Demographics of Toronto

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), Bloor West Village (Ukrainian), 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

Toronto population by year, within present boundaries
Land Area 630.18 km2 1,829.05 km2 5,903.63 km2 7,124.74 km2 8,241.95 km2 10,105.03 km2 31,570.24 km2
Year City Urban CMA GTA GTHA GH GGH
1834 9,252
1861 65,085 193,844
1901 238,080 440,000
1931 856,955 810,000
1941 951,549 900,000
1951 1,176,622 1,262,000
1961 1,824,481 1,919,000
1971 2,089,729 2,628,045
1976 2,124,291 2,803,101
1981 2,137,395 2,998,947
1986 2,192,721 3,427,170 3,733,085
1991 2,275,771 3,893,933 4,235,756
1996 2,385,421 4,263,759 4,628,883 5,096,682 5,500,186 6,935,499
2001 2,481,494 4,375,899 4,682,897 5,081,826 5,572,104 5,982,678 7,532,246
2006 2,503,281 4,732,361 5,113,149 5,555,912 6,060,471[citation needed] 6,487,892[citation needed] 8,164,593[citation needed]
2011 2,615,060 5,132,794 5,583,064 6,054,191 6,574,140 7,005,486 8,759,312
2016 2,731,571 5,429,524 5,928,040 6,417,516 6,954,433[citation needed] 7,402,321 9,245,438
2021 2,794,356 5,647,656 6,202,225 6,712,341 7,281,694 7,759,635 9,765,188
For population figures for Toronto within its pre-1998 city limits, see Old Toronto.

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.

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 Groups Total Male Female
0 to 14 years 398,135 204,190 193,933
0 to 4 years 136,000 69,895 66,105
5 to 9 years 135,025 69,345 65,680
10 to 14 years 127,105 64,940 62,165
15 to 64 years 1,906,495 925,070 981,420
15 to 19 years 145,525 74,240 71,280
20 to 24 years 194,750 97,415 97,330
25 to 29 years 232,945 113,905 119,035
30 to 34 years 224,580 108,895 115,680
35 to 39 years 196,310 94,065 102,240
40 to 44 years 182,390 86,535 95,860
45 to 49 years 190,925 90,860 100,065
50 to 54 years 202,405 98,735 103,670
55 to 59 years 182,805 88,145 94,655
60 to 64 years 153,865 72,265 81,600
65 to 85 years 426,945 184,325 242,615
65 to 69 years 130,540 60,360 70,185
70 to 74 years 93,600 42,315 51,285
75 to 79 years 76,160 32,730 43,430
80 to 84 years 60,630 25,670 34,965
85 years and over 66,005 23,245 42,750
85 to 89 years 40,800 15,665 25,135
90 to 94 years 19,680 6,180 13,500
95 to 99 years 4,750 1,275 3,470
100 years and over 770 120 650
Historical Populations
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%

Ethnic diversity

City of Toronto

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%)
 West Asian (2.5%)
 Korean (1.5%)
 Arab (1.5%)
 Aboriginal (0.8%)
 Japanese (0.5%)
 Multiple visible minorities (2.3%)
 Visible minority not included elsewhere (1.5%)

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% 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% 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.

