Poverty and living standards in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, Canada: official figures
9.3% of people in private households in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, 52,840 in all, were in low income in 2020 by the low-income measure after tax (LIM-AT), 24th lowest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site; the rate for Canada was 11.1%.
How many children in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo live in poverty?
10.8% of children under 18 in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo lived in low-income households in 2020 (LIM-AT), 30th lowest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 11.9%); among residents aged 65 and over the rate was 10.8% (Canada: 15.0%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the low-income cut-off rate in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo?
By the stricter low-income cut-offs after tax (LICO-AT), 6.2% of people in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo were in low income in 2020 (Canada: 5.2%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many households in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo are in core housing need?
9.0% of households in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo, 19,265, 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 18th lowest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 10.1%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many households in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo spend too much on housing?
22.0% of households in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo spent 30% or more of their income on shelter costs in 2021, 32nd lowest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 20.9%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many renters in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo struggle with housing costs?
Among renter households in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo in 2021, 36.9% spent 30% or more of income on shelter, 19.0% were in core housing need and 10.4% lived in subsidized housing; among owners, 13.9% spent 30% or more and 3.8% were in core need (Canada: renters 33.2% and 20.0%, owners 14.8% and 5.3%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo compares with other cities in Canada
Prevalence of low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census (2020)
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo ranks 46 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Prevalence of low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | Lethbridge | 9.8% |
| 44 | Greater Sudbury / Grand Sudbury | 9.5% |
| 45 | Mississauga | 9.4% |
| 46 | Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo | 9.3% |
| 47 | Calgary | 9.0% |
| 48 | Ottawa | 8.9% |
| 49 | Ottawa - Gatineau | 8.8% |
Children aged 0-17 in low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census (2020)
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo ranks 40 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children aged 0-17 in low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | Greater Sudbury / Grand Sudbury | 11.4% |
| 38 | Kingston | 11.3% |
| 39 | Sherbrooke | 11.1% |
| 40 | Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo | 10.8% |
| 41 | Calgary | 10.7% |
| 42 | Ottawa | 10.7% |
| 43 | Surrey | 10.7% |
Households in core housing need, 2021 Census (2021)
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo ranks 52 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households in core housing need, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | Kelowna | 9.3% |
| 50 | Cambridge | 9.3% |
| 51 | Milton | 9.2% |
| 52 | Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo | 9.0% |
| 53 | Thunder Bay | 8.9% |
| 54 | Cape Breton | 8.4% |
| 55 | Longueuil | 8.2% |
Households spending 30% or more of income on shelter, 2021 Census (2021)
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo ranks 38 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households spending 30% or more of income on shelter, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Brantford | 22.4% |
| 36 | Belleville | 22.3% |
| 37 | Saskatoon | 22.1% |
| 38 | Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo | 22.0% |
| 39 | Langley | 21.9% |
| 40 | St. John's | 21.9% |
| 41 | Halifax | 21.8% |
More on Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · all cities in Canada
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population (98-316-X2021001): census metropolitan areas, selected characteristics (Census Profile SDMX API extract, dataflow DF_CMACA), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3185f58b7a1a…)
- 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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.