Focus on Geography Series, 2021 Census of Population
British Columbia, Province
5.9%
In 2021, there were 290,210 Indigenous people in British Columbia, making up 5.9% of the population.
62.1%
The majority of the Indigenous population reported a single Indigenous identity—either First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit). Of the Indigenous population in British Columbia, 62.1% (180,085) were First Nations people, 33.7% (97,865) were Métis, and 0.6% (1,720) were Inuit.
69.5%
Within the First Nations population, 69.5% (125,110) had Registered or Treaty Indian status, as defined under the Indian Act. The other 30.5% (54,975) of the First Nations population did not have Registered or Treaty Indian status.
5,975
In addition to those who reported a single Indigenous identity, 5,975 people reported more than one Indigenous identity and 4,565 were defined as having an Indigenous identity that was not included elsewhere.
Total population by Indigenous identity and Registered or Treaty Indian status, British Columbia, 2021
| Indigenous identity | Number | Percent (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Total – Population by Indigenous identity | 4,915,940 | 100.0 |
| Indigenous identity | 290,210 | 5.9 |
| Single Indigenous responses | 279,670 | 5.7 |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 180,085 | 3.7 |
| First Nations (Registered or Treaty Indian) | 125,110 | 2.5 |
| First Nations (not a Registered or Treaty Indian) | 54,975 | 1.1 |
| Métis | 97,865 | 2.0 |
| Inuk (Inuit) | 1,720 | 0.0 |
| Multiple Indigenous responses | 5,975 | 0.1 |
| Indigenous responses not included elsewhere | 4,565 | 0.1 |
| Non-Indigenous identity | 4,625,730 | 94.1 |
Distribution of the Indigenous population by population centre size, British Columbia, 2021
Distribution of the First Nations population with Registered or Treaty Indian status by residence on or off reserve, British Columbia, 2021
Younger
In general, the Indigenous population in British Columbia is younger than the non-Indigenous population.
24.1%
Indigenous children aged 14 and under represented 24.1% of the total Indigenous population, while non-Indigenous children aged 14 and under accounted for 14.0% of the non-Indigenous population.
34.3
The average age of the Indigenous population in British Columbia was 34.3 years, compared with 43.2 years for the non-Indigenous population.
33.6
The average age was 33.6 years for First Nations people; it was 35.6 years for Métis; and it was 31.8 years for Inuit.
Age distribution by Indigenous identity, British Columbia, 2021
Top 10 census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations by Indigenous population, British Columbia, 2021
Selected Indigenous language indicators for First Nations people, Métis and Inuit, British Columbia, 2021
Top 6 most common Indigenous languages spoken for the Indigenous population, British Columbia, 2021
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