Map › Communities › Thorncliffe Thorncliffe
Residential · North sector · Calgary, Alberta
Thorncliffe is a residential community in the North sector of Calgary. At the 2021 Census of Canada it had a population of 8,695 living in private households. 36.2% of residents identified as members of a racialized (visible minority) group, against 41.4% across Calgary as a whole; the largest single group was Chinese at 11.0%. 58.8% were Caucasian (not a visible minority, excluding Indigenous identity), and 5.1% reported Indigenous identity. Immigrants made up 29.4% of the population, compared with 33.3% citywide. Median household income before tax was $73,500 in 2020, compared with $98,000 for Calgary. 42.2% of households rented rather than owned. The community covers 3.22 km², giving a population density of 2,701 people per square kilometre (Calgary averages about 2,600).
View Thorncliffe on the map
Population 8,695 2021, private households
Visible minority 36.2% Calgary 41.4%
Caucasian 58.8% excl. Indigenous identity
Immigrants 29.4% Calgary 33.3%
Median household income $73,500 Calgary $98,000
Renter households 42.2% Calgary 31.2%
Density 2,701 /km² 8,695 people over 3.22 km²
Population & age Population and Dwellings Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 8,695 100.0% 100.0% Population in private households (Total) 8,695 Population in private households (Men +) 4,310 Population in private households (Women +) 4,385 0 to 14 years 1,460 16.8% 18.2% 15 to 64 years 5,810 66.8% 68.8% 65 to 84 years 1,170 13.5% 11.8% 85 years and over 250 2.9% 1.1% 0-4 (Total) 465 0-4 (Men +) 215 0-4 (Women +) 245 5-9 (Total) 485 5-9 (Men +) 220 5-9 (Women +) 260 10-14 (Total) 520 10-14 (Men +) 265 10-14 (Women +) 255 15-19 (Total) 485 15-19 (Men +) 245 15-19 (Women +) 235 20-24 (Total) 440 20-24 (Men +) 240 20-24 (Women +) 200 25-29 (Total) 605 25-29 (Men +) 300 25-29 (Women +) 300 30-34 (Total) 580 30-34 (Men +) 305 30-34 (Women +) 270 35-39 (Total) 650 35-39 (Men +) 330 35-39 (Women +) 320 40-44 (Total) 615 40-44 (Men +) 255 40-44 (Women +) 365 45-49 (Total) 610 45-49 (Men +) 330 45-49 (Women +) 280 50-54 (Total) 550 50-54 (Men +) 235 50-54 (Women +) 315 55-59 (Total) 605 55-59 (Men +) 310 55-59 (Women +) 290 60-64 (Total) 675 60-64 (Men +) 370 60-64 (Women +) 310 65-69 (Total) 450 65-69 (Men +) 250 65-69 (Women +) 200 70-74 (Total) 305 70-74 (Men +) 140 70-74 (Women +) 165 75-79 (Total) 235 75-79 (Men +) 105 75-79 (Women +) 130 80-84 (Total) 180 80-84 (Men +) 85 80-84 (Women +) 95 85-89 (Total) 165 85-89 (Men +) 55 85-89 (Women +) 115 90-94 (Total) 80 90-94 (Men +) 35 90-94 (Women +) 40 95-99 (Total) 0 95-99 (Men +) 0 95-99 (Women +) 0 100 years and over (Total) 0 100 years and over (Men +) 0 100 years and over (Women +) 0
Families & households Private Households by Household Size Indicator Number Share Calgary Private households 3,610 100.0% 100.0% 1 person 1,085 30.1% 26.4% 2 persons 1,205 33.4% 31.9% 3 persons 585 16.2% 15.9% 4 persons 455 12.6% 15.8% 5 or more persons 285 7.9% 10.0%
Census Families Indicator Number Share Calgary Census families 2,350 100.0% 100.0% Couple families 1,790 76.2% 85.3% Married couples 1,415 60.2% 71.9% With children 120 5.1% 4.2% Without children 250 10.6% 9.2% Common-law couples 375 16.0% 13.4% One-parent families 560 23.8% 14.7%
One-Parent Census Families Indicator Number Share Calgary One-parent families 560 100.0% 100.0% Women + 460 82.1% 78.3% Men + 100 17.9% 21.7%
