Renter-Occupied Housing | Metro Vancouver

Renter-occupied housing plays a vital role in meeting the region’s diverse needs. Understanding the types of homes renters live in — and how that stock is changing over time — is essential for planning and delivering suitable options. Census data provides detailed information on the structure and age of renter-occupied dwellings, providing insights into the existing rental housing available across the region.

Distribution of renter-occupied dwellings by structure type in 2021

Change in renter-occupied dwellings from 2016 to 2021

Distribution of renter-occupied dwellings by year of construction

Note: values may not add up to 100% due to data suppression.

Key observations

In 2021, nearly two-thirds (64%) of renter households in Metro Vancouver lived in apartments, with the majority in low-rise apartments. This distribution varied significantly across the region.
Between 2016 and 2021, the number of renter-occupied high-rise apartments increased by 22,175 units, representing 48% of all new renter-occupied dwelling units in the region. The next largest increase was among rented single-detached houses, which represented 21% of all new renter-occupied dwelling units in the region.
In 2021, 12% of the renter-occupied dwellings in Metro Vancouver were built between 2016 and 2021.
More than half (56%) of renter-occupied dwellings were built more than 30 years ago (1990 and earlier).

Renter-occupied dwelling units across the region

Notes

The glossary provides definitions of each technical term, ensuring consistent interpretation.
Data is based on Census counts and does not include undercount estimates.
Jurisdiction and Metro Vancouver totals may not equal the sum of individual values due to rounding, data suppression, or the omission of smaller data points to maintain visual readability. If a geography is not listed or appears missing, the associated data was either unavailable or did not meet reporting thresholds.
Proportion percentages are calculated using available data and may exclude instances of missed or suppressed data.
Electoral Area A includes UBC/UEL (University of British Columbia / University Endowment Lands).
Structure type "apartment, duplex" would include up-down duplexes as well as houses with secondary suites (rented units only). Structure type "other" would include movable dwellings and other single-attached houses.
With respect to houses with a secondary suite, the primary unit may also be included if it is also rented and not owner-occupied (in addition to the rented suite).

Source
This information is from Statistics Canada census data .

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