Poverty and living standards in Vancouver, Canada: official figures
13.2% of people in private households in Vancouver, 86,125 in all, were in low income in 2020 by the low-income measure after tax (LIM-AT), joint 12th highest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site; the rate for Canada was 11.1%.
How many children in Vancouver live in poverty?
13.0% of children under 18 in Vancouver lived in low-income households in 2020 (LIM-AT), joint 24th highest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 11.9%); among residents aged 65 and over the rate was 17.9% (Canada: 15.0%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the low-income cut-off rate in Vancouver?
By the stricter low-income cut-offs after tax (LICO-AT), 10.0% of people in Vancouver were in low income in 2020 (Canada: 5.2%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many households in Vancouver are in core housing need?
19.0% of households in Vancouver, 54,210, 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 4th highest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 10.1%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many households in Vancouver spend too much on housing?
33.5% of households in Vancouver spent 30% or more of their income on shelter costs in 2021, 4th highest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 20.9%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many renters in Vancouver struggle with housing costs?
Among renter households in Vancouver in 2021, 39.4% spent 30% or more of income on shelter, 25.7% were in core housing need and 12.1% lived in subsidized housing; among owners, 26.3% spent 30% or more and 11.2% were in core need (Canada: renters 33.2% and 20.0%, owners 14.8% and 5.3%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow Vancouver compares with other cities in Canada
Prevalence of low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census (2020)
Vancouver ranks 13 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Prevalence of low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | London | 13.8% |
| 11 | Burnaby | 13.5% |
| 12 | Toronto | 13.2% |
| 13 | Vancouver | 13.2% |
| 14 | Victoria | 13.1% |
| 15 | Winnipeg | 12.9% |
| 16 | Peterborough | 12.8% |
Children aged 0-17 in low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census (2020)
Vancouver ranks 24 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children aged 0-17 in low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Oshawa | 13.3% |
| 22 | Brantford | 13.1% |
| 23 | Chatham-Kent | 13.1% |
| 24 | Vancouver | 13.0% |
| 25 | Hamilton | 13.0% |
| 26 | Richmond Hill | 13.0% |
| 27 | Edmonton | 12.9% |
Households in core housing need, 2021 Census (2021)
Vancouver ranks 4 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households in core housing need, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond | 20.3% |
| 2 | Toronto | 19.6% |
| 3 | Victoria | 19.4% |
| 4 | Vancouver | 19.0% |
| 5 | Burnaby | 18.8% |
| 6 | Coquitlam | 16.7% |
| 7 | Richmond Hill | 15.6% |
Households spending 30% or more of income on shelter, 2021 Census (2021)
Vancouver ranks 4 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households spending 30% or more of income on shelter, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond Hill | 37.1% |
| 2 | Richmond | 34.9% |
| 3 | Victoria | 34.0% |
| 4 | Vancouver | 33.5% |
| 5 | Markham | 32.8% |
| 6 | Toronto | 32.5% |
| 7 | Brampton | 31.0% |
More on Vancouver: 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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.