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The average size of families in the Thompson-Okanagan’s larger cities tend to be smaller than the rest of B.C., or national averages.

The latest data release from Statistics Canada today, July 13, shows the average number of people per household in Canada was 2.9 in 2021 and 2.8 in B.C.

The Kamloops and Kelowna areas, along with Vernon, came in slightly lower at 2.7 people per household. Penticton was down at 2.6.

The Statistics Canada report does not give comparable household size figures for 2016 but data released at that time shows Canada and B.C. averaged 2.4 people per household.

READ MORE: Common-law couples on the rise, Statistics Canada data show

The four largest Thompson-Okanagan cities ranged from 2.1 people per household (Penticton) to 2.4 (Kamloops).

A news release Stats Canada accompanying the data talks about both a growing trend of people living alone as well as more people sharing homes with roommates rather than family members.

“Solo living is on the rise in middle-adulthood in Canada, with the share of people aged 35 to 44 who live alone doubling from 1981 (5%) to 2021 (10%),” the release says. “In contrast, the share of women aged 65 and older living alone has decreased over time, owing to gradual convergence in the life expectancies of men and women. This is allowing older adults — particularly women — to live as part of a couple for longer.”

Fifteen per cent of people over the age of 15 lived alone in Canada in 2021, an all-time high.

While households with roommates was the fastest growing category from 2001 to 2021 at 54%, the still only make up 4% of households.

Also growing rapidly (by 45% from 2001 to 2021) are households with multiple generations, now making up 7% of all households.

READ MORE: Residents of Kamloops, Kelowna wealthier than most Canadians: census

In terms of marital status 56.8% of residents over the age of 15, in Canada, were either married or living common-law.

B.C. had a higher rate at 58.1%. Kelowna came in at 58.9%, Kamloops at 57.5%, Penticton at 57.1% and Vernon at 59.3%

Out of that group, in Canada, 22.2% of those relationships were common-law.

That ratio was 21% for B.C. but jumped to 27.8% for Kamloops and 23.8% for Kelowna.

Penticton came in at 25.1% living common-law while Vernon was closer to the national rate at 22.1%.

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