Poverty and living standards in Cape Breton, Canada: official figures
17.4% of people in private households in Cape Breton, 15,965 in all, were in low income in 2020 by the low-income measure after tax (LIM-AT), joint 2nd highest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site; the rate for Canada was 11.1%.
How many children in Cape Breton live in poverty?
21.9% of children under 18 in Cape Breton lived in low-income households in 2020 (LIM-AT), 2nd highest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 11.9%); among residents aged 65 and over the rate was 21.3% (Canada: 15.0%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the low-income cut-off rate in Cape Breton?
By the stricter low-income cut-offs after tax (LICO-AT), 5.1% of people in Cape Breton were in low income in 2020 (Canada: 5.2%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many households in Cape Breton are in core housing need?
8.4% of households in Cape Breton, 3,515, were in core housing need in 2021, meaning their home was unaffordable, crowded or in need of major repairs and they could not afford an acceptable local alternative; that was 16th lowest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 10.1%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many households in Cape Breton spend too much on housing?
16.1% of households in Cape Breton spent 30% or more of their income on shelter costs in 2021, joint 8th lowest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 20.9%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many renters in Cape Breton struggle with housing costs?
Among renter households in Cape Breton in 2021, 32.2% spent 30% or more of income on shelter, 18.9% were in core housing need and 24.2% lived in subsidized housing; among owners, 9.6% spent 30% or more and 4.3% were in core need (Canada: renters 33.2% and 20.0%, owners 14.8% and 5.3%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow Cape Breton compares with other cities in Canada
Prevalence of low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census (2020)
Cape Breton ranks 3 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Prevalence of low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint John | 17.8% |
| 2 | Montréal | 17.4% |
| 3 | Cape Breton | 17.4% |
| 4 | Richmond | 15.9% |
| 5 | Windsor | 15.6% |
| 6 | Moncton | 15.4% |
| 7 | Trois-Rivières | 15.0% |
Children aged 0-17 in low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census (2020)
Cape Breton ranks 2 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children aged 0-17 in low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint John | 24.4% |
| 2 | Cape Breton | 21.9% |
| 3 | Windsor | 21.1% |
| 4 | Moncton | 20.8% |
| 5 | St. John's | 19.1% |
| 6 | Winnipeg | 17.7% |
| 7 | London | 17.4% |
Households in core housing need, 2021 Census (2021)
Cape Breton ranks 54 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households in core housing need, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Milton | 9.2% |
| 52 | Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo | 9.0% |
| 53 | Thunder Bay | 8.9% |
| 54 | Cape Breton | 8.4% |
| 55 | Longueuil | 8.2% |
| 56 | Whitby | 8.2% |
| 57 | Saint John | 8.2% |
Households spending 30% or more of income on shelter, 2021 Census (2021)
Cape Breton ranks 62 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households spending 30% or more of income on shelter, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | Greater Sudbury / Grand Sudbury | 17.2% |
| 60 | Sherbrooke | 16.4% |
| 61 | Québec | 16.1% |
| 62 | Cape Breton | 16.1% |
| 63 | Thunder Bay | 16.0% |
| 64 | Gatineau | 15.8% |
| 65 | Chatham-Kent | 15.7% |
More on Cape Breton: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · all cities in Canada
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population (98-316-X2021001): census subdivisions, selected characteristics (Census Profile SDMX API extract, dataflow DF_CSD, gender total, counts and rates), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 46d086943a5e…)
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