Demographics of Toronto, Canada – Who Lives in the City

Demographics of Toronto, Canada - Who Lives in the City

The demographics of Toronto, Ontario, Canada make Toronto one of the most multicultural and multiracial cities in the world. In 2021, 57.0 percent of the residents of the metropolitan area belonged to a visible minority group, compared with 51.4 percent in 2016, and 13.6 percent in 1981. Toronto also has established ethnic neighbourhoods such as the multiple Chinatowns, Corso Italia, Little Italy, Little India, Greektown, Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Little Jamaica, Little Portugal, Little Malta, Roncesvalles (Polish), and Bloor West Village (Ukrainian), all of which celebrate the city’s multiculturalism. Data from the suburban municipalities are also included for some metrics as most of these municipalities are part of the Toronto CMA (not to be confused with the Greater Toronto Area).

Population

The last complete census by Statistics Canada, which was taken in 2021, estimated there were 2,794,356 living in Toronto, making it the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous municipality in North America.

Toronto’s population grew by 2.3 percent from 2016 to 2021, with an annual growth rate of 0.46 percent.

Toronto population by year, within present boundaries
Land Area630.18 km21,829.05 km25,903.63 km27,124.74 km28,241.95 km210,105.03 km231,570.24 km2
YearCityUrbanCMAGTAGTHAGHGGH
18349,252
186165,085193,844
1901238,080440,000
1931856,955810,000
1941951,549900,000
19511,176,6221,262,000
19611,824,4811,919,000
19712,089,7292,628,045
19762,124,2912,803,101
19812,137,3952,998,947
19862,192,7213,427,1703,733,085
19912,275,7713,893,9334,235,756
19962,385,4214,263,7594,628,8835,096,6825,500,1866,935,499
20012,481,4944,375,8994,682,8975,081,8265,572,1045,982,6787,532,246
20062,503,2814,732,3615,113,1495,555,9126,060,4716,487,8928,164,593
20112,615,0605,132,7945,583,0646,054,1916,574,1407,005,4868,759,312
20162,731,5715,429,5245,928,0406,417,5166,954,4337,402,3219,245,438
20212,794,3565,647,6566,202,2256,712,3417,281,6947,759,6359,765,188
For population figures for Toronto within its pre-1998 city limits, see Old Toronto.

2011 Census population data for the City of Toronto are found readily aggregated at a finer level than the city as a whole at i. the electoral district (riding) level (2003 redistribution) and ii. the neighbourhood level. The three ridings with the largest increase in population between 2006 and 2011 in the City of Toronto have been

  • Trinity-Spadina (25.5%),
  • Etobicoke-Lakeshore (7.3%), and
  • Toronto Centre (7.3%).

Age structure

As of 2016 census

Age GroupsTotalMaleFemale
0 to 14 years398,135204,190193,933
0 to 4 years136,00069,89566,105
5 to 9 years135,02569,34565,680
10 to 14 years127,10564,94062,165
15 to 64 years1,906,495925,070981,420
15 to 19 years145,52574,24071,280
20 to 24 years194,75097,41597,330
25 to 29 years232,945113,905119,035
30 to 34 years224,580108,895115,680
35 to 39 years196,31094,065102,240
40 to 44 years182,39086,53595,860
45 to 49 years190,92590,860100,065
50 to 54 years202,40598,735103,670
55 to 59 years182,80588,14594,655
60 to 64 years153,86572,26581,600
65 to 85 years426,945184,325242,615
65 to 69 years130,54060,36070,185
70 to 74 years93,60042,31551,285
75 to 79 years76,16032,73043,430
80 to 84 years60,63025,67034,965
85 years and over66,00523,24542,750
85 to 89 years40,80015,66525,135
90 to 94 years19,6806,18013,500
95 to 99 years4,7501,2753,470
100 years and over770120650

Ethnic diversity

City of Toronto

The 2021 Census indicates that 55.7 percent of Toronto’s population is composed of visible minorities, compared with 51.5 percent in 2016. According to the 2021 Canadian census, 1,537,285, or approximately 10.7 percent of Canada’s visible minority population, live in the city of Toronto; of this, roughly 67 percent are of Asian ancestry. Approximately 34.81 percent of the city’s population, or 961,325 individuals in The City of Toronto are Asian Canadians as of 2021. Annually, almost half of all immigrants to Canada settle in the Greater Toronto Area. A study released by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) in December 2012 found that 66 percent of students ages 4 through 18 came from visible minorities, with over 61 percent of students in 2012 identifying as Asian. East Asians made up the largest ethnic group (33 percent), with South Asians (28 percent) coming in second of the city of Toronto’s overall population. 46,315 Aboriginals live in Toronto. There is a Hungarian Roma community in Toronto. Many Romani refugees live in Toronto. 61,000 Mexicans live in Toronto.

YearPop.±%
18349,252—    
186165,085+603.5%
1901238,080+265.8%
1911381,383+60.2%
1921521,893+36.8%
1931856,955+64.2%
1941951,549+11.0%
19511,176,622+23.7%
19611,824,481+55.1%
19712,089,729+14.5%
19762,124,291+1.7%
19812,137,395+0.6%
19862,192,721+2.6%
19912,275,771+3.8%
19962,385,421+4.8%
20012,481,494+4.0%
20062,503,281+0.9%
20112,615,060+4.5%
20162,731,571+4.5%
20212,794,356+2.3%

Pie chart of the population group breakdown of Toronto from the 2021 census.

  •  European (43.5%)
  •  South Asian (14.0%)
  •  Chinese (10.7%)
  •  Black (9.6%)
  •  Filipino (6.2%)
  •  Latin American (3.3%)
  •  West Asian (2.5%)
  •  Southeast Asian (2.0%)
  •  Korean (1.5%)
  •  Arab (1.5%)
  •  Aboriginal (0.8%)
  •  Japanese (0.5%)
  •   Multiple visible minorities (2.3%)
  •   Visible minority not included elsewhere (1.5%)

Panethnic groups in the City of Toronto (2001−2021) 

Panethnic
group
20212016201120062001
Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%
European1,201,07543.5%1,282,75047.66%1,292,36550.17%1,300,33052.51%1,394,31056.75%
South Asian385,44013.96%338,96512.59%317,10012.31%298,37012.05%253,92010.34%
East Asian351,62512.73%354,51013.17%327,93012.73%329,26013.3%301,06012.25%
Black265,0059.6%239,8508.91%218,1608.47%208,5558.42%204,0758.31%
Southeast Asian224,2608.12%194,3607.22%179,2706.96%140,0505.66%120,3304.9%
Middle Eastern111,3604.03%96,3553.58%79,1553.07%65,2402.63%59,5602.42%
Latin American92,4553.35%77,1602.87%71,2052.76%64,8552.62%54,3502.21%
Indigenous22,9250.83%23,0650.86%19,2650.75%13,6050.55%11,3700.46%
Other/Multiracial107,1353.88%84,6503.14%71,5902.78%56,2952.27%57,8402.35%
Total: Visible minority1,537,28055.7%1,385,85051.5%1,264,41049.1%1,162,62547%1,062,50542.8%
Total responses2,761,28598.82%2,691,66598.54%2,576,02598.51%2,476,56598.93%2,456,80599.01%
Total population2,794,356100%2,731,571100%2,615,060100%2,503,281100%2,481,494100%
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses

Change between 2011 and 2016:

Increase:

  • Filipino: +20,270 (+0.6%)
  • Black: +21,690 (+0.4%)
  • Chinese: +21,070 (+0.3%)
  • South Asian: +21,865 (+0.3%)
  • Multiple visible minorities: +9,755 (+0.3%)
  • Arab: +7,110 (+0.2%)
  • Latin American: +5,955 (+0.1%)
  • Korean: +4,415 (+0.1%)
  • Aboriginal: +3,800 (+0.2%)
  • Visible minority, n.i.e.: 3,305 (+0.1%)
  • Japanese: +1,095 (-)

Decrease:

  • White: -9,615 (-2.5%)
  • Southeast Asian: -5,180 (-0.3%)

The most prevalent ethnic origins in the City of Toronto are as follows:

