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 population counts for census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations, and their population centres and rural areas.

Urban population (% of total population) in Canada was reported at 81.98 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Canada - Urban population (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on August of 2025.

Annual population estimates as of July 1st, by census metropolitan area and census agglomeration, single year of age, five-year age group and gender, based on the Standard Geographical Classification (SGC) 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.

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

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.

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.

Canada CA: Urban Population Growth data was reported at 3.067 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.933 % for 2022. Canada CA: Urban Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 1.319 % from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2023, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.523 % in 1971 and a record low of 0.665 % in 2021. Canada CA: Urban Population Growth 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. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects.;World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.;Weighted average;

This table contains 3 series, with data for years 1871 - 1971 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Unit of measure (1 items: Persons ...) Geography (1 items: Canada ...) Population (3 items: Total population; Urban population; Rural population ...).

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.

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

Data on visible minority by place of birth, generation status, age and gender for the population in private households in Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas, census agglomerations and parts.

Contained within the 3rd Edition (1957) of the Atlas of Canada is a map that shows the distribution of the Canadian population, circa 1951. Population sizes are indicated on the map by representative units of 50 or 1000. In southern Canada, the population of the 15 metropolitan areas and urban centres of 25 000 inhabitants and over is shown by a disc, the area of which is proportional to its population. The scale ranges from metropolitan Montreal (1 395 400 inhabitants) to Glace Bay (25 586 inhabitants). There are still very small populations in northern Canada, but there are clusters within Capital cities, and a even larger concentration south, near the U.S. border, in particular along ocean or inland coastlines. The congregation near or on the coastline of water indicate the influence of industry, natural resources and trade. Two graphs accompany this map. The first graph shows the numerical distribution of population for 1951 by Canada, the provinces and the territories. The second graph shows the percentage distribution of population for 1951 by province and territory.

The Population of Canada, 10km Gridded national scale datasets display the distribution and areal extent of rural, urban and total populations across Canada for both 2011 and 2016. The 10km gridded framework is the same 10km gridded framework used within the Biomass Inventory Mapping and Analysis Tool. This data was created for AAFC by Statistics Canada using AAFC’s 10km gridded framework. The purpose of this data is to display the distribution of rural and urban populations across a 10km x 10km grid of Canada.

The data package provides demographics for Canadian population groups according to multiple location categories: Forward Sortation Areas (FSAs), Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) and Census Agglomerations (CAs), Federal Electoral Districts (FEDs), Health Regions (HRs) and provinces.

Canada CA: Urban Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 81.862 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 81.752 % for 2022. Canada CA: Urban Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 76.754 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 81.862 % in 2023 and a record low of 69.061 % in 1960. Canada CA: Urban Population: % 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. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division.;United Nations Population Division. World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.;Weighted average;

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

This table is part of a series of tables that present a portrait of Canada based on the various census topics. The tables range in complexity and levels of geography. Content varies from a simple overview of the country to complex cross-tabulations; the tables may also cover several censuses.

Contained within the 3rd Edition (1957) of the Atlas of Canada is a map that shows the density of the Canadian population for 1951. The first map display Western provinces, while the second map concentrates on southern Ontario and the Maritimes. Only the most populous areas are covered. Population density is illustrated by denoting the number of inhabitants per square mile. It shows a significant difference in the population distribution across Canada, mainly in urban and metropolitan areas. The cities with greater inhabitants are clusters within Capital cities, and a even larger concentration south, near the U.S. border, in particular along ocean or inland coastlines.