464 | -2 | 0.0 | 0.12 |
Nunavut | 31,906 | 29,474 | 2,432 | 8.3 | 0.10 |
Northwest Territories – Census metropolitan areas (CMAs), census agglomerations (CAs) and regions outside CMAs and CAs
In 2011, 46.4% of the population of Northwest Territories lived inside a census metropolitan area (CMA) or census agglomeration (CA). That represents 19,234 persons.
The number of persons living outside a census metropolitan area (CMA) and a census agglomeration (CA) was 22,228 which accounts for 53.6% of the territorial population.
CMA or CA name | Type | Population | Rank | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | 2006 | % change | Nat. | Prov. | ||
Yellowknife | CA | 19,234 | 18,700 | 2.9 | 107 | 1 |
Northwest Territories – Census subdivisions with population greater than 5000
Census subdivision (CSD) name | Type | Population | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | 2006 | % change | ||
Yellowknife | CY | 19,234 | 18,700 | 2.9 |
Age and sex
Northwest Territories – Age distribution
Age groups | Both sexes | Males | Females |
---|---|---|---|
0 to 14 | 21.7% | 21.5% | 21.9% |
15 to 64 | 72.5% | 72.7% | 72.3% |
65 and over | 5.8% | 5.8% | 5.8% |
In 2011, the percentage of the population aged 65 and over in Northwest Territories was 5.8%, compared with a national percentage of 14.8%. The percentage of the working age population (15 to 64) was 72.5% and the percentage of children aged 0 to 14 was 21.7%. In comparison, the national percentages were 68.5% for the population aged 15 to 64 and 16.7% for the population aged 0 to 14.
Northwest Territories – Population by broad age groups and sex
Broad age groups by sex | Population | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | 2006 | change | % change | |
Both sexes | ||||
Total | 41,460 | 41,465 | -5 | 0.0 |
0 to 14 | 9,010 | 9,920 | -910 | -9.2 |
15 to 64 | 30,055 | 29,570 | 485 | 1.6 |
65 and over | 2,395 | 1,975 | 420 | 21.3 |
Males | ||||
Total | 21,060 | 21,225 | -165 | -0.8 |
0 to 14 | 4,535 | 5,020 | -485 | -9.7 |
15 to 64 | 15,310 | 15,230 | 80 | 0.5 |
65 and over | 1,220 | 985 | 235 | 23.9 |
Females | ||||
Total | 20,400 | 20,240 | 160 | 0.8 |
0 to 14 | 4,475 | 4,905 | -430 | -8.8 |
15 to 64 | 14,750 | 14,345 | 405 | 2.8 |
65 and over | 1,180 | 990 | 190 | 19.2 |
Northwest Territories – Population by five-year age groups and sex
Age groups | Both sexes | Males | Females |
---|---|---|---|
Total - Age groups | 41,460 | 21,060 | 20,400 |
0 to 4 years | 3,285 | 1,655 | 1,630 |
5 to 9 years | 2,860 | 1,435 | 1,425 |
10 to 14 years | 2,865 | 1,450 | 1,420 |
15 to 19 years | 3,390 | 1,760 | 1,625 |
20 to 24 years | 3,340 | 1,690 | 1,650 |
25 to 29 years | 3,445 | 1,770 | 1,675 |
30 to 34 years | 3,305 | 1,625 | 1,680 |
35 to 39 years | 2,990 | 1,450 | 1,535 |
40 to 44 years | 3,035 | 1,535 | 1,500 |
45 to 49 years | 3,380 | 1,695 | 1,685 |
50 to 54 years | 3,105 | 1,615 | 1,490 |
55 to 59 years | 2,390 | 1,255 | 1,135 |
60 to 64 years | 1,680 | 915 | 760 |
65 to 69 years | 975 | 555 | 420 |
70 to 74 years | 580 | 280 | 305 |
75 to 79 years | 395 | 200 | 200 |
80 to 84 years | 235 | 105 | 130 |
85 to 89 years | 120 | 45 | 80 |
90 to 94 years | 60 | 25 | 35 |
95 to 99 years | 15 | 5 | 10 |
100 years and over | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Median age | 32.3 | 32.3 | 32.2 |
Northwest Territories – Median age2 of the population in the last 90 years
The median age in Northwest Territories was 32.3 years. In comparison, the median age of Canada was 40.6 years.