Marital Status Indicator Number Share Calgary Marital status for the total population aged 15 years and over 7,235 100.0% 100.0% Married/common-law 3,665 50.7% 58.9% Married 2,910 40.2% 49.8% Common-law 750 10.4% 9.1% Not living with spouse or common-law partner 3,575 49.4% 41.1% Never married 2,335 32.3% 29.2% Separated 225 3.1% 2.2% Divorced 630 8.7% 6.3% Widowed 380 5.2% 3.4%
Language Knowledge of Official Languages Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 8,695 100.0% 100.0% English only 7,865 90.5% 90.8% French only 0 0.0% 0.1% English and French 450 5.2% 6.6% Neither English nor French 370 4.3% 2.5%
Languages Spoken Most Often at Home Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 8,695 100.0% 100.0% English 6,765 77.8% 75.3% French 10 0.1% 0.5% Non-official language 1,480 17.0% 18.8% Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) 100 1.1% 2.1% Arabic 120 1.4% Spanish 110 1.3% 1.4% Multiple languages 440 5.1% 5.5% Yue (Cantonese) 445 5.1% Mandarin 175 2.0% 1.7%
Mother Tongue Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 8,695 100.0% 100.0% English 6,015 69.2% 63.9% French 80 0.9% 1.2% Non-official language 2,225 25.6% 29.6% Arabic 170 2.0% Spanish 185 2.1% 2.3% Multiple responses 365 4.2% 5.2% Yue (Cantonese) 530 6.1% 2.5% Tigrigna 130 1.5% Mandarin 185 2.1% 2.4%
Knowledge of Non-Official Languages Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 8,695 100.0% 100.0% Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) 270 3.1% 5.2% Arabic 235 2.7% Spanish 340 3.9% 4.2% Mandarin 535 6.2% 3.5% Yue (Cantonese) 630 7.2%
Indigenous Indigenous Identity Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 8,695 100.0% 100.0% Indigenous identity 440 5.1% 3.2% Non-Indigenous identity 8,255 94.9% 96.8%
Indigenous Groups Indicator Number Share Calgary Indigenous identity population in private households 440 100.0% 100.0% First Nations (North American Indian) 210 47.7% 44.6% Metis 215 48.9% 50.4% Inuk (Inuit) 10 2.3% 1.0% Indigenous responses not included elsewhere 0 0.0% 1.9% Multiple Indigenous responses 0 0.0% 2.1%
Knowledge of Indigenous Languages Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households with knowledge of an Indigenous language 0 100.0%
Race & diversity Visible Minority (Racialized Population) Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 8,695 100.0% 100.0% Visible minority 3,145 36.2% 41.4% South Asian 190 2.2% 11.0% Chinese 960 11.0% 7.1% Black 845 9.7% 5.5% Filipino 330 3.8% 6.5% Arab 130 1.5% 2.4% Latin American 200 2.3% 2.5% Southeast Asian 160 1.8% 2.0% West Asian 0 0.0% 1.2% Korean 45 0.5% 1.0% Japanese 70 0.8% 0.5% Visible minority, n.i.e.* 15 0.2% 0.4% Multiple visible minorities 180 2.1% 1.5% Not a visible minority 5,550 63.8% 58.6%
Generation Status Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 8,695 100.0% 100.0% First generation 2,795 32.1% 36.5% Second generation 1,695 19.5% 21.8% Third generation or more 4,205 48.4% 41.7%
Religion Indicator Number Share Calgary Total religion for the population in private households 8,695 100.0% 100.0% Buddhist 195 2.2% 1.6% Christian 3,970 45.7% 44.5% Hindu 10 0.1% 2.6% Jewish 15 0.2% 0.5% Muslim 445 5.1% 7.4% Sikh 30 0.3% 3.8% Traditional (North American Indigenous Spirituality) 0 0.0% 0.1% Other Religions & Spiritual Traditions 65 0.8% 0.8% No Religion & Secular Perspectives 3,960 45.5% 38.7%
