Doing Business in Kelowna - Quick Business Statistics

Population

The estimated population of the Regional District in 2005 is 165,224. This is an increase of 11.8% over the 2001 census figure of 147,739 for the region. Kelowna and the Central Okanagan continue to be one of the fastest growing areas in British Columbia. The chart below illustrates the dramatic population increase our region has experienced in the past 10 years.

Approximately two-thirds of the population in Central Okanagan is located in the City of Kelowna. The table below shows steady population growth in all the communities within the Central Okanagan, particularly the Westside.

Population Distribution

Area	1991 Population	1996 Population	2001 Population	1996 – 2001 Population Change	2005 Estimated Population²
City of Kelowna	75,953	89,442	96,288	7.7%	105,695
Peachland DM	3,459	4,524	4,654	2.9%	5,142
Lake Country DM	7,622	9,007	9,267	2.9%	10,047
Electoral Area Joe Rich – Ellison	2,468	3,446	3,672	6.6%	4,257
Electoral Area Westside	17,770	22,901	26,001	13.5%	30,166
Reserves (IR 9,10 and Duck Lake Reserve)	4,574	7,221	7,857	8.8%	8,180
RDCO	111,846	136,541	147,739	8.2%	163,487

Sources:
1. BC Stats: 2001 Profile of British Columbia’s Regions: Central Okanagan, Fall 2004
2. FP Markets Canadian Demographics 2005, 78th Edition, Financial Post, 2004

Our region will continue to see an increase in population over the coming years with our population expected to reach nearly 220,000 by the year 2020.

Population Growth Projections 2006 to 2031

Year	Population	Natural Increase	Net Migration	Population Growth Rate
2005	165,224	100	2,569	1.6%
2006	167,921	56	2,641	1.6%
2007	170,749	15	2,813	1.7%
2008	173,615	-16	2,882	1.7%
2009	176,619	-26	3,030	1.7%
2010	179,695	-42	3,118	1.7%
2011	182,877	-57	3,239	1.8%
2012	186,095	-63	3,281	1.8%
2013	189,309	-72	3,286	1.7%
2014	192,527	-85	3,303	1.7%
2015	195,747	-96	3,316	1.7%
2016	198,831	-116	3,200	1.6%
2017	201,975	-130	3,274	1.6%
2018	205,030	-160	3,215	1.5%
2019	208,031	-189	3,190	1.5%
2020	210,966	-221	3,156	1.4%
2021	214,028	-255	3,317	1.5%
2022	217,050	-292	3,314	1.4%
2023	220,031	-330	3,311	1.4%
2024	223,021	-379	3,369	1.4%
2025	226,052	-420	3,451	1.4%
2026	229,178	-469	3,595	1.4%
2027	232,274	-508	3,604	1.4%
2028	235,340	-545	3,611	1.3%
2029	238,373	-587	3,620	1.3%
2030	241,370	-631	3,628	1.3%
2031	244,333	-673	3,636	1.2%

Source: BC Stats: PEOPLE 30, May 2005

Though the population is our region is gradually aging, our largest age group is in the 25 - 44 year age group (26.4% of RDCO population). This compares to 17.9% in the 65+ age group.

For additional information regarding population statistics including age distribution, ethnic orgin, household size, gender and education levels please download the population section from our Economic Profile.