Top 20 Ethnic origins in the City of TorontoPopulation (2016)PercentageRiding with Highest ConcentrationPercentage
 Chinese332,83012.5Scarborough—Agincourt47.0
 English331,89012.3Beaches—East York24.2
 Canadian323,17512.0Beaches—East York19.7
 Irish262,9659.8Parkdale—High Park20.0
 Scottish256,2509.5Beaches—East York18.9
 East Indian202,6757.5Etobicoke North22.2
 Italian182,4956.8Etobicoke Centre15.1
 Filipino162,6056.0York Centre17.0
 German130,9004.9Parkdale—High Park9.8
 French122,6154.6Parkdale—High Park8.9
 Polish114,5304.3Eglinton—Lawrence12.0
 Portuguese100,4203.7Davenport22.7
 Jamaican90,0653.3Humber River—Black Creek8.5
 Russian74,4652.8York Centre9.5
 Ukrainian72,3402.7Etobicoke Centre8.1
 Sri Lankan58,1802.2Scarborough—Rouge Park11.1
 Greek57,4252.1Toronto—Danforth7.3
 Spanish56,8152.1< 5.0
 British Isles origins (other)52,9002.0< 5.0
 Iranian45,5401.7Willowdale12.1
Total population2,691,665100

Community Councils

The top visible-minority groups per Community Council (2016 Census) are as follows:

  • Toronto & East York (847,045): White: 65.3%, Chinese: 8.9%, South Asian: 6.7%, Black: 5.6%
  • North York (638,100): White: 47.4%, Chinese: 14.0%, South Asian: 8.5%, Filipino: 8.0%, West Asian: 5.3%, Black: 5.2%
  • Scarborough (623,135): White: 26.5%, South Asian: 25.4%, Chinese: 19.0%, Black: 10.8%, Filipino: 8.4%
  • Etobicoke York (583,395): White: 48.9%, Black: 15.7%, South Asian: 11.9%, Latin American: 5.6%

The progression of the percentage of visible minorities in the aforementioned Community Councils (pre-1998-amalgamation municipalities or pairs thereof) has been far from uniform:

Community Council1996Percent change2001Percent change2006Percent change2011Total percent change(1996-2011)
Toronto & East York28.7%+3.9%32.6%+0.5%33.1%0.0%33.1%+4.4%
Etobicoke York31.1%+6.0%37.1%+3.4%40.5%+2.8%43.3%+12.2%
North York39.7%+2.9%42.6%+5.1%47.7%+3.5%51.2%+11.5%
Scarborough51.9%+8.1%60.0%+7.4%67.4%+2.9%70.3%+18.4%

Ridings

The finest granularity of visible minority data in Toronto readily available by the 2016 Census is that of the federal electoral district (riding; 2013 redistribution). The per-riding data based on the 2003 redistribution was available for the 2001 and 2006 censuses and the 2011 NHS, thus enabling useful comparisons. For instance, visible minorities as a percentage of the population only marginally increased, or even decreased (Toronto-Danforth, Parkdale-High Park, Toronto Centre, and, in the 2006–2011 period, Davenport) in the Old Toronto, East York and South Etobicoke ridings, while on the other hand increased significantly in Scarborough and North York. Since the 2016 Census used the then-new 2013 redistribution, such a direct comparison is no longer possible.

Visible Minorities as % of Population (2016 Census) & Top Ethnic Origins
Riding (2013 Redistribution)PercentageMost PopulousEthnic OriginPercentageTop Riding for Ethnic Origin(Percentage)Most PopulousVisible MinorityPercentageTop Riding for Visible Minority(Percentage)
Parkdale-High Park26.2English22.3Irish (20.0); German (9.8); French (8.9)Black5.3
Etobicoke Centre27.1Italian15.1Italian (15.1); Ukrainian (8.1)South Asian5.9
Etobicoke-Lakeshore27.7English17.1South Asian5.5
Toronto-St. Paul’s28.3English18.5Black5.1
Eglinton-Lawrence31.8Canadian14.7Polish (12.0)Filipino10.7
Davenport31.9Portuguese22.7Portuguese (22.7)Black6.4
University-Rosedale32.7English20.6Chinese14.0
Toronto-Danforth32.8English22.9Greek (7.3)Chinese12.3
Beaches-East York33.6English24.2English (24.2); Canadian (19.7); Scottish (18.9)South Asian10.9
Don Valley West41.5English19.2Pakistani (5.1)South Asian13.3
Spadina-Fort York42.8English16.4Chinese14.8
York Centre46.5Filipino17.0Filipino (17.0); Russian (9.5); Jewish (5.6)Filipino16.5Filipino (16.5)
Toronto Centre49.7English15.7South Asian11.8
York South-Weston54.9Portuguese14.5Black23.2
Scarborough Southwest56.5Canadian16.2Bangladeshi (5.0)South Asian21.6
Don Valley East58.4East Indian10.6South Asian17.1
Willowdale66.6Chinese25.9Iranian (12.1); Korean (10.6)Chinese25.3West Asian (10.9); Korean (10.3)
Scarborough Centre69.8Filipino13.1South Asian25.6
Don Valley North70.4Chinese32.4Chinese31.3
Scarborough-Guildwood71.2East Indian18.0South Asian33.2South Asian (33.2)
Scarborough-Rouge Park72.4East Indian16.7Sri Lankan (11.1)South Asian32.6
Humber River-Black Creek74.1Italian12.8Jamaican (8.5); Vietnamese (8.0)Black22.8Latin American (9.5); Southeast Asian (8.9)
Etobicoke North75.7East Indian22.2East Indian (22.2); Somali (5.4)South Asian28.9Black (23.4)
Scarborough-Agincourt80.6Chinese47.0Chinese (47.0)Chinese45.8Chinese (45.8)
Scarborough North92.2Chinese46.6Chinese45.0
Visible Minorities as % of Population
Riding (2003 Redistribution)2011 NHS2006 Census2001 Census
Etobicoke-Lakeshore23.820.819.1
Parkdale-High Park25.626.126.8
St. Paul’s25.823.322.4
Etobicoke Centre27.525.322.3
Eglinton-Lawrence28.924.721.1
Beaches-East York31.731.329.4
Toronto-Danforth32.733.936.3
Davenport33.033.231.6
Trinity-Spadina37.236.535.3
Toronto Centre40.841.041.3
York Centre41.037.130.9
Don Valley West46.043.139.4
Scarborough Southwest51.448.443.4
York South-Weston54.350.947.6
Don Valley East59.457.053.7
Willowdale63.759.850.8
Scarborough Centre65.061.251.8
Scarborough-Guildwood65.861.054.2
York West72.268.062.8
Etobicoke North72.971.063.2
Scarborough-Agincourt78.876.769.3
Scarborough-Rouge River91.089.784.6

Concentrations of ethnic groups per City of Toronto ridings (2016 Census) are as follows, with the largest proportion of each group in bold. For each of the federal electoral districts in the City of Toronto, the ethnic groups with 5 percent or more of population are shown, in a rough correspondence with community councils and pre-amalgamation municipalities (highest percentage for each ethnic group as well the most populous ethnic group in a riding, if a visible minority – are shown in bold):

TORONTO & EAST YORK

RidingPopulationEthnic Group #1%Ethnic Group #2%Ethnic Group #3%Ethnic Group #4%
Spadina-Fort York114,315White56.3Chinese14.8South Asian8.3Black5.1
Beaches-East York108,435White64.5South Asian10.9Black6.6Chinese5.7
Davenport107,395White66.9Black6.4Chinese5.9Latin American5.4
Parkdale-High Park106,445White72.4Black5.3
Toronto-Danforth105,395White65.5Chinese12.3South Asian5.4Black5.0
Toronto-St. Paul’s104,940White70.8Black5.1
University-Rosedale100,520White66.5Chinese14.0
Toronto Centre99,590White48.8South Asian11.8Chinese11.1Black9.1

NORTH YORK

RidingPopulationEthnic Group #1%Ethnic Group #2%Ethnic Group #3%Ethnic Group #4%Ethnic Group #5%Ethnic Group #6%
Willowdale117,405White33.1Chinese25.3West Asian10.9Korean10.3South Asian5.9Filipino5.4
Eglinton-Lawrence112,925White67.7Filipino10.7Black5.5
Don Valley North109,060Chinese31.3White29.4South Asian10.2West Asian7.6
Humber River-Black Creek107,725White25.4Black22.8Latin American9.5Southeast Asian8.9Filipino5.5
York Centre103,760White53.1Filipino16.5Black7.9Latin American5.1
Don Valley West101,790White57.9South Asian13.3Chinese10.6
Don Valley East93,170White40.9South Asian17.1Black9.3Chinese7.5Filipino7.4West Asian5.5