Panethnic groups in the City of Toronto (2001−2021)
Panethnic
group
2021 2016 2011 2006 2001
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
European 1,201,075 43.5% 1,282,750 47.66% 1,292,365 50.17% 1,300,330 52.51% 1,394,310 56.75%
South Asian 385,440 13.96% 338,965 12.59% 317,100 12.31% 298,370 12.05% 253,920 10.34%
East Asian 351,625 12.73% 354,510 13.17% 327,930 12.73% 329,260 13.3% 301,060 12.25%
Black 265,005 9.6% 239,850 8.91% 218,160 8.47% 208,555 8.42% 204,075 8.31%
Southeast Asian 224,260 8.12% 194,360 7.22% 179,270 6.96% 140,050 5.66% 120,330 4.9%
Middle Eastern 111,360 4.03% 96,355 3.58% 79,155 3.07% 65,240 2.63% 59,560 2.42%
Latin American 92,455 3.35% 77,160 2.87% 71,205 2.76% 64,855 2.62% 54,350 2.21%
Indigenous 22,925 0.83% 23,065 0.86% 19,265 0.75% 13,605 0.55% 11,370 0.46%
Other/Multiracial 107,135 3.88% 84,650 3.14% 71,590 2.78% 56,295 2.27% 57,840 2.35%
Total: Visible minority 1,537,280 55.7% 1,385,850 51.5% 1,264,410 49.1% 1,162,625 47% 1,062,505 42.8%
Total responses 2,761,285 98.82% 2,691,665 98.54% 2,576,025 98.51% 2,476,565 98.93% 2,456,805 99.01%
Total population 2,794,356 100% 2,731,571 100% 2,615,060 100% 2,503,281 100% 2,481,494 100%
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 Toronto Population (2016) Percentage Riding with Highest Concentration Percentage
China Chinese 332,830 12.5 Scarborough—Agincourt 47.0
England English 331,890 12.3 Beaches—East York 24.2
Canada Canadian 323,175 12.0 Beaches-East York 19.7
Republic of Ireland Irish 262,965 9.8 Parkdale—High Park 20.0
Scotland Scottish 256,250 9.5 Beaches—East York 18.9
India East Indian 202,675 7.5 Etobicoke North 22.2
Italy Italian 182,495 6.8 Etobicoke Centre 15.1
Philippines Filipino 162,605 6.0 York Centre 17.0
Germany German 130,900 4.9 Parkdale—High Park 9.8
France French 122,615 4.6 Parkdale—High Park 8.9
Poland Polish 114,530 4.3 Eglinton—Lawrence 12.0
Portugal Portuguese 100,420 3.7 Davenport 22.7
Jamaica Jamaican 90,065 3.3 Humber River—Black Creek 8.5
Russia Russian 74,465 2.8 York Centre 9.5
Ukraine Ukrainian 72,340 2.7 Etobicoke Centre 8.1
Sri Lanka Sri Lankan 58,180 2.2 Scarborough—Rouge Park 11.1
Greece Greek 57,425 2.1 Toronto—Danforth 7.3
Spain Spanish 56,815 2.1 < 5.0
United Kingdom British Isles origins (other) 52,900 2.0 < 5.0
Iran Iranian 45,540 1.7 Willowdale 12.1
Total population 2,691,665 100

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 Council 1996 Percent change 2001 Percent change 2006 Percent change 2011 Total percent change

(1996-2011)

Toronto & East York 28.7% +3.9% 32.6% +0.5% 33.1% 0.0% 33.1% +4.4%
Etobicoke York 31.1% +6.0% 37.1% +3.4% 40.5% +2.8% 43.3% +12.2%
North York 39.7% +2.9% 42.6% +5.1% 47.7% +3.5% 51.2% +11.5%
Scarborough 51.9% +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) Percentage Most Populous

Ethnic Origin

Percentage Top Riding for Ethnic Origin

(Percentage)

Most Populous

Visible Minority

Percentage Top Riding for Visible Minority

(Percentage)

