New Westminster a city of contrasts: community profile published

Children participate in Read and Run at New Westminster’s Qayqiyt Elementary school.

Western Canada’s oldest city is a city of contrasts. New Westminster has the second highest median family income in Metro Vancouver yet shares the highest unemployment rate. Of the 25-64 age group, 59 percent of the population has a college degree or higher but the city also has the highest percentage of 18 year olds who did not graduate high school compared to neighbouring municipalities. A comprehensive report published today by United Way British Columbia, New West Community Profile, breaks down population, economic and social statistics in six neighbourhoods in New Westminster: Connaught Heights; Downtown-Stewardson; Queens Park; Queensborough; Sapperton; and Uptown. Data is compared to Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver and Metro Vancouver. The United Way British Columbia New Westminster Community Profile includes information on:

• Population (demographics, growth trends, languages spoken)
• Economic factors (income, unemployment rates, education, housing)
• Social factors (homelessness, family structure, childhood vulnerability, causes of death)
•  Data on calls handled by bc211, the 24/7 multilingual social service help line that United Way funds

In 2015, United Way invested $550,000 in New Westminster funding 37 organizations that deliver 44 programs and services to residents. Programs and services supported by United Way include early childhood development, after-school programs, senior support, refugee support, and food security. “Neighbourhood-specific research like this helps not only United Way but also municipalities, school districts and other social service organizations plan for the future,” said Michael McKnight, President & CEO, United Way British Columbia. “Research also helps United Way make smart community investments.” This is the fifth Community Profile published by United Way British Columbia over the past year. Other community profiles are: Delta Community Profile, Richmond Community Profile, Surrey/White Rock Community Profile, and Tri-Cities Community Profile. New Westminster Community Profile HighlightsPopulation

• New Westminster’s population in 2011 was 65,976 residents. From 2001 to 2011, the city experienced a 21% growth rate, second only to Surrey’s 35% growth rate from 2001 to 2011. Population projections estimate that the city will grow by 52 percent by the year 2041 to 102,000 people. • 25% of New Westminster’s population lived in Uptown, and 24% in Downtown-Stewardson. • Between 2007 and 2011, almost 3,500 babies were born in the New Westminster Local Health Area representing a live birth rate of 10.75 (births per 1000 population). This is higher than the BC rate of 9.89 and second only to Surrey with a live birth rate of 13.47. • 33% of New Westminster’s population were immigrants in 2011, a smaller rate by comparison than Surrey at 41% and Richmond at 60%. • 35% of New Westminster’s residents have a non-English mother tongue. • The top four languages spoken by New Westminster School District students at home are English (61%); Mandarin (5.8%); Tagalog/Phillipino (4.5%); and Punjabi (3.7%).

Economic indicators

• The median family income in New Westminster was $78,026, second highest among comparison municipalities with Surrey being the highest at $78,283.
• The number of low-income children under 18 is lowest in New Westminster (18.9%) compared to the Metro Vancouver rate of 24.6% and Richmond with the highest rate at 25.4%.
• The unemployment rate in New Westminster was 7.9%, matched with Surrey, the highest among the comparison municipalities.
• The top three occupations in New Westminster were: sales and service (22.9%); business, finance and administration (18.5%); and trades, transport and equipment operators (14.2%).

Social indicators

• 33.2% of children in New Westminster did not graduate from high school between 2009/10 and 2011/12. This rate was higher than Surrey at 24.7% and Vancouver at 31.6%.
• Apartments make up over 68% of New Westminster’s dwellings. This is higher than all comparison communities with the next highest being Vancouver at 60%.
• In the 2014 Homeless Count in Metro Vancouver, New Westminster recorded 106 homeless people.
• From 2009 to 2011, New Westminster recorded 3.9 violent crime offences, 7.7 property offences and 5.2 motor vehicle thefts per 1000 population, all higher than the BC averages.

Calls for assistance to the bc211 help line

• In 2015, there were 2,188 calls to bc211 from New Westminster. The top reasons for calls were housing and homelessness; abuse; basic needs; and substance use.

United Way British Columbia New Westminster Community Profile Data sources: 2011 Census; bc211; UBC HELP; 2014 Homeless Count.