Thurso, QC demographics:
population, income, and more

Total population
3,084
1.0 % year-over-year change
Median household income
$62,000/yr
Private dwellings
1,510

Thurso population

How many people live in Thurso

Thurso is home to 3,084 residents, based on Statistics Canada's 2024 population estimate. Of these, 49% identify as male and 51% as female.

Total population
3,084
1.0% year-over-year change
Population density
463.8/km2
Gender ratio
Male
49%
1,510
Female
51%
1,575
Value Percent
Male 1,510 49%
Female 1,575 51%
A larger population often brings more rental variety and a busier pace of life. The gender breakdown, namely the ratio of men to women in the area, offers clues about the community’s vibe and social landscape.

Age demographics

The average age in Thurso is 41.7. Children under 15 make up 18.1% of the population, while youth and young adults account for 10%. Those in their working years are spread across the following age groups: 14.5% are 25 to 34, 11.5% are 35 to 44, and 10.5% are 45 to 54. Adults nearing retirement—aged 55 to 64—represent 15.4% of the population, while seniors 65 and over make up 20%.

Average age
41.7
Age breakdown
Under 15
18.1%
15 to 24
10%
25 to 34
14.5%
35 to 44
11.5%
45 to 54
10.5%
55 to 64
15.4%
Over 65
20%
Value Percent
Under 15 560 18.1%
15 to 24 310 10%
25 to 34 450 14.5%
35 to 44 355 11.5%
45 to 54 325 10.5%
55 to 64 475 15.4%
Over 65 620 20%
Age distribution gives you a glimpse into who makes up the area. Younger communities might feel more energetic or student-friendly, while older ones tend to be calmer and more settled. A mix of age groups usually means a balance of parks, schools, healthcare, and other services for all walks of life.

Residence status

In Thurso, 99.2% of residents were born in Canada, while 0.8% have settled here from abroad. Another 0.3% are non-permanent residents, such as temporary workers or international students.

Immigration status
Non-immigrants
99.2%
Immigrants
0.8%
Non-permanent residents
0.3%
Value Percent
Non-immigrants 3,020 99.2%
Immigrants 25 0.8%
Non-permanent residents 10 0.3%
Minority breakdown
Minorities
0.8%
Non-minorities
99.2%
Value Percent
Minorities 25 0.8%
Non-minorities 3,020 99.2%
Knowing how many people in the area are newcomers, temporary residents, or Canadian-born can give you a feel for how established or internationally connected a community is. It may also hint at the kind of services, food, and cultural touchpoints you’ll find nearby.
Languages used in Thurso
English
3.6%
French
95.8%
English and French
0.6%
Neither English nor French
0%
Value Percent
English 110 3.6%
French 2,945 95.8%
English and French 20 0.6%

Primary languages spoken

According to the latest Census data, 3.6% of people in Thurso speak English as their primary language, 95.8% communicate mainly in French, 0.6% are bilingual, and use other languages.

Language use shapes everything from signage to services. Whether you're looking for bilingual support or just curious about the local vibe, these stats give a quick peek at how people connect day-to-day.

Households in Thurso

A peek inside Thurso households

Thurso has 1,420 households, with an average of 2.2 people living in each. One-person households make up 36.3% of all homes, while 35.9% are shared by two people. Three-person households represent 13.4%, and homes with four or more people account for 14.4% of the total.

Households stats

Total households
1,420
Average people per household
2.2
1 person
36.3%
2 persons
35.9%
3 persons
13.4%
4 persons
8.8%
5 or more persons
5.6%
Value Percent
1 person 515 36.3%
2 persons 510 35.9%
3 persons 190 13.4%
4 persons 125 8.8%
5 or more persons 80 5.6%
Household size can reveal a lot about how people live in the area. More one- and two-person homes might hint at a mix of young professionals or empty nesters, while larger households often reflect families or multi-generational setups. It’s a good indicator of the kinds of rentals and living spaces you'll find nearby.

Housing in Thurso

The housing landscape of Thurso

Thurso has a total of 1,510 private dwellings. When it comes to space, Thurso offers a variety of home sizes: 16% of occupied homes have 1 bedroom or less, 68% have 2–3 bedrooms, and 16.6% have 4 or more bedrooms.

Total private dwellings
1,510
Housing types
Single-detached homes
51.9%
Attached homes
48.1%
Apartments
0%
Movable homes
0%
Value Percent
Single-detached homes 740 51.9%
Attached homes 685 48.1%
Housing size
1 or no bedrooms
16%
2 or 3 bedrooms
68%
4 or more bedrooms
16.6%
Value Percent
1 or no bedrooms 220 16%
2 or 3 bedrooms 965 68%
4 or more bedrooms 235 16.6%
Homes built since 2011
365

The age of buildings in Thurso

About 13.1% of homes were built before 1945, followed by 23.3% between 1946 and 1960. Another 6.7% went up in the 1960s, 11.7% in the 1970s, and 9.5% during the 1980s. Between 1991 and 2000, 5% of homes were added, and 5% were developed between 2001 and 2010.

