In some aspects of life, choice can pose a challenge. What should take seconds, scrolling through a streaming service to pick a show to watch, can turn from minutes into hours.
However, plentiful choices are good when painting a picture of the quality of life in Greater Victoria.
The Victoria Foundation’s Vital Victoria Data Hub is a companion website to the Foundation’s annual Vital Signs program, featuring over 75 indicators of the quality of life across the capital region. The indicators, updated throughout the year, comprise various issue areas, from housing and health to learning and safety, and more. The hub contains detailed data on everything from life expectancy and crime rates to the number of farms in the region.
Exploring the site is a fascinating way to gain a better of understanding of what life looks like in the region.
Highlighting health
A fundamental pillar in quality of life, health care continues to be top of mind for Greater Victoria. On the Vital Victoria Data Hub, several indicators related to health and wellness offer insight into the state of health care in the region.
Access to medical care remains a primary concern for many Greater Victorians, with one indicator tracking the percentage of residents with a regular medical practitioner. This indicator also shows the number of residents with a practitioner has decreased from 81.6% in 2015-16 to 71.6% in 2019-20.
A place to call home
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the cost of housing continues to impact quality of life for many residents, as housing targets are being set for municipalities across the province. Through the Vital Victoria Data Hub, visitors can gain a clear picture of the housing crisis through statistics over the years.
For instance, the average rent for all bedroom-type units in all private row and apartment structures (3+ units) rose from $943 in 2011 to $1,406 in 2021. Additionally, vacancy rates have dropped from 2.2% in 2020 to 1% in 2021. While there is much room for improvement, there has been some progress, with the Data Hub indicating a jump in housing starts from 1,315 in 2014 to 4,809 in 2021.
Building a better future
The Data Hub also possesses indicators highlighting areas to be proud of and build momentum. For example, it shows that in 2021, Victoria (CMA) had a higher number of women who had obtained a post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree (63.3%) compared to men (60.2%). This metric also exceeded the national average of women, sitting at 58.3%.
Many elements contribute to painting a broad picture of the quality of life across the Capital Region, and the Vital Victoria Data Hub is an incredibly useful tool that is constantly updating with the most relevant and recent data to inform individuals and organizations to act.
Dive into the facts, figures and statistics behind quality of life in the region and visit the Vital Victoria Data Hub today at visiting victoria-vital-signs.tracking-progress.org.
Thanks to Victoria Foundation’s presenting sponsor for Victoria’s Vital Signs, Coast Capital, and the digital platform sponsor, the South Island Prosperity Partnership.
