Social Profile of Richmond
Richmond is a growing, dynamic, vibrant, and diverse community. The city has the fourth largest population in the Metro Vancouver area. The Richmond Planning Department estimates that the City's population was 188,100 in 2007. Metro Vancouver projects that the total population could reach 252,000 by 2031. Key characteristics of Richmond's population, and a preliminary discussion of implications, are as follows:
Age
Richmond’s population is aging. The 2006 Census revealed that:
- a quarter of Richmond residents were aged 55 or older (with roughly 12% 65 years and older);
- in absolute terms, between 2001 and 2006, the number of children below the age of 15 years declined;
- the largest proportional growth amongst age groups in the City occurred with the 55-64 year old population; and
- the median age in Richmond went from 38.5 years in 2001 to 40.7 years in 2006.
As the population ages, the City will be increasingly challenged to establish age-friendly communities: communities that meet the diverse needs of older residents (e.g., housing, the built environment, recreation opportunities, community services and programs) while also addressing the concerns of younger adults, children, and youth.
Diversity
Richmond is distinguished by an ethnically and culturally diverse population. In terms of ethnicity, local residents reported having over 125 ethnic origins in the 2006 Census. The largest single ethnic category was Chinese, with roughly 45% of the population claiming a Chinese background.
57.4% of the population were immigrants in 2006, the highest proportion of any municipality in Canada. Also in 2006, 65% of local residents were visible minorities, the largest share of any municipality in BC and the second highest in Canada (following Markham, Ontario).
Our population diversity is a key factor contributing to Richmond’s overall vibrancy. It also creates tremendous opportunities for cross-cultural harmony and exchange. Notwithstanding the positive aspects, however, our population diversity also presents challenges – notably for ensuring that all residents feel welcome and have equitable access to services, programs, and opportunities to make meaningful contributions to the community.
Income
Census data reveals that average household incomes in the City rose from $60,724 in 2001 to $67,440 in 2006. During the same period, median household incomes increased from $50,060 to $53,489.
In 2006, the proportions of households and families with incomes below Statistics Canada’s Low Income Cut-offs (LICOs) were 20.9% and18.9%, respectively. Statistics Canada stresses that LICO is not a measure of poverty per se. The LICO data do, however, provide a useful indicator of individuals and families in the community who spend a disproportionate share of their income on food, clothing, and shelter.
The presence of individuals and families with low incomes amongst the population raises concerns for Richmond’s overall community wellbeing. Research has revealed the link between low incomes and reduced health status, higher justice system costs, increased demands for community services, heightened stress on families, and reduced success in school.
Education
Richmond residents are generally well educated, with 66.3% of the population aged 25 to 64 years reporting some post secondary qualifications in 2006. Of this group, 11.1% had an apprenticeship or trades certificate; 26.6% had a college diploma or certificate; and 62.3% had a university certificate, diploma, or degree. Notwithstanding the population’s generally high levels of education, 9.0% of the 25 – 64 year group did not graduate from high school.
In addition to the obvious links to employment and income opportunities, higher educational levels amongst parents is positively related to the language development and school readiness of children.
Health
Richmond residents are relatively healthy. Indeed, the average life span in the City is 83 years – the longest of any city in the country. Further, Statistics Canada recently reported people in Richmond have the lowest smoking and obesity rates in the country.
Notwithstanding the generally positive health status of Richmond, however, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) cautions that some sectors of the population have significantly worse health outcomes than others. VCH further notes that the health status of the community is determined by a variety of factors collectively known as the social determinants of health. Examples include:
- the social, economic, and physical environments in which we live;
- personal health practices, nutrition, and physical activity;
- people’s development during early childhood; and
- and our access to quality health services.
A key social sustainability challenge for the City will be to positively influence the social determinants of health, hence improving our community’s overall health and well-being.
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