SCARBOROUGH

RidingPopulationEthnic Group #1%Ethnic Group #2%Ethnic Group #3%Ethnic Group #4%Ethnic Group #5%
Scarborough Centre110,450White29.4South Asian25.6Filipino12.5Black9.6Chinese9.3
Scarborough Southwest108,295White42.0South Asian21.6Black11.2Filipino9.0Chinese5.8
Scarborough-Agincourt104,225Chinese45.8White19.1South Asian14.0Black6.3Filipino5.4
Scarborough-Rouge Park101,445South Asian32.6White26.8Black15.9Filipino8.7
Scarborough-Guildwood101,115South Asian33.2White27.6Black14.3Filipino7.9Chinese5.4
Scarborough North97,610Chinese45.0South Asian26.1Black7.6White7.6Filipino6.4

ETOBICOKE & YORK

RidingPopulationEthnic Group #1%Ethnic Group #2%Ethnic Group #3%Ethnic Group #4%Ethnic Group #5%
Etobicoke-Lakeshore127,520White71.3South Asian5.5Black5.0
Etobicoke North116,960South Asian28.9White23.8Black23.4
Etobicoke Centre116,055White72.3South Asian5.9Black5.9
York South-Weston115,130White44.2Black23.2Latin American8.5Filipino5.9South Asian5.7

For each of the federal electoral districts in the City of Toronto, the ethnic origin groups with 7 percent of more of population are shown, in a rough correspondence with community councils and pre-amalgamation municipalities (highest percentage for each ethnic group as well the most populous ethnic group in a riding – if not Canadian or English, which are the most frequent ones – are shown in bold):

TORONTO & EAST YORK

RidingPopulationEthnic Origin #1%Ethnic Origin #2%Ethnic Origin #3%Ethnic Origin #4%Ethnic Origin #5%Ethnic Origin #6%Ethnic Origin #7%Ethnic Origin #8%Ethnic Origin #9%
Spadina-Fort York114,315English16.4Chinese16.0Irish14.6Canadian14.0Scottish13.2French7.7German7.6
Beaches-East York108,435English24.2Irish19.9Canadian19.7Scottish18.9French8.7German8.4
Davenport107,395Portuguese22.7English13.6Canadian12.8Irish11.5Italian11.1Scottish11.0
Parkdale-High Park106,445English22.3Irish20.0Scottish18.7Canadian16.1German9.8French8.88Polish8.5
Toronto-Danforth105,395English22.9Irish19.5Scottish18.7Canadian18.4Chinese13.8French8.86German8.8Greek7.3
Toronto-St. Paul’s104,940English18.5Canadian16.1Irish15.2Scottish14.8Polish10.3German7.9Russian7.7Italian7.3French7.2
University-Rosedale100,520English20.6Irish16.6Scottish16.3Canadian15.2Chinese14.7German8.7French7.7Italian7.4
Toronto Centre99,590English15.7Canadian13.7Irish13.4Scottish12.6Chinese12.5French7.2

NORTH YORK

RidingPopulationEthnic Origin #1%Ethnic Origin #2%Ethnic Origin #3%Ethnic Origin #4%Ethnic Origin #5%Ethnic Origin #6%Ethnic Origin #7%Ethnic Origin #8%
Willowdale117,405Chinese25.9Iranian12.1Korean10.6
Eglinton-Lawrence112,925Canadian14.7English12.6Polish12.0Filipino11.0Scottish9.7Italian9.5Irish9.2Russian8.4
Don Valley North109,060Chinese32.4East Indian7.3Iranian7.3
Humber River-Black Creek107,725Italian12.8East Indian9.2Jamaican8.5Vietnamese8.0Canadian7.4
York Centre103,760Filipino17.0Italian13.4Russian9.5Canadian8.6
Don Valley West101,790English19.2Canadian15.1Scottish14.9Irish14.2Chinese11.2
Don Valley East93,170East Indian10.6Canadian10.4English10.1Chinese8.9Irish8.1Scottish8.0Filipino7.8

SCARBOROUGH

RidingPopulationEthnic Origin #1%Ethnic Origin #2%Ethnic Origin #3%Ethnic Origin #4%Ethnic Origin #5%Ethnic Origin #6%Ethnic Origin #7%Ethnic Origin #8%
Scarborough Centre110,450Filipino13.1East Indian12.2Canadian11.2Chinese10.7English7.8Sri Lankan7.0
Scarborough Southwest108,295Canadian16.2English14.3Irish11.5Scottish10.9Filipino9.5East Indian8.2Chinese7.2
Scarborough-Agincourt104,225Chinese47.0East Indian7.4
Scarborough-Rouge Park101,445East Indian16.7Canadian11.8Sri Lankan11.1English9.8Filipino9.3Jamaican8.4Scottish7.2Irish7.0
Scarborough-Guildwood101,115East Indian18.0Canadian11.6English9.7Filipino8.5Sri Lankan7.8Chinese7.1Scottish7.0
Scarborough North97,610Chinese46.6East Indian11.8Sri Lankan9.4

ETOBICOKE & YORK

RidingPopulationEthnic Origin #1%Ethnic Origin #2%Ethnic Origin #3%Ethnic Origin #4%Ethnic Origin #5%Ethnic Origin #6%Ethnic Origin #7%Ethnic Origin #8%
Etobicoke-Lakeshore127,520English17.1Canadian15.9Irish14.4Scottish13.5Polish9.2Italian9.1Ukrainian7.6German7.1
Etobicoke North116,960East Indian22.2Canadian7.9
Etobicoke Centre116,055Italian15.1English14.3Canadian12.1Irish10.8Scottish10.4Ukrainian8.1Polish7.4
York South-Weston115,130Portuguese14.5Italian12.8Canadian8.7Jamaican8.4

Wards

Top ethnic origin per Toronto ward (as designated by the City of Toronto; 2011 Census data – total responses)

  • English (18): Ward 32 – Beaches-East York (15.2%), Ward 13 – Parkdale-High Park (12.9%), Ward 22 – St. Paul’s (12.9%), Ward 36 – Scarborough Southwest (12.8%), […]
  • Chinese (7): Ward 41 – Scarborough-Rouge Park (52.0%), Ward 39 – Scarborough-Agincourt (49.0%), Ward 24 – Willowdale (27.0%), Ward 40 – Scarborough-Agincourt (22.6%)
  • East Indian (7): Ward 1 – Etobicoke North (23.4%), Ward 42 – Scarborough-Rouge Park (15.9%), Ward 38 – Scarborough Centre (13.1%), Ward 2 – Etobicoke North (11.8%)
  • Italian (4): Ward 9 – York Centre (21.9%), Ward 12 – York South-Weston (15.1%), Ward 7 – York West (14.3%), Ward 4 – Etobicoke Centre (11.8%)
  • Portuguese (2): Ward 17 – Davenport (19.7%), Ward 18 – Davenport (16.4%)
  • Jewish (2): Ward 10 – York Centre (15.0%), Ward 21 – St. Paul’s (10.6%)
  • Filipino (2): Ward 15 – Eglinton-Lawrence (10.0%), Ward 35 – Scarborough Southwest (8.7%)
  • Canadian (2): Ward 37 – Scarborough Centre (8.6%), Ward 11 – York South-Weston (7.4%)

Neighbourhoods

Top ethnic origin per Toronto neighbourhood (as designated by the City of Toronto; 2006 Census data – total responses)

  • English (59): Leaside-Bennington (40%), The Beaches (39%), Rosedale-Moore Park (36%), Kingsway South (35%), […]
  • Chinese (23): Steeles (70%), Milliken (65%), Agincourt North (56%), Agincourt South-Malvern West (47.1%), […]
  • Italian (15): Maple Leaf (45%), Humber Summit (34.5%), Pelmo Park-Humberlea (34.2%), Yorkdale-Glen Park (33.6%), […]
  • Indian (15): West Humber-Clairville (33%), Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown (30%), Thorncliffe Park (24%), Woburn (22%), […]
  • Jewish (10): Forest Hill North (32%), Westminster-Branson (31%), Forest Hill South (29%), Bedford Park-Nortown (28%), […]
  • Portuguese (9): Little Portugal (38%), Caledonia-Fairbank (37%), Weston-Pellam Park (34%), Keelesdale-Eglinton West (32%), […]
  • Filipino (3): North St. James Town (17%), Ionview (16%), Kennedy Park (13%)
  • Jamaican (3): Beechborough-Greenbrook (15%), Black Creek (10.0%), Mount Dennis (9.7%)
  • Canadian (2): New Toronto (21%), Alderwood (19%)
  • Greek (1): Broadview North (15%)

The neighbourhoods with the highest percentage of visible minorities (2016 data) are as follows:

