The Chinese population in Canada continues to show double-digit growth and an affluence that exceeds the national average, a new study says.

The study, The Chinese Consumer in Canada, conducted by DJC Research in Toronto, found there were 51,100 Chinese households in Vancouver, and 79,250 Chinese households in Toronto, or 200,400 individuals in Vancouver, and 301,150 in Toronto.

Ming Pao, the Chinese newspaper, commissioned the study, released Sept. 21.

Population up 11%-12%

The study says, in Vancouver, Chinese population growth rose 11% from last year, and, in Toronto, the population grew 12%.

Vancouver and Toronto have the largest Chinese populations in Canada. Montreal has the third largest number of Chinese residents.

The study shows the bulk of Chinese permanent residents in Canada – 48% – were born in Hong Kong. The next largest group, 30%, were born in China, 9% were born in Taiwan and 7% were born elsewhere.

The remaining 6% of Chinese consumers surveyed were actually born in Canada.

The study found Chinese residents of Toronto and Vancouver had personal incomes of $27,675 against a Canadian average of $24,329.

It found household income in the Chinese community was also higher than the Canadian average.

Household income among Chinese in Toronto and Vancouver was $47,350, more than $1,000 better than the Canadian average of $46,122.

Chinese affluence also revealed itself among home owners, with 76% of the Chinese living in Toronto and Vancouver owning their own residences, versus 64% of Canadians who do.

And, the study notes, 82% of the Chinese living in Vancouver own their own residences.

It says the average age of Chinese in Toronto and Vancouver is 33.7 years, younger than the Canadian average of 35.7 years.

Also, it says, 58% of the Chinese in Toronto and Vancouver have post-secondary education, versus the Canadian average of 46%.

The study found the use of Chinese and English media is narrowing among Chinese consumers.

Among those surveyed, 71% say they watch Chinese tv at least once a week, but 91% of them say they watch English tv at least once a week as well.

As for newspapers, use is almost evenly split between Chinese and English newspapers.

The study says 67% of Chinese consumers in Canada read a Chinese newspaper at least once a week, with 64% of them reading an English paper.

Radio

Radio habits among the Chinese reflect their tv viewing.

The survey says 68% of them listen to English radio at least once a week, well ahead of the 51% who listen to Chinese programs.

The study says Chinese consumers have a higher incidence of ownership of household appliances and electronic goods than the national average.

Among the Chinese households in Toronto and Vancouver, 68% of them had a home computer, 33% of them had a cellular phone, 35% of them had a fax, and 37% had a karaoke unit.