Construction year breakdown by decade
Value Percent
Before 1945 185 13.1%
Between 1946 and 1960 330 23.3%
Between 1961 and 1970 95 6.7%
Between 1971 and 1980 165 11.7%
Between 1981 and 1990 135 9.5%
Between 1991 and 2000 70 5%
Between 2001 and 2010 70 5%
After 2011 365 25.8%
As a renter, knowing when homes were built helps you understand the potential condition and design of rental units. Newer builds may have more contemporary layouts, while older homes can offer character or larger lots, depending on the area.

Thurso occupancy rates

In Thurso, there are 1,421 occupied private dwellings, of which 64.4% are owner-occupied and 35.6% are rented. Meanwhile, 89 dwellings sit vacant.

Occupied dwellings
1,421
Occupancy breakdown
Rented households
35.6%
Owned households
64.4%
Value Percent
Rented households 505 35.6%
Owned households 915 64.4%
Unoccupied dwellings
89
Understanding whether homes are owned or rented gives insight into the housing market’s stability and flexibility. High ownership rates may point to longer-term residents and more stable neighbourhoods, while a greater share of rentals can indicate mobility, availability, or housing diversity. Vacancy levels can also hint at supply-and-demand dynamics for renters.

Shelter costs

In Thurso, homeowners pay a median of $930 per month on shelter costs, while renters spend around $730. About 86% of households spend less than 30% of their income on housing, while 14% exceed that threshold.

Median monthly shelter costs for owned dwellings
$930
Median monthly shelter costs for rented dwellings
$730
Income spent on housing
<30% on shelter
86%
≥30% on shelter
14%
Value Percent
<30% on shelter 1,225 86%
≥30% on shelter 200 14%
Shelter cost includes all monthly expenses tied to housing—like rent or mortgage, property taxes, utilities, and additional fees. Owners usually cover a wider range of costs, while renters typically just pay rent plus basic services. Comparing these numbers gives a clearer view of what living in the area actually costs, and whether households are stretched beyond the 30% affordability benchmark.

Education in Thurso

Thurso education at a glance

In Thurso, educational attainment varies across the community. About 33.2% of residents have no formal diploma, while 27.8% have completed high school and 19.7% hold an apprenticeship certificate. Meanwhile, 11.7% have graduated from college. Finally, 2.4% earned a non-bachelor university diploma, and 5.2% hold a university degree.

Education level
Value Percent
No diploma 835 33.2%
High school diploma 700 27.8%
Apprenticeship diploma 495 19.7%
College diploma 295 11.7%
University diploma (below bachelor diploma) 60 2.4%
University degree 130 5.2%
Education levels give a snapshot of the local talent pool and job readiness. A strong share of college and university graduates can mean better access to skilled jobs, while trades and apprenticeship diplomas often support hands-on industries. For renters, these stats help paint a picture of the economic opportunities and workforce makeup in the area.

Income in Thurso

How much people earn in Thurso

In Thurso, the median household income sits at $62,000, while the median after-tax household income is $56,000.

Median household income
$62,000/year
Median after-tax household income
$56,000/year
Household income—especially after tax—offers one of the clearest indicators of how affordable a place might feel. It also helps renters understand earning power in the area, whether they're budgeting for rent or comparing communities with similar price tags. Local income trends can reveal whether the economy is growing, steady, or facing challenges.

Thurso income by age

Young adults in Thurso between 15 and 24 have a median income of $21,800, often reflecting part-time or early career work. For those aged 25 to 34, when many are advancing in their jobs, the figure rises to $49,200, and by 35 to 44 it reaches $50,800. Among individuals 45 to 54, the median wage is $49,600, followed by $39,600 for those in their pre-retirement years. Finally, residents over 65, many of whom are already retired, typically earn $26,400.

Income breakdown by age
Value
15 - 24 21,800
25 - 34 49,200
35 - 44 50,800
45 - 54 49,600
55 - 64 39,600
Over 65 26,400

Employment in Thurso

Workforce and job sectors in Thurso

In Thurso, 1,540 residents are part of the labour force, with an unemployment rate of 10.4%. The local economy spans a wide range of sectors. Notably, sales and service, trades and transport, and business, finance and administration employ the largest shares of the working population, shaping the city's job market.