Chart E description: Northwest Territories - Median age of the population in the last 90 years
Median age | Census year | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1921 | 1931 | 1941 | 1951 | 1961 | 1971 | 1981 | 1991 | 2001 | 2011 | |
Canada | 23.9 | 24.7 | 27.0 | 27.7 | 26.3 | 26.2 | 29.6 | 33.5 | 37.6 | 40.6 |
Northwest Territories | 19.7 | 20.9 | 23.5 | 22.5 | 21.4 | 19.1 | 22.0 | 24.8 | 30.1 | 32.3 |
Families and households
In 2011, the number of census families3 in Northwest Territories was 10,930, which represents a change of 0.5% from 2006. This compares to a growth rate for Canada of 5.5% over the same period.
In Northwest Territories, 50.0% of census families were married couples in 2011, while 28.7% were common-law-couples and 21.3% were lone-parent families.
Family structure
Geographic name | Total families | Married-couple families | Common-law-couple families | Lone-parent families | % change, census families, 2006 to 2011 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
number | % | number | % | number | % | |||
Canada † | 9,389,695 | 6,293,950 | 67.0 | 1,567,905 | 16.7 | 1,527,840 | 16.3 | 5.5 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 159,385 | 114,335 | 71.7 | 20,630 | 12.9 | 24,420 | 15.3 | 2.3 |
Prince Edward Island | 40,850 | 29,695 | 72.7 | 4,570 | 11.2 | 6,580 | 16.1 | 4.2 |
Nova Scotia | 270,065 | 184,870 | 68.5 | 38,460 | 14.2 | 46,735 | 17.3 | 1.0 |
New Brunswick | 224,590 | 152,455 | 67.9 | 35,945 | 16.0 | 36,190 | 16.1 | 3.1 |
Quebec † | 2,203,625 | 1,143,370 | 51.9 | 694,750 | 31.5 | 365,515 | 16.6 | 3.9 |
Ontario † | 3,612,205 | 2,612,890 | 72.3 | 394,670 | 10.9 | 604,645 | 16.7 | 5.5 |
Manitoba † | 327,875 | 232,635 | 71.0 | 39,060 | 11.9 | 56,185 | 17.1 | 4.8 |
Saskatchewan † | 285,375 | 202,770 | 71.1 | 35,785 | 12.5 | 46,825 | 16.4 | 6.7 |
Alberta † | 999,525 | 719,355 | 72.0 | 135,660 | 13.6 | 144,510 | 14.5 | 10.5 |
British Columbia † | 1,238,155 | 887,990 | 71.7 | 160,360 | 13.0 | 189,805 | 15.3 | 6.6 |
Yukon | 9,330 | 5,080 | 54.4 | 2,340 | 25.1 | 1,915 | 20.5 | 11.9 |
Northwest Territories | 10,930 | 5,465 | 50.0 | 3,135 | 28.7 | 2,330 | 21.3 | 0.5 |
Nunavut | 7,780 | 3,035 | 39.0 | 2,545 | 32.7 | 2,195 | 28.2 | 10.5 |
Northwest Territories – Presence of children within couple families
Among couples (married and common-law) in Northwest Territories, 57.5% were couples with children aged 24 and under at home. In comparison, as a whole, 46.9% of couples in Canada had children aged 24 and under at home.
Among couples with children aged 24 and under at home in the province of Northwest Territories, 84.7% were intact families, that is, in which all children were the biological or adopted children of both parents, while 15.3% were stepfamilies, in which at least one child was the biological or adopted child of only one married spouse or common-law partner. For Canada as a whole in 2011, 12.6% of couples with children aged 24 and under at home were stepfamilies.
Northwest Territories – Marital status
In Northwest Territories, 54.4% of the total population aged 15 and over were either married (35.1%) or living with a common-law partner (19.4%).
The remaining 45.6% were not married and not living with a common-law partner, including those who were single (never-married), separated, divorced or widowed.
Note: Percentages may not total 100 percent due to random rounding.
