VICTORIA, British Columbia, June 16, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to BC Check-Up: Live, an annual report by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) on demographic and affordability trends across the province, the Capital Regional District (CRD) added 5,651 new residents in 2020, bringing the total population to 425,503.
“While population growth slowed moderately in 2020 as the COVID-19 hampered international migration, the region saw a much smaller decline than for the province as a whole,” said Lindalee Brougham, FCPA, FCA, FCGA, principal at Grant Thornton LLP. “The region has welcomed a robust number of new residents over the past five years, primarily from other parts of the province and country.”
The region’s population grew by 6.2 per cent from 2016 to 2020. Of the total increase in 2020, 60 per cent came from other provinces with a net gain of 3,396 residents, while nearly 1,800 additional residents arrived from other parts of British Columbia.
The slowdown in 2020 was mostly attributable to fewer non-permanent residents, such as students, coming to the region from outside the country compared to in 2019. The region’s population growth has also been hampered by declining natural growth, with mortalities exceeding births by 887 in 2020.
“With an aging population and the lowest fertility rate in Canada, Greater Victoria relies on migration to grow its population,” noted Brougham. “The region has been fortunate to attract a large number of residents from other parts of Canada and internationally. We must also ensure there is adequate housing supply for current and future residents.”
Over the past five years, 33,303 new residents came to the region while the number housing units completed was just over 14,650. Although the number of units completed has increased in recent years, with 4,044 units completed in 2020 compared to 1,787 in 2016, the number of larger units completed has been relatively flat.
“It is encouraging to witness the considerable construction activity underway, but the type of unit completed has increasingly been smaller, attached units such as condos and townhomes that are replacing older, larger housing stock. In 2020, four out of every five homes built were attached units compared to just over half in 2016,” continued Brougham. “As seen in recent price increases, the lack of larger units is putting pressure on family homes.”
Across Greater Victoria, the average single-family home sold for $932,300 in May 2021, up by 19.3 per cent compared to May 2020. The average price for an apartment sold in May 2021 was $513,400, up by 7.0 per cent over May 2020.
“Housing prices are rapidly increasing due to record low interest rates, surging demand for more space, and inadequate housing supply,” concluded Brougham. “Given our aging demographics, it will be increasingly important to attract families to the region. As we look to the future, it is critical to keep ramping up supply to ensure housing is more accessible and affordable.”
To learn more, see www.bccheckup.com.
About CPA British Columbia
The Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) is the training, governing, and regulatory body for over 37,000 CPA members and 5,500 CPA candidates and students. CPABC carries out its primary mission to protect the public by enforcing the highest professional and ethical standards and contributing to the advancement of public policy. CPAs are recognized internationally for bringing superior financial expertise, strategic thinking, business insight, and leadership to organizations.