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Calgary Population Overview (2026)
Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and one of Canada’s fastest-growing urban centers. The city has experienced strong and sustained population growth over recent decades, driven by economic opportunities, internal migration, and international immigration. This growth has contributed to Calgary’s increasingly diverse population and modern metropolitan character.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the City of Calgary had a population of 1,306,784 (1.3 million), representing a 5.5% increase from its 2016 population of 1,239,220. As of 2026, Calgary’s estimated population is approximately 1.5 million, reinforcing its position as the third-largest city in Canada and part of the country’s fifth-largest metropolitan area.
👉 Estimated Population of Calgary in 2026 ~ 1.5 million
Calgary City Census 2021 Snapshot
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Population | 1,306,784 (1.3 million) |
| Total area | 820.62 sq. km (316.84 sq mi) |
| Population density | 1,592.4 / sq. km (4,124.4 / sq mi) |
read about Population of British Columbia
Calgary Metro Population (CMA)
The Calgary Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) is the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Canada and the largest in Alberta. Calgary CMA has seen consistent population growth over the past two decades, supported by strong economic activity, interprovincial migration, and international immigration.
According to the 2021 Census of Population, the Calgary CMA had a population of 1,481,806, representing a 6.4% increase from its 2016 population of 1,392,609. This population was spread across 563,440 occupied private dwellings out of a total of 594,513 dwellings, highlighting the region’s continued suburban and urban expansion.
Calgary CMA Census 2021 Snapshot
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Population | 1,481,806 (1.48 million) |
| Total area | 5,098.68 sq. km (1,968.61 sq mi) |
| Population density | 290.6 / sq. km (752.7 / sq mi) |
Calgary Historical Population
Calgary’s population growth reflects its transformation from a small prairie settlement into one of Canada’s fastest-growing urban centers. In 1901, Calgary had just over 4,000 residents. Rapid expansion driven by railways, oil discoveries, and post-war economic growth pushed the city past 100,000 residents by 1946.
Growth accelerated further in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, supported by energy-sector development and rising international immigration. By 2006, Calgary’s population approached 1 million, and the city continued to expand steadily thereafter.
Calgary Historical Population Chart (City Proper)
| Year | Population | ±% |
| 1891 | 3,876 | — |
| 1901 | 4,091 | 5.50% |
| 1906 | 11,967 | 192.50% |
| 1911 | 43,704 | 265.20% |
| 1916 | 56,514 | 29.30% |
| 1921 | 63,305 | 12.00% |
| 1926 | 65,291 | 3.10% |
| 1931 | 83,761 | 28.30% |
| 1936 | 83,407 | −0.4% |
| 1941 | 88,904 | 6.60% |
| 1946 | 100,044 | 12.50% |
| 1951 | 129,060 | 29.00% |
| 1956 | 181,780 | 40.80% |
| 1961 | 249,641 | 37.30% |
| 1966 | 330,575 | 32.40% |
| 1971 | 403,319 | 22.00% |
| 1976 | 469,917 | 16.50% |
| 1981 | 592,743 | 26.10% |
| 1986 | 636,107 | 7.30% |
| 1991 | 710,795 | 11.70% |
| 1996 | 768,082 | 8.10% |
| 2001 | 878,866 | 14.40% |
| 2006 | 988,193 | 12.40% |
| 2011 | 1,096,833 | 11.00% |
| 2016 | 1,239,220 | 13.00% |
| 2021 | 1,306,784 | 5.50% |
read about Top Cities in Canada by Population
Ethnic Composition of Calgary
Calgary is a diverse and multicultural city, shaped by decades of immigration and settlement. Residents of European origin form the largest broad ethnic group, accounting for nearly 58% of the population, with English, Scottish, Irish, and German ancestries being the most common.
Visible minority communities make up a significant portion of Calgary’s population. Among these groups, people of South Asian, Southeast Asian, and East Asian origin are the largest, followed by African, Middle Eastern, and Latin American communities. Indigenous residents and multiracial populations also contribute to the city’s cultural diversity.
Ethnic Origin Distribution in Calgary
| Panethnic group | Population | Percentage |
| European | 849,560 | 57.98% |
| South Asian | 153,200 | 10.46% |
| Southeast Asian | 117,445 | 8.02% |
| East Asian | 112,825 | 7.70% |
| African | 75,645 | 5.16% |
| Indigenous | 48,625 | 3.32% |
| Middle Eastern | 48,180 | 3.29% |
| Latin American | 34,390 | 2.35% |
| Other/Multiracial | 26,265 | 1.79% |
Top Ethnic Groups in Calgary (Metro Area)
The Calgary metropolitan area is home to residents from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds. English, Scottish, Irish, and German ancestries are the largest individual groups, reflecting historical settlement patterns. Other major communities include Canadian, Chinese, French, Filipino, Ukrainian, and Indian populations, highlighting the city’s diverse and growing immigrant population.
| # | Ethnicity | Population | Percentage |
| 1 | English | 245,280 | 16.74% |
| 2 | Scottish | 211,090 | 14.41% |
| 3 | Irish | 181,950 | 12.42% |
| 4 | German | 176,270 | 12.03% |
| 5 | Canadian | 151,750 | 10.36% |
| 6 | Chinese | 99,055 | 6.76% |
| 7 | French | 94,680 | 6.46% |
| 8 | Filipino | 83,815 | 5.72% |
| 9 | Ukrainian | 81,955 | 5.59% |
| 10 | Indian (India) | 77,205 | 5.27% |
| 11 | Polish | 49,540 | 3.38% |
| 12 | Dutch | 47,175 | 3.22% |
| 13 | Italian | 41,620 | 2.84% |
| 14 | Russian | 33,050 | 2.26% |
| 15 | Pakistani | 24,050 | 1.64% |
| 16 | Vietnamese | 22,595 | 1.54% |
| 17 | Punjabi | 19,980 | 1.36% |
| 18 | Spanish | 18,915 | 1.29% |
| 19 | Korean | 13,060 | 0.89% |
| 20 | Portuguese | 7,790 | 0.53% |
| 21 | Jewish | 7,080 | 0.48% |
| 22 | Jamaican | 6,710 | 0.46% |
| 23 | Iranian | 6,385 | 0.44% |
| 24 | Greek | 6,310 | 0.43% |
| 25 | Sri Lankan | 2,045 | 0.14% |
read about: Population of Canadian provinces and Territories
Sources
All population data is sourced from official Canadian and international statistical agencies:
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