Map › Communities › Varsity Varsity
Residential · Northwest sector · Calgary, Alberta
Varsity is a residential community in the Northwest sector of Calgary. At the 2021 Census of Canada it had a population of 12,040 living in private households. 32.9% 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 12.8%. 64.6% were Caucasian (not a visible minority, excluding Indigenous identity), and 2.5% reported Indigenous identity. Immigrants made up 27.7% of the population, compared with 33.3% citywide. Median household income before tax was $90,000 in 2020, compared with $98,000 for Calgary. 37.9% of households rented rather than owned. The community covers 6.70 km², giving a population density of 1,797 people per square kilometre (Calgary averages about 2,600).
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Population 12,040 2021, private households
Visible minority 32.9% Calgary 41.4%
Caucasian 64.6% excl. Indigenous identity
Immigrants 27.7% Calgary 33.3%
Median household income $90,000 Calgary $98,000
Renter households 37.9% Calgary 31.2%
Density 1,797 /km² 12,040 people over 6.70 km²
Population & age Population and Dwellings Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 12,040 100.0% 100.0% Population in private households (Total) 12,040 Population in private households (Men +) 5,835 Population in private households (Women +) 6,200 0 to 14 years 1,730 14.4% 18.2% 15 to 64 years 7,455 61.9% 68.8% 65 to 84 years 2,370 19.7% 11.8% 85 years and over 475 4.0% 1.1% 0-4 (Total) 485 0-4 (Men +) 265 0-4 (Women +) 220 5-9 (Total) 605 5-9 (Men +) 325 5-9 (Women +) 285 10-14 (Total) 640 10-14 (Men +) 335 10-14 (Women +) 300 15-19 (Total) 535 15-19 (Men +) 260 15-19 (Women +) 270 20-24 (Total) 955 20-24 (Men +) 480 20-24 (Women +) 480 25-29 (Total) 865 25-29 (Men +) 440 25-29 (Women +) 420 30-34 (Total) 820 30-34 (Men +) 440 30-34 (Women +) 375 35-39 (Total) 765 35-39 (Men +) 375 35-39 (Women +) 395 40-44 (Total) 655 40-44 (Men +) 305 40-44 (Women +) 355 45-49 (Total) 655 45-49 (Men +) 295 45-49 (Women +) 360 50-54 (Total) 670 50-54 (Men +) 325 50-54 (Women +) 340 55-59 (Total) 730 55-59 (Men +) 350 55-59 (Women +) 380 60-64 (Total) 805 60-64 (Men +) 380 60-64 (Women +) 425 65-69 (Total) 685 65-69 (Men +) 320 65-69 (Women +) 370 70-74 (Total) 625 70-74 (Men +) 290 70-74 (Women +) 340 75-79 (Total) 545 75-79 (Men +) 230 75-79 (Women +) 320 80-84 (Total) 515 80-84 (Men +) 220 80-84 (Women +) 295 85-89 (Total) 310 85-89 (Men +) 125 85-89 (Women +) 185 90-94 (Total) 140 90-94 (Men +) 60 90-94 (Women +) 75 95-99 (Total) 25 95-99 (Men +) 10 95-99 (Women +) 10 100 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 5,420 100.0% 100.0% 1 person 1,820 33.6% 26.4% 2 persons 1,985 36.6% 31.9% 3 persons 640 11.8% 15.9% 4 persons 670 12.4% 15.8% 5 or more persons 300 5.5% 10.0%
Census Families Indicator Number Share Calgary Census families 3,310 100.0% 100.0% Couple families 2,870 86.7% 85.3% Married couples 2,475 74.8% 71.9% With children 55 1.7% 4.2% Without children 340 10.3% 9.2% Common-law couples 395 11.9% 13.4% One-parent families 440 13.3% 14.7%
One-Parent Census Families Indicator Number Share Calgary One-parent families 440 100.0% 100.0% Women + 360 81.8% 78.3% Men + 80 18.2% 21.7%
Marital Status Indicator Number Share Calgary Marital status for the total population aged 15 years and over 10,310 100.0% 100.0% Married/common-law 5,900 57.2% 58.9% Married 5,105 49.5% 49.8% Common-law 790 7.7% 9.1% Not living with spouse or common-law partner 4,410 42.8% 41.1% Never married 2,860 27.7% 29.2% Separated 240 2.3% 2.2% Divorced 695 6.7% 6.3% Widowed 625 6.1% 3.4%
Language Knowledge of Official Languages Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 12,040 100.0% 100.0% English only 10,550 87.6% 90.8% French only 0 0.0% 0.1% English and French 1,235 10.3% 6.6% Neither English nor French 255 2.1% 2.5%
