Scottish Canadians: Population, Immigration Trends & Demographics
Scottish Canadians are people living in Canada who have full or partial Scottish ancestry. Scottish Canadians are one of the largest European ancestry groups in Canada, with deep historical roots dating back to early British settlement. People of Scottish origin are widely distributed across the country, with especially strong concentrations in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and the Atlantic provinces.
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, 4,392,200 people in Canada reported Scottish ancestry, representing 12.09% of the national population. This makes Scottish Canadians the third-largest ancestry group in Canada, after English and French. Ontario alone accounts for nearly two million people of Scottish descent, while Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia record the highest provincial shares by percentage.
Projected Scottish Population in Canada (2026): ~4.5 million
👉 Also read about the Scottish Population in United States
Scottish Population by Canadian Provinces
Scottish Canadians are widely distributed across all Canadian provinces and territories. Ontario has the largest number of people of Scottish ancestry, with 1,937,010 residents, followed by British Columbia (774,455) and Alberta (631,020).
When measured by population share, Prince Edward Island has the highest proportion of Scottish ancestry at 34.05%, followed by Nova Scotia (26.91%) and Yukon (21.16%), reflecting the strong historical influence of Scottish settlement in Atlantic Canada and northern regions.
List of Canadian Provinces by Scottish Ancestry Population
| # | Province | Pop. 2021 | % of Total |
| 1 | Ontario | 1,937,010 | 13.80% |
| 2 | British Columbia | 774,455 | 15.75% |
| 3 | Alberta | 631,020 | 15.10% |
| 4 | Nova Scotia | 257,200 | 26.91% |
| 5 | Quebec | 192,685 | 2.32% |
| 6 | Manitoba | 189,645 | 14.51% |
| 7 | Saskatchewan | 175,590 | 15.92% |
| 8 | New Brunswick | 134,355 | 17.70% |
| 9 | Prince Edward Island | 51,235 | 34.05% |
| 10 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 33,270 | 6.63% |
| 11 | Yukon | 8,375 | 21.16% |
| 12 | Northwest Territories | 5,270 | 13.05% |
| 13 | Nunavut | 2,100 | 5.74% |
| – | Canada | 4,392,210 | 12.09% |
Source: Canada Census 2021
👉 Read about the population of Canadian provinces
Top Canadian Metropolitan Areas by Scottish Population
Scotland’s influence is especially visible in Canada’s major metropolitan areas. The Toronto metropolitan area has the largest Scottish-Canadian population, with 439,565 people reporting Scottish ancestry. It is followed by Vancouver (281,420) and Calgary (211,090), reflecting migration patterns toward Canada’s largest economic and cultural centers.
Several mid-sized cities, particularly in Nova Scotia, British Columbia, and Ontario, also show a high percentage of residents with Scottish roots.
Top Cities in Canada by Scottish Population
| # | City (Metropolitan Area) | Province | Population 2021 | % of Total |
| 1 | Toronto | Ontario | 439,565 | 7.16% |
| 2 | Vancouver | B.C | 281,420 | 10.79% |
| 3 | Calgary | Alberta | 211,090 | 14.41% |
| 4 | Ottawa – Gatineau | Ont./Que | 204,170 | 13.94% |
| 5 | Edmonton | Alberta | 193,210 | 13.82% |
| 6 | Hamilton | Ontario | 187,240 | 16.77% |
| 7 | Winnipeg | Manitoba | 114,495 | 13.97% |
| 8 | Montreal | Quebec | 110,905 | 2.64% |
| 9 | Halifax | Nova Scotia | 110,770 | 24.02% |
| 10 | London | Ontario | 100,935 | 18.84% |
| 11 | Victoria | B.C | 91,870 | 23.65% |
| 12 | Kitchener – Cambridge – Waterloo | Ontario | 84,965 | 14.96% |
| 13 | Oshawa | Ontario | 74,955 | 18.22% |
| 14 | St. Catharines – Niagara | Ontario | 74,135 | 17.42% |
| 15 | Windsor | Ontario | 50,570 | 12.17% |
| 16 | Saskatoon | Sask | 49,825 | 15.99% |
| 17 | Kelowna | B.C | 43,410 | 19.87% |
| 18 | Barrie | Ontario | 43,395 | 20.65% |
| 19 | Regina | Sask | 39,095 | 15.96% |
| 20 | Kingston | Ontario | 37,770 | 22.47% |
Source: Canada Census 2021
👉 Read about the top cities in Canada by population
FAQ: Scottish Population in Canada
How many Scottish Canadians are there?
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, 4,392,200 people in Canada reported Scottish ancestry. This represents 12.09% of Canada’s total population, making Scottish Canadians the third-largest ancestry group in the country.
Which province has the highest Scottish population?
Ontario has the largest Scottish-Canadian population, with 1,937,010 residents reporting Scottish ancestry. However, by percentage of population, Prince Edward Island ranks highest, where 34.05% of residents identify as having Scottish roots.
Which Canadian city has the most Scottish ancestry?
The Toronto metropolitan area has the largest Scottish-Canadian population in Canada, with 439,565 people reporting Scottish ancestry, followed by Vancouver and Calgary.
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