The Thunder Bay District is a lively Northwestern community that is constantly changing and growing. This profile of the Thunder Bay District will help us to better understand how the population experiences the social determinants of health and allow us to follow population changes over time.
This information is intended for use in the planning and development of programs and services at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU). This profile may be of use to researchers, community agencies, and members of the public who have an interest in the health of the Thunder Bay District.
Note: A PDF version of the Profile of the Social Determinants of Health in Thunder Bay District is also available for download.
Quick Access
Income | Housing | Food Security | Education | Employment | Healthcare | Stress | Social Support
Social Determinants of Health Statistics
Income
of Thunder Bay District residents reported that they earned a low income.
Impact on Health: Income is considered the most important determinant of health because it has an influence on all other living conditions including, access to health services, safe housing, access to healthy food, access to education, and a sense of belonging to a community. As a result, people who are living with low income or living in poverty often experience worse health.
Additional statistics about income and comparisons to Ontario:
Prevalence of low-income individuals based on after-tax low-income measure
- TBDHU (crude; 2020): 12.5%
- Ontario (crude; 2020): 10.1%
Median household total income
- TBDHU (crude; 2020): $79,000
- Ontario (crude; 2020): $91,000
Data Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population
Housing
of Thunder Bay District residents who are renters spent 30% or more of their household income on shelter costs.
Impact on Health: People who are not able to afford safe housing are more at risk for health problems. Unsafe housing can result in the transmission of illnesses due to overcrowding, mould exposure, a lack of clean water and proper sanitation, and a lack of adequate sleep. The high cost of housing can also limit the amount of money people have left over for food, child care and transportation.
Additional statistics about housing and comparisons to Ontario:
Homeowners spending 30% or more of total income on shelter costs
- TBDHU (crude; 2021): 8.7%
- Ontario (crude; 2021): 17.7%
Renters spending 30%% or more of total income on shelter costs
- TBDHU (crude; 2021): 29.1%
- Ontario (crude; 2021): 38.4%
Dwellings with Major Repairs Needed
- TBDHU (crude; 2021): 7.3%
- Ontario (crude; 2021): 3.7%
Data Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population
Food Security
of Thunder Bay District households reported being food insecure.
Impact on Health: Food insecurity means being unable to regularly access nutritious, safe, adequate, and culturally acceptable food. Food insecurity is a strong predictor of poorer physical and mental health.
Additional statistics about food insecurity and comparisons to Ontario:
Household Food Insecurity Rate
- TBDHU (crude household rate; 2018-20): 16.0%*
- Ontario (crude household rate: 2018-20): 16.7%
Data Source: Canadian Income Survey (CIS) 2018-20, Statistics Canada; provided by Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario).
*Please see Data Disclaimer
Education
of Thunder Bay District residents, aged 15 years and over, reported that they do not have a high school diploma.
Impact on Health: People with a higher level of education tend to experience better health, higher incomes, more secure employment, and better working conditions than people with less education.
Additional statistics about education and comparisons to Ontario:
No certificate, diploma, or degree (aged 15 years and over)
- TBDHU (crude; 2021): 19.5%
- Ontario (crude; 2021): 15.3%
High school diploma or equivalent* (aged 15 years and over)
- TBDHU (crude; 2021): 27.5%
- Ontario (crude; 2021): 27.2%
* excludes persons with a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree
- TBDHU (crude; 2021): 53.0%
- Ontario (crude; 2021): 57.5%
Data Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population
Employment and Job Security
of Thunder Bay District residents reported being unemployed.
Impact on Health: People without a job, in a low paying job, or those who have temporary jobs are more at risk for daily stress, mental health problems, and are less able to afford housing and healthy food.
Additional statistics about unemployment and job security and comparisons to Ontario:
Employment Rate (aged 15 years and over)
- TBDHU (crude; 2021): 51.3%
- Ontario (crude; 2021): 55.1%
Unemployment Rate (aged 15 years and over)
- TBDHU (crude; 2021): 10.7%
- Ontario (crude; 2021): 12.2%
Data Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population
Access to Healthcare
of Thunder Bay District residents reported they had a regular medical doctor.
Impact on Health: People who are not able to access health care due to a lack of available services, isolation in remote communities, a lack of mobility, issues with language and literacy, or due to a lack of income, are at a greater risk for poorer health.
Additional statistics about access to healthcare and comparisons to Ontario:
Has a regular medical doctor
- TBDHU (crude rate; 2019-20): 84.2%
- Ontario (crude rate; 2019-20): 90.6%
Contact with a medical doctor in the past 12 months
- TBDHU (crude rate; 2015-16): 74.7% (70.3-78.6)
- Ontario (crude rate; 2015-16): 73.7% (72.9-74.5)
Data Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey - Annual Component
Please see Data Disclaimer
Stress
of Thunder Bay District residents reported they have "quite a lot" of stress in their lives.
Impact on Health: People who experience more stress due to low income, unemployment, unsafe housing, and food insecurity, bad working conditions, discrimination, trauma, or violence, experience more physical strain on their body. Continuous stress weakens the immune system, making people more vulnerable to illness and disease.
Additional statistics about stress and comparisons to Ontario:
Perceived life stress, most days quite a bit or extremely stressful
- TBDHU (age-standardized; 2019-20): 21.5%
- Ontario (age-standardized; 2019-20): 20.9%
Data Source: Data Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey - Annual Component
Please see Data Disclaimer
Social Support
of Thunder Bay District residents report feeling a strong sense of belonging to their community
Impact on Health: A social support network can play an important role for people in times of stress. Social support can come from many different sources including family, friends, co-workers, and neighbours, and provides people with a sense of belonging to a community. People who do not have social support may experience worse mental, emotional, and physical health.
Additional statistics about social support and comparisons to Ontario:
Sense of belonging to local community, somewhat strong or very strong
- TBDHU (crude rate; 2019-20): 77.4%
- Ontario (crude rate; 2019-20): 71.3%
Data Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey - Annual Component
Please see Data Disclaimer
Data Disclaimer
The Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) covers the population 12 years of age and over. CCHS results are self-reported and may not be recalled accurately. Excluded from the survey's coverage are: persons living on reserves and other Aboriginal settlements, full-time members of the Canadian Forces, residents of certain remote areas, and the institutionalized population. As a result, the percentages may not represent the true estimates for the general population. Caution should be used when interpreting the data.
References
- Statistics Canada. 2022. (table). Census Profile. 2021 Census of Population. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 98-316-X2021001. Ottawa. Released December 15, 2022. https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed January 30, 2023).
- Statistics Canada. Table 13-10-0113-01 Health characteristics, two-year period estimates. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25318/1310011301-eng
- Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (Public Health Ontario). Snapshots: household food insecurity snapshot: food insecure households >> per cent >> 2020 [Internet]. Toronto, ON: King’s Printer for Ontario; c2023 [modified 2022 Mar 31; cited 2023 Jan 23]. Available from: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/data-and-analysis/health-equity/household-food-insecurity
For Further Information
Call the Thunder Bay District Health Unit: (807) 625-5900
or toll-free 1-888-294-6630