Immigration Immigrant Status and Year of Immigration Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 8,695 100.0% 100.0% Non-immigrants 5,980 68.8% 64.6% Immigrants 2,555 29.4% 33.3% Before 1980 505 5.8% 3.8% 1980 to 1990 240 2.8% 3.1% 1991 to 2000 305 3.5% 4.8% 2001 to 2010 530 6.1% 9.1% 2011 to 2015 460 5.3% 6.3% 2016 to 2021 515 5.9% 6.3% Non-permanent residents 155 1.8% 2.1%
Citizenship Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 8,695 100.0% 100.0% Canadian citizens 7,670 88.2% 87.6% Not Canadian citizens 1,025 11.8% 12.4%
Continent and Country of Birth of Immigrants Indicator Number Share Calgary Immigrant population in private households 2,555 100.0% 100.0% Americas 300 11.7% 10.2% Europe 395 15.5% 16.0% Africa 530 20.7% 12.0% Asia 1,320 51.7% 61.0% Oceania and other 15 0.6% 0.8% Philippines 270 10.6% 15.2% Viet Nam 125 4.9% Other places of birth in Africa 145 5.7% China 460 18.0% 8.4%
Continent and Country of Birth of Recent Immigrants (immigrated to Canada between 2016 and 2021) Indicator Number Share Calgary Recent immigrant population in private households 515 100.0% 100.0% Americas 40 7.8% 9.3% Europe 0 0.0% 8.0% Africa 230 44.7% 18.5% Asia 235 45.6% 63.4% Oceania and other 0 0.0% 0.8% Philippines 105 20.4% 19.0% Eritrea 110 21.4% India 30 5.8% 17.3% Nigeria 50 9.7% 7.2% Ethiopia 55 10.7%
Immigrant Admission Category Indicator Number Share Calgary Immigrant population in private households who landed between 1980 and 2021 2,055 100.0% 100.0% Economic immigrants 830 40.4% 56.4% Immigrants sponsored by family 710 34.5% 28.0% Refugees 505 24.6% 14.6% Other immigrants 0 0.0% 1.0%
Education Highest Certificate, Diploma, or Degree Indicator Number Share Calgary Population aged 15 years and over in private households 7,235 100.0% 100.0% No certificate, diploma or degree 1,495 20.7% 12.7% High school diploma or equivalent 2,085 28.8% 25.9% Post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree 3,655 50.5% 61.4% Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma 525 7.3% 5.9% College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 1,300 18.0% 16.4% University certificate or diploma below bachelor level 215 3.0% 3.4% University certificate, diploma or degree at bachelor level or above 1,620 22.4% 35.7%
Employment Labour Force Status and Employment Status Indicator Number Share Calgary Population aged 15 years and over in private households 7,235 In the labour force 4,490 Employed 3,805 Self-Employed 745 Unemployed 685 Not in the labour force 2,740 Labour force participation rate 62 Employment rate 53 Unemployment rate 15
Labour Force Status and Employment Status by Gender Indicator Number Share Calgary Population aged 15 years and over in private households (Men +) 3,605 Population aged 15 years and over in private households (Women +) 3,630 In the labour force (Men +) 2,365 In the labour force (Women +) 2,120 Employed (Men +) 2,005 Employed (Women +) 1,795 Self-Employed (Men +) 440 Self-Employed (Women +) 300 Unemployed (Men +) 365 Unemployed (Women +) 325 Not in the labour force (Men +) 1,240 Not in the labour force (Women +) 1,505 Labour force participation rate (Men +) 66 Labour force participation rate (Women +) 58 Employment rate (Men +) 56 Employment rate (Women +) 49 Unemployment rate (Men +) 15 Unemployment rate (Women +) 15
