Prince Edward Island Population Overview (2026)
Prince Edward Island (PEI) is one of Canada’s thirteen provinces and is part of both the Maritime and Atlantic Canada regions. It is bordered by New Brunswick and Nova Scotia across the Gulf of St. Lawrence and connected to the mainland by the Confederation Bridge. PEI is Canada’s smallest province by both land area and population.
As per Statistics Canada, the population of Prince Edward Island was 154,331 in the 2021 Census. Rapid population growth driven by immigration and interprovincial migration increased the population to an estimated 182,508 in Q4 2025, making PEI one of the fastest-growing provinces on a percentage basis in recent years.
👉 Projected Population of Prince Edward Island (2026): ~185,000
Source: Statistics Canada
Prince Edward Island Population Growth (2021–2026)
Prince Edward Island has a population growth rate of 18.26% during 2021-2026. It has population increase of 28,177 since 2021
Prince Edward Island Census Q4 2025 Snapshot
| Indicator | Data |
| Total Population | 182,508 |
| Percentage Change since 2021 | 18.26% |
| Population Rank | 10th |
| Total Land Area | 5,660 km2 (2,190 sq mi) |
| Area Rank | 13th |
| Population Density | 32.4/sq. km (83.4/ sq. mi) |
| Capital City | Charlottetown |
| Largest City | Charlottetown |
Future Population Projection
Prince Edward Island is experiencing one of the fastest population growth rates in Canada. Between 2021 and 2026, the province is projected to grow by 18.26%, adding approximately 28,177 people. This rapid increase is largely driven by interprovincial migration, immigration, and economic opportunities, particularly in Charlottetown and surrounding areas. While growth is expected to moderate after 2030, PEI’s population is projected to continue rising steadily through the rest of the century.
Prince Edward Island Population Projection (2021–2100)
| Year | Population (Projected) |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 154,331 |
| 2026 | ~182,500 |
| 2030 | ~190,000 |
| 2040 | ~205,000 |
| 2050 | ~215,000 |
| 2060 | ~222,000 |
| 2070 | ~228,000 |
| 2080 | ~232,000 |
| 2090 | ~236,000 |
| 2100 | ~240,000 |
Projected Population of Prince Edward Island (2100): ~240,000
Prince Edward Island Historical Population
Prince Edward Island’s population history reflects long periods of slow growth and decline followed by a sharp rebound in recent years. After peaking in the late 19th century, PEI experienced population decline from 1901 to 1931, driven largely by outmigration. Growth resumed gradually after the 1940s, remaining modest for several decades. A major demographic shift occurred between 2016 and 2021, when the population increased by 8%, reaching 154,331, marking PEI’s strongest growth rate in over a century.
Prince Edward Island Population by Census Year
| Census Year | Population | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1851 | 62,678 | — |
| 1861 | 80,857 | +29.0% |
| 1871 | 94,021 | +16.3% |
| 1881 | 108,891 | +15.8% |
| 1891 | 109,078 | +0.2% |
| 1901 | 103,259 | −5.3% |
| 1911 | 93,728 | −9.2% |
| 1921 | 88,615 | −5.5% |
| 1931 | 88,038 | −0.7% |
| 1941 | 95,047 | +8.0% |
| 1951 | 98,429 | +3.6% |
| 1956 | 99,285 | +0.9% |
| 1961 | 104,629 | +5.4% |
| 1966 | 108,535 | +3.7% |
| 1971 | 111,635 | +2.9% |
| 1976 | 118,225 | +5.9% |
| 1981 | 122,506 | +3.6% |
| 1986 | 126,640 | +3.4% |
| 1991 | 129,765 | +2.5% |
| 1996 | 134,557 | +3.7% |
| 2001 | 135,294 | +0.5% |
| 2006 | 135,851 | +0.4% |
| 2011 | 140,204 | +3.2% |
| 2016 | 142,907 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | 154,331 | +8.0% |
Top Cities in Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is home to only two cities. Charlottetown, the capital and largest city, is also the county seat of Queens County. Named after Queen Charlotte, Charlottetown was previously an unincorporated town before being incorporated as a city in 1855. The estimated population of Charlottetown in 2022 is 40,500. It forms the center of a census agglomeration with a population of 83,063 (2021), which accounts for roughly half of the province’s population.
Summerside, on the other hand, is the second largest city in the province and serves as the primary service center for the western part of the island. According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Summerside had a population of 16,001.
Key Takeaways
Prince Edward Island is Canada’s smallest province by both land area and population, but it is currently among the fastest-growing provinces.
Between 2021 and 2026, PEI recorded a strong population growth rate of 18.26%, adding over 28,000 residents.
The province’s population increased sharply after decades of slow or stagnant growth, driven mainly by immigration and interprovincial migration.
Charlottetown and surrounding communities account for a significant share of recent population gains.
While long-term growth is expected to moderate after 2030, PEI’s population is projected to continue rising steadily through 2100, reaching around 240,000.
Sources
All population data is sourced from official Canadian and international statistical agencies:
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