Languages Spoken Most Often at Home Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 12,040 100.0% 100.0% English 9,610 79.8% 75.3% French 45 0.4% 0.5% Non-official language 1,910 15.9% 18.8% Arabic 145 1.2% Spanish 120 1.0% 1.4% Multiple languages 480 4.0% 5.5% Yue (Cantonese) 285 2.4% Iranian Persian 215 1.8% Mandarin 440 3.6% 1.7%
Mother Tongue Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 12,040 100.0% 100.0% English 8,160 67.8% 63.9% French 135 1.1% 1.2% Non-official language 3,290 27.3% 29.6% Arabic 200 1.7% Spanish 205 1.7% 2.3% Multiple responses 455 3.8% 5.2% Yue (Cantonese) 420 3.5% 2.5% Mandarin 585 4.9% 2.4% Iranian Persian 245 2.0%
Knowledge of Non-Official Languages Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 12,040 100.0% 100.0% Arabic 305 2.5% Spanish 465 3.9% 4.2% Mandarin 855 7.1% 3.5% Yue (Cantonese) 545 4.5%
Indigenous Indigenous Identity Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 12,035 100.0% 100.0% Indigenous identity 295 2.5% 3.2% Non-Indigenous identity 11,750 97.6% 96.8%
Indigenous Groups Indicator Number Share Calgary Indigenous identity population in private households 295 100.0% 100.0% First Nations (North American Indian) 80 27.1% 44.6% Metis 200 67.8% 50.4% Inuk (Inuit) 0 0.0% 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 12,035 100.0% 100.0% Visible minority 3,960 32.9% 41.4% South Asian 525 4.4% 11.0% Chinese 1,545 12.8% 7.1% Black 350 2.9% 5.5% Filipino 235 1.9% 6.5% Arab 295 2.5% 2.4% Latin American 220 1.8% 2.5% Southeast Asian 90 0.8% 2.0% West Asian 300 2.5% 1.2% Korean 170 1.4% 1.0% Japanese 80 0.7% 0.5% Visible minority, n.i.e.* 30 0.2% 0.4% Multiple visible minorities 135 1.1% 1.5% Not a visible minority 8,075 67.1% 58.6%
Generation Status Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 12,035 100.0% 100.0% First generation 4,150 34.5% 36.5% Second generation 2,660 22.1% 21.8% Third generation or more 5,235 43.5% 41.7%
Religion Indicator Number Share Calgary Total religion for the population in private households 12,035 100.0% 100.0% Buddhist 105 0.9% 1.6% Christian 5,795 48.1% 44.5% Hindu 140 1.2% 2.6% Jewish 40 0.3% 0.5% Muslim 750 6.2% 7.4% Sikh 25 0.2% 3.8% Traditional (North American Indigenous Spirituality) 0 0.0% 0.1% Other Religions & Spiritual Traditions 110 0.9% 0.8% No Religion & Secular Perspectives 5,060 42.0% 38.7%
Immigration Immigrant Status and Year of Immigration Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 12,035 100.0% 100.0% Non-immigrants 8,045 66.8% 64.6% Immigrants 3,330 27.7% 33.3% Before 1980 755 6.3% 3.8% 1980 to 1990 405 3.4% 3.1% 1991 to 2000 405 3.4% 4.8% 2001 to 2010 550 4.6% 9.1% 2011 to 2015 445 3.7% 6.3% 2016 to 2021 770 6.4% 6.3% Non-permanent residents 665 5.5% 2.1%
Citizenship Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households 12,035 100.0% 100.0% Canadian citizens 10,305 85.6% 87.6% Not Canadian citizens 1,735 14.4% 12.4%
Continent and Country of Birth of Immigrants Indicator Number Share Calgary Immigrant population in private households 3,330 100.0% 100.0% Americas 410 12.3% 10.2% Europe 810 24.3% 16.0% Africa 270 8.1% 12.0% Asia 1,790 53.8% 61.0% Oceania and other 45 1.4% 0.8% Philippines 205 6.2% 15.2% United Kingdom 215 6.5% 5.0% Other places of birth in Asia 220 6.6% China 505 15.2% 8.4% Hong Kong 170 5.1%
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 770 100.0% 100.0% Americas 100 13.0% 9.3% Europe 130 16.9% 8.0% Africa 125 16.2% 18.5% Asia 410 53.2% 63.4% Oceania and other 0 0.0% 0.8% Philippines 50 6.5% 19.0% Syria 45 5.8% 3.8% China 120 15.6% 6.8% Other places of birth in Asia 75 9.7% Other places of birth in Europe 65 8.4%
