Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador counted 7,852 residents in 2021, a decline of 47 people (-0.6%) from 7,899 in 2016. The town covers 34.89 km² with a population density of 225.0 persons/km². Quick housing snapshot: 3,182 total private dwellings, 2,985 occupied by usual residents.
Population Growth Trends
Torbay’s headcount eased slightly between 2016 and 2021, reflecting stable-to-soft growth relative to fast-growing nearby suburbs in the St. John’s CMA.
Change since last census
| Metric | 2016 | 2021 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 7,899 | 7,852 | -47 (-0.6%) |
| Land area (km²) | 34.89 | 34.89 | — |
| Density (per km²) | 226.4 | 225.0 | -1.4 |
Age Distribution
Torbay skews mature, with a median age of 42.8 (average age 40.3). Children 0–14 represent just under one-fifth of residents, while seniors 65+ are about one in seven.
Broad age groups
| Age Group | Population | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| 0–14 years | 1,430 | 18.2% |
| 15–64 years | 5,330 | 67.9% |
| 65+ years | 1,095 | 13.9% |
Households & Dwellings
Housing is predominantly single-detached, with comparatively large homes by national standards and a high owner share.
Housing snapshot
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total private dwellings | 3,182 |
| Occupied by usual residents | 2,985 |
| Occupancy rate | 93.8% |
| Average household size | 2.6 |
| Population density | 225.0 per km² |
| Land area | 34.89 km² |
Occupied dwellings by structure type
| Dwelling Type | Count | Share of occupied |
|---|---|---|
| Single-detached house | 2,395 | 80.2% |
| Semi-detached | 30 | 1.0% |
| Row house | 15 | 0.5% |
| Apt./flat in a duplex | 500 | 16.8% |
| Apt. <5 storeys | 35 | 1.2% |
| Apt. 5+ storeys | 10 | 0.3% |
Demographics (Race / Ethnicity)
Statistics Canada reports both visible minority groups and Indigenous identity. Torbay is largely White, with a small visible minority population and a notable share reporting Indigenous identity or ancestry.
Visible minority population (base: 7,780 in private households)
| Group | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Total visible minority | 110 | 1.4% |
| South Asian | 50 | 0.6% |
| Black | 25 | 0.3% |
| Chinese | 10 | 0.1% |
| All other categories (each) | 0 | — |
| Not a visible minority | 7,670 | 98.6% |
Indigenous identity (base: 7,780 in private households)
| Group | Number | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Indigenous identity | 320 | 4.1% |
| — First Nations | 190 | — |
| — Métis | 110 | — |
| Non-Indigenous identity | 7,465 | 95.9% |
Selected ethnic/cultural origins (multiple responses allowed)
Commonly reported origins include Irish (3,090), English (3,070), Canadian (1,770), Newfoundlander (465) and Mi’kmaq n.o.s. (260).
Income & Poverty
Household incomes are comparatively strong for Newfoundland and Labrador, with low measured poverty.
Household income (2020 dollars)
| Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Median household income (total) | $108,000 |
| Median after-tax household income | $90,000 |
| Median, one-person households | $43,200 |
| Median, 2+ person households | $127,000 |
Family vs non-family (2020, medians)
| Group | Median total income |
|---|---|
| All economic families | $127,000 |
| Couple with children | $164,000 |
| Couple only | $97,000 |
| One-parent families | $72,500 |
| Persons not in economic families (individuals) | $42,800 |
Poverty & inequality (2020)
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Low-income rate (LIM-AT) | 6.9% (535 people) |
| Ages 0–17 in low income | 8.0% |
| Ages 18–64 in low income | 5.6% |
| Ages 65+ in low income | 11.4% |
| Gini index (after-tax) | 0.264 |
Education
Most adults have postsecondary credentials, with meaningful representation in trades and college programs.
Highest certificate, diploma or degree (15+, base: 6,345)
| Level | Count | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| No certificate/diploma/degree | 810 | 12.8% |
| High school diploma (or equivalent) | 1,710 | 26.9% |
| Postsecondary (any) | 3,830 | 60.4% |
| — Apprenticeship or trades | 570 | 9.0% |
| — College/CEGEP/other non-university | 1,615 | 25.4% |
| — University below bachelor | 160 | 2.5% |
| — Bachelor’s or higher | 1,485 | 23.4% |
| —— Bachelor’s degree | 1,025 | 16.2% |
| —— Master’s | 290 | 4.6% |
| —— Professional (MD/DVM/OD) | 50 | 0.8% |
| —— Doctorate | 35 | 0.6% |
Employment
Torbay’s labour market shows solid participation, with employment concentrated in public services, health, retail, and the trades.
Labour force status (15+)
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Participation rate | 67.8% |
| Employment rate | 61.2% |
| Unemployment rate | 9.7% |
| In the labour force | 4,300 |
| Employed | 3,885 |
| Unemployed | 415 |
Top occupation groups (share of employed labour force “all occupations” = 4,205)
| Occupation group | Count | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Sales & service | 985 | 23.4% |
| Business, finance & administration | 845 | 20.1% |
| Trades, transport & equipment | 775 | 18.4% |
| Education, law & social/community/government | 515 | 12.2% |
| Natural & applied sciences | 445 | 10.6% |
Leading industries (NAICS, share of “all industries” = 4,205)
| Industry | Count | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Health care & social assistance | 590 | 14.0% |
| Public administration | 530 | 12.6% |
| Retail trade | 480 | 11.4% |
| Educational services | 355 | 8.4% |
| Professional, scientific & technical | 335 | 8.0% |
| Construction | 295 | 7.0% |
| Transportation & warehousing | 255 | 6.1% |
| Mining, quarrying & oil/gas | 195 | 4.6% |
Commuting & Transportation
Most workers drive, with a meaningful work-from-home share reflecting post-2020 shifts.
Place of work (share of employed, n=3,885)
| Status | Count | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Usual place of work | 2,590 | 66.7% |
| Worked at home | 760 | 19.6% |
| No fixed workplace | 530 | 13.6% |
| Outside Canada | 10 | 0.3% |
Main mode of commuting (n=3,115)
| Mode | Count | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Car, truck or van (total) | 2,885 | 92.6% |
| — as driver | 2,650 | 85.0% |
| — as passenger | 235 | 7.5% |
| Walked | 55 | 1.8% |
| Public transit | 25 | 0.8% |
| Bicycle | 0 | 0.0% |
| Other method | 145 | 4.7% |
Commute duration (n=3,115)
| Duration | Count | Percent |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 1,015 | 32.6% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 1,615 | 51.8% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 350 | 11.2% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 25 | 0.8% |
| 60 minutes and over | 105 | 3.4% |
Conclusion
In 2021, Torbay posted a stable population of 7,852 (-0.6%) with a median age of 42.8. Housing is largely single-detached with high occupancy and household incomes are strong ($108,000 median). The workforce concentrates in health care, public administration, retail, and the trades, with most commuters driving and a sizeable work-from-home cohort. A distinctive feature of Torbay is its high share of single-detached homes (80%) paired with short, sub-30-minute commutes for most workers, underscoring its suburban, family-oriented appeal near St. John’s.
FAQ
Torbay’s population in 2021 is 7,852.
It declined slightly by 0.6% from 2016 to 2021 (down 47 people).
The median age is 42.8 years (average age 40.3).
There are 2,985 occupied private dwellings (3,182 total), with an average household size of 2.6.
Top sectors by employment include health care & social assistance, public administration, retail trade, education, professional services, and construction.
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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