  • Milliken: 97% (top ethnic origin: Chinese)
  • Steeles: 91% (top ethnic origin: Chinese)
  • Agincourt North: 91% (top ethnic origin: Chinese)
  • Malvern: 90% (top ethnic origin: East Indian)
  • West Humber-Clairville: 87% (top ethnic origin: East Indian)
  • Mount Olive-Silverstone-Jamestown: 87% (top ethnic origin: East Indian)
  • Agincourt South-Malvern West: 86% (top ethnic origin: Chinese)
  • Black Creek: 81% (top ethnic origin: Vietnamese)
  • Rouge: 81% (top ethnic origin: East Indian)
  • Flemingdon Park: 79% (top ethnic origin: East Indian)
  • Thorncliffe Park: 79% (top ethnic origin: Pakistani)

Those with the lowest percentage of visible minorities (2016 data) are:

  • Kingsway South: 12% (top ethnic origin: English)
  • Markland Wood: 13% (top ethnic origin: English)
  • The Beaches: 14% (top ethnic origin: English)
  • Runnymede-Bloor West Village: 16% (top ethnic origin: English)
  • Casa Loma: 17% (top ethnic origin: English)
  • Forest Hill South: 17% (top ethnic origin: Polish)
  • Lawrence Park South: 17% (top ethnic origin: English)
  • Stonegate-Queensway: 18% (top ethnic origin: English)
  • Leaside-Bennington: 18% (top ethnic origin: English)
  • Rosedale-Moore Park: 18% (top ethnic origin: English)

Toronto CMA

Panethnic group2021201620112006200119961981
Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%
European2,598,67042.3%2,804,63047.84%2,887,82552.3%2,871,43056.61%2,915,12562.72%
South Asian1,182,48519.25%973,22516.6%833,08515.09%684,07013.49%473,81010.19%
East Asian774,14512.6%721,37512.3%612,95011.1%560,60511.05%469,57510.1%
African488,1557.95%442,0207.54%397,1757.19%352,2206.94%310,5006.68%
Southeast Asian383,4806.24%338,0105.77%321,0655.82%242,1954.78%187,2404.03%
Middle Eastern289,6454.72%229,3703.91%171,6403.11%128,9052.54%95,8102.06%
Latin American156,4602.55%132,9452.27%117,0052.12%99,2951.96%75,9151.63%
Indigenous44,6350.73%46,3200.79%36,9900.67%26,5750.52%20,3000.44%
Other/Multiracial226,9103.69%174,9702.98%143,5002.6%106,7802.11%99,6952.14%
Total: Visible minority3,501,28057%3,011,91551.37%2,596,42047.03%2,174,07042.86%1,712,54536.85%1,338,09531.61%404,79013.6%
Total responses6,142,88599.04%5,862,85598.9%5,521,23598.89%5,072,07599.2%4,647,95599.25%
Total population6,202,225100%5,928,040100%5,583,064100%5,113,149100%4,682,897100%
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses
YearPop.%
20213,501,27557%
20163,011,90551.4%
20112,596,42047%
20062,174,07042.9%
20011,712,53036.8%
19961,338,09531.6%
1991997,50025.8%
1986586,50017.3%
1981404,79013.6%

The following are the twenty (20) more common ethnic origins in the Toronto CMA:

Top 20 Ethnic Origins in the Toronto
CMA, 2016
Population (2016)PercentageCity/Town withHighest ConcentrationPercentageRiding withHighest ConcentrationPercentage
 Canadian746,96012.7Georgina36.3Simcoe—Grey [New Tecumseth only]31.7
 English732,55512.5Uxbridge40.3Simcoe–Grey [New Tecumseth only]33.1
 Chinese700,70512.0Markham46.5Markham–Unionville65.6
 East Indian643,37011.0Brampton33.4Brampton East51.4
 Irish544,3809.3New Tecumseth24.8Simcoe–Grey [New Tecumseth only]24.8
 Scottish543,7609.3Uxbridge26.4Wellington–Halton Hills [Halton Hills only]24.1
 Italian484,3608.3King34.5Vaughan–Woodbridge53.5
 Filipino274,6754.7Toronto6.0York Centre17.0
 German271,8154.6Uxbridge12.9Wellington–Halton Hills [Halton Hills only]10.4
 French247,7904.2Georgina10.3Wellington–Halton Hills [Halton Hills only]9.4
 Polish237,2404.0Mississauga6.1Thornhill12.6
 Portuguese210,4203.6Bradford West Gwillimbury11.8Davenport22.7
 Jamaican200,3353.4Ajax9.2Brampton West11.3
 Ukrainian144,3352.4Oakville3.6Etobicoke Centre8.1
 Russian139,9102.4Vaughan8.4Thornhill16.4
 Pakistani122,9502.1Milton7.2Milton7.2
 Sri Lankan114,4002.0Ajax4.4Scarborough-Rouge Park11.1
 British Isles origins (other)107,9001.8Uxbridge5.8< 5.0
 Spanish106,6851.8Oakville2.0< 5.0
 Greek99,1451.7Whitchurch-Stoufville3.8Toronto-Danforth7.3
Total population5,862,855100

The top 20 ethnic origins in the Toronto CMA, from 1996 to 2016 are as follows:

Top 20 Ethnic Origins in the Toronto
CMA, 2016
Population%2011Population%2006Population%2001Population%1996Population%
 Canadian746,96012.7English777,11014.1English804,10015.9Canadian861,94518.5English891,73521.1
 English732,55512.5Canadian728,74513.2Canadian651,63512.8English783,77016.9Canadian710,75516.8
 Chinese700,70512.0Chinese594,73510.8Scottish561,05011.1Scottish517,11511.1Scottish534,59512.6
 East Indian643,37011.0East Indian572,25010.4Chinese537,06010.6Irish487,21510.4Irish480,98011.4
 Irish544,3809.3Scottish545,3659.9Irish531,86510.5Chinese435,6859.4Italian414,3109.8
 Scottish543,7609.3Irish543,6009.8East Indian484,6559.6Italian429,3859.2Chinese359,4508.5
 Italian484,3608.3Italian475,0908.6Italian466,1559.2East Indian345,8557.4East Indian255,6856.0
 Filipino274,6754.7German262,8304.8German259,0155.1French220,5354.7French236,3155.6
 German271,8154.6French249,3754.5French241,3954.8German220,1404.7German224,5255.3
 French247,7904.2Filipino246,3454.5Polish207,4954.1Portuguese171,5453.7Portuguese161,6853.8
 Polish237,2404.0Polish214,4553.9Portuguese188,1103.7Polish166,6953.6Polish161,0053.8
 Portuguese210,4203.6Portuguese196,9753.6Filipino181,3303.6Jewish161,2153.5Jewish156,3003.7
 Jamaican200,3353.4Jamaican177,3053.2Jamaican160,2053.2Jamaican150,8403.2Jamaican133,6903.2
 Ukrainian144,3352.4Jewish137,1652.5Jewish141,6852.8Filipino140,4053.0Filipino102,5252.4
 Russian139,9102.4Ukrainian130,3502.4Ukrainian122,5102.4Ukrainian104,4852.2Ukrainian95,5002.3
 Pakistani122,9502.1Russian118,0902.1Russian102,8152.0Dutch (Netherlands)85,8601.8Dutch (Netherlands)85,2502.0
 Sri Lankan114,4002.0Spanish105,7401.9Spanish97,2551.9Greek85,3751.8Greek80,3301.9
 British Isles origins (other)107,9001.8Sri Lankan104,9801.9Dutch (Netherlands)95,5601.9Spanish65,6001.4Spanish62,5201.5
 Spanish106,6851.8British Isles origins (other)104,0701.9Greek90,5851.8Russian62,5401.3Hungarian (Magyar)44,1601.1
 Greek99,1451.7Dutch (Netherlands)98,9251.8Sri Lankan80,6101.6Hungarian (Magyar)46,7901.0Welsh44,0151.0
Total population5,862,855100Total population5,521,235100Total population5,072,075100Total population4,647,955100Total population4,232,905100

Change between 2011 and 2016:

Largest increases:

  1. Chinese: +105,970 (+1.2%)
  2. East Indian: +71,120 (+0.6%)
  3. Pakistani: +32,340 (+0.5%)
  4. Filipino: +28,330 (+0.2%)
  5. Jamaican: +23,030 (+0.2%)
  6. Polish: +22,785 (+0.1%)
  7. Russian: +21,820 (+0.3%)
  8. Iranian: +20,845 (+0.3%)
  9. Canadian: +18,215 (−0.5%)
  10. Ukrainian: +13,985 (-)

