Cowichan Valley Regional District
54.8%
Daily life impacted
Community Health Survey Public Health Report
Let's dive into the survey results. Choose a category to start, or scroll through the highlights.Demographics
A closer look at our residents.
Understanding who lives in the Cowichan Region helps us see the full picture of health and well-being. Demographics like age, gender, education, employment, ethnicity, and income reveal the diversity of our community and provide context for survey results. Explore the data to learn more about the people behind the numbers. For more information on geographic boundaries, please see the Local Health Area maps.
Age
Income
Gender
Man
48%
Woman
52%
Employment
Education
45%
36%
18%
High school or less
Post-secondary below bachelor level
Bachelor level or above
Birthplace
87%
Born in Canada
Ethnicity
Survey respondents by ethnicity: 11% Indigenous, 85% not a visible minority, 3% visible minority, 2% other.
Indigenous
Not a visible minority
Visible minority
Other
Demographics
A closer look at our residents.
Understanding who lives in the Cowichan Region helps us see the full picture of health and well-being. Demographics like age, gender, education, employment, ethnicity, and income reveal the diversity of our community and provide context for survey results. Explore the data to learn more about the people behind the numbers. For more information on geographic boundaries, please see the Local Health Area maps.
Age
Gender
Man
48%
Woman
52%
Education
45%
36%
18%
High school or less
Post-secondary below bachelor level
Bachelor level or above
Income
Employment
Birthplace
87%
Born in Canada
Ethnicity
Survey respondents by ethnicity: 11% Indigenous, 85% not a visible minority, 3% visible minority, 2% other.
Indigenous
Not a visible minority
Visible minority
Other
How healthy are we?
Health in the Cowichan Region is generally strong, but challenges remain. Over a quarter rate their health as fair or poor, more than half live with a long-term condition or disability, and many take on unpaid caregiving roles. These factors can affect overall well-being and increase the need for local support and services.
Let’s take a look at overall health. See how we’re doing.
Bar chart showing the percentage of respondents who rated their health as Excellent/Very Good or Fair/Poor across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region: | Excellent/Very Good | Fair/Poor |
|---|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 36.6% | 26.6% |
| Cowichan Valley North | 41.3% | 26.9% |
| Cowichan Valley South | 36.5% | 27.6% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 32% | 20.5% |
For many residents, living with a long-term condition or disability is a part of life. See the percent of people whose lives are impacted daily.
Cowichan Valley North
50.3%
Daily life impacted
Cowichan Valley South
56.3%
Daily life impacted
Cowichan Valley West
54.8%
Daily life impacted
Some residents provide unpaid caregiving to family or friends beyond standard expectations of a parent. Explore how common it is.
Getting the care you need.
Most residents have a regular healthcare provider, but many still face challenges accessing the care they need. For those who struggle, gaps in access can take a real toll on health, highlighting the importance of improving healthcare availability across the Cowichan Region.
Most people have a regular healthcare provider they can count on (like a family doctor or nurse practitioner). See how many in your community do.
Radial chart showing the percentage of respondents who have a regular health care provider across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region: | Percentage: |
|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 83.8% |
| Cowichan Valley North | 82.9% |
| Cowichan Valley South | 84.1% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 83.8% |
Some residents still face challenges getting the health care they need. Of those facing challenges, these gaps in access have made their health worse.
35.7%
Hard to access care
Worsened health
65.4%
Cowichan Valley Regional District
37.0%
Hard to access care
Worsened health
70.9%
Cowichan Valley North
36.2%
Hard to access care
Worsened health
64.6%
Cowichan Valley South
31.5%
Hard to access care
Worsened health
69.5%
Cowichan Valley West
Putting our mental health in focus.
Daily stress, social connections, and living situations all shape mental health. While many report good or excellent mental well-being, challenges persist: about one in three rate their mental health as fair or poor, and the data showed one in five adults live alone (particularly older adults).
Many residents feel their mental health is strong, but some face challenges. Discover where your community stands.
Bar chart showing the percentage of respondents who rated their mental health as Excellent/Very Good or Fair/Poor across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region: | Excellent/Very good | Fair/poor |
|---|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 37.9% | 31.1% |
| Cowichan Valley North | 40.4% | 23.2% |
| Cowichan Valley South | 36.4% | 33.7% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 40.4% | 25.8% |
Stress varies. Some residents face minimal stress, while others face extreme stress most days.
LEGEND:
Quite/extremely stressful
A bit/somewhat stressful
Not very stressful
- Quite/extremely stressful
- 15.8%
- A bit/somewhat stressful
- 56.4%
- Not very stressful
- 27.9%
- Quite/extremely stressful
- 14.0%
- A bit/somewhat stressful
- 52.6%
- Not very stressful
- 33.4%
- Quite/extremely stressful
- 16.9%
- A bit/somewhat stressful
- 59.3%
- Not very stressful
- 23.8%
- Quite/extremely stressful
- 11.1%
- A bit/somewhat stressful
- 52.4%
- Not very stressful
- 36.5%
For some, loneliness is a frequent reality. Explore how often residents feel isolated, left out, or lack companionship.
