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2006 Aboriginal Population Profile

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Table: Population and dwelling counts

Population and dwelling counts	Canada				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Population in 2006 1	31,612,897†	Data not available	Data not available		4,113,487†	Data not available	Data not available
Population in 2001 1	30,007,094†	Data not available	Data not available		3,907,738†	Data not available	Data not available
2001 to 2006 population change (%)	5.4	Data not available	Data not available		5.3	Data not available	Data not available
Total private dwellings 2	13,576,855	Data not available	Data not available		1,788,474	Data not available	Data not available
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents 3	12,435,520	Data not available	Data not available		1,642,715	Data not available	Data not available
Population density per square kilometre	3.5	Data not available	Data not available		4.4	Data not available	Data not available
Land area (square km)	9,017,698.92	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	Canada				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total population 4	31,241,030	15,326,265	15,914,765		4,074,385	1,998,385	2,076,000
Total Aboriginal identity population 5	1,172,785	572,095	600,695		196,070	94,855	101,220
North American Indian - single response 6	698,025	338,050	359,975		129,580	63,190	66,390
Métis - single response	389,785	193,500	196,285		59,445	28,590	30,850
Inuit - single response	50,480	25,025	25,455		795	335	460
Multiple Aboriginal identity responses	7,740	3,690	4,050		1,655	800	855
Aboriginal responses not included elsewhere 7	26,760	11,830	14,930		4,605	1,940	2,660
Non-Aboriginal identity population	30,068,240	14,754,175	15,314,065		3,878,310	1,903,530	1,974,780

Table: Registered Indian status

Figure Registered Indian status	Canada				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total population 8	31,241,030	15,326,265	15,914,760		4,074,385	1,998,385	2,075,995
Registered Indian 9	623,780	300,830	322,945		110,545	53,535	57,010
Not a registered Indian	30,617,250	15,025,435	15,591,815		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	Canada				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 10	1,172,790	572,095	600,695		196,070	94,855	101,215
0 to 4 years	108,900	55,380	53,515		16,195	8,130	8,065
5 to 9 years	114,765	58,910	55,855		18,005	9,155	8,855
10 to 14 years	125,235	64,120	61,115		21,045	10,960	10,085
15 to 19 years	118,105	60,250	57,860		19,940	10,400	9,545
20 to 24 years	93,900	45,390	48,510		14,875	7,180	7,695
25 to 29 years	81,760	38,550	43,210		12,750	6,110	6,645
30 to 34 years	79,810	37,675	42,140		12,855	6,065	6,785
35 to 39 years	81,480	37,915	43,560		13,945	6,350	7,595
40 to 44 years	87,990	41,285	46,705		15,670	7,175	8,500
45 to 49 years	79,230	37,255	41,970		14,790	6,645	8,140
50 to 54 years	64,060	30,285	33,775		11,635	5,440	6,200
55 to 59 years	48,270	23,365	24,905		8,275	3,895	4,375
60 to 64 years	32,820	16,055	16,765		6,150	2,890	3,260
65 to 69 years	22,680	10,870	11,815		4,135	1,985	2,155
70 to 74 years	16,125	7,465	8,660		2,705	1,220	1,480
75 to 79 years	9,435	4,110	5,325		1,670	740	935
80 to 84 years	5,240	2,080	3,165		835	320	520
85 years and over	2,980	1,125	1,850		585	195	385
Median age of the Aboriginal identity population 11	26.5	25.2	27.7		28.1	26.2	29.8
% of the Aboriginal identity population aged 15 and over	70.3	68.8	71.6		71.8	70.2	73.3