Immigrant Admission Category Indicator Number Share Calgary Immigrant population in private households who landed between 1980 and 2021 2,575 100.0% 100.0% Economic immigrants 1,600 62.1% 56.4% Immigrants sponsored by family 615 23.9% 28.0% Refugees 340 13.2% 14.6% Other immigrants 20 0.8% 1.0%
Education Highest Certificate, Diploma, or Degree Indicator Number Share Calgary Population aged 15 years and over in private households 10,310 100.0% 100.0% No certificate, diploma or degree 745 7.2% 12.7% High school diploma or equivalent 2,170 21.1% 25.9% Post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree 7,395 71.7% 61.4% Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma 415 4.0% 5.9% College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma 1,325 12.8% 16.4% University certificate or diploma below bachelor level 240 2.3% 3.4% University certificate, diploma or degree at bachelor level or above 5,410 52.5% 35.7%
Employment Labour Force Status and Employment Status Indicator Number Share Calgary Population aged 15 years and over in private households 10,310 In the labour force 6,195 Employed 5,395 Self-Employed 1,000 Unemployed 800 Not in the labour force 4,115 Labour force participation rate 60 Employment rate 52 Unemployment rate 13
Labour Force Status and Employment Status by Gender Indicator Number Share Calgary Population aged 15 years and over in private households (Men +) 4,915 Population aged 15 years and over in private households (Women +) 5,395 In the labour force (Men +) 3,210 In the labour force (Women +) 2,990 Employed (Men +) 2,790 Employed (Women +) 2,610 Self-Employed (Men +) 545 Self-Employed (Women +) 460 Unemployed (Men +) 420 Unemployed (Women +) 385 Not in the labour force (Men +) 1,705 Not in the labour force (Women +) 2,410 Labour force participation rate (Men +) 65 Labour force participation rate (Women +) 55 Employment rate (Men +) 57 Employment rate (Women +) 48 Unemployment rate (Men +) 13 Unemployment rate (Women +) 13
Labour Force by Industry Indicator Number Share Calgary In the labour force 6,195 100.0% 100.0% Retail trade 605 9.8% 11.0% Health care and social assistance 905 14.6% 12.4% Transportation and warehousing 305 4.9% 6.4% Professional, scientific and technical services 920 14.8% 11.5% Educational services 850 13.7%
Labour Force by Occupation Indicator Number Share Calgary In the labour force 6,195 100.0% 100.0% Sales and service occupations 1,100 17.8% 24.0% Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations 650 10.5% 15.8% Business, finance and administration occupations 1,085 17.5% 18.5% Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services 1,095 17.7% 10.6% Natural and applied sciences and related occupations 870 14.0% 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 $44,800 $44,400 Men + $52,000 $50,400 Women + $38,800 $39,600 Median household income of private households $90,000 $98,000
Total Household Income Groups in 2020 for Private Households Indicator Number Share Calgary Private households 5,415 100.0% 100.0% Under $20,000 285 5.3% 3.6% $20,000 to $39,999 865 16.0% 10.9% $40,000 to $59,999 625 11.5% 12.3% $60,000 to $79,999 640 11.8% 12.6% $80,000 to $99,999 550 10.2% 11.6% $100,000 to $124,999 540 10.0% 12.3% $125,000 to $149,999 405 7.5% 9.4% $150,000 to $199,999 510 9.4% 12.2% $200,000 and over 995 18.4% 15.0%
Low Income in 2020 by Age Indicator Number Share Calgary Population in private households to whom low- income concepts are applicable 12,040 Population in private households to whom low- income concepts are applicable (Number in low income) 1,440 Population in private households to whom low- income concepts are applicable (Per cent in low income) 12 12.0% 9.0% 0 to 17 years 2,035 0 to 17 years (Number in low income) 240 0 to 17 years (Per cent in low income) 12 12.0% 11.0% 18 to 64 years 7,150 18 to 64 years (Number in low income) 905 18 to 64 years (Per cent in low income) 13 13.0% 8.0% 65 years and over 2,855 65 years and over (Number in low income) 290 65 years and over (Per cent in low income) 10 10.0% 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 5,415 100.0% 100.0% Owner households 3,370 62.2% 68.8% Renter households 2,050 37.9% 31.2%