Graph showing the percentage of respondents who felt lonely or isolated All/most of the time or Some/a little of the time across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region: | All/most of the time | Some/a little of the time |
|---|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 12% | 53.1% |
| Cowichan Valley North | 12.2% | 53.5% |
| Cowichan Valley South | 12.5% | 53.8% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 11.7% | 46.2% |
See how many residents reported their mental health interfered with social activity in the month before taking the survey.
24.5%
Cowichan Valley Regional District
21.5%
Cowichan Valley North
25.4%
Cowichan Valley South
26.9%
Cowichan Valley West
Discover how many residents faced discrimination or unfair treatment due to age, gender, income, disability, or housing.
The impact of housing on health.
Stable housing supports both health and a sense of belonging, but nearly a third of residents face insecurity. Renters in particular often spend more than 50% of their income on shelter, making it harder to cover essentials like food and healthcare.
See how long residents have lived in the Cowichan Region.
Graph showing the length of time respondents lived across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region: | Less than 3 years | 3 - 10 years | More than 10 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 10.1% | 23.4% | 66.4% |
| Cowichan Valley North | 13.7% | 31.9% | 54.5% |
| Cowichan Valley South | 9.9% | 20.9% | 69.2% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 7.3% | 25.3% | 67.4% |
Living alone is a reality for many. The data showed 1 in 5 adults live alone, especially among older age groups.
Cowichan Valley Regional District
20.7%
Residents live alone
Cowichan Valley North
26.8%
Residents live alone
Cowichan Valley South
19.5%
Residents live alone
Cowichan Valley West
18.4%
Residents live alone
Most residents own homes or rent, while a smaller portion face unstable housing situations.
Bar graph showing percentage of respondents with either Home ownership with or without mortgage, Home rental, or Unsheltered, temporary housing or vehicle across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region: | Home ownership with or without mortgage | Home rental | Unsheltered, temporary housing or vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 66.9% | 16.7% | 7.4% |
| Cowichan Valley North | 74.7% | 16.8% | Suppressed |
| Cowichan Valley South | 63.1% | 17.9% | 9.3% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 79.4% | 11.7% | Suppressed |
Housing is increasingly unaffordable. Find out how much residents spend on housing.
Bar graph showing percentage of Homeowners that Spend more than 30% and Renters that Spend more than 50%, across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region: | Homeowners that Spend more than 30% | Renters that Spend more than 50% |
|---|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 28.8% | 55.5% |
| Cowichan Valley North | 25.1% | 46.1% |
| Cowichan Valley South | 29.1% | 58.4% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 35% | 0% |
Some residents with stable housing have faced periods of instability or being unsheltered. Discover how many.
Radial graph showing percentage of respondents who faced periods of instability or being unsheltered across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region | Percentage of respondents who faced periods of instability or being unsheltered |
|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 15.5% |
| Cowichan Valley North | 11.3% |
| Cowichan Valley South | 16.7% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 17.7% |
Let’s talk about substance use.
Using fewer substances supports better health outcomes. In the Cowichan Region, alcohol is the most common choice, but consumption is generally light. Cannabis use is less frequent, and most people have never smoked or have quit smoking cigarettes, marking strong wins for community health.
Most residents do not smoke or have quit. See how cigarette use stacks up.
Graph showing percentage of respondents who Never smoked, Smoked in the past, or Smoke daily/occasionally across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region | Never smoked | Smoked in the past | Smoke daily/occasionally |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 40.9% | 17.8% | 41.4% |
| Cowichan Valley North | 42.6% | 14.4% | 43% |
| Cowichan Valley South | 38.4% | 19.8% | 41.8% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 54.8% | 13.1% | 32.1% |
Let's explore e-cigarettes, vaping, marijuana, and hashish use in the 12 months prior to taking the survey.
Graph showing percentage of respondents who have used E-cigarette/vaping or Marijuana/hash in the last 12 months across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region | E-cigarette/vaping | Marijuana/hash |
|---|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 12.9% | 34.9% |
| Cowichan Valley North | Suppressed | 38.3% |
| Cowichan Valley South | 14.8% | 34.2% |
| Cowichan Valley West | Suppressed | 35.3% |
Alcohol consumption varies. Most drink regularly while some skip it entirely. See how data compares.
Graph showing percentage of respondents who Never Drink or Regularly Drink across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region | Never Drink | Regularly Drink |
|---|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 21.2% | 61.8% |
| Cowichan Valley North | 19.1% | 62.8% |
| Cowichan Valley South | 21.5% | 61.9% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 20.1% | 59.9% |
When it comes to how much, most residents report drinking 2 standard drinks or less per week.