Largest decreases:

  1. Jewish: −77,970 (−1.5%)
  2. English: −44,555 (−1.6%)
  3. Yugoslavian, n.o.s.: −1,900 (−0.4%)
  4. Scottish: −1,605 (−0.6%)
  5. French: −1,585 (−0.3%)

Cities

Concentrations of ethnic groups per Toronto CMA municipality are as follows, with the largest proportion of each group in bold (only percentages higher than 5% are included):

MunicipalityPopulationEthnic Group #1%Ethnic Group #2%Ethnic Group #3%Ethnic Group #4%Ethnic Group #5%Ethnic Group #6%
Toronto2,691,665White47.7South Asian12.6Chinese11.1Black8.9Filipino5.7
Mississauga715,475White42.3South Asian23.2Chinese7.6Black6.6Filipino5.1Arab5.1
Brampton590,950South Asian44.3White26.0Black13.9
Markham327,400Chinese45.1White21.8South Asian17.8
Vaughan304,145White64.4South Asian10.1Chinese6.8
Richmond Hill193,800White39.8Chinese29.4West Asian10.4South Asian7.7
Oakville191,720White68.4South Asian8.9Chinese7.0
Ajax119,180White42.3South Asian20.9Black16.7
Milton108,935White56.3South Asian21.0
Pickering90,995White55.9South Asian15.2Black10.8
Newmarket82,730White72.6Chinese6.8
Caledon66,215White80.3South Asian10.0
Halton Hills60,195White90.9
Aurora54,705White72.4Chinese10.2
Whitchurch-Stouffville45,345White62.3Chinese13.1South Asian12.4
Georgina44,765White91.8
Bradford West Gwillimbury34,965White77.9South Asian5.5
New Tecumseth33,735White90.4
King24,365White86.7
East Gwillimbury23,435White87.2
Uxbridge20,975White92.5

Most common ethnic origins (only percentages higher than 7% are included) per Toronto CMA municipality are as follows, with the largest proportion of each ethnic origin in bold (as well the most populous ethnic group in a riding, if not English or Canadian) :

City/TownPopulationEthnic Origin #1%Ethnic Group #2%Ethnic Group #3%Ethnic Group #4%Ethnic Group #5%Ethnic Group #6%Ethnic Group #7%Ethnic Group #8%
Toronto2,691,665Chinese12.5English12.3Canadian12.0Irish9.8Scottish9.5East Indian7.5
Mississauga715,475East Indian15.4Canadian10.2English9.3Chinese9.1
Brampton590,950East Indian33.4Canadian10.8Jamaican7.8English7.4
Markham327,400Chinese46.5East Indian10.1
Vaughan304,145Italian31.1Russian8.4Canadian8.0Chinese7.9
Richmond Hill193,800Chinese30.2Iranian11.0Italian9.9Canadian7.3
Oakville191,720English22.1Canadian16.7Scottish16.4Irish16.1Italian8.8German8.1Chinese7.7French7.4
Ajax119,180Canadian17.7English16.9East Indian13.0Scottish12.8Irish11.8Jamaican9.2
Milton108,935Canadian18.6English17.4Scottish14.1Irish12.8East Indian11.7Italian7.7Pakistani7.2
Pickering90,995English20.5Canadian19.8Scottish15.4Irish14.7East Indian11.6
Newmarket82,730English26.3Canadian23.0Scottish19.1Irish17.3Italian9.7German8.0Chinese7.7French7.7
Caledon66,215Italian27.3English21.1Canadian19.7Scottish15.2Irish14.3East Indian8.3German7.3
Halton Hills60,195English32.5Canadian30.0Scottish24.1Irish22.2German10.4French9.4Italian8.7
Aurora54,705English23.6Canadian19.8Scottish16.9Irish16.7Italian12.5Chinese11.1German8.6
Whitchurch-Stouffville45,345English20.1Canadian18.6Chinese14.8Scottish14.3Irish13.7Italian11.7
Georgina44,765Canadian36.3English35.4Scottish24.3Irish23.4German10.4French10.3
Bradford West Gwillimbury34,965Canadian23.3English20.6Italian15.2Irish13.9Scottish13.3Portuguese11.8
New Tecumseth33,735English33.1Canadian31.7Irish24.8Scottish23.3German10.3Italian10.2French8.6
King24,365Italian34.5English18.3Canadian16.8Scottish13.0Irish12.6German7.4
East Gwillimbury23,435English34.3Canadian30.3Scottish22.4Irish22.2German11.1Italian8.7French8.6
Uxbridge20,975English40.3Canadian32.2Scottish26.4Irish24.5German12.9French8.5

Ridings

Visible minorities as percentage of population and top ethnic origins per riding, in the GTA outside the City of Toronto are as follows:

Visible Minorities as % of Population (2016 Census) & Top Ethnic Origins [GTA outside City of Toronto]
Riding (2013 Redistribution)PercentageMost PopulousEthnic OriginPercentageMost PopulousVisible MinorityPercentage
Simcoe—Grey [New Tecumseth only]7.37English33.1South Asian1.8
Wellington—Halton Hills [Halton Hills only]7.43English32.5South Asian2.3
York—Simcoe12.5Canadian30.6South Asian2.9
Dufferin—Caledon [Caledon only]18.7Italian27.3South Asian10.0
Oakville25.5English25.3South Asian6.8
Newmarket—Aurora27.7English24.5Chinese8.7
Mississauga—Lakeshore28.8English19.2South Asian8.7
Vaughan—Woodbridge28.9Italian53.5South Asian9.4
Oakville North—Burlington [incl. part of Burlington]33.1English20.7South Asian11.0
Pickering—Uxbridge36.0English24.2South Asian12.5
Thornhill37.1Russian16.4Chinese10.5
King—Vaughan37.3Italian31.2South Asian12.2
Milton [Town of Milton only]42.8Canadian18.6South Asian21.0
Mississauga East—Cooksville47.8Polish10.6South Asian15.8
Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill51.7Chinese25.0Chinese24.1
Mississauga—Streetsville52.2East Indian15.5South Asian21.5
Markham—Stouffville54.9Chinese24.5Chinese22.5
Ajax56.7Canadian17.7South Asian20.9
Brampton Centre59.8East Indian19.9South Asian26.2
Richmond Hill61.6Chinese32.3Chinese31.5
Mississauga—Erin Mills64.1East Indian15.1South Asian24.6
Brampton South66.6East Indian31.4South Asian41.5
Brampton North68.0East Indian31.1South Asian41.5
Mississauga Centre70.6East Indian18.0South Asian26.6
Mississauga—Malton78.1East Indian28.3South Asian41.3
Brampton West78.8East Indian31.2South Asian43.4
Markham—Unionville84.6Chinese65.6Chinese64.5
Markham—Thornhill84.8Chinese41.6Chinese40.7
Brampton East90.6East Indian51.4South Asian65.9

Future projections

2041
Population%
South Asian2,768,00027.62%
European2,759,50027.53%
East Asian1,360,00013.57%
African925,0009.23%
Middle Eastern744,0007.42%
Southeast Asian742,0007.4%
Latin American299,0002.98%
Indigenous95,5000.95%
Other/multiracial330,0003.29%
Projected Metro Toronto Population10,023,000100%

Ethnic groups

  • Black-Canadians: Black Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area
  • Cambodians: Cambodian Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area
  • Chinese: Chinese Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area
  • Filipinos: Filipino community in Toronto
  • Greeks: Greek Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area
  • Italians: Italian Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area
  • Japanese: Japanese Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area
  • Jews: History of the Jews in Toronto
  • South Asians: South Asian Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area
  • Vietnamese: Vietnamese Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area

Religion

City of Toronto

Roman Catholics accounted for 33.4% of the population of the city of Toronto in 2001, followed by Protestants with 21.2%. Members of Christian Orthodox churches accounted for 4.9%, and other Christians (those not specifically identifying as Catholic, Protestant or Orthodox) formed 3.9%. The city’s religious makeup also includes Islam with 5.5%, Hinduism (4.1%), Judaism (3.5%), Buddhism (2.1%), Sikhism (1%), and other communities; 16.6% reported no religious affiliation.

