Salt Spring Island CRD Housing Needs Assessment 2020

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Capital Regional District 
Housing Needs Assessment 
November 2020 
Salt Spring Island 

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Salt Spring Island Housing Profile 
This profile summarizes the findings of the Salt Spring Island Electoral District Housing Needs Report which was 
completed as part of a joint Housing Needs Report project for 11 CRD communities. It fulfills the Housing Needs 
Reports requirements outlined in the Local Government Act, Part 14, Division 22. All data is this profile is from 
Statistics Canada unless otherwise indicated.
Overview
 
Salt Spring Island is a unique community within 
the CRD and one of three electoral areas within 
the region. With a population of more than 
10,000 people, plus many tourists and seasonal 
residents, it is the largest, most populated, and 
most visited of BC’s Gulf Islands. Salt Spring has 
a rural character, with natural areas, agriculture, 
an artisan community, and an emphasis on 
health, wellness, and sustainability that appeals 
to residents and visitors alike. 
Population and Age 
The population of Salt Spring Island grew by 10% 
between 2006 and 2016, a similar rate of growth 
compared to the CRD as a whole. In 2016, the median 
age was 55.4, which was higher than the CRD at 45.5. 
There was a smaller proportion of youth and young 
adults and a larger proportion of those aged 55 or older 
living on the Island in 2016.  
Projections suggest Salt Spring Island could experience 
more rapid population growth in the future, primarily 
driven by growth of the senior population. 
 
Households 
There were 4,840 households in 2016 with an average 
household size of 2.1 persons, which is slightly smaller 
than the regional average of 2.2 persons per household. 
Compared to the CRD, there are a higher proportion of 
two-person households living on Salt Spring Island, 
primarily couples without children. This is commonly 
seen in communities with a higher median age, as many 
households are typically older adults whose children 
have left home.  
 
Income 
The 2015 median income on Salt Spring Island was 
$57,761, which was approximately 17% lower than the 
CRD median income. Salt Spring Island has sharp income 
differences among different demographic groups. In 
2016, median renter household incomes were less than 
half that of owner incomes ($33,008 versus $67,044). 
Renter household incomes decreased 9% between the 
2006 and 2016 censuses, while owner households 
increased by 7.5%. Lone parent and non-census family 
households reported much lower incomes compared to 
other household types and compared to regional 
averages; for example, male lone parent households 
reported incomes that were 42% lower compared to the 
regional average for that household type.  
 

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Capital Regional District Housing Needs Report | Salt Spring Island 
Stakeholders suggested that Salt Spring Island is 
known to have a robust cannabis industry, which 
likely employs a large proportion of the population, 
but would not be captured in census 

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