Marital status | Northwest Territories | Canada | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
number | % | number | % | |
Total - Population 15 years and over | 32,450 | 100.0 | 27,869,345 | 100.0 |
Married or living with a common-law partner | 17,665 | 54.4 | 16,084,490 | 57.7 |
Married (and not separated) | 11,375 | 35.1 | 12,941,965 | 46.4 |
Living common-law | 6,295 | 19.4 | 3,142,525 | 11.3 |
Not married and not living with a common-law partner | 14,785 | 45.6 | 11,784,855 | 42.3 |
Single (never legally married) | 11,785 | 36.3 | 7,816,045 | 28.0 |
Separated | 780 | 2.4 | 698,245 | 2.5 |
Divorced | 1,300 | 4.0 | 1,686,035 | 6.0 |
Widowed | 920 | 2.8 | 1,584,525 | 5.7 |
Northwest Territories – Types of private households
There were 14,700 private households4 in Northwest Territories in 2011, a change of 3.3% from 2006. Of these, 31.7% of households were comprised of couples with children aged 24 and under at home, a change of -4.8% compared with five years earlier.
Household type5 | Northwest Territories | Canada | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
number | % | number | % | |
Total - Private households | 14,700 | 100.0 | 13,320,615 | 100.0 |
Couple-family households with children6 | 4,665 | 31.7 | 3,524,915 | 26.5 |
Couple-family households without children7 | 3,355 | 22.8 | 3,935,540 | 29.5 |
Lone-parent family households8 | 1,955 | 13.3 | 1,375,450 | 10.3 |
One-person households | 3,475 | 23.6 | 3,673,310 | 27.6 |
Multiple-family households9 | 470 | 3.2 | 268,060 | 2.0 |
Other households10 | 780 | 5.3 | 543,340 | 4.1 |
Canada's territories – Size of private households
The average household size in Northwest Territories was 2.8 persons in 2011, compared to the Canadian average household size of 2.5 persons.
In Northwest Territories, the proportion of total private households with only one person has increased over time, while the proportion of larger households (five or more persons) has decreased.
Private household size | 1961 | 1966 | 1971 | 1976 | 1981 | 1986 | 1991 | 1996 | 2001 | 2006 | 2011 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
One person | 11.9 | 12.6 | 14.6 | 16.0 | 17.9 | 18.4 | 20.0 | 20.6 | 23.5 | 24.2 | 25.0 |
Five or more persons | 38.3 | 41.4 | 35.3 | 29.2 | 24.5 | 22.9 | 21.1 | 19.5 | 17.6 | 16.2 | 15.4 |
Northwest Territories – Structural type of dwelling
In Northwest Territories, 58.4% of private households lived in single-detached houses and 1.5% lived in apartments in buildings that have five or more storeys. The rest lived in other types of dwelling structures.
Structural type of dwelling | Northwest Territories | Canada | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
number | % | number | % | |
Total - Structural type of dwelling | 14,700 | 100.0 | 13,320,615 | 100.0 |
Single-detached house | 8,585 | 58.4 | 7,329,150 | 55.0 |
Semi-detached house | 845 | 5.7 | 646,240 | 4.9 |
Row house | 1,620 | 11.0 | 791,600 | 5.9 |
Apartment, building that has five or more storeys | 215 | 1.5 | 1,234,770 | 9.3 |
Apartment, building that has fewer than five storeys | 2,385 | 16.2 | 2,397,555 | 18.0 |
Apartment, duplex | 210 | 1.4 | 704,485 | 5.3 |
Other single-attached house11 | 370 | 2.5 | 33,310 | 0.3 |
Movable dwelling12 | 465 | 3.2 | 183,510 | 1.4 |
Language
Northwest Territories – Mother tongue
Chart J description: Northwest Territories - Mother tongue and language spoken most often at home
Note: Counts for mother tongue as well as those for language spoken most often at home include single responses only.
In Northwest Territories, 76.5% of the population reported English only as mother tongue, 2.6% reported French only, and 19.6% reported only a non-official language, in 2011. In comparison, the national percentages were 56.9% for English only, 21.3% for French only and 19.8% for non-official languages only.
In 2011, 88.9% of the population spoke English only most often at home, 1.3% spoke only French, and 8.8% spoke only a non-official language. In comparison, the national percentages were 64.8% for English only, 20.6% for French only and 11.1% for only a non-official language.
