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Toronto Population Overview (2026)
Toronto, the capital of Ontario, is Canada’s most populous city and one of the country’s primary economic and cultural hubs. According to the 2021 Canadian Census, the city recorded a population of 2,794,356 (2.8 million), making it the largest city in Canada by population.
Toronto is also one of the most diverse cities in the world. In 2021, foreign-born residents accounted for 47% of the city’s population, reflecting its long-standing role as a major destination for international immigration. Based on recent growth trends, Toronto’s population is projected to approach 3 million by 2026.
Toronto City Census 2021 Snapshot
| Indicator | Data |
| Population | 2,794,356 |
| Total area | 631.1 sq. km (243.7 sq mi) |
| Population density | 4,427.8 per sq. km (11,467.8 per sq mi) |
read about: Population of Ontario
Toronto Metropolitan Population (CMA)
At the census metropolitan area (CMA) level, the Toronto CMA had a population of 6,202,225 (6.2 million) in the 2021 Census, representing a 4.6% increase from its 2016 population of 5,928,040. The Toronto CMA is the largest metropolitan area in Canada and among the fastest-growing urban regions in North America.
The metropolitan region extends well beyond the City of Toronto and includes several surrounding municipalities, such as Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, and Pickering, which together account for a significant share of the region’s population growth.
Census 2021 Snapshot – Toronto CMA
| Toronto CMA | Census 2021 |
| Population | 6,202,225 (6.2 million) |
| Total area | 5,902.75 sq. km (2,279.06 sq mi) |
| Population density | 1,050.7 / sq. km (2,721.4/sq mi) |
Estimated population of Toronto CMA in 2026: ~ 7 million
Toronto Historical Population
Toronto’s population growth reflects its evolution from a small colonial settlement into a major global city. In 1901, the city had a population of just 238,080. Rapid industrialization and post-war immigration pushed Toronto past 1 million residents by 1951 and 2 million by the 1970s.
Population growth continued steadily through the late 20th and early 21st centuries. By 2021, Toronto’s population had reached 2.79 million, and current estimates suggest the city is approaching the 3 million mark by the mid-2020s.
Toronto Historical Population Chart (City Proper)
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1834 | 9,252 | — |
| 1841 | 14,249 | 54.00% |
| 1851 | 30,776 | 116.00% |
| 1861 | 44,821 | 45.60% |
| 1871 | 56,092 | 25.10% |
| 1881 | 86,415 | 54.10% |
| 1891 | 144,023 | 66.70% |
| 1901 | 238,080 | 65.30% |
| 1911 | 381,383 | 60.20% |
| 1921 | 521,893 | 36.80% |
| 1931 | 856,955 | 64.20% |
| 1941 | 951,549 | 11.00% |
| 1951 | 1,176,622 | 23.70% |
| 1961 | 1,824,481 | 55.10% |
| 1971 | 2,089,729 | 14.50% |
| 1976 | 2,124,291 | 1.70% |
| 1981 | 2,137,395 | 0.60% |
| 1986 | 2,192,721 | 2.60% |
| 1991 | 2,275,771 | 3.80% |
| 1996 | 2,385,421 | 4.80% |
| 2001 | 2,481,494 | 4.00% |
| 2006 | 2,503,281 | 0.90% |
| 2011 | 2,615,060 | 4.50% |
| 2016 | 2,731,571 | 4.50% |
| 2021 | 2,794,356 | 2.30% |
Source: Canada Census 2021
read about Top Cities in Canada by Population
Ethnic Composition of Toronto
Toronto is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world. People of European origin form the largest broad ethnic group, accounting for 42.3% of the population. However, visible minority groups collectively account for the majority of the city’s population.
South Asians represent the largest visible minority group in Toronto, followed by East Asian and Black communities. Significant populations of Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, Indigenous, and multiracial residents further contribute to the city’s complex and multicultural demographic profile.
Ethnic Origin Distribution in Toronto
| Panethnic group | % |
| European | 42.30% |
| South Asian | 19.25% |
| East Asian | 12.60% |
| Black | 7.95% |
| Southeast Asian | 6.24% |
| Middle Eastern | 4.72% |
| Other/Multiracial | 3.69% |
| Latin American | 2.55% |
| Indigenous | 0.73% |
Top Ethnic Groups in Toronto (Metro Area)
The Toronto metropolitan area is home to people from hundreds of ethnic backgrounds. The Chinese and Indian communities represent the largest single ethnic groups in the metropolitan area, followed by residents of English, Irish, Italian, and Scottish origin.
Other prominent communities include Filipino, German, Polish, Portuguese, Pakistani, Jamaican, and Ukrainian populations, highlighting the breadth of immigration and cultural diversity that characterizes the Greater Toronto Area.
read about: Population of Canadian provinces and Territories
Source: Canada Census 2021
Sources
All population data is sourced from official Canadian and international statistical agencies:
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