Poverty and living standards in St. Catharines-Niagara, Canada: official figures
11.0% of people in private households in St. Catharines-Niagara, 46,685 in all, were in low income in 2020 by the low-income measure after tax (LIM-AT), 30th highest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site; the rate for Canada was 11.1%.
How many children in St. Catharines-Niagara live in poverty?
13.4% of children under 18 in St. Catharines-Niagara lived in low-income households in 2020 (LIM-AT), joint 19th highest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 11.9%); among residents aged 65 and over the rate was 11.1% (Canada: 15.0%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the low-income cut-off rate in St. Catharines-Niagara?
By the stricter low-income cut-offs after tax (LICO-AT), 4.2% of people in St. Catharines-Niagara were in low income in 2020 (Canada: 5.2%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many households in St. Catharines-Niagara are in core housing need?
10.6% of households in St. Catharines-Niagara, 18,550, 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 joint 31st highest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 10.1%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many households in St. Catharines-Niagara spend too much on housing?
21.7% of households in St. Catharines-Niagara spent 30% or more of their income on shelter costs in 2021, 27th lowest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 20.9%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many renters in St. Catharines-Niagara struggle with housing costs?
Among renter households in St. Catharines-Niagara in 2021, 39.5% spent 30% or more of income on shelter, 24.7% were in core housing need and 14.7% lived in subsidized housing; among owners, 14.6% spent 30% or more and 5.1% were in core need (Canada: renters 33.2% and 20.0%, owners 14.8% and 5.3%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow St. Catharines-Niagara compares with other cities in Canada
Prevalence of low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census (2020)
St. Catharines-Niagara ranks 30 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Prevalence of low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Kingston | 11.3% |
| 28 | Waterloo | 11.3% |
| 29 | Nanaimo | 11.1% |
| 30 | St. Catharines-Niagara | 11.0% |
| 31 | Hamilton | 10.8% |
| 32 | Markham | 10.8% |
| 33 | Regina | 10.8% |
Children aged 0-17 in low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census (2020)
St. Catharines-Niagara ranks 19 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children aged 0-17 in low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Peterborough | 14.2% |
| 17 | Belleville | 13.8% |
| 18 | Victoria | 13.7% |
| 19 | St. Catharines-Niagara | 13.4% |
| 20 | Burnaby | 13.4% |
| 21 | Oshawa | 13.3% |
| 22 | Brantford | 13.1% |
Households in core housing need, 2021 Census (2021)
St. Catharines-Niagara ranks 31 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households in core housing need, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Vaughan | 11.0% |
| 29 | Guelph | 10.8% |
| 30 | Ajax | 10.7% |
| 31 | St. Catharines-Niagara | 10.6% |
| 32 | Saskatoon | 10.6% |
| 33 | Windsor | 10.6% |
| 34 | Montréal | 10.5% |
Households spending 30% or more of income on shelter, 2021 Census (2021)
St. Catharines-Niagara ranks 43 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households spending 30% or more of income on shelter, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | St. John's | 21.9% |
| 41 | Halifax | 21.8% |
| 42 | Delta | 21.8% |
| 43 | St. Catharines-Niagara | 21.7% |
| 44 | Chilliwack | 21.5% |
| 45 | Whitby | 21.3% |
| 46 | Red Deer | 21.3% |
More on St. Catharines-Niagara: 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…)
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