Focus on Geography Series, 2021 Census of Population

Kelowna, Census metropolitan area

Immigrant Status

According to the 2021 Census, 31,575 people, that is, 14.4% of the population, were foreign-born (immigrants), 182,660 (83.6%) were Canadian-born (non-immigrants) and 4,290 (2.0%) were non-permanent residents.

Recent Immigrants

Among immigrants in 2021, 4,295 came between 2016 and 2021. These recent immigrants made up 13.6% of the immigrant population.

Number and percentage of the immigrant population, Kelowna (CMA), 2001 to 2021

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Number and distribution (in percentage) of the immigrant population and recent immigrants in census divisions, Kelowna (CMA), 2021

Number and distribution (in percentage) of the immigrant population and recent immigrants in census divisions, Kelowna (CMA), 2021
Geography Total population Immigrant population Recent immigrants (2016 to 2021)
Number Number % Number %
Kelowna (CMA) 218,525 31,575 14.4 4,295 13.6
Central Okanagan (Regional district electoral area) 4,250 515 12.1 25 4.9
Central Okanagan West (Regional district electoral area) 2,875 375 13.0 25 6.7
Duck Lake 7 (Indian reserve) 1,840 210 11.4 20 9.3
Kelowna (City) 141,755 21,635 15.3 3,545 16.4
Lake Country (District municipality) 15,625 1,825 11.7 190 10.4
Peachland (District municipality) 5,765 910 15.8 45 4.9
Tsinstikeptum 10 (Indian reserve) 1,765 200 11.3 10 5.0
Tsinstikeptum 9 (Indian reserve) 8,900 1,075 12.1 55 5.1
West Kelowna (City) 35,750 4,835 13.5 370 7.7

Top places of birth of immigrants, Kelowna (CMA), 2016 and 2021

Top places of birth of immigrants, Kelowna (CMA), 2016 and 2021
2016 2021
Number % Rank Number % Rank
Immigrant population 26,450 100.0 ... 31,575 100.0 ...
United Kingdom 5,545 21.0 1 5,500 17.4 1
India 1,630 6.2 4 2,745 8.7 2
Germany 2,835 10.7 2 2,660 8.4 3
United States of America 2,035 7.7 3 2,215 7.0 4
Philippines 1,285 4.9 5 2,010 6.4 5
China 620 2.3 9 1,125 3.6 6
Poland 845 3.2 7 935 3.0 7
Netherlands 930 3.5 6 875 2.8 8
South Africa, Republic of 385 1.5 12 770 2.4 9
Italy 640 2.4 8 580 1.8 10

Top places of birth of recent immigrants, Kelowna (CMA), 2016 and 2021

Top places of birth of recent immigrants, Kelowna (CMA), 2016 and 2021
2016 2021
Number % Rank Number % Rank
Recent immigrants (2016: 2011 to 2016 / 2021: 2016 to 2021) 3,000 100.0 ... 4,295 100.0 ...
Philippines 550 18.4 1 615 14.3 1
India 235 7.8 3 570 13.3 2
United States of America 215 7.2 4 315 7.3 3
United Kingdom 295 9.8 2 315 7.3 3
China 150 5.0 7 260 6.1 5
Syria 30 1.0 17 240 5.6 6
Jamaica 215 7.2 4 200 4.7 7
Korea, South 175 5.8 6 140 3.3 8
Australia 85 2.8 9 130 3.0 9
Mexico 115 3.8 8 100 2.3 10

Immigrant population by non-official language spoken most often at home,Footnote 1 Kelowna (CMA), 2021

Immigrant population by non-official language spoken most often at home,Footnote 1 Kelowna (CMA), 2021
2021
Number % Rank
Immigrant population 31,575 100.0 ...
Punjabi (Panjabi) 1,770 5.6 1
Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) 930 2.9 2
German 870 2.8 3
Mandarin 700 2.2 4
Spanish 530 1.7 5
Russian 455 1.4 6
Korean 355 1.1 7
Polish 350 1.1 8
Arabic 340 1.1 9
Yue (Cantonese) 260 0.8 10

Recent immigrants by non-official language spoken most often at home,Footnote 1 Kelowna (CMA), 2021

Recent immigrants by non-official language spoken most often at home,Footnote 1 Kelowna (CMA), 2021
2021
Number % Rank
Recent immigrants (2016 to 2021) 4,295 100.0 ...
Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) 365 8.5 1
Punjabi (Panjabi) 260 6.0 2
Arabic 250 5.8 3
Mandarin 180 4.2 4
Spanish 120 2.8 5
Korean 110 2.6 6
Russian 105 2.4 7
Ukrainian 75 1.7 8
Hindi 65 1.5 9
Urdu 60 1.4 10

Population by generation status and median age, Kelowna (CMA), 2016 and 2021

Population by generation status and median age, Kelowna (CMA), 2016 and 2021
2016 2021
Number % Median age Number % Median age
Total population in private households 190,570 100.0 44.8 218,525 100.0 44.0
First generation (born abroad) 29,855 15.7 54.0 38,665 17.7 49.6
Second generation (born in Canada with at least one parent born abroad) 39,270 20.6 50.8 41,440 19.0 48.0
Third generation or more (born in Canada with both parents born in Canada) 121,450 63.7 39.6 138,425 63.3 41.2