Labour Force by Industry Indicator Number Share Calgary In the labour force 4,490 100.0% 100.0% Retail trade 455 10.1% 11.0% Health care and social assistance 490 10.9% 12.4% Construction 525 11.7% 8.1% Transportation and warehousing 325 7.2% 6.4% Professional, scientific and technical services 340 7.6% 11.5%
Labour Force by Occupation Indicator Number Share Calgary In the labour force 4,490 100.0% 100.0% Sales and service occupations 1,195 26.6% 24.0% Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations 970 21.6% 15.8% Business, finance and administration occupations 600 13.4% 18.5% Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services 465 10.4% 10.6% Natural and applied sciences and related occupations 405 9.0% 11.4%
Income Median Household and Individual Income Before Tax in 2020 Indicator Number Share Calgary Median income of population aged 15 years and over $38,400 $44,400 Men + $41,600 $50,400 Women + $35,600 $39,600 Median household income of private households $73,500 $98,000
Total Household Income Groups in 2020 for Private Households Indicator Number Share Calgary Private households 3,615 100.0% 100.0% Under $20,000 125 3.5% 3.6% $20,000 to $39,999 600 16.6% 10.9% $40,000 to $59,999 640 17.7% 12.3% $60,000 to $79,999 590 16.3% 12.6% $80,000 to $99,999 500 13.8% 11.6% $100,000 to $124,999 400 11.1% 12.3% $125,000 to $149,999 215 6.0% 9.4% $150,000 to $199,999 290 8.0% 12.2% $200,000 and over 250 6.9% 15.0%
Low Income in 2020 by Age Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households to whom low- income concepts are applicable 8,695 Population in private households to whom low- income concepts are applicable (Number in low income) 1,150 Population in private households to whom low- income concepts are applicable (Per cent in low income) 13 13.0% 9.0% 0 to 17 years 1,750 0 to 17 years (Number in low income) 355 0 to 17 years (Per cent in low income) 20 20.0% 11.0% 18 to 64 years 5,530 18 to 64 years (Number in low income) 635 18 to 64 years (Per cent in low income) 11 11.0% 8.0% 65 years and over 1,420 65 years and over (Number in low income) 165 65 years and over (Per cent in low income) 12 12.0% 11.0%
Low Income in 2020 by Age — Low-income measure after tax (LIM-AT) threshold for private households, 2020 Indicator Number Share Calgary 1 person (After-tax income) $26,503 — 2 persons (After-tax income) $37,480 — 3 persons (After-tax income) $45,904 — 4 persons (After-tax income) $53,005 — 5 persons (After-tax income) $59,261 — 6 persons (After-tax income) $64,918 — 7 persons (After-tax income) $70,119 —
Housing Housing Tenure Indicator Number Share Calgary Private households 3,615 100.0% 100.0% Owner households 2,085 57.7% 68.8% Renter households 1,525 42.2% 31.2%
Housing Affordability (shelter-cost-to-income ratio) Indicator Number Share Calgary Private households with income 3,595 100.0% 100.0% Households spending less than 30% of total income on shelter 2,740 76.2% 77.1% Households spending 30% or more of total income on shelter 855 23.8% 22.9%
Housing Affordability for Renter and Owner Households Indicator Number Share Calgary Private households with total income greater than zero (Owner) 2,085 Private households with total income greater than zero (Renter) 1,530 Per cent households with income spending 30% or more total income on shelter (Owner) 17 Per cent households with income spending 30% or more total income on shelter (Renter) 33 Median monthly shelter costs (Owner) 1,070 Median monthly shelter costs (Renter) 1,310 Per cent with mortgage (Owner) 52 Per cent in subsidized housing (Renter) 10
