German Canadians: Population, Immigration Trends & Demographics
German Canadians are Canadians who report full or partial German ancestry. They form one of the largest European-origin communities in Canada, with a long history of settlement in various provinces. People of German ancestry are also found in notable numbers across North and South America.
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, 2,955,710 people in Canada reported German ancestry, representing approximately 8.14% of the total population. German Canadians contribute significantly to Canada’s cultural, economic, and social landscape.
Projected population of German Canadians in 2026 ~ 3 million
👉 Also read about German Population in United States
German Population by Canadian Provinces
Ontario, with 1,058,075 people of German ancestry, has the largest population of German Canadians in Canada, followed by Alberta (641,025) and British Columbia (539,145).
By share of total population, Saskatchewan (24.70%) has the highest percentage of residents reporting German ancestry, followed by Alberta (15.34%) and Manitoba (13.57%), reflecting the strong historical German settlement in the Prairie provinces.
List of Provinces by German Ancestry Population
| # | Province | Population (2021) | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ontario | 1,058,075 | 7.54% |
| 2 | Alberta | 641,025 | 15.34% |
| 3 | British Columbia | 539,145 | 10.97% |
| 4 | Manitoba | 177,360 | 13.57% |
| 5 | Saskatchewan | 272,480 | 24.70% |
| 6 | Nova Scotia | 86,860 | 9.09% |
| 7 | New Brunswick | 33,205 | 4.37% |
| 8 | Prince Edward Island | 7,175 | 4.77% |
| 9 | Quebec | 124,305 | 1.50% |
| 10 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 7,335 | 1.46% |
| 11 | Yukon | 5,320 | 13.44% |
| 12 | Northwest Territories | 2,815 | 6.97% |
| 13 | Nunavut | 610 | 1.67% |
| Canada | 2,955,710 | 8.14% |
Source: Canada Census 2021
Read about the population of Germany.
Top Canadian Metropolitan Areas by German Population
The Toronto metropolitan area, with 216,880 people of German ancestry, has the largest population of German Canadians in Canada. It is followed by Edmonton (200,400) and Vancouver (184,145), reflecting both historical settlement patterns and recent migration trends.
German ancestry is particularly prominent in Prairie provinces, with cities like Saskatoon, Regina, and Calgary showing some of the highest percentages relative to their total population.
Top Cities in Canada by German Population
| # | City (Metropolitan Area) | Province | Population (2021) | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toronto | Ontario | 216,880 | 3.53% |
| 2 | Edmonton | Alberta | 200,400 | 14.34% |
| 3 | Vancouver | British Columbia | 184,145 | 7.06% |
| 4 | Calgary | Alberta | 176,270 | 12.03% |
| 5 | Winnipeg | Manitoba | 102,045 | 12.45% |
| 6 | Kitchener – Cambridge – Waterloo | Ontario | 98,975 | 17.42% |
| 7 | Ottawa – Gatineau | Ont./Que | 95,715 | 6.54% |
| 8 | Hamilton | Ontario | 85,425 | 7.65% |
| 9 | Saskatoon | Saskatchewan | 76,220 | 24.47% |
| 10 | Montreal | Quebec | 72,895 | 1.73% |
| 11 | Regina | Saskatchewan | 63,175 | 25.79% |
| 12 | London | Ontario | 53,870 | 10.05% |
| 13 | St. Catharines – Niagara | Ontario | 52,605 | 12.36% |
| 14 | Victoria | British Columbia | 47,875 | 12.32% |
| 15 | Kelowna | British Columbia | 42,245 | 19.33% |
| 16 | Halifax | Nova Scotia | 41,640 | 9.03% |
| 17 | Windsor | Ontario | 39,100 | 9.41% |
| 18 | Oshawa | Ontario | 27,955 | 6.80% |
| 19 | Medicine Hat | Alberta | 26,200 | 35.13% |
| 20 | Abbotsford – Mission | British Columbia | 25,805 | 13.43% |
Source: Canada Census 2021
also read about Top 100 Cities in Canada by population
FAQ: German Ancestry in Canada
How many German Canadians are there?
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, 2,955,710 people in Canada reported German ancestry, representing approximately 8.14% of the total population.
Which province has the most German Canadians?
Ontario has the largest German-Canadian population, with 1,058,075 residents reporting German ancestry in the 2021 Census.
Which Canadian city has the largest German population?
The Toronto metropolitan area has the largest German-Canadian population, with 216,880 people reporting German ancestry.
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