CPABC: Net International Migration to Northwest B.C. Nearly Doubles in 2023
2024年7月26日 - 6:17AM
According to
BC Check-Up: Live, an annual report
by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia
(CPABC) on demographic and affordability trends across the
province, Northwest B.C.’s population grew by 769 residents in
2023, bringing the total population to 99,840 people.
“Population growth was positive for the fifth straight year in
the Northwest,” said Jeanne MacNeil, CPA, CA, partner at Edmison
Mehr Chartered Professional Accountants. “In 2023, that growth came
entirely from international migration.”
The region welcomed 1,184 net new residents from other countries
during the year ended July 1, 2023, just under half of whom were
between 25 and 39 years old. Meanwhile, the province lost residents
to other provinces (-253) and regions in B.C. (-142). Negative
natural growth also reduced the region’s population by 20
people.
The average age of a Northwest B.C. resident in 2023 was 40.9,
less than the provincial average of 42.5. Still, the region’s
population has trended older in recent years. Since 2018, the
number of residents aged 65 and older has increased by 19.5 per
cent, in line with the provincial average over the same period.
“Seniors have been the fastest-growing demographic in the region
over the last five years,” noted MacNeil. “It’s important that the
region continues to attract people to support our aging population
and that new residents can find affordable housing."
In the housing market, the average price (year-to-date) for a
home sold in Smithers was $497,322 in June 2024, down 6.8 per cent
compared to the same six-month period in 2023. Conversely, the
average sale price for a home in Prince Rupert was similar to the
2023 average, and moderate increases of 1.4 per cent and 4.6 per
cent were recorded in Terrace and Kitimat, respectively.
“It’s interesting to see home prices in Terrace and Kitimat
higher than they were two years ago, despite higher interest
rates,” concluded MacNeil. “Finding affordable housing in these
communities is becoming increasingly difficult, as supply is very
limited.”
To learn more, see www.bccheckup.com.
About CPA British Columbia
The Chartered Professional Accountants of British
Columbia (CPABC) is the training, governing, and regulatory
body for over 40,000 CPA members and 6,000 CPA candidates and
students. CPABC carries out its primary mission to protect the
public by enforcing the highest professional and ethical standards
and contributing to the advancement of public policy.
CPABC Media Contact:
Jack Blackwell, Economist
604.259.1143
news@bccpa.ca