More retirees than ever
Photo: Colin Dakre’s photo file
As you move from north to south in Thompson-Okanagan, your hair becomes grayer.
Canadian statistics released a new wave of data from Wednesday’s census, focused on demographics. It follows the initial publication of population data, which showed that Metro Kelowna is the fastest growing big city in the country.
Despite the explosive growth, Thompson-Okanagan, like the rest of the country, sees much of the public in the retirement years as the boom generation fades. Adults aged 25 to 40 (millennials) now make up 36% of the country and will surpass the booms by 2029.
Of the four major cities in Thompson-Okanagan, Kamloops has the youngest population, followed by Vernon, Kelowna and finally the Penticton. The border town of Osoyoos has one of the oldest populations in Canada.
But while there are more retirees in all communities, the average age of Kamloops, Kelowna has actually dropped compared to the 2016 census.
Kamloops
- Average age – 42.8
- % of the population over 65 – 21.1
Vernon
- Average age – 50 years
- % of the population over 65 – 27.9
Kelowna
- Average age 44.4
- % of the population over 65 – 22.6
Penticton
- Average age – 53.6
- % of the population over 65 – 30.8
Canada
- Average age – 41.6
- % of the population over 65 – 19 years
Statistics Canada includes nearby communities in statistics for larger centers. For example, the capital area of the Kelowna census includes everything from Peachland to Lake Country. Penticton’s statistics include Okanagan Falls and rural Summerland outside the municipal boundaries.
A selection of data from other communities in the region is below:
Osoyoos
- Average age – 62 years
- % of the population over 65 – 43.7
Merritt
- Average age – 48.8
- % of the population over 65 – 27 years
Princeton
- Average age – 52.8
- % of the population over 65 – 27 years
Salmon hand
- Average age – 51.6
- % of the population over 65 – 30.4
** An earlier version of this story indicates the average age, not the average age of the Penticton. The story has been corrected.
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