Workforce demographics

Labour force
1,540
Unemployment rate
10.4%
Major job markets
Value Percent
Management 15 1%
Business, finance and administration 190 12.8%
Natural and applied sciences 110 7.4%
Health 125 8.4%
Education, law, community and government services 155 10.4%
Sales and service 390 26.2%
Trades and transport 370 24.8%
Natural resources and agriculture 35 2.4%
Manufacturing and utilities 100 6.7%
Knowing what kinds of jobs dominate the area can help you understand local culture, income levels, and day-to-day rhythms. When looking for a community that suits your lifestyle, these labour stats offer helpful clues.

Transportation in Thurso

How people get around in Thurso

In Thurso, the average commute is 28 minutes. About 90.6% of residents get to work by car, truck, or van, while 1.6% rely on public transit and 5.3% walk or bike. The remaining 2.4% use other methods, such as scooters or motorcycles.

Average commute time
28 min
Travel time
Less than 15 minutes
17.5%
15 to 29 minutes
36.6%
30 to 44 minutes
24%
45 to 59 minutes
10.6%
More than 60 minutes
11.4%
Value Percent
Less than 15 minutes 215 17.5%
15 to 29 minutes 450 36.6%
30 to 44 minutes 295 24%
45 to 59 minutes 130 10.6%
More than 60 minutes 140 11.4%
Means of transportation
Value Percent
By car, truck or van 1,115 90.6%
By public transit 20 1.6%
By bicycle/by walking 65 5.3%
By other methods 30 2.4%
Commute trends hint at both the layout and vibe of a place. If most people drive or take transit, the area may be more spread out. Shorter commutes suggest convenient access to jobs, while longer ones may confirm the area’s low-density layout.

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FAQs about Thurso demographics 

What is the current total population in Thurso?

Thurso has a population of 3,084, according to Statistics Canada’s official 2024 figure, as published in their Annual Demographic Estimates: Subprovincial Areas report. This represents a +1.0% change compared to the previous year. 

What is the population density of Thurso?  

Thurso has a population density of 463.8 people per square kilometre. 

What is the gender distribution in Thurso?

Thurso has the following gender distribution:
  • 49% males (1,510 residents)  
  • 51% females (1,575 residents)

What is the age distribution of Thurso residents?  

The age distribution of Thurso residents is as follows: 
  • Under 15: 18.1% (560 residents)   
  • 15-24: 10% (310 residents)   
  • 25-34: 14.5% (450 residents)   
  • 35-44: 11.5% (355 residents)   
  • 45-54: 10.5% (325 residents)   
  • 55-64: 15.4% (475 residents)   
  • Over 64: 20% (620 residents)  

What is the population distribution by immigration status in Thurso? 

Here’s the population distribution by immigration status in Thurso: 
  • 99.2% non-immigrants (3,020 residents)  
  • 0.8% immigrants (25 residents)  
  • 0.3% non-permanent residents (10 residents)  

What are the primary languages spoken in Thurso?  

Here’s a breakdown of the languages spoken in Thurso: 
  • English: 3.6% 
  • French: 95.8% 
  • English and French: 0.6% 
  • Neither English nor French: 0% 

What is the typical household size in Thurso?  

The typical household size in Thurso is 2.2 people. 

What is the median household income in Thurso?  

The median household income in Thurso is $62,000 annually, according to Statistics Canada’s latest release—Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population. 

What is the educational attainment level of Thurso residents?  

The educational attainment breakdown in Thurso is as follows: 
  • No diploma: 33.2% (835 residents) 
  • High school diploma: 27.8% (700 residents) 
  • Apprenticeship diploma: 19.7% (495 residents) 
  • College diploma: 11.7% (295 residents) 
  • University diploma (below bachelor): 2.4% (60 residents) 
  • University degree: 5.2% (130 residents) 

What are the most common occupations in Thurso?  

The most common occupations in Thurso fall within the sectors listed below:
  • Art, culture, recreation and sport: 0% 
  • Business, finance and administration: 12.8% 
  • Education, law, community and government services: 10.4% 
  • Health: 8.4% 
  • Management: 1% 
  • Manufacturing and utilities: 6.7% 
  • Natural and applied sciences: 7.4% 
  • Natural resources and agriculture: 2.4% 
  • Sales and service: 26.2% 
  • Trades and transport: 24.8% 

Data source & methodology

Demographic data shown in this section was gathered from the latest census data from Statistics Canada (2021), with the total population figure reflecting the official 2024 population estimate.
Census aggregated data represented here is extracted from Data Tables, by topic, at the census subdivision area level.
Differences may be found between the totals of the various categories due to multiple variables.
The information is updated as soon as new data is made available. No representation, guarantee or warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information.

Page last updated: September 2025