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Iranian Canadians: Population, Immigration Trends & Demographics
Iranian Canadians are Canadians who have full or partial Iranian ancestry. People of Iranian origin form a significant community across several countries in North and South America. In Canada, Iranian Canadians represent the largest group within the West Asian population.
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, approximately 200,465 people of Iranian descent were living in Canada, accounting for about 0.55% of the country’s total population.
Source: Canada Census 2021
👉 Also read about the Iranian population in the United States
Iranian population by Province in Canada
Ontario, with 109,410 people of Iranian ancestry, has the largest population of Iranian Canadians in the country. It is followed by British Columbia (49,390) and Quebec (25,825).
In percentage terms, British Columbia (1.00%) has the highest concentration of Iranian Canadians, followed by Ontario (0.78%) and Quebec (0.31%).
Iranian Population by Canadian Province (2021 Census)
| # | Province | Population (2021) | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alberta | 10,550 | 0.25% |
| 2 | British Columbia | 49,390 | 1.00% |
| 3 | Manitoba | 1,455 | 0.11% |
| 4 | New Brunswick | 630 | 0.08% |
| 5 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 430 | 0.09% |
| 6 | Northwest Territories | 15 | 0.04% |
| 7 | Nova Scotia | 1,200 | 0.13% |
| 8 | Nunavut | 20 | 0.05% |
| 9 | Ontario | 109,410 | 0.78% |
| 10 | Prince Edward Island | 205 | 0.14% |
| 11 | Quebec | 25,825 | 0.31% |
| 12 | Saskatchewan | 1,315 | 0.12% |
| 13 | Yukon | 15 | 0.04% |
| Canada | 200,460 | 0.55% |
Source: Canada Census 2021
👉 Read more about the Arab population in Canada
Iranian Population by Metropolitan Area in Canada
The Toronto metropolitan area, with 88,915 people of Iranian ancestry, has the largest population of Iranian Canadians in Canada. It is followed by Vancouver (45,815) and Montreal (23,705).
Top Canadian Cities by Iranian Population (2021 Census)
| # | Metropolitan Area | Province | Population (2021) | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toronto | Ontario | 88,915 | 1.45% |
| 2 | Vancouver | British Columbia | 45,815 | 1.76% |
| 3 | Montreal | Quebec | 23,705 | 0.56% |
| 4 | Ottawa – Gatineau | Ont. / Que. | 8,185 | 0.56% |
| 5 | Hamilton | Ontario | 7,350 | 0.66% |
| 6 | Calgary | Alberta | 6,385 | 0.44% |
| 7 | Edmonton | Alberta | 3,625 | 0.26% |
| 8 | Kitchener – Cambridge – Waterloo | Ontario | 2,775 | 0.49% |
| 9 | London | Ontario | 1,460 | 0.27% |
| 10 | Winnipeg | Manitoba | 1,375 | 0.17% |
Source: Canada Census 2021
👉 Read more about the Arab population in the United States
FAQs About Iranian Canadians
Who are Iranian Canadians?
Iranian Canadians are people in Canada who have full or partial Iranian ancestry. They may trace their roots to Iran (historically known as Persia) and identify through ancestry, culture, or heritage.
How many Iranian Canadians live in Canada?
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, approximately 200,465 people in Canada reported Iranian ancestry, representing about 0.55% of the total population.
Which province has the largest Iranian population in Canada?
Ontario has the largest number of Iranian Canadians, followed by British Columbia and Quebec.
Which Canadian city has the highest Iranian population?
The Toronto metropolitan area has the highest concentration of Iranian Canadians, followed by Vancouver and Montreal.
Are Iranian Canadians considered Asian Canadians?
Yes. Under Statistics Canada classifications, Iranian Canadians are generally included within the broader category of West Asian Canadians, which is part of the wider Asian Canadian population group.
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