Calgary boasts the highest-earning households among Canadian cities, according to new data from Statistics Canada (StatsCan).
Based on data pulled from 2013 personal income tax returns, StatsCan reports that Calgary had the highest pre-tax median total family income of $101,260 among Canadian cities (defined as metro areas with populations of at least 100,000 people), outpacing Edmonton ($98,480) and Ottawa–Gatineau ($96,710). These three cities have been the top three since 2009 — and they also rank highest for couples (with or without children).
Nationally, the median total family income increased by 1.8% from 2012 to 2013, StatsCan reports. The largest increases come from St. John’s (3.6%), Kelowna, B.C. (3.5%) and Saskatoon (3.0%). Every city saw median income grow except for Sudbury, Ont., which suffered a slight decrease (-0.2%).
Calgary also had the top income for single-parent families ($51,270), just edging out Quebec City ($51,250), with Ottawa ranking third ($48,370). The largest year-over-year increase for single-parent families was Saskatoon (3.4%).
Among small towns (those with populations of at least 10,000), the oilsands area of Wood Buffalo, Alta., had the highest median total family income ($181,240), followed by Yellowknife at $137,860. StatsCan notes that these two towns have had the highest median total family income since the agency began collecting these data at the geographic level in 2001.
The largest increase in income among small towns was in Bay Roberts, Nfld., (5.7%) and the largest decline occurred in Leamington, Ont. (-13.4%).