Most of Wellington County’s seven municipalities have a higher median household income and pay more per month for shelter than average, according to the 2016 Census.
On Oct. 25, Statistics Canada released the next wave of census data including housing statistics. Statistics Canada also released data on household income and low incomes on Sept. 13.
The median total income of households in Ontario was $71,534, while it was $70,336 federally. In Ontario, 14.4 per cent of its population is low income and 14.2% of Canada’s population is low income.
According to Statistics Canada, “For a one-person household, the after-tax low-income measure was $22,460 in 2015. For larger households, this amount was adjusted upward by multiplying it by the square root of household size. Persons in a private household with after-tax income below this threshold were considered to be in low income.”
The census also analyzed contributions to registered retirement savings plans, registered pension plans or tax-free savings accounts. Federally, 65.2% contributed to savings or pension plans ($8,134 median contribution amount), while provincially, 67.2% contributed to those same plans ($8,953 median contribution amount).
The census also reveals that most people own a home, rather than rent. Provincially, 69.7% own with an average monthly shelter cost of $1,463 and 30.2% rent at an average cost of $1,109. Federally, 67.8% own at an average monthly cost of $1,313 and 31.8% rent at an average monthly cost of $1,002.
In Centre Wellington, the median household income is $85,149. Of the total population, 7.1% are considered low income. Of total households, 72.4% contributed to savings or pension plans, with a median contribution amount of $9,210. In Centre Wellington, 81.8% own their home with an average monthly cost of $1,385, and 18.2% rent with an average monthly cost of $1,052.
In Erin, the median household income is $105,267, with 6.9% of the population considered low income. 75.5% of households contributed to savings or pension plans at a median contribution amount of $10,503. 89.9% own their home at an average cost of $1,805 per month, while 10% rent at an average monthly cost of $1,149.
In Guelph-Eramosa, the median household income is $110,165. Of the total population, 5.6% are considered low income. 76.5% of households contributed to savings or pension plans with a median contribution amount of $11,296. 90% own their home with an average cost of $1,662 monthly and 9.9% rent with an average cost of $1,118.
In Mapleton, the median household income is $87,904. Of the total population, 12.7% are considered low income. 66.1% of households contributed to savings or pension plans with a median contribution amount of $8,571. 86.3% own their home with an average cost of $1,407 monthly and 13.7% rent with an average cost of $981.
In Minto, the median household income is $67,696. Of the total population, 13.1% are considered low income. 66.9% of households contributed to savings or pension plans with a median contribution amount of $6,416. 80.4% own their home with an average cost of $1,119 monthly and 19.7% rent with an average cost of $735.
In Puslinch, the median household income is $111,808. Of the total population, 5.8% are considered low income. 73.6% of households contributed to savings or pension plans with a median contribution amount of $13,024. 92.8% own their home with an average cost of $1,843 monthly and 7.2% rent with an average cost of $1,281.
In Wellington North, the median household income is $63,712. Of the total population, 14.6% are considered low income. 62.9% of households contributed to savings or pension plans with a median contribution amount of $5,493. 76% own their home with an average cost of $1,137 monthly and 24% rent with an average cost of $905.