Table: Common-law status of the Aboriginal identity population

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

Table: Legal marital status of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Legal marital status of the Aboriginal identity population	Canada				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over 13	823,890	393,680	430,205		140,820	66,610	74,210
Never legally married (single) 14	440,570	224,155	216,410		75,915	39,290	36,620
Legally married (and not separated) 15	254,930	122,405	132,525		41,000	18,980	22,025
Separated, but still legally married 16	35,480	14,270	21,205		6,970	2,680	4,290
Divorced 17	62,410	25,975	36,435		11,690	4,465	7,230
Widowed 18	30,505	6,880	23,630		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	Canada				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total private dwellings occupied by usual residents 19	506,235	Data not available	Data not available		89,675	Data not available	Data not available
Single detached houses - as a % of total occupied private dwellings	61.1	Data not available	Data not available		54.4	Data not available	Data not available
Semi-detached houses - as a % of total occupied private dwellings	5.1	Data not available	Data not available		4.0	Data not available	Data not available
Row houses - as a % of total occupied private dwellings	6.3	Data not available	Data not available		7.1	Data not available	Data not available
Apartments, duplex - as a % of total occupied private dwellings 20	4.0	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	16.1	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	4.0	Data not available	Data not available		3.1	Data not available	Data not available
Other dwellings - as a % of total occupied private dwellings 21	3.4	Data not available	Data not available		5.3	Data not available	Data not available
Number of owned dwellings 22	255,415	Data not available	Data not available		47,010	Data not available	Data not available
Number of rented dwellings 23	202,415	Data not available	Data not available		38,725	Data not available	Data not available
Number of dwellings constructed before 1986	352,975	Data not available	Data not available		61,235	Data not available	Data not available
Number of dwellings constructed between 1986 and 2006 24	153,255	Data not available	Data not available		28,440	Data not available	Data not available
Dwelling requiring regular maintenance only	244,780	Data not available	Data not available		44,815	Data not available	Data not available
Dwellings requiring minor repairs only	166,130	Data not available	Data not available		28,945	Data not available	Data not available
Dwellings requiring major repairs only	95,330	Data not available	Data not available		15,910	Data not available	Data not available
Average number of rooms per dwelling 25	6.1	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	4.2	Data not available	Data not available		2.8	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	Canada				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total number of persons in census families 26	1,169,435	570,050	599,380		195,400	94,460	100,940
Spouses	250,615	120,440	130,170		40,155	18,600	21,550
Common-law partners	142,160	67,155	75,000		24,670	11,330	13,345
Lone parents	96,205	19,180	77,025		15,350	3,075	12,275
Children in census families	506,685	271,000	235,685		81,115	43,265	37,850
Persons not in census families	173,765	92,270	81,495		34,110	18,190	15,920

Table: Language characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Language characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population	Canada				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population	1,172,790	572,095	600,695		196,075	94,860	101,215
Knowledge of Aboriginal language(s) 27	252,045	122,805	129,240		18,230	8,740	9,495
Knowledge of English only 28	772,290	378,915	393,375		166,890	81,700	85,190
Knowledge of French only 29	35,570	17,345	18,225		65	30	40
Knowledge of English and French only 30	100,070	47,895	52,170		7,865	3,325	4,540
Knowledge of other languages 31	12,810	5,130	7,680		3,025	1,065	1,955
% of the Aboriginal identity population whose mother tongue is an Aboriginal language	18.7	18.5	18.8		7.4	7.1	7.7
% of the Aboriginal identity population who speak an Aboriginal language most often at home	11.8	12.2	11.4		2.2	2.2	2.2
% of the Aboriginal identity population with knowledge of Aboriginal language(s)	21.5	21.5	21.5		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	Canada				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total population 1 year and over 32	1,150,510	560,875	589,635		192,765	93,210	99,560
Lived at the same address 1 year ago	926,950	455,335	471,620		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)	135,650	63,585	72,070		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	68,805	32,810	35,995		14,330	6,970	7,360
Lived in a different province or territory 1 year ago	17,540	8,375	9,165		2,830	1,360	1,470
Lived in a different country 1 year ago	1,560	775	790		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	Canada				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total population 5 years and over 33	1,063,780	516,655	547,125		179,870	86,720	93,145
Lived at the same address 5 years ago	585,840	291,470	294,375		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)	274,485	129,710	144,770		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	152,955	71,475	81,480		32,080	15,080	17,005
Lived in a different province or territory 5 years ago	46,500	22,055	24,445		7,395	3,540	3,850
Lived in a different country 5 years ago	3,995	1,940	2,060		875	415	460

