Harbour Grace, Newfoundland and Labrador recorded a population of 2,796 in the 2021 Census. That’s a decline of 199 residents (−6.6%) from 2016 (2,995). The town spans 33.71 km² with a population density of 82.9 people per km².
Quick stats
Indicator | 2021
-----------------------------------|------
Population | 2,796
Change since 2016 | −199 (−6.6%)
Land area | 33.71 km²
Population density | 82.9 / km²
Total private dwellings | 1,483
Occupied private dwellings | 1,307 (≈88.2% occupancy)
Average household size | 2.1 persons
Median age | 54.0 years (avg age 49.4)
Population Growth Trends
Harbour Grace has seen modest decline over the last census cycle.
Year | Population | Change (number) | Change (%)
-----|------------|-----------------|-----------
2016 | 2,995 | — | —
2021 | 2,796 | −199 | −6.6%
What’s driving the trend? The community has a relatively mature age profile (median age 54) and a high share of seniors, which typically corresponds with slower natural growth and out-migration among working-age residents.
Age Distribution
The age structure skews older, with nearly 1 in 3 residents aged 65+.
Age Group | Population | Percent
-------------|------------|--------
0–14 years | 295 | 10.6%
15–64 years | 1,660 | 59.4%
65+ years | 840 | 30.1%
Median age: 54.0
Share 85+ years: 2.1%
Households & Dwellings
Harbour Grace is predominantly low-density and single-detached.
Dwelling Snapshot | Count | Percent
-----------------------------------|-------|--------
Total private dwellings | 1,483 | —
Occupied private dwellings | 1,307 | 88.2% of all dwellings
Dwellings per km² | — | ~44.0 per km²
Average household size | — | 2.1 persons
Structural type (occupied dwellings):
Type | Count | Percent
--------------------------------------|-------|--------
Single-detached house | 1,185 | 90.8%
Semi-detached | 30 | 2.3%
Row house | 35 | 2.7%
Apartment in duplex | 20 | 1.5%
Apartment (<5 storeys) | 40 | 3.1%
Other single-attached | 5 | 0.4%
Tenure & affordability (sample data):
Tenure/affordability | Count | Percent
-----------------------------------|-------|--------
Owner households | 1,090 | 83.5%
Renter households | 215 | 16.5%
Households spending ≥30% on shelter| 190 | 14.6%
Median monthly shelter (owners) | — | $540
Median monthly shelter (renters) | — | $780
Median dwelling value (owners) | — | $170,000
Demographics (Race / Ethnicity)
Harbour Grace is overwhelmingly non-visible-minority, with a small visible minority population and a modest Indigenous presence.
Visible Minority Status (sample) | Count | Percent
----------------------------------|-------|--------
Not a visible minority | 2,785 | 99.6%
Visible minority (total) | 10 | 0.4%
— Black | 10 | 0.4%
Indigenous Identity (sample) | Count | Percent
----------------------------------|-------|--------
Total Indigenous identity | 30 | 1.1%
— First Nations | 15 | 0.5%
— Inuit | 15 | 0.5%
— Métis | 0 | 0.0%
(Note: People with Indigenous identity are not counted as “visible minority” under Canadian standards.)
Income & Poverty
Household and family incomes reflect the local mix of seniors, service, trades, and resource-adjacent work.
Income Metric (2020) | Value
------------------------------------------------------|------
Median household income (total) | $57,600
Median household income (after-tax) | $53,600
Median economic family income (total) | $77,000
Median economic family income (after-tax) | $68,000
— Couple-with-children families (median, total) | $120,000
— Couple-only families (median, total) | $66,000
— One-parent families (median, total) | $54,000
Median income, persons not in economic families | $26,400
Low income (2020):
Measure | Rate
------------------------------------------|------
LIM-AT (Low-income measure, after-tax) | 21.1%
LICO-AT (Low-income cut-offs, after-tax) | 4.4%
Education
Nearly half of residents aged 15+ hold a postsecondary credential, with strong representation in trades and college programs.
Highest Certification (15+ population) | Count | Percent
---------------------------------------|-------|--------
No certificate/diploma/degree | 595 | 23.8%
High school diploma/equivalency | 665 | 26.6%
Postsecondary below bachelor | 995 | 39.8%
Bachelor’s degree or higher | 250 | 10.0%
Fields of study (highlights, sample): Trades & construction, health, transportation, and business programs are common.
Employment
Labour force participation is moderate with elevated unemployment, reflecting seasonal and resource-linked patterns.
Labour Force Status (15+, 2021) | Count | Rate
---------------------------------|-------|-----
In the labour force | 1,200 | —
Employed | 965 | —
Unemployed | 235 | 19.6% unemployment
Not in labour force | 1,305 | —
Participation rate | — | 48.0%
Employment rate | — | 38.6%
Leading occupations (sample, counts):
Occupation group | Count
---------------------------------------------------|------
Sales & service | 315
Trades, transport & equipment | 280
Manufacturing & utilities | 110
Health | 105
Education/law/social/community/government | 95
Top industries (sample, counts):
Industry | Count
-----------------------------------------|------
Health care & social assistance | 155
Retail trade | 140
Construction | 110
Manufacturing | 110
Accommodation & food services | 100
Transportation & warehousing | 90
Commuting & Transportation
Driving dominates, with short commute times for most workers.
Main Mode of Commuting (workers) | Count | Share
----------------------------------|-------|------
Car, truck or van (driver/pass.) | 810 | 90.5%
Public transit | 20 | 2.2%
Walked | 25 | 2.8%
Bicycle | 0 | 0.0%
Other method | 45 | 5.0%
Worked at home (separate metric) | 70 | 7.3% of employed
Place of work status (employed): ~74.1% at a usual workplace, 18.7% with no fixed address, 7.3% worked at home.
Commute duration (workers):
Duration | Share
-------------------|------
<15 minutes | 48.6%
15–29 minutes | 32.4%
30–44 minutes | 3.4%
45–59 minutes | 2.2%
60 minutes and over| 13.4%
Departure time (workers):
Time window | Share
---------------------------|------
5:00–5:59 a.m. | 8.9%
6:00–6:59 a.m. | 15.6%
7:00–7:59 a.m. | 25.7%
8:00–8:59 a.m. | 21.8%
9:00–11:59 a.m. | 11.2%
12:00 p.m.–4:59 a.m. | 15.6%
Conclusion
Harbour Grace’s 2021 population of 2,796 reflects a 6.6% decline since 2016, driven in part by an older age profile (median 54) and a 30% senior share. Housing is predominantly single-detached (91%) with high ownership and relatively low shelter-cost burdens for owners. The local economy leans toward health care, retail, construction, manufacturing, and accommodation/food services, while driving is the primary commute mode and nearly half of workers travel under 15 minutes.
Unique characteristic: a distinctive Newfoundland identity (notably “Newfoundlander” ancestry reported) alongside a strong tradition of trades and maritime-linked work gives the town its character.
FAQ
Harbour Grace had 2,796 residents in 2021.
It declined by 6.6% from 2016 to 2021 (−199 people).
The median age is 54.0 years, with 30.1% aged 65+.
There are about 1,307–1,310 occupied households, averaging 2.1 people per household.
Top sectors include health care & social assistance, retail, construction, manufacturing, and accommodation & food services.
Source:
- Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.
- Statistics Canada. Table 17-10-0148-01 Population estimates, July 1, by census metropolitan area and census agglomeration, 2021 boundaries
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