Graph showing percentage of respondents who have 0 drinks per week, 2 drinks or less per week, 3 - 6 per week, or 7+ drinks per week across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region | 0 drinks per week | 2 drinks or less per week | 3 - 6 per week | 7+ drinks per week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 21.4% | 35.3% | 24.2% | 19.2% |
| Cowichan Valley North | 17.2% | 33.9% | 23.4% | 25.5% |
| Cowichan Valley South | 22.0% | 36.6% | 24.2% | 17.3% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 22.7% | 29.2% | 20.9% | 27.3% |
Beyond alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis, some residents have used other substances in the year prior to taking the survey.
Graph showing percentage of respondents who have used other substances in the year prior to taking the survey across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region | Percentage of respondents who have used other substances in the year prior to taking the survey |
|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 15.1% |
| Cowichan Valley North | Suppressed |
| Cowichan Valley South | 16.8% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 13.4% |
Who we lean on & what we gain.
Strong social ties and connections to the local community support mental well-being and resilience. When people feel they belong and have someone to confide in, the whole community thrives.
Find out the number of people residents can lean on when they really need help.
Graph showing percentage of respondents who have 1-3 people or 4 or more people they can lean on when they really need help across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region | 1-3 people | 4 or more people |
|---|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 53.7% | 40.7% |
| Cowichan Valley North | 53.3% | 44.0% |
| Cowichan Valley South | 53.3% | 40.4% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 57.4% | 36.5% |
Feeling connected to your community matters. See how many residents feel a strong sense of belonging and how many don’t.
Graph showing percentage of respondents who feel 1-3 people or 4 or more people sense of belonging across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region | Very/somewhat strong | Very/somewhat weak |
|---|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 41.3% | 58.7% |
| Cowichan Valley North | 42.9% | 57.1% |
| Cowichan Valley South | 42.2% | 57.8% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 33.8% | 66.2% |
Living well, inside and outside.
Comfortable, energy-smart homes and regular time in parks, trails, and beaches protect both physical and mental health. Spending time outdoors also strengthens social bonds, reinforcing the value of accessible natural spaces.
Home heating varies across the region. Discover which methods are most common among residents.
Graph showing percentage of respondents with Electric heat pump or baseboards, Furnace (gas, oil or wood pellet), Other (boiler, space heater or other), or Stove (wood, gas, wood pellet) methods across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region | Electric heat pump or baseboards | Furnace (gas, oil or wood pellet) | Furnace (gas, oil or wood pellet) | Furnace (gas, oil or wood pellet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 62.9% | 14.5% | 7.7% | 14.8% |
| Cowichan Valley North | 51.4% | 19.2% | 12.6% | 16.7% |
| Cowichan Valley South | 66.0% | 13.3% | 7.0% | 13.7% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 69.1% | 9.3% | Suppressed | 17.9% |
Staying cool in extreme heat matters to most residents. Find out how many have air conditioning or heat pumps.
Graph showing percentage of respondents with air conditioning or heat pumps across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region | Percentage of respondents with air conditioning or heat pumps |
|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 68.3% |
| Cowichan Valley North | 69.0% |
| Cowichan Valley South | 69.3% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 72.8% |
Nature is close to home for many. Explore how often residents spend time outdoors.
Graph showing percentage of respondents who spend Everyday or Often outdoors across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region | Everyday | Often |
|---|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 31.40% | 43.70% |
| Cowichan Valley North | 39.70% | 40.50% |
| Cowichan Valley South | 28.10% | 45.40% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 33.60% | 44.10% |
What’s on the table?
Access to affordable, nutritious, and safe food is essential for well-being. Even with generally strong food security, about one in four residents worry food may run out before they can buy more, a stress that can affect physical, mental, and social health.
Many residents worry about having enough food to eat.
In the Cowichan Valley Regional District
24.2%
Often/sometimes felt food insecure.
Cowichan Valley North
24.4%
Often/sometimes felt food insecure.
Cowichan Valley South
23.8%
Often/sometimes felt food insecure.
Cowichan Valley West
28.4%
Often/sometimes felt food insecure.
Rethinking the way we travel.
Transportation shapes how connected we feel. While some residents use public transit regularly, many find it doesn’t meet their needs, signaling opportunities to improve access, mobility, and overall health outcomes.
Some residents use public transportation in the Cowichan Region. Find out how many rely on it.
Graph showing percentage of respondents who use public transportation across Cowichan Valley Regional District, Cowichan Valley North, Cowichan Valley South, and Cowichan Valley West. Exact values are provided in the table below.
| Region | percentage of respondents who use public transportation |
|---|---|
| Cowichan Valley Regional District | 17% |
| Cowichan Valley North | 8.70% |
| Cowichan Valley South | 18.40% |
| Cowichan Valley West | 18.10% |
Take the next step. Explore our summary or download the survey.
We acknowledge that for thousands of years the Quw'utsun, Malahat, Ts'uubaa-asatx, Halalt, Penelakut, Stz'uminus, Lyackson, Pauquachin, Ditidaht & Pacheedaht Peoples have walked gently on the unceded territories where we now work.