Dwelling Condition Indicator Number Share Calgary Occupied private dwellings 3,615 100.0% 100.0% Regular maintenance or minor repairs needed 3,360 93.0% 95.5% Major repairs needed 255 7.0% 4.5%
Housing Suitability Indicator Number Share Calgary Private households 3,615 100.0% 100.0% Suitable 3,435 95.0% 94.9% Not suitable 180 5.0% 5.1%
Dwellings by Period of Construction Indicator Number Share Calgary Occupied private dwellings 3,615 100.0% 100.0% 1960 or before 1,225 33.9% 8.7% 1961 to 1980 2,045 56.6% 26.5% 1981 to 1990 165 4.6% 11.9% 1991 to 2000 95 2.6% 15.1% 2001 to 2010 45 1.2% 19.5% 2011 to 2015 20 0.6% 9.1% 2016 to 2021 15 0.4% 9.2%
Dwellings by Structure Type Indicator Number Share Calgary Occupied private dwellings 3,615 100.0% 100.0% Single-detached house 1,835 50.8% 55.0% Semi-detached house 315 8.7% 6.4% Row house 815 22.5% 9.7% Apartment or flat in a duplex 225 6.2% 4.1% Apartment in a building that less than 5 storeys 285 7.9% 16.3% Apartment in a building that has more than 5 storeys 140 3.9% 8.1% Other single-attached house 0 0.0% 0.0% Movable dwelling 0 0.0% 0.4%
Mobility & commuting Mobility Status 1 year Ago Indicator Number Share Calgary Population aged 1 year and over in private households 8,600 100.0% 100.0% Non-movers 7,360 85.6% 86.2% Movers 1,240 14.4% 13.8% Non-migrants 960 11.2% 10.4% Migrants 280 3.3% 3.4% Internal migrants 235 2.7% 2.3% External migrants 45 0.5% 1.1%
Mobility Status 5 Years Ago Indicator Number Share Calgary Population aged 5 years and over in private households 8,235 100.0% 100.0% Non-movers 4,605 55.9% 58.1% Movers 3,630 44.1% 41.9% Non-migrants 2,450 29.8% 27.4% Migrants 1,175 14.3% 14.6% Internal migrants 610 7.4% 8.5% External migrants 570 6.9% 6.0%
Mode of Transportation to Work Indicator Number Share Calgary Employed labour force aged 15 years and over in private households 2,935 100.0% 100.0% Driver – car, truck or van 2,115 72.1% 77.2% Passenger – car, truck or van 255 8.7% 6.0% Public transit 305 10.4% 8.8% Walked 105 3.6% 4.2% Bicycle 55 1.9% 0.9% Other methods 95 3.2% 2.9%
Commuting Duration Indicator Number Share Calgary Employed labour force aged 15 years and over in private households 2,935 100.0% 100.0% Less than 15 minutes 685 23.3% 21.5% 15 to 29 minutes 1,460 49.7% 46.9% 30 to 44 minutes 505 17.2% 21.9% 45 to 59 minutes 125 4.3% 4.6% 60 minutes and over 160 5.5% 5.0%
Time Leaving for Work Indicator Number Share Calgary Employed labour force aged 15 years and over in private households 2,935 100.0% 100.0% Between 5 a.m. and 5:59 a.m. 165 5.6% 6.3% Between 6 a.m. and 6:59 a.m. 550 18.7% 17.5% Between 7 a.m. and 7:59 a.m. 810 27.6% 25.7% Between 8 a.m. and 8:59 a.m. 490 16.7% 18.9% Between 9 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. 450 15.3% 14.8% Between 12 p.m. and 4:59 a.m. 465 15.8% 16.7%
Source. 2021 Census of Canada, published by
The City of Calgary (2023)
and accessed through the Community Data Program .
Boundaries from City of Calgary open data. Figures cover population in private households; Statistics
Canada randomly rounds counts to a multiple of 5, so components may not sum exactly to totals.
calgarycensus.com — an independent project, not affiliated with The City of Calgary
or Statistics Canada.