British Columbia · Census Agglomeration
Ladysmith by the numbers
Ladysmith is Canada's 132nd largest metro area, home to about 17K people, growing slower than the country since 2021 (+4.2% vs +9.3%). The median age is 52.4 and January averages 4°C.
People
Population of Ladysmith
The Ladysmith census agglomeration had an estimated 16,679 people on July 1, 2025, up +4.2% since 2021 (Canada grew +9.3%). The 2021 Census counted 15,501 people, +6.4% more than in 2016.
The City of Ladysmith itself had an estimated 9,926 residents in 2025.
Municipalities in the Ladysmith area
| Municipality | 2025 estimate | 2021 Census | 2016–21 growth | People / km² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ladysmith | 9,926 | 8,990 | +5.3% | 746 |
| Cowichan Valley H | 2,761 | 2,603 | +6.4% | 31 |
| Cowichan Valley G | 2,597 | 2,442 | +5.5% | 8 |
| Chemainus 13 | 832 | 818 | +11.3% | 70 |
| Penelakut Island 7 | 531 | 513 | +13.5% | 56 |
| Oyster Bay 12 | 116 | 105 | +36.4% | 86 |
| Lyacksun 3 | 32 | 30 | +200.0% | 4 |
| Portier Pass 5 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Shingle Point 4 | 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 Ladysmith
Age
Median age is 52.4 (Canada: 41.6). 30.1% of residents are 65 or older and 13.9% are under 15.
Languages
5.6% can speak both official languages. At home, 98.1% speak mostly English, 0.1% mostly French and 1.2% mostly another language.
Immigration
— of residents are immigrants (Canada: 23.0%), and — arrived between 2016 and 2021.
Education: 20.6% of 25 to 64 year olds hold a bachelor's degree or higher; 22.5% have a college or CEGEP diploma and 12.2% 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 Ladysmith
Half of Ladysmith households made more than $80,000 in 2020 and half made less. Across Canada the median was $84,000.
Housing
Housing in Ladysmith
Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0258-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0256-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0253-01
Commuting
Getting around Ladysmith
Census day 2021 fell during the COVID-19 pandemic, so transit use is lower than in normal years.
Climate
Ladysmith weather and climate
30-year averages (1981–2010) from the Nanaimo A weather station, 7.9 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 Ladysmith ranks
Compare
Cities near Ladysmith
FAQ
Ladysmith questions, answered
What is the population of Ladysmith?
The Ladysmith metro area had an estimated 16,679 people on July 1, 2025 (Statistics Canada). The City of Ladysmith itself had about 9,926.
What is the average household income in Ladysmith?
The median household income in Ladysmith was $80,000 before tax in 2020 ($72,500 after tax), according to the 2021 Census. The average was $95,000.
How cold does it get in Ladysmith?
January averages 3.5°C, with average lows of 0.1°C. Ladysmith gets about 69 cm of snow a year, and in July the average daily high is 23.9°C (1981–2010 climate normals).
Is Ladysmith bilingual?
5.6% of people in Ladysmith can speak both English and French; 94.2% speak English only and 0.0% French only (2021 Census).
What is the median age in Ladysmith?
The median age in Ladysmith was 52.4 in the 2021 Census, compared with 41.6 for Canada.
Built October 30, 2026 from the latest published official data.