The Urban Area Boundary Files portray the urban area boundaries for which census data are disseminated. They are available for download in two types: cartographic and digital. Cartographic boundary files depict the geographic areas using only the shorelines of the major land mass of Canada and its coastal islands. Digital boundary files depict the full extent of the geographic areas, including the coastal water area. The files provide a framework for mapping and spatial analysis using commercially available geographic information systems (GIS) or other mapping software.

This table presents the 2021 population counts for census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations, and their population centres and rural areas.

Canada's urban population now accounts for over 80 percent of it's total population. Canada's urbanization rate has increased steadily in recent years, as technological advancements have lowered the labor demand in the agriculture and energy sectors, while Canada's service industries have grown. The vast majority of Canada's population lives in the south, with over half the population found in the southeast between Quebec City and the Great Lakes region.

Canada's largest metropolitan area is Toronto, in Ontario. In 2022. Over 6.6 million people were living in the Toronto metropolitan area. Montréal, in Quebec, followed with about 4.4 million inhabitants, while Vancouver, in Britsh Columbia, counted 2.8 million people as of 2022.

This table presents the 2021 and 2016 population and dwelling counts, land area, population density and population ranking for the census metropolitan area or census agglomeration, and for the census subdivisions in that census metropolitan area or census agglomeration. It also shows the percentage change in the population and dwelling counts between 2016 and 2021.

Contained within the 3rd Edition (1957) of the Atlas of Canada is a plate consisting of four condensed maps that show urban populations of the people living in Canada. The two maps at the top of this plate show the night-time distribution of population, circa 1956 for Metropolitan Toronto and part of Montreal Island. These two maps actually show the distribution of persons in their permanent homes, without adjustments for such persons that may be absent from their homes at night. Persons in short term, transient residence, such as those in hotels and hospitals are not represented. Another map shows the distribution of urban population across Canada, circa 1951. The definition of urban includes all persons residing in cities, towns and villages of 1000 population or more, whether incorporated or unincorporated, as well as the population of all parts of the census metropolitan areas. A smaller scale map of Canada shows urban areas. These are areas in which urban communities of 1000 or more population are 15 or fewer miles apart.

There are two types of boundary files: cartographic and digital. Cartographic boundary files portray the geographic areas using only the major land mass of Canada and its coastal islands. Digital boundary files portray the full extent of the geographic areas, including the coastal water area.

As of July 1, 2022, there were approximately 13.87 million males and 14.13 million females living in metropolitan areas across Canada. This statistic breaks down this figure by metropolitan area. Toronto was the most populated city in the country, counting over 3.2 million males and 3.4 million females.

Data on age in single years including average age and median age and gender for the population of Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations, 2021 and 2016 censuses.

Data on ethnic or cultural origin by gender and age for the population in private households in Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas, census agglomerations and parts.

According to Statistics Canada, Census Metropolitan Areas consisting of one or more neighbouring municipalities situated around a core. A census metropolitan area must have a total population of at least 100,000 of which 50,000 or more live in the core.Statistics Canada Census Metropolitan Area boundary for 2021, lcma000b21a_e (cartographic boundary file)Metadata

Data on marital status, age group and gender for the population aged 15 and over, Canada, census metropolitan areas, tracted census agglomerations and census tracts, 2021 Census.

Travel survey of residents of Canada, census metropolitan areas (CMA) visits, expenditures and nights, by visit duration; annual (number of visits unless otherwise noted x 1,000).

Canada CA: Population in Urban Agglomerations of More Than 1 Million: as % of Total Population data was reported at 44.786 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 45.646 % for 2022. Canada CA: Population in Urban Agglomerations of More Than 1 Million: as % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 40.219 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 45.994 % in 2021 and a record low of 30.098 % in 1960. Canada CA: Population in Urban Agglomerations of More Than 1 Million: as % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Canada – Table CA.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population in urban agglomerations of more than one million is the percentage of a country's population living in metropolitan areas that in 2018 had a population of more than one million people.;United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.;Weighted average;

Overview of location of study (same as current province of residence, different province, or outside Canada) for Canada, provinces, territories and cities, with percent distribution.

This table presents the 2021 and 2016 population counts and the 2021 dwelling counts, land area and population density for a census metropolitan area or a tracted census agglomeration and the census tracts within the census metropolitan area or tracted census agglomeration.

Data on broad age groups and sex for the population of Canada and census metropolitan areas.

This statistic shows the ten biggest cities in Canada in 2020, by number of inhabitants. In 2020, approximately 2.73 million people lived in Toronto, making it the biggest city in Canada.

Health characteristics, two-year period estimates, by age group and sex, Canada, provinces, territories, census metropolitan areas and population centres.

This statistic shows the real gross domestic product of Canadian metropolitan areas in 2016 with a forecast for 2021. In 2016, Montreal had a GDP of about 170 billion Canadian dollars.