Housing Affordability (shelter-cost-to-income ratio) Indicator Number Share Calgary Private households with income 5,385 100.0% 100.0% Households spending less than 30% of total income on shelter 3,980 73.9% 77.1% Households spending 30% or more of total income on shelter 1,405 26.1% 22.9%
Housing Affordability for Renter and Owner Households Indicator Number Share Calgary Private households with total income greater than zero (Owner) 3,370 Private households with total income greater than zero (Renter) 2,045 Per cent households with income spending 30% or more total income on shelter (Owner) 16 Per cent households with income spending 30% or more total income on shelter (Renter) 43 Median monthly shelter costs (Owner) 1,020 Median monthly shelter costs (Renter) 1,300 Per cent with mortgage (Owner) 37 Per cent in subsidized housing (Renter) 10
Dwelling Condition Indicator Number Share Calgary Occupied private dwellings 5,415 100.0% 100.0% Regular maintenance or minor repairs needed 5,245 96.9% 95.5% Major repairs needed 175 3.2% 4.5%
Housing Suitability Indicator Number Share Calgary Private households 5,415 100.0% 100.0% Suitable 5,230 96.6% 94.9% Not suitable 190 3.5% 5.1%
Dwellings by Period of Construction Indicator Number Share Calgary Occupied private dwellings 5,415 100.0% 100.0% 1960 or before 245 4.5% 8.7% 1961 to 1980 3,700 68.3% 26.5% 1981 to 1990 655 12.1% 11.9% 1991 to 2000 240 4.4% 15.1% 2001 to 2010 235 4.3% 19.5% 2011 to 2015 225 4.2% 9.1% 2016 to 2021 120 2.2% 9.2%
Dwellings by Structure Type Indicator Number Share Calgary Occupied private dwellings 5,420 100.0% 100.0% Single-detached house 2,465 45.5% 55.0% Semi-detached house 115 2.1% 6.4% Row house 655 12.1% 9.7% Apartment or flat in a duplex 95 1.8% 4.1% Apartment in a building that less than 5 storeys 1,495 27.6% 16.3% Apartment in a building that has more than 5 storeys 595 11.0% 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 11,950 100.0% 100.0% Non-movers 10,110 84.6% 86.2% Movers 1,845 15.4% 13.8% Non-migrants 1,260 10.5% 10.4% Migrants 580 4.8% 3.4% Internal migrants 300 2.5% 2.3% External migrants 280 2.3% 1.1%
Mobility Status 5 Years Ago Indicator Number Share Calgary Population aged 5 years and over in private households 11,555 100.0% 100.0% Non-movers 6,740 58.3% 58.1% Movers 4,815 41.7% 41.9% Non-migrants 2,695 23.3% 27.4% Migrants 2,130 18.4% 14.6% Internal migrants 990 8.6% 8.5% External migrants 1,135 9.8% 6.0%
Mode of Transportation to Work Indicator Number Share Calgary Employed labour force aged 15 years and over in private households 3,345 100.0% 100.0% Driver – car, truck or van 2,310 69.1% 77.2% Passenger – car, truck or van 200 6.0% 6.0% Public transit 310 9.3% 8.8% Walked 275 8.2% 4.2% Bicycle 120 3.6% 0.9% Other methods 125 3.7% 2.9%
Commuting Duration Indicator Number Share Calgary Employed labour force aged 15 years and over in private households 3,345 100.0% 100.0% Less than 15 minutes 935 27.9% 21.5% 15 to 29 minutes 1,520 45.4% 46.9% 30 to 44 minutes 680 20.3% 21.9% 45 to 59 minutes 105 3.1% 4.6% 60 minutes and over 105 3.1% 5.0%
Time Leaving for Work Indicator Number Share Calgary Employed labour force aged 15 years and over in private households 3,345 100.0% 100.0% Between 5 a.m. and 5:59 a.m. 185 5.5% 6.3% Between 6 a.m. and 6:59 a.m. 425 12.7% 17.5% Between 7 a.m. and 7:59 a.m. 940 28.1% 25.7% Between 8 a.m. and 8:59 a.m. 740 22.1% 18.9% Between 9 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. 520 15.6% 14.8% Between 12 p.m. and 4:59 a.m. 530 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.