In particular, the 2001 Census data showed the following data per pre-amalgamation municipality:

  • Toronto (667,320) : Catholic 31.1%, No religious affiliation 26.2%, Protestant 20.8%, Jewish 5.0%, Muslim 4.0%, Christian Orthodox 3.7%, Buddhist 3.4%
  • North York (603,060) : Catholic 30.2%, Protestant 18.0%, No religious affiliation 15.8%, Jewish 10.1%, Muslim 7.8%, Christian Orthodox 5.2%, Christian, not included elsewhere 4.6%, Hindu 4.1%
  • Scarborough (588,675) : Catholic 26.2%, Protestant 22.8%, No religious affiliation 19.7%, Hindu 9.7%, Muslim 7.8%, Christian Orthodox 5.1%, Christian, not included elsewhere 4.7%,
  • Etobicoke (334,570) : Catholic 39.6%, Protestant 24.6%, No religious affiliation 11.3%, Muslim 6.9%, Hindu 4.9%, Christian Orthodox 4.3%, Christian, not included elsewhere 3.5%, Sikh 3.3%
  • York (148,940) : Catholic 45.6%, Protestant 18.8%, No religious affiliation 12.8%, Muslim 5.0%, Christian, not included elsewhere 4.4%, Christian Orthodox 3.9%, Jewish 3.7%
  • East York (114,245) : Protestant 25.3%, Catholic 23.6%, No religious affiliation 17.1%, Muslim 12.5%Christian Orthodox 12.0%, Hindu 3.7%

The 2011 National Household Survey found that Roman Catholics accounted for 28.2% of the population in the city of Toronto in 2011, followed by those of no religious affiliation at 24.1%, “Other Christian” at 9.7%, and Muslims at 8.2%. Besides those registered in the “other Christian” category there were other Christian denominations who were also registered in the census, including Anglicans (3.8%), Baptists (1.4%), Christian Orthodox (4.3%), Lutheran (0.6%), Pentecostal (1.6%), Presbyterian (1.5%), and United Church (3%). Buddhists (2.7%), Hindu (5.6%), Judaism (3.8%), Sikh (0.8%), Aboriginal spirituality (0.03%) and “Other religions” (0.5%) were also included.

Toronto CMA

Religious group20212011200119911981
Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%
Christianity 2,851,28546.42%3,128,56556.66%3,049,05065.6%2,851,65573.82%2,480,88583.38%
Irreligion1,636,86026.65%1,165,01021.1%784,70016.88%562,26514.55%272,5709.16%
Islam 626,01010.19%424,9357.7%254,1155.47%105,9652.74%36,6951.23%
Hinduism 457,8257.45%325,4205.89%191,3054.12%90,1402.33%31,0901.04%
Sikhism 244,2403.98%159,9052.9%90,5901.95%41,4501.07%11,6200.39%
Judaism 165,7652.7%167,7653.04%164,5103.54%151,1153.91%123,7304.16%
Buddhism 120,8651.97%124,2152.25%97,1652.09%48,3851.25%11,7800.4%
Indigenous spirituality1,2900.02%1,1100.02%
Other38,7450.63%24,3050.44%16,5250.36%12,1200.31%7,1250.24%
Total responses6,142,88099.04%5,521,23598.89%4,647,95599.25%3,863,11099.23%2,975,49599.22%
Total population6,202,225100%5,583,064100%4,682,897100%3,893,046100%2,998,947100%

Languages

Mother tongue by population

City of Toronto

Languages with more than 10,000 speakers, 2021Population%
English1,391,68550.2
Mandarin112,6204.1
Cantonese103,5303.7
Tagalog (Filipino)82,1853.0
Spanish78,5752.8
Portuguese60,3602.2
Tamil52,9051.9
Italian50,9951.8
Persian (includes Dari)50,4901.8
Urdu34,4601.2
French34,1151.2
Russian33,7701.2
Arabic32,9851.2
Korean32,8051.2
Bengali31,3351.1
Vietnamese27,4451.0
Gujarati27,0901.0
Greek23,5400.8
Hindi22,3000.8
Panjabi (Punjabi)21,2300.8
Polish20,7950.8
Ukrainian13,7400.5
Serbian12,6300.5
Turkish11,2250.4
Somali11,0200.4
German10,7000.4
Romanian10,5100.4

The finest granularity of mother tongue and language spoken in Toronto yet provided by the 2011 Census is that of the federal electoral district (riding; 2003 redistribution). Census tracts (and hence ward and neighbourhood) data is not yet available. For each of the federal electoral districts in the City of Toronto, the top three (or more if having more than 3% of native speakers; single responses are used – it is indicated by way of using bold whether English is the mother tongue of more than 60% of the population or if another language exceeds 10% of native speakers) are as follows:

TORONTO & EAST YORK

  • Trinity-Spadina (137,865): 1. English (60.2%), 2. Cantonese (4.7%), 3. Portuguese (4.5%), 4. Chinese, not otherwise specified (4.5%), 5. Mandarin (3.8%)
  • Toronto Centre (123,430): 1. English (61.7%), 2. Spanish (2.5%), 3. Chinese, not otherwise specified (2.4%)
  • St. Paul’s (112,470): 1. English (69.4%), 2. Spanish (3.0%), 3. Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (2.6%)
  • Beaches-East York (103,625): 1. English (70.0%), 2. Bengali (3.7%), 3. Greek (2.0%)
  • Parkdale-High Park (100,595) : 1. English (63.0%), 2. Polish (4.3%), 3. Spanish (2.3%)
  • Toronto-Danforth (100,420): 1. English (63.7%), 2. Cantonese (5.8%), 3. Greek (5.0%), 4. Chinese, not otherwise specified (3.6%)
  • Davenport (98,425): 1. English (47.5%), 2. Portuguese (21.4%), 3. Italian (5.9%), 4. Spanish (5.6%)

NORTH YORK

  • Willowdale (135,455): 1. English (35.1%), 2. Chinese, not otherwise specified (9.4%), 3. Persian (9.3%), 4. Korean (7.9%), 5. Mandarin (7.7%)
  • Don Valley West (118,545): 1. English (54.4%), 2. Urdu (5.9%), 3. Persian (4.0%)
  • York Centre (112,950): 1. English (40.5%), 2. Russian (11.9%), 3. Italian (7.6%), 4. Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (7.4%) 5. Spanish (5.0%)
  • Eglinton-Lawrence (108,730): 1. English (63.1%), 2. Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (5.3%), 3. Italian (4.9%)
  • Don Valley East (106,115): 1. English (42.1%), 2. Mandarin (6.5%), 3. Chinese, not otherwise specified (6.1%) 4. Persian (4.6%), 5. Arabic (3.5%), 6. Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (3.2%), 7. Cantonese (3.2%)
  • York West (103,395): 1. English (44.0%), 2. Italian (9.6%), 3. Spanish (8.5%), 4. Vietnamese (5.3%), 5. Urdu (3.0%)

SCARBOROUGH

  • Scarborough-Rouge River (128,905): 1. English (37.4%), 2. Tamil (13.8%)3. Cantonese (13.1%), 4. Mandarin (4.6%), 5. Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (4.3%), 6. Urdu (3.2%)
  • Scarborough-Agincourt (107,465): 1. English (30.2%), 2. Chinese, not otherwise specified (15.8%)3. Cantonese (14.4%)4. Mandarin (12.0%), 5. Tamil (5.0%)
  • Scarborough-Guildwood (105,900): 1. English (57.6%), 2. Tamil (8.0%), 3. Gujarati (6.0%), 4 Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (3.9%), 5. Urdu (3.2%)
  • Scarborough Centre (105,880): 1. English (47.7%), 2. Tamil (8.5%), 3. Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (6.1%) 4. Chinese, not otherwise specified (3.8%), 5. Cantonese (3.5%)
  • Scarborough Southwest (103,270): 1. English (59.3%), 2. Bengali (6.1%), 3. Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (5.0%), 4. Tamil (3.4%)

ETOBICOKE YORK

  • Etobicoke-Lakeshore (119,120): 1. English (59.7%), 2. Polish (5.6%), 3. Ukrainian (3.5%)
  • York South-Weston (111,710): 1. English (49.9%), 2. Portuguese (9.0%), 3. Spanish (8.2%), 4. Italian (7.6%), 5. Vietnamese (3.6%)
  • Etobicoke Centre (109,250): 1. English (54.1%), 2. Italian (5.5%), 3. Ukrainian (4.1%), 4. Spanish (3.2%)
  • Etobicoke North (105,620): 1. English (45.4%), 2. Panjabi (Punjabi) (10.1%), 3. Gujarati (4.8%), 4. Italian (3.8%), 5. Urdu (3.1%), 6. Somali (3.0%)