Table: Educational attainment of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Educational attainment of the Aboriginal identity population	Canada				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over 34	823,890	393,680	430,205		140,825	66,615	74,210
No certificate, diploma or degree	359,780	182,410	177,365		54,910	28,220	26,695
High school certificate or equivalent 35	179,590	81,210	98,380		35,680	16,550	19,125
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma	93,885	58,520	35,360		17,615	10,615	7,000
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 36	119,680	45,750	73,925		20,275	7,135	13,140
University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level	22,950	8,190	14,760		4,825	1,445	3,380
University certificate or degree	48,015	17,600	30,415		7,515	2,650	4,870
Total Aboriginal identity population aged 15 to 24 37	212,010	105,645	106,365		34,815	17,580	17,235
No certificate, diploma or degree	132,670	68,975	63,695		19,540	10,260	9,280
High school certificate or equivalent 38	54,785	25,620	29,165		11,020	5,380	5,640
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma	7,845	4,875	2,965		1,580	990	590
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 39	11,695	4,560	7,130		1,855	715	1,145
University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level	1,745	680	1,070		470	145	330
University certificate or degree	3,265	925	2,335		345	95	250
Total Aboriginal identity population aged 25 to 34 40	161,570	76,220	85,350		25,610	12,175	13,430
No certificate, diploma or degree	51,565	26,815	24,750		7,340	3,985	3,350
High school certificate or equivalent 41	42,390	20,100	22,290		7,490	3,625	3,865
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma	19,100	11,700	7,395		3,390	1,945	1,445
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 42	30,500	11,290	19,210		4,605	1,610	2,990
University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level	4,680	1,680	3,005		865	330	535
University certificate or degree	13,335	4,630	8,705		1,930	685	1,240
Total Aboriginal identity population aged 35 to 64 43	393,845	186,165	207,680		70,470	32,400	38,070
No certificate, diploma or degree	137,845	70,285	67,565		22,045	11,370	10,675
High school certificate or equivalent 44	76,570	33,255	43,315		15,935	7,050	8,890
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma	60,970	37,960	23,010		11,435	6,960	4,470
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 45	73,405	28,125	45,285		12,970	4,445	8,520
University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level	15,370	5,420	9,950		3,210	870	2,335
University certificate or degree	29,680	11,125	18,560		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	Canada				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total Aboriginal identity population 15 years and over 46	823,890	393,680	430,205		140,825	66,615	74,210
No postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree	539,365	263,615	275,745		90,590	44,775	45,820
Education	20,095	4,845	15,250		3,015	695	2,320
Visual and performing arts, and communications technologies	7,650	3,650	3,995		1,740	740	1,005
Humanities	10,505	4,090	6,410		1,875	680	1,195
Social and behavioural sciences and law	26,090	6,770	19,325		4,600	1,110	3,490
Business, management and public administration	60,060	14,295	45,765		10,425	2,185	8,235
Physical and life sciences and technologies	3,510	1,755	1,760		580	310	270
Mathematics, computer and information sciences	9,375	4,350	5,030		1,500	685	815
Architecture, engineering, and related technologies	66,130	60,555	5,575		10,770	9,970	800
Agriculture, natural resources and conservation	8,385	5,780	2,600		2,205	1,480	720
Health, parks, recreation and fitness	40,865	6,355	34,510		7,510	1,165	6,345
Personal, protective and transportation services	31,805	17,605	14,205		5,995	2,800	3,195
Other 47	45	10	35		10	10	0

Table: Labour force activity characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

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

Table: Occupation characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

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

Table: Industry characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

Figure Industry characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population	Canada				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total experienced labour force 15 years and over with an Aboriginal identity 58	497,280	253,825	243,455		87,720	44,445	43,275
Agriculture and other resource-based industries	39,705	32,005	7,700		7,720	6,220	1,505
Construction	43,880	39,175	4,705		8,660	7,535	1,130
Manufacturing	39,770	28,985	10,785		7,850	6,150	1,695
Wholesale trade	11,995	8,290	3,700		2,065	1,455	610
Retail trade	51,465	20,905	30,565		9,135	3,430	5,705
Finance and real estate	14,970	5,400	9,565		2,530	705	1,825
Health care and social services	58,160	10,080	48,075		8,370	1,280	7,095
Educational services	32,955	9,165	23,790		5,125	1,220	3,905
Business services	69,900	40,950	28,950		12,390	6,980	5,415
Other services	134,480	58,865	75,615		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	Canada				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total employed labour force 15 years and over with an Aboriginal identity 59	442,395	222,350	220,045		77,850	38,875	38,970
Worked at home	22,995	10,500	12,490		4,975	2,190	2,785
Worked outside Canada	1,180	700	480		175	105	70
No fixed workplace address	65,295	50,105	15,190		13,795	10,320	3,470
Worked at usual place	352,925	161,045	191,880		58,900	26,260	32,645
Worked in census subdivision (municipality) of residence	235,720	102,030	133,685		32,360	13,230	19,135
Worked in a different census subdivision (municipality) within the census division (county) of residence	78,545	37,540	41,005		22,855	10,995	11,860
Worked in a different census division (county)	33,475	18,435	15,035		3,245	1,770	1,475
Worked in a different province	5,190	3,030	2,155		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	Canada				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	418,225	211,150	207,070		72,695	36,580	36,115
Car, truck, van, as driver	264,600	138,565	126,030		45,560	22,860	22,705
Car, truck, van, as passenger	49,360	25,035	24,325		9,155	5,095	4,060
Public transit	31,845	13,025	18,820		5,850	2,530	3,325
Walked or bicycled	58,870	26,345	32,525		10,300	4,875	5,420
All other modes	13,550	8,175	5,365		1,825	1,215	610

Table: Earnings in 2005 of the Aboriginal identity population

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

Table: Income in 2005 of the Aboriginal identity population

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

Table: Households characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population

Households characteristics of the Aboriginal identity population	Canada				British Columbia
	Total	Male	Female		Total	Male	Female
Total private Aboriginal households 67	506,235	Data not available	Data not available		89,670	Data not available	Data not available
Median income in 2005 - All private households ($) 68	43,261	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. Canada (Code01) (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 20, 2024).