Parkdale-High Park 26.2 English 22.3 Irish (20.0); German (9.8); French (8.9) Black 5.3
Etobicoke Centre 27.1 Italian 15.1 Italian (15.1); Ukrainian (8.1) South Asian 5.9
Etobicoke-Lakeshore 27.7 English 17.1 South Asian 5.5
Toronto-St. Paul's 28.3 English 18.5 Black 5.1
Eglinton-Lawrence 31.8 Canadian 14.7 Polish (12.0) Filipino 10.7
Davenport 31.9 Portuguese 22.7 Portuguese (22.7) Black 6.4
University-Rosedale 32.7 English 20.6 Chinese 14.0
Toronto-Danforth 32.8 English 22.9 Greek (7.3) Chinese 12.3
Beaches-East York 33.6 English 24.2 English (24.2); Canadian (19.7); Scottish (18.9) South Asian 10.9
Don Valley West 41.5 English 19.2 Pakistani (5.1) South Asian 13.3
Spadina-Fort York 42.8 English 16.4 Chinese 14.8
York Centre 46.5 Filipino 17.0 Filipino (17.0); Russian (9.5); Jewish (5.6) Filipino 16.5 Filipino (16.5)
Toronto Centre 49.7 English 15.7 South Asian 11.8
York South-Weston 54.9 Portuguese 14.5 Black 23.2
Scarborough Southwest 56.5 Canadian 16.2 Bangladeshi (5.0) South Asian 21.6
Don Valley East 58.4 East Indian 10.6 South Asian 17.1
Willowdale 66.6 Chinese 25.9 Iranian (12.1); Korean (10.6) Chinese 25.3 West Asian (10.9); Korean (10.3)
Scarborough Centre 69.8 Filipino 13.1 South Asian 25.6
Don Valley North 70.4 Chinese 32.4 Chinese 31.3
Scarborough-Guildwood 71.2 East Indian 18.0 South Asian 33.2 South Asian (33.2)
Scarborough-Rouge Park 72.4 East Indian 16.7 Sri Lankan (11.1) South Asian 32.6
Humber River-Black Creek 74.1 Italian 12.8 Jamaican (8.5); Vietnamese (8.0) Black 22.8 Latin American (9.5); Southeast Asian (8.9)
Etobicoke North 75.7 East Indian 22.2 East Indian (22.2); Somali (5.4) South Asian 28.9 Black (23.4)
Scarborough-Agincourt 80.6 Chinese 47.0 Chinese (47.0) Chinese 45.8 Chinese (45.8)
Scarborough North 92.2 Chinese 46.6 Chinese 45.0
Visible Minorities as % of Population
Riding (2003 Redistribution) 2011 NHS 2006 Census 2001 Census
Etobicoke-Lakeshore 23.8 20.8 19.1
Parkdale-High Park 25.6 26.1 26.8
St. Paul's 25.8 23.3 22.4
Etobicoke Centre 27.5 25.3 22.3
Eglinton-Lawrence 28.9 24.7 21.1
Beaches-East York 31.7 31.3 29.4
Toronto-Danforth 32.7 33.9 36.3
Davenport 33.0 33.2 31.6
Trinity-Spadina 37.2 36.5 35.3
Toronto Centre 40.8 41.0 41.3
York Centre 41.0 37.1 30.9
Don Valley West 46.0 43.1 39.4
Scarborough Southwest 51.4 48.4 43.4
York South-Weston 54.3 50.9 47.6
Don Valley East 59.4 57.0 53.7
Willowdale 63.7 59.8 50.8
Scarborough Centre 65.0 61.2 51.8
Scarborough-Guildwood 65.8 61.0 54.2
York West 72.2 68.0 62.8
Etobicoke North 72.9 71.0 63.2
Scarborough-Agincourt 78.8 76.7 69.3
Scarborough-Rouge River 91.0 89.7 84.6

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

Riding Population Ethnic Group #1 % Ethnic Group #2 % Ethnic Group #3 % Ethnic Group #4 %
Spadina-Fort York 114,315 White 56.3 Chinese 14.8 South Asian 8.3 Black 5.1
Beaches-East York 108,435 White 64.5 South Asian 10.9 Black 6.6 Chinese 5.7
Davenport 107,395 White 66.9 Black 6.4 Chinese 5.9 Latin American 5.4
Parkdale-High Park 106,445 White 72.4 Black 5.3
Toronto-Danforth 105,395 White 65.5 Chinese 12.3 South Asian 5.4 Black 5.0
Toronto-St. Paul's 104,940 White 70.8 Black 5.1
University-Rosedale 100,520 White 66.5 Chinese 14.0
Toronto Centre 99,590 White 48.8 South Asian 11.8 Chinese 11.1 Black 9.1