Toronto CMA

Top 20 languages Toronto CMA, 2016Population%
English3,061,82052.0
Cantonese247,7104.2
Mandarin227,0853.9
Panjabi (Punjabi)171,2302.9
Italian151,4152.6
Tagalog (Filipino)136,1152.3
Urdu128,8452.2
Spanish126,5002.2
Tamil109,5801.9
Portuguese104,3051.8
Persian100,6401.7
Arabic85,1751.5
Russian83,1051.4
Polish69,8601.2
French65,5351.1
Gujarati64,1151.1
Korean55,0050.9
Hindi48,1400.8
Vietnamese48,0050.8
Greek41,2250.7

Following are the corresponding data for the GTA ridings neighbouring the City of Toronto:

IN YORK REGION

  • Oak Ridges-Markham (220,005): 1. English (52.2%), 2. Cantonese (10.9%), 3. Chinese, not otherwise specified (6.6%), 4. Italian (3.5%), 5. Mandarin (3.2%)
  • Vaughan (187,340): 1. English (47.5%), 2. Italian (20.0%), 3. Spanish (3.1%)
  • Thornhill (136,120): 1. English (47.6%), 2. Russian (10.9%), 3. Cantonese (4.5%), 4. Persian (4.1%) 5. Chinese, not otherwise specified (3.9%), 6. Korean (3.2%) 7. Hebrew (3.1%)
  • Markham-Unionville (131,250): 1. English (34.2%), 2. Cantonese (18.1%), 3. Chinese, not otherwise specified (12.7%), 4. Tamil (7.5%), 5. Mandarin (6.0%), 6. Urdu (3.2%)
  • Newmarket-Aurora (129,460): 1. English (77.4%), 2. Italian (2.1%), 3. Russian (1.7%)
  • Richmond Hill (124,865): 1. English (40.4%), 2. Cantonese (10.1%), 3. Persian (9.2%), 4. Russian (7.8%), 5. Mandarin (5.7%), 6. Italian (5.7%), 7. Korean (3.4%)

IN PEEL REGION

  • Bramalea-Gore-Malton (182,545): 1. English (49.3%), 2. Panjabi (Punjabi) (22.2%), 3. Urdu (3.0%)
  • Mississauga-Brampton South (138,495): 1. English (41.6%), 2. Panjabi (Punjabi) (8.0%), 3. Urdu (5.2%), 4. Polish (3.8%), 5. Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (3.5%)
  • Mississauga East-Cooksville (131,915): 1. English (40.0%), 2. Polish (6.7%), 3. Urdu (5.0%), 4. Arabic (4.8%), 5. Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (4.1%), 6. Spanish (3.2%)
  • Mississauga South (108,685): 1. English (66.0%), 2. Polish (4.9%), 3. Portuguese (2.4%)

IN DURHAM REGION

  • Ajax-Pickering (133,135): 1. English (78.2%), 2. Urdu (2.3%), 3. Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (2.1%)
  • Pickering-Scarborough East (104,495): 1. English (76.6%), 2. Tamil (2.4%), 3. Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (2.4%)

Immigration

City of Toronto

According to the 2006 census, the immigrant proportion in the City of Toronto stood at 50.0% The percentage and breakdown of immigrants per place of birth for each City of Toronto Community Council is as follows:

  • Toronto & East York (642,940): 39.0% (Eastern Asia 6.7%; Southern Europe 6.5%; Southeast Asia 4.1%; Southern Asia 3.7%; Eastern Europe 3.3%; Northern Europe 3.2%)
  • North York (635,265): 54.4% (Eastern Asia 11.3%; Eastern Europe 6.5%West Central Asia & Middle East 6.1%; Southern Europe 6.0%; Southeast Asia 5.5%; Southern Asia 5.5%)
  • Scarborough (602,610): 57.4% (Eastern Asia 14.3%Southern Asia 13.9%Southeast Asia 6.6%Caribbean & Bermuda 5.1%; South America 3.4%; Southern Europe 3.2%)
  • Etobicoke York (595,370): 49.6% (Southern Europe 11.4%; Southern Asia 7.0%; Eastern Europe 5.8%; Caribbean & Bermuda 4.6%; Southeast Asia 4.2%; South America 4.1%)

The City of Toronto ward with the highest percentage of total immigrants is Ward 41 Scarborough-Rouge River where 71.4% of the total population are immigrants (Eastern Asia 41.4%, Southern Asia 10.7%, Southeast Asia 6.0%, Caribbean & Bermuda 3.8%). At the other end of the spectrum is Ward 16 Eglinton-Lawrence having the lowest percentage of immigrants, 24.7% in particular (Eastern Europe 4.1%, Northern Europe 3.4%, Southern Europe 3.3%).

Toronto CMA

According to the Canadian government, Toronto has one of the highest per capita immigration rates in the world. Within Canada itself, 43% of all new immigrants to Canada settle in the Greater Toronto Area adding significantly to Toronto’s population.

The 2021 census reported that immigrants (individuals born outside Canada) comprise 2,862,850 persons or 46.6 percent of the total population of the Toronto CMA.

Country of Birth20212016201120062001199619411921
Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%
 India394,62013.8%307,27511.4%268,91510.6%221,9359.6%147,1657.2%99,9305.6%4920.2%4130.2%
 China296,63010.4%266,8409.9%224,9158.9%191,1208.2%136,1356.7%87,6154.9%2,3450.8%2,1720.9%
Philippines212,6557.4%192,2657.1%173,4956.8%130,3155.6%103,1705.1%80,8554.6%
 Pakistan128,3054.5%119,0854.4%97,0653.8%85,6303.7%51,1852.5%22,8701.3%
 Hong Kong99,5103.5%100,0653.7%97,6603.8%103,0904.4%110,7355.4%110,9906.3%
 Sri Lanka99,2803.5%101,5453.8%103,5804.1%84,2253.6%68,7903.4%54,0003%
 Jamaica95,9003.3%99,6603.7%96,1603.8%93,8454%92,1904.5%86,9104.9%1,3540.5%1,3480.5%
 Italy87,8703.1%103,6153.8%115,0604.5%130,6855.6%138,9906.8%146,5158.3%6,0902.2%4,5111.8%
 Iran87,1053%74,5252.8%59,7502.4%45,4352%34,9301.7%21,7851.2%
 United Kingdom85,8953%99,1703.7%112,5804.4%125,9755.4%142,9907%158,0708.9%165,68259.4%174,65868.5%
 Guyana64,8852.3%69,0202.6%71,3602.8%68,9053%66,9803.3%60,7003.4%
 Portugal63,4602.2%71,0452.6%72,6802.9%76,3003.3%78,8953.9%82,1054.6%
 Vietnam62,1052.2%59,3652.2%59,4952.3%58,9752.5%52,6002.6%50,0752.8%
 Poland50,4051.8%57,4502.1%63,0652.5%66,7902.9%70,4903.5%74,2254.2%23,3688.4%7,4612.9%
 South Korea48,7701.7%45,7001.7%43,6751.7%39,8201.7%31,0801.5%20,5451.2%
 United States of America48,2651.7%46,7001.7%47,3101.9%41,2801.8%37,7951.9%36,3602.1%18,1856.5%17,6966.9%
 Trinidad and Tobago40,8551.4%43,1351.6%45,9251.8%44,3351.9%43,7002.1%41,0552.3%
 Bangladesh36,7451.3%32,3851.2%25,0901%18,9050.8%11,8900.6%4,3600.2%
 Iraq34,5751.2%29,2301.1%21,5300.8%14,9100.6%11,0800.5%7,4000.4%
 Russia33,7601.2%34,3801.3%34,3301.4%30,1451.3%23,2001.1%11,5200.6%10,0683.6%11,2994.4%
Total immigrants2,862,85046.6%2,705,55046.1%2,537,41046%2,320,16045.7%2,032,96043.7%1,772,90541.9%278,84131%254,82035.3%
Total responses6,142,88099%5,862,85598.9%5,521,23598.9%5,072,07599.2%4,647,96099.3%4,232,90599.3%900,491100%721,089100%
Total population6,202,225100%5,928,040100%5,583,064100%5,113,149100%4,682,897100%4,263,759100%900,491100%721,089100%

According to the 2006 Census, 45.7% of the residents of Toronto CMA were immigrants.

