British Columbia · Census Agglomeration
Duncan by the numbers
Duncan is Canada's 66th largest metro area, home to about 51K people, growing slower than the country since 2021 (+3.8% vs +9.3%). A two-bedroom rents for about $1,624, the median age is 50.0 and January averages 3°C.
People
Population of Duncan
The Duncan census agglomeration had an estimated 51,122 people on July 1, 2025, up +3.8% since 2021 (Canada grew +9.3%). The 2021 Census counted 47,582 people, +7.0% more than in 2016.
The City of Duncan itself had an estimated 5,745 residents in 2025.
Municipalities in the Duncan area
| Municipality | 2025 estimate | 2021 Census | 2016–21 growth | People / km² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Cowichan | 34,525 | 31,990 | +7.7% | 164 |
| Duncan | 5,745 | 5,047 | +2.1% | 2,444 |
| Cowichan Valley E | 4,482 | 4,253 | +3.2% | 32 |
| Cowichan Valley D | 3,713 | 3,530 | +8.8% | 227 |
| Cowichan | 2,509 | 2,420 | +17.1% | 104 |
| Halalt 2 | 171 | 156 | -7.1% | 130 |
| Tsussie 6 | 90 | 82 | -20.4% | 652 |
| Theik 2 | 55 | 48 | +33.3% | 142 |
| Squaw-Hay-One 11 | 32 | 29 | -17.1% | 88 |
| Tzart-Lam 5 | 29 | 27 | -30.8% | 362 |
| Kil-pah-las 3 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 17-10-0148-01, Statistics Canada, Table 17-10-0155-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0003-01
2021 Census
Who lives in Duncan
Age
Median age is 50.0 (Canada: 41.6). 27.5% of residents are 65 or older and 14.6% are under 15.
Languages
5.8% can speak both official languages. At home, 96.6% speak mostly English, 0.2% mostly French and 2.4% mostly another language.
Immigration
— of residents are immigrants (Canada: 23.0%), and — arrived between 2016 and 2021.
Education: 19.8% of 25 to 64 year olds hold a bachelor's degree or higher; 21.0% have a college or CEGEP diploma and 10.9% a trades certificate.
Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0030-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0223-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0227-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0302-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0384-01
Money
Income and jobs in Duncan
Half of Duncan households made more than $75,500 in 2020 and half made less. Across Canada the median was $84,000.
Housing
Housing in Duncan
Average rent (October 2025)
A two-bedroom apartment rented for $1,624 a month on average, +13.3% from a year earlier and +60.2% over five years.
Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0258-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0256-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0253-01, Statistics Canada, Table 34-10-0133-01, Statistics Canada, Table 34-10-0127-01
Commuting
Getting around Duncan
Census day 2021 fell during the COVID-19 pandemic, so transit use is lower than in normal years.
Climate
Duncan weather and climate
30-year averages (1981–2010) from the Shawnigan Lake weather station, 15.8 km from the city centre.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010
Out of all Canadian metro areas with data
How Duncan ranks
Compare
Cities near Duncan
FAQ
Duncan questions, answered
What is the population of Duncan?
The Duncan metro area had an estimated 51,122 people on July 1, 2025 (Statistics Canada). The City of Duncan itself had about 5,745.
How much is rent in Duncan?
In October 2025 the average rent in Duncan was $1,283 for a one-bedroom and $1,624 for a two-bedroom apartment (CMHC Rental Market Survey).
What is the average household income in Duncan?
The median household income in Duncan was $75,500 before tax in 2020 ($69,000 after tax), according to the 2021 Census. The average was $92,000.
How cold does it get in Duncan?
January averages 3.4°C, with average lows of 0.5°C. Duncan gets about 68 cm of snow a year, and in July the average daily high is 23.3°C (1981–2010 climate normals).
Is Duncan bilingual?
5.8% of people in Duncan can speak both English and French; 93.9% speak English only and 0.0% French only (2021 Census).
What is the median age in Duncan?
The median age in Duncan was 50.0 in the 2021 Census, compared with 41.6 for Canada.
Built October 30, 2026 from the latest published official data.