HEADLINES

Full moon over steeples mountainsCOMMUNITY PROFILE
Founded in 1891 with the establishment of the famous North Star and Sullivan Mines, the town has a century-long storied history of building community while adapting to changing economic conditions.
full story...

demographics

Population

Kimberley and the surrounding rural area lost population through the late 1990s leading up to the closure of the Sullivan Mine, which was once the foundation of the community, in 2001. Strong growth has resumed in recent years in both Kimberley and the entire East Kootenay region, driven by tourism, a resurgence of coal mining, and the region's attractiveness as a retirement and recreation destination.

Year
KIMBERLEY
KIMBERLEY AREA*
EAST KOOTENAY REGION
Population
Change
Population
Change
Population
Change
1999
6,617
-99
8,626
-85
57,275
-135
2000
6,566
-51
8,523
-103
57,014
-261
2001
6,511
-55
8,386
-137
57,022
8
2002
6,374
-137
8,163
-223
56,591
-431
2003
6,257
-117
8,057
-106
56,213
-378
2004
6,254
-3
7,979
-78
55,937
-276
2005
6,214
-40
7,948
-31
55,762
-175
2006
6,184
-30
7,923
-25
56,096
334
2007
6,322
138
8,101
178
57,031
935
2008
6,522
200
8,362
261
58,777
1,746
2009
6,705
183
8,585
223
59,954
1,177
*Kimberley Area includes the surrounding rural Area E.
Source: B.C. Stats estimates, 2010

Population Projections

Population growth is projected to continue in Kimberley and the surrounding area, according to B.C. Stats. About 1,000 additional residents are expected over the next 15 years.

The B.C. Stats projections are based on community demographics as well as recent growth patterns, so it is certainly possible that as Kimberley continues to evolve that the slow growth in the post-mining period of the past decade will be surpassed by the influx of even more new residents in the future who are attracted by the spectacular quality of life and a wide range of economic opportunities.

Year KIMBERLEY AREA*
EAST KOOTENAY REGION
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Population
5-Year Change
Population
5-Year Change
Population
5-Year Change
2014
 9,193
 608
 63,393
 3,439
 4,785,107
 329,900
2019
 9,468
 275
 65,148
 1,755
 5,114,029
 328,922
2024
 9,520
 52
 66,314
 1,166
 5,432,240
 318,211
2029
 9,474
 -46
 66,933
 619
 5,722,312
 290,072
*Kimberley Area includes the surrounding rural Area E.
Source: B.C. Stats projections, 2010

Age Groups


As of the 2006 Census, the Kimberley area's population profile was older than the rest of the East Kootenay region and British Columbia . Kimberley's median age of 46.8 years was six years older than the provincial median of 40.8.

This age profile is a reflection of several things. First, the traditional mining labour force was older than in many other industries, so as the Kimberley economy diversifies into other industries the age of its labour force should move toward the provincial average. Also, the community’s high quality of life, inviting community spirit, and pleasant climate make it a popular retirement location. Most residents do not leave the community to retire elsewhere while Kimberley is a popular and growing retirement destination for newcomers, including many from the United Kingdom .


 KIMBERLEY AREA*
EAST KOOTENAY REGION
 BRITISH COLUMBIA
Total
Percentage
Percentage
Percentage
Age 0-4
320
4.1%
4.7%
4.9%
Age 5-14
755
9.6%
11.7%
11.6%
Age 15-19
490
6.2%
6.9%
6.7%
Age 20-24
300
3.8%
5.4%
6.5%
Age 25-34
725
9.2%
10.4%
12.2%
Age 35-44
1,060
13.5%
14.1%
15.2%
Age 45-54
1,375
17.5%
17.6%
16.1%
Age 55-64
1,315
16.7%
14.2%
12.3%
Age 65-74
805
10.2%
8.3%
7.6%
Age 75-84
540
6.9%
5.0%
5.1%
Age 85 and over
185
2.4%
1.6%
1.8%
Total
7,870
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
Median age of the population
46.8
43.1
40.8
*Kimberley Area includes the surrounding rural Area E.
Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census

Household Size

The average household size in the Kimberley area is 2.1 people, slightly smaller than the East Kootenay regional average of 2.3 and the B.C. provincial average of 2.5. This is a reflection of the slightly older age profile discussed above.
KIMBERLEY AREA*
EAST KOOTENAY REGION
B.C.
1 person
1,085
30.1%
26.6%
28.1%
2 persons
1,580
43.8%
40.5%
34.2%
3 persons
445
12.3%
14.0%
14.8%
4-5 persons
475
13.2%
17.5%
19.6%
6 or more persons
25
0.7%
1.5%
3.3%
Average number of persons
in private households		 2.1
2.3
2.5
Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census

Language Knowledge, Age 15+

There is diverse language capability in the Kimberley labour market. In addition to English, there are several hundred French and German speakers. Other languages represented in Kimberley include
 a variety of eastern and western European languages as well as Japanese.

 
KIMBERLEY AREA*
EAST KOOTENAY REGION
B.C.
English
7,825
100.0%
99.9%
96.9%
French
410
5.2%
5.3%
7.3%
German
370
4.7%
3.6%
2.9%
Spanish
125
1.6%
1.1%
2.2%
Italian
55
0.7%
1.1%
1.0%
Hungarian
50
0.6%
0.3%
0.3%
Japanese
45
0.6%
0.3%
0.8%
Polish
40
0.5%
0.3%
0.5%
Dutch
35
0.4%
0.5%
0.8%
Greek
25
0.3%
0.1%
0.2%
Russian
20
0.3%
0.4%
0.6%
Swedish
20
0.3%
0.1%
0.1%
Danish
20
0.3%
0.1%
0.2%
*Kimberley Area includes the surrounding rural area E. Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census
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