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Vancouver Population Overview (2026)
Vancouver is a major metropolitan hub in British Columbia, Canada, known for its diverse and rapidly growing population. Over the past several decades, steady population growth has transformed the city into a vibrant mix of cultures, ethnic backgrounds, and lifestyles, making it one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the country.
The Vancouver metropolitan area had a population of approximately 2.6 million in 2021, making it the most populous metro area in British Columbia and the third-largest metropolitan region in Canada, after Toronto and Montreal. Vancouver also stands out for its urban density, with over 5,700 people per square kilometer, the highest population density in Canada. In North America, it ranks among the densest major cities, following New York City, San Francisco, and Mexico City.
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, the City of Vancouver itself had a population of 662,248, ranking as the eighth-largest city in Canada. Within Western Canada, Vancouver is the fourth-largest city, after Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg.
Vancouver City Census 2021 Snapshot
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Population | 662,248 |
| Total area | 115.18 sq. km (44.47 sq mi) |
| Population density | 5,749.7 per sq. km (14,891.6 per sq mi) |
👉 Estimated population of Vancouver in 2026: ~ 0.8 million
read about: Population of British Columbia
Vancouver Metropolitan Area Population (CMA)
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, the Vancouver Census Metropolitan Area (CMA)—commonly known as Greater Vancouver or Metro Vancouver—had a population of 2,642,825 (approximately 2.6 million). This makes it the third-most populous metropolitan area in Canada, after Toronto and Montreal, and the largest metropolitan region in Western Canada.
Despite the City of Vancouver being the region’s economic and cultural core, the majority of the metropolitan population resides in surrounding municipalities. Nearly 75% of Metro Vancouver’s residents live outside the City of Vancouver, in cities such as Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, and Langley.
Census 2021 Snapshot – Vancouver CMA
| Indicator | Data |
|---|---|
| Population | 2,642,825 (2.6 million) |
| Total area | 2,878.93 sq. km (1,111.56 sq mi) |
| Population density | 918.0 per sq. km (2,377.6 per sq mi) |
Vancouver Historical Population
At the start of the 20th century, Vancouver was a small port city with a population of just over 26,000 in 1901. Over the following decades, rapid industrialization, immigration, and economic expansion fueled sustained population growth. By the year 2000, Vancouver’s population had crossed the half-million mark, reflecting its transformation into one of Canada’s most important urban centers.
Population growth has continued steadily into the 21st century. According to the 2021 Canadian Census, the City of Vancouver recorded a population of 662,248, while the broader metropolitan region surpassed 2.6 million. Based on recent trends, Vancouver’s city population is estimated to be approaching 800,000 in 2026, highlighting consistent long-term urban growth.
Vancouver Historical Population Chart (City Proper)
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1891 | 13,709 | — |
| 1901 | 26,133 | 90.60% |
| 1911 | 100,401 | 284.20% |
| 1921 | 117,217 | 16.70% |
| 1931 | 246,593 | 110.40% |
| 1941 | 275,353 | 11.70% |
| 1951 | 344,833 | 25.20% |
| 1956 | 365,844 | 6.10% |
| 1961 | 384,522 | 5.10% |
| 1966 | 410,375 | 6.70% |
| 1971 | 426,256 | 3.90% |
| 1976 | 410,188 | −3.8% |
| 1981 | 414,281 | 1.00% |
| 1986 | 431,147 | 4.10% |
| 1991 | 471,644 | 9.40% |
| 1996 | 514,008 | 9.00% |
| 2001 | 545,671 | 6.20% |
| 2006 | 578,041 | 5.90% |
| 2011 | 603,502 | 4.40% |
| 2016 | 631,486 | 4.60% |
| 2021 | 662,248 | 4.90% |
Read more: Top Cities in Canada by Population
Ethnic Composition of Vancouver
Vancouver is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Canada. Residents of European origin form the largest broad ethnic group, with strong representation from English, Scottish, Irish, and German ancestries. At the same time, Vancouver has one of the highest concentrations of visible minority populations in the country.
Among visible minorities, East Asians—primarily of Chinese origin—represent the largest group, followed by Southeast Asians and South Asians, particularly those of Indian and Punjabi background. Indigenous peoples and smaller communities from Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa also contribute to the city’s multicultural character.
Ethnic Origin Distribution in Vancouver (2021)
| Ethnic Origin | Percentage |
|---|---|
| European | 43.22% |
| East Asian | 29.26% |
| Southeast Asian | 9.10% |
| South Asian | 6.90% |
| Latin American | 2.78% |
| Middle Eastern | 2.44% |
| Indigenous | 2.25% |
| African | 1.31% |
| Other | 2.74% |
Top 25 Ethnic Groups in Vancouver (Metro Area)
| # | Ethnic Group | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chinese | 475,160 | 18.23% |
| 2 | English | 365,150 | 14.01% |
| 3 | Scottish | 281,420 | 10.79% |
| 4 | Irish | 235,970 | 9.05% |
| 5 | Indian (India) | 213,795 | 8.20% |
| 6 | German | 184,145 | 7.06% |
| 7 | Canadian | 174,095 | 6.68% |
| 8 | Filipino | 141,230 | 5.42% |
| 9 | French origins | 108,720 | 4.17% |
| 10 | Italian | 83,200 | 3.19% |
| 11 | Ukrainian | 81,155 | 3.11% |
| 12 | Punjabi | 71,020 | 2.72% |
| 13 | Dutch | 64,120 | 2.46% |
| 14 | Korean | 62,885 | 2.41% |
| 15 | Polish | 58,505 | 2.24% |
| 16 | Russian | 51,690 | 1.98% |
| 17 | Iranian | 45,815 | 1.76% |
| 18 | Vietnamese | 42,690 | 1.64% |
| 19 | Spanish | 36,270 | 1.39% |
| 20 | Portuguese | 22,980 | 0.88% |
| 21 | Jewish | 22,280 | 0.85% |
| 22 | Pakistani | 15,765 | 0.60% |
| 23 | Greek | 14,570 | 0.56% |
| 24 | Jamaican | 5,735 | 0.22% |
| 25 | Sri Lankan | 5,475 | 0.21% |
👉 Read more: Population of Canadian Provinces and Territories
Sources
All population data is sourced from official Canadian and international statistical agencies:
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