Demographic Insights
Exploring the trends, challenges, and stories behind the 2021 Canadian Census. Long-form analysis to complement our data visualizations.
Toronto vs Montréal Population: 2,794,356 vs 1,762,949 + Income
Toronto is bigger, but Montréal grew faster (3.4% vs 2.3%). Median income is $74,000 in Toronto and $56,000 in Montréal. Age: Toronto 41.5, Montréal 40.6.
Vancouver vs Calgary Population: 662,248 vs 1,306,784 + Income
Calgary is larger (1,306,784 vs 662,248). Median after-tax household income is $85,000 in Calgary and $72,000 in Vancouver. Age: Vancouver 42.2, Calgary 38.8.
Edmonton vs Calgary Population: 1,010,899 vs 1,306,784 + Income
Calgary is bigger, but Edmonton grew faster (8.3% vs 5.5%). Median income is $85,000 in Calgary and $79,500 in Edmonton. Age: Edmonton 38.4, Calgary 38.8.
Ottawa vs Gatineau Population: 1,017,449 vs 291,041 + Income
Ottawa is larger and grew faster (8.9% vs 5.4%). Median after-tax income is $88,000 in Ottawa versus $69,500 in Gatineau. Age: Ottawa 40.7, Gatineau 40.3.
Mississauga vs Brampton Population: 717,961 vs 656,480 + Income
Mississauga is bigger, but it shrank while Brampton grew (10.6% vs -0.5%). Income: Mississauga $89,000, Brampton $98,000. Age: Mississauga 41.1, Brampton 37.5.
Hamilton vs Burlington Population: 569,353 vs 186,948 + Income
Hamilton is larger and grew faster (6.0% vs 2.0%). Median income is $94,000 in Burlington and $75,500 in Hamilton. Average age: Hamilton 41.5, Burlington 43.3.
Winnipeg vs Saskatoon Population: 749,607 vs 266,141 + Income
Winnipeg is bigger, but Saskatoon grew faster (7.7% vs 6.3%). Median income is $74,500 in Saskatoon and $69,500 in Winnipeg. Age: Winnipeg 40.3, Saskatoon 38.8.
Halifax vs Québec Population: 439,819 vs 549,459 + Income
Québec is bigger, but Halifax grew faster (9.1% vs 3.3%). Median income is $69,500 in Halifax and $60,800 in Québec. Average age: Halifax 41.3, Québec 43.8.
Surrey vs Burnaby Population: 568,322 vs 249,125 + Income
Surrey is larger and grew faster (9.7% vs 7.0%). Median after-tax household income is $87,000 in Surrey and $73,500 in Burnaby. Age: Surrey 39.5, Burnaby 42.
London vs Kitchener Population: 422,324 vs 256,885 + Income
London is larger (422,324 vs 256,885). Median after-tax household income is $76,500 in Kitchener and $68,500 in London. Average age: London 40.7, Kitchener 39.
Regina vs Saskatoon Population: 226,404 vs 266,141 + Income
Saskatoon is larger and grew faster (7.7% vs 5.3%). Median after-tax income is $76,500 in Regina versus $74,500 in Saskatoon. Age: Regina 39, Saskatoon 38.8.
Vaughan vs Markham Population: 323,103 vs 338,503 + Income
Markham is bigger, but Vaughan grew faster (5.5% vs 2.9%). Median income is $107,000 in Vaughan and $92,000 in Markham. Average age: Vaughan 40.9, Markham 41.8.
Toronto vs Vancouver Population: 2,794,356 vs 662,248 + Income
Toronto is bigger, but Vancouver grew faster (4.9% vs 2.3%). Median income is $74,000 in Toronto and $72,000 in Vancouver. Age: Toronto 41.5, Vancouver 42.2.
Montréal vs Québec Population: 1,762,949 vs 549,459 + Income
Montréal is larger (1,762,949 vs 549,459). Median after-tax household income is $60,800 in Québec and $56,000 in Montréal. Age: Montréal 40.6, Québec 43.8.
Ottawa vs Hamilton Population: 1,017,449 vs 569,353 + Income
Ottawa is larger and grew faster (8.9% vs 6.0%). Median after-tax income is $88,000 in Ottawa versus $75,500 in Hamilton. Age: Ottawa 40.7, Hamilton 41.5.