NORTH YORK

Riding Population Ethnic Group #1 % Ethnic Group #2 % Ethnic Group #3 % Ethnic Group #4 % Ethnic Group #5 % Ethnic Group #6 %
Willowdale 117,405 White 33.1 Chinese 25.3 West Asian 10.9 Korean 10.3 South Asian 5.9 Filipino 5.4
Eglinton-Lawrence 112,925 White 67.7 Filipino 10.7 Black 5.5
Don Valley North 109,060 Chinese 31.3 White 29.4 South Asian 10.2 West Asian 7.6
Humber River-Black Creek 107,725 White 25.4 Black 22.8 Latin American 9.5 Southeast Asian 8.9 Filipino 5.5
York Centre 103,760 White 53.1 Filipino 16.5 Black 7.9 Latin American 5.1
Don Valley West 101,790 White 57.9 South Asian 13.3 Chinese 10.6
Don Valley East 93,170 White 40.9 South Asian 17.1 Black 9.3 Chinese 7.5 Filipino 7.4 West Asian 5.5

SCARBOROUGH

Riding Population Ethnic Group #1 % Ethnic Group #2 % Ethnic Group #3 % Ethnic Group #4 % Ethnic Group #5 %
Scarborough Centre 110,450 White 29.4 South Asian 25.6 Filipino 12.5 Black 9.6 Chinese 9.3
Scarborough Southwest 108,295 White 42.0 South Asian 21.6 Black 11.2 Filipino 9.0 Chinese 5.8
Scarborough-Agincourt 104,225 Chinese 45.8 White 19.1 South Asian 14.0 Black 6.3 Filipino 5.4
Scarborough-Rouge Park 101,445 South Asian 32.6 White 26.8 Black 15.9 Filipino 8.7
Scarborough-Guildwood 101,115 South Asian 33.2 White 27.6 Black 14.3 Filipino 7.9 Chinese 5.4
Scarborough North 97,610 Chinese 45.0 South Asian 26.1 Black 7.6 White 7.6 Filipino 6.4

ETOBICOKE & YORK

Riding Population Ethnic Group #1 % Ethnic Group #2 % Ethnic Group #3 % Ethnic Group #4 % Ethnic Group #5 %
Etobicoke-Lakeshore 127,520 White 71.3 South Asian 5.5 Black 5.0
Etobicoke North 116,960 South Asian 28.9 White 23.8 Black 23.4
Etobicoke Centre 116,055 White 72.3 South Asian 5.9 Black 5.9
York South-Weston 115,130 White 44.2 Black 23.2 Latin American 8.5 Filipino 5.9 South Asian 5.7

For each of the federal electoral districts in the City of Toronto, the ethnic origin groups with 7% of more of population are shown, in a rough correspondence with community councils and pre-amalgamation municipalities (highest % 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

Riding Population Ethnic 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 York 114,315 English 16.4 Chinese 16.0 Irish 14.6 Canadian 14.0 Scottish 13.2 French 7.7 German 7.6
Beaches-East York 108,435 English 24.2 Irish 19.9 Canadian 19.7 Scottish 18.9 French 8.7 German 8.4
Davenport 107,395 Portuguese 22.7 English 13.6 Canadian 12.8 Irish 11.5 Italian 11.1 Scottish 11.0
Parkdale-High Park 106,445 English 22.3 Irish 20.0 Scottish 18.7 Canadian 16.1 German 9.8 French 8.88 Polish 8.5
Toronto-Danforth 105,395 English 22.9 Irish 19.5 Scottish 18.7 Canadian 18.4 Chinese 13.8 French 8.86 German 8.8 Greek 7.3
Toronto-St. Paul's 104,940 English 18.5 Canadian 16.1 Irish 15.2 Scottish 14.8 Polish 10.3 German 7.9 Russian 7.7 Italian 7.3 French 7.2
University-Rosedale 100,520 English 20.6 Irish 16.6 Scottish 16.3 Canadian 15.2 Chinese 14.7 German 8.7 French 7.7 Italian 7.4
Toronto Centre 99,590 English 15.7 Canadian 13.7 Irish 13.4 Scottish 12.6 Chinese 12.5 French 7.2