Immigrant population by age groups at time of immigration, Kelowna (CMA), 2016 and 2021

Immigrant population by age groups at time of immigration, Kelowna (CMA), 2016 and 2021
2016 2021
All immigrants Recent immigrants (2011 to 2016) All immigrants Recent immigrants (2016 to 2021)
Number % Number % Number % Number %
Population in private households 26,450 100.0 3,000 100.0 31,575 100.0 4,295 100.0
Less than 15 years 8,065 30.5 575 19.2 9,225 29.2 750 17.5
15 to 24 years 6,605 25.0 370 12.3 6,590 20.9 515 12.0
25 to 64 years 11,630 44.0 1,980 66.0 15,495 49.1 2,935 68.3
65 years and older 155 0.6 65 2.2 265 0.8 95 2.2

Immigrant population by region of birth, Kelowna (CMA), 2016 and 2021 Footnote 2

Immigrant population by region of birth, Kelowna (CMA), 2016 and 2021 Footnote 2
2016 2021
All immigrants Recent immigrants (2011 to 2016) All immigrants Recent immigrants (2016 to 2021)
Number % Number % Number % Number %
Population in private households 26,450 ... 3,000 ... 31,575 ... 4,295 ...
Region of birth 26,435 100.0 2,995 100.0 31,560 100.0 4,300 100.0
Americas 3,500 13.2 630 21.0 4,265 13.5 850 19.8
Europe 15,345 58.0 700 23.4 15,380 48.7 830 19.3
Africa 780 3.0 90 3.0 1,355 4.3 150 3.5
Asia 6,220 23.5 1,455 48.6 9,750 30.9 2,295 53.4
Oceania 590 2.2 110 3.7 810 2.6 175 4.1

Immigrant population by visible minority groupFootnote 3, Kelowna (CMA), 2016 and 2021

Immigrant population by visible minority groupFootnote 3, Kelowna (CMA), 2016 and 2021
2016 2021
All immigrants Recent immigrants (2011 to 2016) All immigrants Recent immigrants (2016 to 2021)
Number % Number % Number % Number %
Population in private households 26,450 100.0 2,995 100.0 31,575 100.0 4,300 100.0
Visible minority population 7,560 28.6 1,940 64.8 11,885 37.6 2,910 67.7
South Asian 2,150 28.5 370 19.0 3,445 29.0 765 26.3
Chinese 1,090 14.4 185 9.5 1,680 14.1 290 10.0
Black 495 6.6 235 12.1 900 7.6 320 11.0
Filipino 1,215 16.1 520 26.7 1,950 16.4 575 19.8
Latin American 750 9.9 155 8.0 1,155 9.7 265 9.1
Arab 170 2.3 85 4.4 445 3.7 275 9.5
Southeast Asian 425 5.6 60 3.1 705 5.9 150 5.2
West Asian 305 4.0 40 2.1 500 4.2 35 1.2
Korean 445 5.9 175 9.0 515 4.3 140 4.8
Japanese 220 2.9 30 1.5 255 2.1 35 1.2
Visible minority, n.i.e. 100 1.3 35 1.8 170 1.4 30 1.0
Multiple visible minorities 190 2.5 50 2.6 170 1.4 35 1.2
Not a visible minority 18,900 71.5 1,050 35.1 19,695 62.4 1,390 32.3

Immigrant population by religious affiliation, Kelowna (CMA), 2011 and 2021

Immigrant population by religious affiliation, Kelowna (CMA), 2011 and 2021
2011 2021
All immigrants Recent immigrants (2006 to 2011) All immigrants Recent immigrants (2016 to 2021)
Number % Number % Number % Number %
Population in private households 24,450 100.0 3,145 100.0 31,575 100.0 4,295 100.0
Buddhist 260 1.1 35 1.1 560 1.8 80 1.9
Christian 14,870 60.8 1,580 50.2 15,815 50.1 1,765 41.1
Anglican 1,840 7.5 220 7.0 1,215 3.8 25 0.6
Baptist 1,015 4.2 95 3.0 760 2.4 75 1.7
Catholic 5,300 21.7 515 16.4 6,115 19.4 790 18.4
Christian Orthodox 380 1.6 95 3.0 670 2.1 80 1.9
Lutheran 1,515 6.2 30 1.0 950 3.0 0 0.0
Pentecostal and Other Charismatic 440 1.8 120 3.8 335 1.1 65 1.5
Presbyterian 385 1.6 40 1.3 270 0.9 20 0.5
United Church 660 2.7 40 1.3 390 1.2 0 0.0
Other Christian and Christian-related traditions 3,340 13.7 425 13.5 5,110 16.2 710 16.5
Hindu 370 1.5 85 2.7 640 2.0 240 5.6
Jewish 160 0.7 0 0.0 155 0.5 0 0.0
Muslim 340 1.4 45 1.4 1,045 3.3 405 9.4
Sikh 1,115 4.6 200 6.4 2,000 6.3 300 7.0
Traditional (North American Indigenous) spirituality 0 0.0 0 0.0 15 0.0 0 0.0
Other religions 255 1.0 0 0.0 270 0.9 15 0.3
No religion and secular perspectives 7,095 29.0 1,185 37.7 11,085 35.1 1,490 34.7
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