Portugal Cove–St. Philip’s, Newfoundland and Labrador recorded a 2021 population of 8,415, up 268 people (+3.3%) from 8,147 in 2016. The town covers 57.61 km² with a population density of 146.1 per km². Quick demographics: median age 43.2 (average age 40.7).
Population Growth Trends
The town added 268 residents between 2016 and 2021, a steady climb of 3.3%. Growth reflects its family-oriented housing (large share of single-detached homes) and proximity to the St. John’s labour market.
Population change (2016–2021)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Population 2016 | 8,147 |
| Population 2021 | 8,415 |
| Absolute change | +268 |
| Percent change | +3.3% |
Age Distribution
The community skews middle-aged with a strong working-age core and a growing senior cohort.
Key age metrics
- Median age: 43.2
- 0–14 years: 18.0%
- 15–64 years: 67.0%
- 65+ years: 15.1%
| **Age Group | Population | Percent** |
|---|---|---|
| 0–14 years | 1,515 | 18.0% |
| 15–64 years | 5,635 | 67.0% |
| 65+ years | 1,270 | 15.1% |
Households & Dwellings
Portugal Cove–St. Philip’s is predominantly low-density, owner-occupied, single-detached housing with relatively large homes.
Housing snapshot
- Total private dwellings: 3,357
- Occupied by usual residents: 3,170 (94.4% occupancy)
- Average household size: 2.7 persons
- Owners: 2,720 (85.8% of households) | Renters: 445 (14.0%)
- Structure type: Single-detached houses 2,765 (87.2% of occupied); apartments in duplex 335 (10.6%)
- Median value of dwellings: $376,000
- Median monthly shelter costs: Owners $1,580; Renters $950
- Households spending ≥30% of income on shelter (overall): 13.5%
| **Household & Dwelling | Count/Value | Percent/Rate** |
|---|---|---|
| Total dwellings | 3,357 | — |
| Occupied dwellings | 3,170 | 94.4% of dwellings |
| Owner households | 2,720 | 85.8% of households |
| Renter households | 445 | 14.0% of households |
| Single-detached homes | 2,765 | 87.2% of occupied |
| Apartment in duplex | 335 | 10.6% of occupied |
| Avg rooms per dwelling | 7.5 | — |
| Population density | 146.1 per km² | — |
Demographics (Race / Ethnicity)
Most residents identify as not a visible minority, with small but diverse visible minority groups present. Indigenous identity is reported by 295 residents (primarily First Nations and Inuit). Note: in Canadian statistics, Indigenous peoples are not included within “visible minority.”
| **Visible minority status | Population | Percent** |
|---|---|---|
| Total visible minority | 220 | 2.6% |
| — Chinese | 90 | 1.1% |
| — South Asian | 60 | 0.7% |
| — Korean | 25 | 0.3% |
| — Black | 15 | 0.2% |
| — Japanese | 10 | 0.1% |
| Not a visible minority | 8,195 | 97.4% |
| **Indigenous identity | Population | Percent** |
|---|---|---|
| Total Indigenous identity | 295 | 3.5% |
| — First Nations | 195 | 2.3% |
| — Métis | 20 | 0.2% |
| — Inuit | 55 | 0.7% |
Additional context: Immigrants: 320 (≈3.8% of the population). Knowledge of official languages: English-only 7,620 (~90.6%); English & French 785 (~9.3%).
Income & Poverty
Household incomes are comparatively high for Newfoundland and Labrador, with a low measured poverty rate.
Income & Poverty (2020 dollars)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median household income | $114,000 |
| Median after-tax household income | $95,000 |
| Median family income (economic families) | $131,000 (after-tax $108,000) |
| Median income, persons 15+ not in families | $40,800 (after-tax $36,800) |
| Low-income rate (LIM-AT) | 6.3% |
| Low-income rate (LICO-AT) | 1.4% |
| Gini index (after-tax) | 0.276 |
Education
Most adults have postsecondary credentials, led by college and trades pathways; nearly 26.3% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Highest certificate, diploma or degree (age 15+)
| Level | Population | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| No certificate/diploma/degree | 870 | 12.6% |
| High school diploma | 1,610 | 23.3% |
| Postsecondary (any) | 4,425 | 64.1% |
| — Trades (apprenticeship or other) | 560 | 8.1% |
| — College/CEGEP | 1,835 | 26.6% |
| — University below bachelor | 210 | 3.0% |
| — Bachelor’s degree or higher | 1,820 | 26.3% |
| • Bachelor’s degree | 1,220 | 17.7% |
| • Postgrad cert/dipl (above bachelor) | 55 | 0.8% |
| • Medicine/dentistry/vet/optometry | 85 | 1.2% |
| • Master’s degree | 350 | 5.1% |
| • Doctorate | 110 | 1.6% |
Employment
Labour force participation is strong with broad representation across public services, health, retail, and professional sectors.
Key labour indicators (age 15+)
| Indicator | Rate/Count |
|---|---|
| Participation rate | 67.1% |
| Employment rate | 61.9% |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9% |
| Employed persons (est.) | 4,275 |
Top occupations (share of labour force by occupation)
| Occupation (NOC broad group) | Count | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Sales & service | 835 | 18.3% |
| Trades, transport & equipment operators | 825 | 18.1% |
| Business, finance & administration | 780 | 17.1% |
| Education, law, social/community & gov’t | 675 | 14.8% |
| Health | 530 | 11.6% |
| Natural & applied sciences | 450 | 9.9% |
Leading industries (NAICS)
| Industry | Count | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Health care & social assistance | 770 | 16.9% |
| Public administration | 575 | 12.6% |
| Retail trade | 465 | 10.2% |
| Professional, scientific & technical services | 435 | 9.5% |
| Construction | 345 | 7.6% |
| Educational services | 385 | 8.4% |
| Transportation & warehousing | 230 | 5.0% |
| Accommodation & food services | 180 | 3.9% |
Commuting & Transportation
Driving dominates journeys to work, with short commutes typical. A notable share worked from home in 2021.
Place of work (employed, 15+)
| Status | Count | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Worked at home | 815 | 19.1% |
| Usual place of work | 2,955 | 69.2% |
| No fixed workplace | 495 | 11.6% |
| Worked outside Canada | 10 | 0.2% |
Main mode of commuting (denominator: 3,450 commuters)
| Mode | Count | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Car, truck or van | 3,165 | 91.7% |
| Public transit | 25 | 0.7% |
| Walked | 105 | 3.0% |
| Bicycle | 0 | 0.0% |
| Other method | 155 | 4.5% |
Commute duration
| Duration | Count | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 715 | 20.7% |
| 15–29 minutes | 2,290 | 66.4% |
| 30–44 minutes | 285 | 8.3% |
| 45–59 minutes | 30 | 0.9% |
| 60 minutes and over | 130 | 3.8% |
Conclusion
Portugal Cove–St. Philip’s grew to 8,415 residents in 2021 (+3.3% since 2016). The population is mature (median age 43.2) with strong household incomes and high homeownership. A defining local characteristic is the very high share of single-detached, larger homes (average 7.5 rooms) coupled with short, car-based commutes—a suburban profile within easy reach of the St. John’s metro economy.
FAQ
8,415 residents.
Growing—+268 people (+3.3%) from 2016 to 2021.
43.2 years (average age 40.7).
3,170 occupied private dwellings; 85.8% are owner households.
Top sectors include health care & social assistance, public administration, retail trade, and professional, scientific & technical 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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