Calgary Economy
Strongest Economy in Canada
At 1.3 million people, Calgary is the fourth largest market in the country, with the highest income per capita. It is expected to lead the country with real GDP growth forecasted at 4.2% for 2011-2014.
Highest Population Growth in Canada
Calgary has seen the highest total population growth and average annual growth of the major metro centres over the past 10 years.
Demographics
- Median age is 35.7, with 47% of Calgarians within the core working age group of 25-54
- 23.6% of Calgarians are immigrants, and 1.1% are non-permanent residents
- Average household size of 2.6 people
- Second highest level of educational attainment of population age 25-64 of major Canadian cities
Sources: Calgary Economic Development – Calgary Advantages October 2010
Head Office Count (2000, 2009)
Sources: Calgary Economic Development – Calgary Head Office Fact Sheet
FP500 2010 Database; FP500 2001 Database
Western Canada’s Head Office Leader
The absolute number of Calgary head offices increased by 46% over the past decade, from 78 in 2000 to 114 in 2009.
And when adjusting for population, Calgary overwhelmingly has the highest concentration of head offices, with 9.3 head offices per 100,000 population, nearly doubling Toronto’s rate of 4.7 head offices per capita.
Calgarians will continue to be the #1 retail spenders in Canada
Calgary’s overall retail spending is expected to increase to $17,927 per capita in 2011 – the highest retail expenditure in Canada, and 37% above the national average.
Conference Board of Canada Forecast
Wired for success, educated to succeed
Calgarians are connected
- All Calgarians have access to broadband Internet connectivity
- Highest Internet use in Canada, at 89% (2009)
Calgary has a higher degree of learning
- Second highest level of educational attainment of population aged 25-64 of major Canadian cities (2006 Census)
- One of the best educated populations in North America
Sources: Calgary Economic Development – Calgary Advantages October 2010
Entrepreneurial hotbed
- Calgary has the largest concentration of small businesses among Canadian cities on a per capita basis at 40.2 (per 1,000 population)
- Second highest number of self-employed per capita in Canada in 2009 (93.9 per 1,000 population)
- Young entrepreneurial capital of Canada.
- Within the 15-34 age range, Calgary represents the largest portion of self-employed people in Canada at a rate of 21.8% (2009)
Sources: Calgary Economic Development – Calgary Advantages October 2010
