Irish Canadians: Population, Immigration Trends & Demographics
Irish Canadians are people living in Canada who have full or partial Irish ancestry. They represent one of the country’s largest European-origin communities and have a long history of settlement across Canada. People of Irish origin also form significant populations throughout North and South America.
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, 4,413,120 people in Canada reported Irish ancestry, accounting for 12.15% of the national population. This makes Irish Canadians the third-largest ancestry group in Canada, following English and French.
Projected population of Irish Canadians in 2026 ~4.5 million
👉 Also read about Ethnicity and Origin in Canada
Irish Population by Canadian Provinces
Irish ancestry is widely distributed across all provinces and territories in Canada. Ontario has the largest Irish-Canadian population, with 1,999,985 people, followed by British Columbia (627,920) and Alberta (561,910).
By share of total population, Prince Edward Island has the highest proportion of residents with Irish ancestry at 27.81%, followed by Newfoundland and Labrador (24.32%) and Nova Scotia (20.47%), highlighting the strong Irish presence in Atlantic Canada.
List of Provinces by Irish Ancestry Population
| # | Province | Pop. 2021 | % of Total |
| 1 | Ontario | 1,999,985 | 14.25% |
| 2 | British Columbia | 627,920 | 12.77% |
| 3 | Alberta | 561,910 | 13.45% |
| 4 | Quebec | 404,185 | 4.86% |
| 5 | Nova Scotia | 195,660 | 20.47% |
| 6 | New Brunswick | 155,920 | 20.54% |
| 7 | Saskatchewan | 145,415 | 13.18% |
| 8 | Manitoba | 144,420 | 11.05% |
| 9 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 122,115 | 24.32% |
| 10 | Prince Edward Island | 41,845 | 27.81% |
| 11 | Yukon | 7,440 | 18.79% |
| 12 | Northwest Territories | 4,720 | 11.69% |
| 13 | Nunavut | 1,585 | 4.33% |
| Total | 4,413,120 | 12.15% |
Source: Canada Census 2021
also read about Population of Canada
Top Canadian metropolitan areas by Irish population
Irish Canadians are highly concentrated in Canada’s major metropolitan regions. The Toronto metropolitan area has the largest Irish-Canadian population, with 461,660 people reporting Irish ancestry. It is followed by Ottawa–Gatineau (256,320) and Vancouver (235,970).
Several mid-sized metropolitan areas—particularly in Ontario, Atlantic Canada, and British Columbia—also record a high percentage of residents with Irish ancestry, reflecting long-standing settlement patterns.
Top Cities in Canada by Irish Population
| # | City (Metropolitan Area) | Province | Population 2021 | % of Total |
| 1 | Toronto | Ontario | 461,660 | 7.52% |
| 2 | Ottawa – Gatineau | Ont./Que | 256,320 | 17.50% |
| 3 | Vancouver | British Columbia | 235,970 | 9.05% |
| 4 | Hamilton | Ontario | 224,470 | 20.10% |
| 5 | Montreal | Quebec | 214,190 | 5.09% |
| 6 | Calgary | Alberta | 181,950 | 12.42% |
| 7 | Edmonton | Alberta | 179,755 | 12.86% |
| 8 | Halifax | Nova Scotia | 98,095 | 21.27% |
| 9 | London | Ontario | 95,390 | 17.80% |
| 10 | Winnipeg | Manitoba | 88,930 | 10.85% |
| 11 | Kitchener – Cambridge – Waterloo | Ontario | 84,800 | 14.93% |
| 12 | Oshawa | Ontario | 75,390 | 18.33% |
| 13 | Victoria | British Columbia | 71,385 | 18.38% |
| 14 | St. John’s | N.L | 70,615 | 33.82% |
| 15 | St. Catharines – Niagara | Ontario | 69,115 | 16.24% |
| 16 | Windsor | Ontario | 59,060 | 14.21% |
| 17 | Barrie | Ontario | 44,695 | 21.27% |
| 18 | Kingston | Ontario | 44,500 | 26.48% |
| 19 | Saskatoon | Saskatchewan | 41,420 | 13.30% |
| 20 | Saint John | N.B | 39,545 | 30.80% |
Source: Canada Census 2021
FAQ: Irish Ancestry in Canada
How many Irish Canadians are there?
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, 4,413,120 people in Canada reported Irish ancestry, representing 12.15% of the total population.
Which province has the most Irish Canadians?
Ontario has the largest Irish-Canadian population, with 1,999,985 residents reporting Irish ancestry in the 2021 Census.
Which Canadian city has the largest Irish population?
The Toronto metropolitan area has the largest Irish-Canadian population, with 461,660 people reporting Irish ancestry.
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