Focus on Geography Series, 2021 Census of Population
Cowichan Valley, Regional district
12.6%
In 2021, there were 10,990 Indigenous people in Cowichan Valley (Regional district), making up 12.6% of the population.
72.6%
The majority of the Indigenous population reported a single Indigenous identity—either First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit). Of the Indigenous population in Cowichan Valley (Regional district), 72.6% (7,980) were First Nations people, 24.7% (2,715) were Métis, and 0.3% (25) were Inuit.
81.0%
Within the First Nations population, 81.0% (6,465) had Registered or Treaty Indian status, as defined under the Indian Act. The other 19.0% (1,520) of the First Nations population did not have Registered or Treaty Indian status.
140
In addition to those who reported a single Indigenous identity, 140 people reported more than one Indigenous identity and 125 were defined as having an Indigenous identity that was not included elsewhere.
Total population by Indigenous identity and Registered or Treaty Indian status, Cowichan Valley (Regional district), 2021
| Indigenous identity | Number | Percent (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Total – Population by Indigenous identity | 87,330 | 100.0 |
| Indigenous identity | 10,990 | 12.6 |
| Single Indigenous responses | 10,725 | 12.3 |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 7,980 | 9.1 |
| First Nations (Registered or Treaty Indian) | 6,465 | 7.4 |
| First Nations (not a Registered or Treaty Indian) | 1,520 | 1.7 |
| Métis | 2,715 | 3.1 |
| Inuk (Inuit) | 25 | 0.0 |
| Multiple Indigenous responses | 140 | 0.2 |
| Indigenous responses not included elsewhere | 125 | 0.1 |
| Non-Indigenous identity | 76,340 | 87.4 |
Younger
In general, the Indigenous population in Cowichan Valley (Regional district) is younger than the non-Indigenous population.
26.8%
Indigenous children aged 14 and under represented 26.8% of the total Indigenous population, while non-Indigenous children aged 14 and under accounted for 12.6% of the non-Indigenous population.
33.3
The average age of the Indigenous population in Cowichan Valley (Regional district) was 33.3 years, compared with 48.6 years for the non-Indigenous population.
31.2
The average age was 31.2 years for First Nations people; it was 38.3 years for Métis; and it was 33 years for Inuit.
Age distribution by Indigenous identity, Cowichan Valley (Regional district), 2021
Selected Indigenous language indicators for First Nations people, Métis and Inuit, Cowichan Valley (Regional district), 2021
Indigenous population as a proportion of the total population, Cowichan Valley (Regional district) and higher-level geographies, 2021
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