Edmonton vs Winnipeg Population: 1,010,899 vs 749,607 + Income
Edmonton is larger and grew faster (8.3% vs 6.3%). Median after-tax income is $79,500 in Edmonton versus $69,500 in Winnipeg. Age: Edmonton 38.4, Winnipeg 40.3.
Brampton vs Surrey Population: 656,480 vs 568,322 + Income
Brampton is larger (656,480 vs 568,322). Median after-tax household income is $98,000 in Brampton and $87,000 in Surrey. Age: Brampton 37.5, Surrey 39.5.
Mississauga vs Vaughan Population: 717,961 vs 323,103 + Income
Mississauga is bigger, but it shrank while Vaughan grew (5.5% vs -0.5%). Income: Mississauga $89,000, Vaughan $107,000. Age: Mississauga 41.1, Vaughan 40.9.
Winnipeg vs Regina Population: 749,607 vs 226,404 + Income
Winnipeg is larger and grew faster (6.3% vs 5.3%). Median after-tax income is $76,500 in Regina versus $69,500 in Winnipeg. Age: Winnipeg 40.3, Regina 39.
London vs Windsor Population: 422,324 vs 229,660 + Income
London is larger and grew faster (10.0% vs 5.7%). Median after-tax household income is $68,500 in London and $63,600 in Windsor. Age: London 40.7, Windsor 41.4.
Kelowna vs Nanaimo Population: 144,576 vs 99,863 + Income
Kelowna is larger and grew faster (13.5% vs 10.3%). Median after-tax income is $73,500 in Kelowna versus $68,500 in Nanaimo. Age: Kelowna 43.4, Nanaimo 44.8.
Barrie vs Oshawa Population: 147,829 vs 175,383 + Income
Oshawa is larger and grew faster (10.0% vs 4.5%). Median after-tax household income is $82,000 in Barrie and $76,000 in Oshawa. Age: Barrie 40.2, Oshawa 40.3.
Guelph vs Kitchener Population: 143,740 vs 256,885 + Income
Kitchener is larger and grew faster (10.1% vs 9.1%). Median after-tax income is $82,000 in Guelph versus $76,500 in Kitchener. Age: Guelph 40.1, Kitchener 39.
Laval vs Longueuil Population: 438,366 vs 254,483 + Income
Laval is bigger, but Longueuil grew faster (6.1% vs 3.6%). Median income is $73,500 in Laval and $62,000 in Longueuil. Average age: Laval 42, Longueuil 41.7.
Burnaby vs Coquitlam Population: 249,125 vs 148,625 + Income
Burnaby is larger (249,125 vs 148,625). Median after-tax household income is $82,000 in Coquitlam and $73,500 in Burnaby. Age: Burnaby 42, Coquitlam 41.4.
Sherbrooke vs Trois-Rivières Population: 172,950 vs 139,163
Sherbrooke is larger and grew faster (7.2% vs 3.5%). Income is $55,200 in Sherbrooke and $53,600 in Trois-Rivières. Age: Sherbrooke 42.2, Trois-Rivières 45.8.
Oakville vs Burlington Population: 213,759 vs 186,948 + Income
Oakville is larger and grew faster (10.3% vs 2.0%). Median income is $108,000 in Oakville and $94,000 in Burlington. Age: Oakville 40.4, Burlington 43.3.
Toronto vs Calgary Population: 2,794,356 vs 1,306,784 + Income
Toronto is bigger, but Calgary grew faster (5.5% vs 2.3%). Median income is $85,000 in Calgary and $74,000 in Toronto. Average age: Toronto 41.5, Calgary 38.8.
Canada's Shift to Secondary Cities: 2016–2021 Trends
Analyzing how mid-sized Canadian cities outpaced major hubs in growth during the last census cycle, and what it means for the future of remote work.
The Income Breakdown: Exploring Regional Disparities
A side-by-side look at median household incomes and low-income prevalence across the provinces, revealing the hidden layers of Canadian prosperity.
Multicultural Horizons: The Languages Shaping Modern Canada
Moving beyond the English-French bilingual identity to look at the growth of non-official mother tongues and their impact on local communities.