As you move north to south on the Thompson-Okanagan, your hair becomes gray. Statistics Canada released a new wave of census data on Wednesday that focused on demographics. Following is the initial release of population data showing that Metro Kelowna is the fastest growing major city in the country. Despite the explosive growth, Thompson-Okanagan, like the rest of the country, sees a larger percentage of the public in their retirement years as the boomer generation fades. Adults aged 25 to 40 (millennials) now make up 36% of the country and will surpass explosives by 2029. Of the four major cities in Thompson-Okanagan, Kamloops has the youngest population, followed by Vernon, Kelowna and finally Penticton. The border town of Osoyoos has one of the oldest populations in Canada. But while there are more retirees in all communities, the middle age of the Kamloops, Kelowna actually fell compared to the 2016 census. Kamloops
Middle age – 42.8 % of the population over 65 years – 21.1
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Average age – 50 % of the population over 65 – 27.9
Kelowna
Average age 44.4 % of the population over 65 years – 22.6
Penticton
Middle age – 53.6 % of population over 65 years – 30.8
Canada
Middle age – 41.6 % of the population over 65 – 19 years old
Stats Canada includes nearby communities in statistics for larger centers. The Kelowna metropolitan area, for example, includes everything from Peachland to Lake Country. Penticton statistics include Okanagan Falls and rural Summerland.
A selection of data from other communities in the area is as follows: Osoyoos
Middle age – 62 % of population over 65 years – 43.7
Merritt
Middle age – 48.8 % of the population over 65 – 27
Princeton
Middle age – 52.8 % of the population over 65 – 27
Salmon arm
Average age – 51.6 % of population over 65 years – 30.4
** An earlier version of this story reported Penticton’s average, not average, age. The story has been corrected.