The 2006 Census data show the following temporal patterns in the sources of immigration to Toronto (and retention of immigrants per source country):

  • Recent immigrants (2001–2006, 447,930): India 17.4%, China 14.3%, Pakistan 8.3%, Philippines 7.4%, Sri Lanka 3.9%, Iran 3.2%
  • Period of immigration: 1996–2000 (362,320): India 13.5%, China 13.1%, Pakistan 7.8%, Philippines 5.9%, Sri Lanka 5.2%, Hong Kong 4.3%, Iran 3.4%, Russia 3.2%
  • Period of immigration: 1991–1995 (357,865): Hong Kong 9.1%, India 8.7%, Philippines 8.7%, Sri Lanka 8.3%, China 8.1%, Poland 4.5%, Jamaica 4.1%, Guyana 3.5%, Vietnam 3.3%
  • Period of immigration: Before 1991 (1,152,050): Italy 11.1%, United Kingdom 9.7%, Portugal 5.9%, India 5.6%, Jamaica 5.5%, Hong Kong 4.5%, China 4.4%, Philippines 3.9%, Poland 3.8%, Guyana 3.8%, Vietnam 3.4%

Highs and lows (2011 Census)

Wards

  • Largest area (hectares): Ward 42 – Scarborough-Rouge River: 3,928
  • Smallest area (hectares): Ward 18 – Davenport: 474
  • Most populous: Ward 23 – Willowdale: 79,435
  • Least populous: Ward 19 – Toronto-Danforth: 44,420
  • Highest % recent immigrants: Ward 33 – Don Valley East: 24.1%
  • Lowest % recent immigrants: Ward 16 – Eglinton Lawrence: 3.7%
  • Highest % visible minorities: Ward 42 – Scarborough-Rouge River: 88.7%
  • Lowest % visible minorities: Ward 16 – Eglinton Lawrence: 12.6%
  • Highest median household income: Ward 25 – Don Valley West: $86,901
  • Lowest median household income: Ward 14 – Parkdale-High Park: $38,352

Ethnocultural

Mother tongue

(highest %)

  • English: Ward 32 – Beaches-East York: 77.7% (Lowest %: Ward 39 – Scarborough-Agincourt: 24.9%)
  • Portuguese: Ward 18 – Davenport: 25.3%
  • Cantonese: Ward 41 – Scarborough-Rouge River: 23.5%
  • Chinese, not otherwise specified: Ward 39 – Scarborough-Agincourt: 22.2%
  • Italian: Ward 9 – York Centre: 20.4%
  • Russian: Ward 10 – York Centre: 19.5%
  • Tamil: Ward 42 – Scarborough-Rouge River: 15.1%
  • Panjabi (Punjabi): Ward 1 – Etobicoke North: 13.3%
  • Urdu: Ward 26 – Don Valley West: 11.2%
  • Greek: Ward 29 – Toronto-Danforth: 10.7%

Home language

(highest %)

  • English: Ward 16 – Eglinton-Lawrence: 89.9% (Lowest %: Ward 39 – Scarborough-Agincourt: 36.1%)
  • Cantonese: Ward 41 – Scarborough-Rouge River: 22.5%
  • Chinese, not otherwise specified: Ward 39 – Scarborough-Agincourt: 18.3%
  • Portuguese: Ward 18 – Davenport: 17.8%
  • Russian: Ward 10 – York Centre: 17.6%
  • Italian: Ward 9 – York Centre: 12.7%
  • Tamil: Ward 42 – Scarborough-Rouge River: 12.7%
  • Panjabi (Punjabi): Ward 1 – Etobicoke North: 11.0%

Ethnic origin

(highest %; single responses)

  • Chinese: Ward 41 – Scarborough-Rouge River: 56.1%
  • Portuguese: Ward 17 – Davenport: 28.0%
  • Italian: Ward 9 – York Centre: 27.2%
  • East Indian: Ward 1 – Etobicoke North: 26.0%
  • Jewish: Ward 10 – York Centre: 17.3%
  • Greek: Ward 29 – Toronto-Danforth: 13.0%

Visible minority

(highest %)

  • Not a visible minority: Ward 16 – Eglinton-Lawrence: 87.4%
  • Chinese: Ward 41 – Scarborough-Rouge River: 57.3%
  • South Asian: Ward 1 – Etobicoke North: 37.9%
  • Black: Ward 8 – York West: 21.8%
  • Filipino: Ward 25 – Scarborough Southwest: 10.4%
  • Latin American: Ward 7 – York West: 9.6%
  • Korean: Ward 23 – Willowdale: 9.4%
  • Southeast Asian: Ward 8 – York West: 7.2%
  • West Asian: Ward 23 – Willowdale: 6.9%
  • Arab: Ward 34 – Don Valley East: 3.0%
  • Japanese: Ward 27 – Toronto Centre-Rosedale: 1.2%

Education

(highest %)

  • Earned doctorate: Ward 20 – Trinity-Spadina: 3.3%
  • Master’s degree: Ward 27 – Toronto Centre-Rosedale: 13.0%
  • Degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine: Ward 25 – Don Valley West: 3.5%
  • University certificate above bachelor level: Ward 22 – St. Paul’s: 5.5%
  • Bachelor’s degree: Ward 22 – St. Paul’s: 31.5%
  • University certificate or degree: Ward 22 – St. Paul’s: 54.1%
City of Toronto
FeaturesDemographics, Name, Flag, Coat of arms, Sister cities, Notable Torontonians
HistoryOldest buildings (Lost), National Historic Sites, Timeline, Former municipalities
Before1998:
Teiaiagon, Toronto Carrying-Place Trail, Fort Rouillé, Toronto Purchase, Fort York, York, Battle of York, Battle of Montgomery’s Tavern, Great Fire of 1849, Orange Order ascendency, Great Fire of 1904, 1918 anti-Greek riot, Christie Pits riot, Centennial of the City, Metro Toronto, Hurricane Hazel (effects), Cancelled expressways, Board of Control, First Amalgamation of Toronto
Since1998:
Second Amalgamation of Toronto, 2003 Etobicoke gas explosion, Northeast blackout of 2003, 2008 propane explosion, 2010 G20 Toronto summit and the associated protests, Danzig Street shooting, Rob Ford video scandal, 2015 Pan American Games/Parapan American Games, 2018 van attack, 2018 mass shooting, 2020 machete attack, COVID-19 pandemic and Deltacron hybrid variant of 2020 and 2021, Ken Lee’s stabbing of December 2022
GeographyGreater Toronto Area, Golden Horseshoe, Ontario Peninsula, Great Lakes megalopolis, Neighbourhoods (Demographics, History), Downtown, Harbour, Toronto Islands, Waterfront, Waterways (Don River, Humber River, Rouge River), Parks, Ravines, Fauna, Native trees, Leslie Street Spit, Scarborough Bluffs, Villiers Island
EconomyBay Street, Financial District, Hotels, Skyscrapers, Tourism, Toronto Region Board of Trade, Toronto Stock Exchange
PoliticsCity of Toronto Act, City Council (Speaker), City Hall, Elections, Mayor (List,Deputy), Municipal government
Public servicesFire, Health and Toronto Public Health, Hospitals, Paramedic Services, Parks, Forestry & Recreation (Recreation Centres), Police, Solid Waste Management, Water, Works and Emergency Services
EducationPrimary/secondary:
Toronto District School Board,Toronto Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire Viamonde, Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir
Post-secondary:
Centennial College, Collège Boréal, George Brown College, Humber College, OCAD University, Seneca College, Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson)Tyndale University, Université de l’Ontario français, University of Guelph-Humber, University of Toronto, York University
Libraries:
Toronto Public Library (List of branches, Toronto Reference Library), Toronto Tool Library
CultureAnnual events (Asian events in Toronto), Architecture, Cinemas, Cuisine, Fiction set in Toronto, Films set in Toronto (Let’s All Hate Toronto), Hollywood North (Films shot in Toronto), Landmarks, Media, Music venues, Places of worship (Churches, Synagogues), Shopping malls, Slang, Sports (Amateur sports, Labour Day Classic, Sports teams), Tourism
TransportationPublic transportation:
Toronto Transit Commission (Buses, Streetcars, Subway), Metrolinx (GO Transit, Union Pearson Express), Brampton Transit (Züm), MiWay, York Region Transit (viva), Durham Region Transit
Other transportation, infrastructure, and services:
Airports, Bridges, Cycling (Bike Share), Island Ferry, Parking Authority, PortsToronto, Roads (Contour, East–West, North–South), Toronto Transportation Services

In Toronto, we offer the best SEO services to help your business grow. At No#1 SEO Company Toronto, we focus on improving your online presence, getting more visitors to your website, and boosting your search engine rankings. Our team understands what Toronto businesses need and creates custom SEO plans that get real results. Choose No#1 SEO Company Toronto to see your business thrive in the competitive Toronto market.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *