In this region, the
numbers add up to
huge potential.

Enviable income levels.

As evidence of a strong local economy, Happy Valley-Goose Bay has great numbers for the total household income—which includes not only employee compensation but also other sources of income such as transfers and investment income. The number of people in HVGB with income greater than $50,000 is higher than the provincial population for the same income brackets.

Happy Valley-Goose Bay Population (2016):
  0-14 years 15-24 years 25-64 years 65 years and over
Total population (%) 16.8 12.8 58.2 12.2
Aboriginal identity (%) 47.5
Non-Aboriginal (%) 52.5
Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census Profile HVGB
Economic Catchment Area (2016):
Greater Goose Bay 9,679
North Coast 3,494
South Coast 3,215
Source: Statistics Canada 2016

A strong labour market
compared to
the province.

According to Statistics Canada, in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, 3360 people were employed and 305 were unemployed for a total labour force of 3665 in 2016. The employment rate was 69% and the unemployment rate was 8.3% as compared to Newfoundland Labrador’s unemployment rate of 15.6%.

Labour Force Stats HVGB 2016 NL 2016
Total population aged 15 years and over 5,165 437,935
Employment rate (%) 65.0 49.5
Unemployment rate (%) 8.3 15.6
Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census Profile HVGB

In 2016, the top occupations within Happy Valley-Goose Bay were:

  1. Sales and service occupations
  2. Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
  3. Business, finance and administration occupations

High demand 

With the increase in economic activity in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the region has witnessed an increase in the demand for recreational services and a higher skilled work force. With the characteristics of Happy Valley-Goose Bay’s population, such as a higher education and higher income, one can see the potential for housing and recreational business opportunities.

Population aged 15 years and over by total income, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Total Income in 2015 HVGB NL
Population 15 years and over by total income (count) 5,180 437,940
Without income (%) 2.6 3.6
With income (%) 97.4 96.4
Under $10,000 (%) 11.5 312.4
$10,000 – $19,999 (%) 10.5 18.4
$20,000 – $49,999 (%) 30.3 36
$50,000 – $79,999 (%) 21 15.4
$80,000 – $99,999 (%) 9.7 6
$100,000 and over (%) 14.4 8.2
Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census Profile HVGB
Housing Tenure 2015 HVGB NL
Number Percentage Percentage
Total households 2,415 100.0 100.0
Owner 1,655 68.5 76.7
Renter 765 31.5 23.1
Source: Statistics Canada 2016 Census Profile HVGB
Median After-tax income in 2015 for Economic Families and not in Economic Families, HVGB, NL
Economic Family Structure and Gender HVGB NL
Number Median after-tax income($) Median after-tax income($)
All economic families 1,910 101,803 72,193
Couple families children 845 123,136 100,500
Couple families without children 720 91,392 61,160
Lone-parent families 275 54,528 42,926
Persons not in economic families 665 34,253 24,852
Males 325 34,560 27,806
Females 340 33,664 23,469
Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census Profile HVGB
Education Levels 2016:
  HVGB (count) HVGB (%) NL (%)
Total Highest certificate, diploma, or degree for Population aged 15 years and over 5,160 100 100
No Certificate, diploma, or degree 1,155 22.4 23.4
Secondary (high) school diploma or equivalency certificate 1140 22.1 25
Post-Secondary certificate, diploma, or degree 2,865 55.5 51.6
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma 710 13.8 11.3
College, CEGEP or other non-univeristy certificate or diploma 1,360 26.3 23.1
University certificate or diploma below bachelor level 145 2.8 2.4
University certificate, diploma or degree at bachelor level or above 655 12.7 14.8
Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census Profile HVGB