The District of Saanich's population in 2021 was 117,735 making it the largest municipality in the Capital Regional District, the eighth largest in the province, and the 44th largest in Canada.
Housing Needs Report
A comprehensive update to the Saanich Housing Needs Report (HNR) has been undertaken, to provide a current assessment of existing and anticipated future housing needs within the District. The 2024 HNR fulfills the Local Government Act requirements for Interim Housing Needs Reports (as per recent amendments to the Act). It identifies the number of housing units needed for 5 and 20 years following the 2021 Census, and additionally presents updated population and dwelling statistics; population and household projections; actions taken by the District since the last HNR; and statements regarding key areas of housing need. The 2024 HNR was received by Council on November 18, 2024.
During 2025, work will be undertaken to ensure alignment between the findings in the 2024 HNR and the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw.
Demographics
2021 Census data for Saanich is available from Statistics Canada and BC Stats.
Population by Local Area
Census population data for local areas shows population changes between 2001 and 2016.
Studies
- Capital Regional District 2019-2038 Population, Dwelling Units and Employment Projection Report (2019).
- Saanich Population Projections, Trend and Capacity Build-Out Analysis (2013).