Selected language | Mother tongue | Language spoken most often at home | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
number | % | number | % | |
Total | 41,035 | 100.0 | 41,040 | 100.0 |
English | 31,375 | 76.5 | 36,485 | 88.9 |
French | 1,080 | 2.6 | 550 | 1.3 |
Non-official language | 8,045 | 19.6 | 3,615 | 8.8 |
Aboriginal language | 5,485 | 13.4 | 2,415 | 5.9 |
Non-Aboriginal language | 2,560 | 6.2 | 1,200 | 2.9 |
Multiple responses | 540 | 1.3 | 385 | 0.9 |
Mother tongue | Mother-tongue retention13 (in percentage) |
||
---|---|---|---|
Total retention; language spoken at home at least on a regular basis | Complete retention; language spoken most often at home | Partial retention; language spoken at home on a regular basis | |
Note: Counts for mother tongue and home language include single response of a language as well as multiple responses of a language with English and/or French. | |||
English | 99.6 | 98.7 | 0.9 |
French | 63.2 | 43.2 | 20.1 |
Non-official language | 70.9 | 41.1 | 29.8 |
Aboriginal language | 70.9 | 38.5 | 32.4 |
Non-Aboriginal language | 70.7 | 46.5 | 24.2 |
Northwest Territories – Non-official languages
In Northwest Territories, the three most common mother tongues were Tlicho (Dogrib) (4.9%), Slavey, n.o.s. (3.3%) and Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (1.5%), in 2011. In comparison, the most common mother tongues at the national level were Panjabi (Punjabi) (1.4%), Chinese, n.o.s. (1.3%) and Spanish (1.3%).
Mother tongue | Number | Percentage of non-official language mother-tongue population | Percentage of total population |
---|---|---|---|
Note: Counts for mother tongue and home language include single response of a language as well as multiple responses of a language with English and/or French. | |||
Tlicho (Dogrib) | 2,000 | 23.5 | 4.9 |
Slavey, n.o.s. | 1,370 | 16.1 | 3.3 |
Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) | 615 | 7.2 | 1.5 |
Inuvialuktun | 545 | 6.4 | 1.3 |
Dene | 465 | 5.5 | 1.1 |
South Slavey | 405 | 4.8 | 1.0 |
Gwich'in | 260 | 3.1 | 0.6 |
Inuktitut | 240 | 2.8 | 0.6 |
North Slavey (Hare) | 205 | 2.4 | 0.5 |
German | 190 | 2.2 | 0.5 |
Northwest Territories – Bilingualism
Age groups | Mother tongue | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Total | English | French | Non-official language | |
Note: Counts for mother tongue include single responses only. Consequently, the total excludes multiple responses. | ||||
Total | 9.0 | 7.7 | 88.8 | 3.3 |
0 to 19 | 9.1 | 8.5 | 79.5 | 3.6 |
20 to 44 | 9.9 | 8.4 | 91.3 | 3.2 |
45 to 64 | 8.0 | 5.5 | 89.2 | 3.5 |
65 and over | 6.8 | 6.3 | 100.0 | 2.7 |
Knowledge of official languages | Number | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Total | 41,040 | 100.0 |
English only | 37,045 | 90.3 |
French only | 45 | 0.1 |
English and French | 3,720 | 9.1 |
Neither English nor French | 235 | 0.6 |
Symbols:
- ···
- not applicable
- †
- excludes census data for one or more incompletely enumerated Indian reserves or Indian settlements. For further information, refer to Notes.
- ¶
- incompletely enumerated Indian reserve or Indian settlement. For further information, refer to Notes.
- A
- adjusted figure due to boundary change. For further information, refer to Content considerations.
- E
- use with caution. For further information, refer to Cautionary note.
Source:
Statistics Canada. 2012. Focus on Geography Series, 2011 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 98-310-XWE2011004. Ottawa, Ontario. Analytical products, 2011 Census. Last updated October 24, 2012.
Related data:
- 2011 Census Topic-based tabulations – Northwest Territories
- 2011 Census Highlight tables – Northwest Territories
- 2011 Census Data Navigator – Northwest Territories
- 2011 NHS Focus on Geography Series – Northwest Territories
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