The best source of information on the population status of Black Turnstone is the continental Christmas Bird Count (CBC). Although counts circles tend to be clustered closer to larger population centres, overall reliability of the CBC is considered medium, and better than all other available data sources. CBC data indicate a long-term trend of little change in abundance since the early 1970s. The British Columbia CBC shows a moderate increase in numbers of birds wintering within Canada, but may reflect a northward shift in the wintering range. The British Columbia Coastal Waterbird Survey (BCCWS) also provides information on this species and only began in 1999, but is consistent in showing little change in abundance in the area it covers. 

The goal for Black Turnstone is to maintain its population at or above the level it was at in the early 1970s, based on the Christmas Bird Count. Recent data show that the population is within its goal range.