Home >> North America >> Canada
Ottawa Population Overview (2026)
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located in the southern part of Ontario along the Ottawa River. The city shares its western border with Gatineau, Quebec, together forming the Ottawa-Gatineau Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) and the National Capital Region (NCR). Ottawa serves as the political and administrative center of the country while also being a growing cultural and economic hub.
According to the 2021 Census of Population, the City of Ottawa had a population of 1,017,449, ranking it as the fourth-largest city in Canada. The metropolitan region, including Gatineau, had a population of 1,488,307 at the same time. Based on recent growth trends, the estimated population of Ottawa in 2026 is around 1.2 million.
Ottawa City Census 2021 Snapshot
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Population | 1,017,449 |
| Total area | 2,788.2 sq. km (1,076.5 sq mi) |
| Population density | 364.9 / sq. km (945.1 / sq mi) |
read about: Population of British Columbia
Ottawa Metropolitan Population (CMA)
The Ottawa-Gatineau Census Metropolitan Area (CMA), which includes the cities of Ottawa (Ontario) and Gatineau (Quebec), forms the National Capital Region (NCR). This metropolitan area serves as the political, cultural, and administrative heart of Canada while encompassing a diverse and growing population across both provinces.
According to the 2021 Census of Population, the Ottawa-Gatineau CMA had a population of 1,488,307, an 8.5% increase from its 2016 population of 1,371,576. Of the CMA’s 638,013 total private dwellings, 604,721 were occupied, reflecting ongoing residential growth in both urban and suburban communities.
Census 2021 Snapshot – Ottawa-Gatineau CMA
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Population | 1,488,307 (1.49 million) |
| Total area | 8,046.99 sq. km (3,106.96 sq mi) |
| Population density | 185.0 / sq. km (479.0 / sq mi) |
Estimated population of Ottawa-Gatineau CMA in 2026: ~ 1.6 million
Ottawa Historical Population
Ottawa’s population growth reflects its development from a modest 19th-century settlement into the nation’s capital and a major urban center. In 1901, the city had just over 100,000 residents, with steady growth throughout the early 20th century driven by government expansion, infrastructure development, and migration from other regions.
By the mid-1970s, Ottawa’s population had surpassed half a million, and growth continued steadily through the late 20th century. The city reached 1 million residents by 2021, reflecting ongoing urban development, suburban expansion, and sustained immigration.
Ottawa Historical Population Chart (City Proper)
| Year | Population | Percentage |
| 1901 | 101,102 | – |
| 1911 | 123,417 | 22.10% |
| 1921 | 152,868 | 23.90% |
| 1931 | 174,056 | 13.90% |
| 1941 | 206,367 | 18.60% |
| 1951 | 246,298 | 19.30% |
| 1956 | 287,244 | 16.60% |
| 1961 | 358,410 | 24.80% |
| 1966 | 413,695 | 15.40% |
| 1971 | 471,931 | 14.10% |
| 1976 | 520,533 | 10.30% |
| 1981 | 546,849 | 5.10% |
| 1986 | 606,639 | 10.90% |
| 1991 | 678,147 | 11.80% |
| 1996 | 721,136 | 6.30% |
| 2001 | 774,072 | 7.30% |
| 2006 | 812,129 | 4.90% |
| 2011 | 883,391 | 8.80% |
| 2016 | 934,243 | 5.80% |
| 2021 | 1,017,449 | 8.90% |
read about Top Cities in Canada by Population
Ethnic Composition of Ottawa
Ottawa is a culturally diverse metropolitan area, with residents tracing their roots to a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. People of European origin form the largest broad group, accounting for over 70% of the population, with Irish, French, Scottish, English, and German ancestries being the most common.
Among visible minority communities, the Chinese population is the largest, followed by Indians and Arabs. Indigenous residents, Southeast Asian, African, Latin American, and multiracial populations also contribute to Ottawa’s multicultural character, reflecting both historical settlement patterns and recent immigration trends.
Ethnic Origin Distribution in Ottawa CMA (2021)
| Panethnic group | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| European | 1,036,525 | 70.78% |
| African | 114,225 | 7.80% |
| Middle Eastern | 83,730 | 5.72% |
| South Asian | 60,780 | 4.15% |
| East Asian | 57,460 | 3.92% |
| Indigenous | 46,540 | 3.18% |
| Southeast Asian | 32,995 | 2.25% |
| Latin American | 20,625 | 1.41% |
| Other/Multiracial | 17,095 | 1.17% |
Top Ethnic Groups in Ottawa CMA (Metro Area)
The Ottawa-Gatineau metropolitan area is home to residents from hundreds of different ethnic backgrounds. The largest individual ethnic groups are Irish, French, Canadian, Scottish, and English, reflecting both historical European settlement and Canadian heritage. Other prominent communities include German, French Canadian, Italian, Chinese, Indian, and Arab populations, highlighting Ottawa’s continued growth as a multicultural hub.
| # | Ethnicity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Irish | 256,320 | 17.50% |
| 2 | French | 251,310 | 17.16% |
| 3 | Canadian | 233,275 | 15.93% |
| 4 | Scottish | 204,170 | 13.94% |
| 5 | English | 196,190 | 13.40% |
| 6 | German | 95,715 | 6.54% |
| 7 | French Canadian | 63,455 | 4.33% |
| 8 | Italian | 55,950 | 3.82% |
| 9 | First Nations | 52,755 | 3.60% |
| 10 | Chinese | 52,455 | 3.58% |
| 11 | Polish | 37,120 | 2.53% |
| 12 | Indian (India) | 33,800 | 2.31% |
| 13 | Dutch | 32,670 | 2.23% |
| 14 | Lebanese | 29,515 | 2.02% |
| 15 | Ukrainian | 28,295 | 1.93% |
| 16 | Arabs | 25,195 | 1.72% |
| 17 | Welsh | 19,960 | 1.36% |
| 18 | Filipino | 16,170 | 1.10% |
| 19 | Russian | 15,470 | 1.06% |
| 20 | Spanish | 15,110 | 1.03% |
| 21 | Portuguese | 15,040 | 1.03% |
| 22 | Haitian | 14,455 | 0.99% |
| 23 | American | 14,170 | 0.97% |
| 24 | Jewish | 11,870 | 0.81% |
| 25 | Vietnamese | 11,170 | 0.76% |
read about: Population of Canadian provinces and Territories
Sources
All population data is sourced from official Canadian and international statistical agencies:
English
Español
Português
Deutsch