NORTH YORK

Riding Population Ethnic Origin #1 % Ethnic Origin #2 % Ethnic Origin #3 % Ethnic Origin #4 % Ethnic Origin #5 % Ethnic Origin #6 % Ethnic Origin #7 % Ethnic Origin #8 %
Willowdale 117,405 Chinese 25.9 Iranian 12.1 Korean 10.6
Eglinton-Lawrence 112,925 Canadian 14.7 English 12.6 Polish 12.0 Filipino 11.0 Scottish 9.7 Italian 9.5 Irish 9.2 Russian 8.4
Don Valley North 109,060 Chinese 32.4 East Indian 7.3 Iranian 7.3
Humber River-Black Creek 107,725 Italian 12.8 East Indian 9.2 Jamaican 8.5 Vietnamese 8.0 Canadian 7.4
York Centre 103,760 Filipino 17.0 Italian 13.4 Russian 9.5 Canadian 8.6
Don Valley West 101,790 English 19.2 Canadian 15.1 Scottish 14.9 Irish 14.2 Chinese 11.2
Don Valley East 93,170 East Indian 10.6 Canadian 10.4 English 10.1 Chinese 8.9 Irish 8.1 Scottish 8.0 Filipino 7.8

SCARBOROUGH

Riding Population Ethnic Origin #1 % Ethnic Origin #2 % Ethnic Origin #3 % Ethnic Origin #4 % Ethnic Origin #5 % Ethnic Origin #6 % Ethnic Origin #7 % Ethnic Origin #8 %
Scarborough Centre 110,450 Filipino 13.1 East Indian 12.2 Canadian 11.2 Chinese 10.7 English 7.8 Sri Lankan 7.0
Scarborough Southwest 108,295 Canadian 16.2 English 14.3 Irish 11.5 Scottish 10.9 Filipino 9.5 East Indian 8.2 Chinese 7.2
Scarborough-Agincourt 104,225 Chinese 47.0 East Indian 7.4
Scarborough-Rouge Park 101,445 East Indian 16.7 Canadian 11.8 Sri Lankan 11.1 English 9.8 Filipino 9.3 Jamaican 8.4 Scottish 7.2 Irish 7.0
Scarborough-Guildwood 101,115 East Indian 18.0 Canadian 11.6 English 9.7 Filipino 8.5 Sri Lankan 7.8 Chinese 7.1 Scottish 7.0
Scarborough North 97,610 Chinese 46.6 East Indian 11.8 Sri Lankan 9.4

ETOBICOKE & YORK

Riding Population Ethnic Origin #1 % Ethnic Origin #2 % Ethnic Origin #3 % Ethnic Origin #4 % Ethnic Origin #5 % Ethnic Origin #6 % Ethnic Origin #7 % Ethnic Origin #8 %
Etobicoke-Lakeshore 127,520 English 17.1 Canadian 15.9 Irish 14.4 Scottish 13.5 Polish 9.2 Italian 9.1 Ukrainian 7.6 German 7.1
Etobicoke North 116,960 East Indian 22.2 Canadian 7.9
Etobicoke Centre 116,055 Italian 15.1 English 14.3 Canadian 12.1 Irish 10.8 Scottish 10.4 Ukrainian 8.1 Polish 7.4
York South-Weston 115,130 Portuguese 14.5 Italian 12.8 Canadian 8.7 Jamaican 8.4

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 groups in Toronto CMA (1981−2021)
Panethnic group 2021 2016 2011 2006 2001 1996 1981
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
European 2,598,670 42.3% 2,804,630 47.84% 2,887,825 52.3% 2,871,430 56.61% 2,915,125 62.72%
South Asian 1,182,485 19.25% 973,225 16.6% 833,085 15.09% 684,070 13.49% 473,810 10.19%
East Asian 774,145 12.6% 721,375 12.3% 612,950 11.1% 560,605 11.05% 469,575 10.1%
African 488,155 7.95% 442,020 7.54% 397,175 7.19% 352,220 6.94% 310,500 6.68%
Southeast Asian 383,480 6.24% 338,010 5.77% 321,065 5.82% 242,195 4.78% 187,240 4.03%
Middle Eastern 289,645 4.72% 229,370 3.91% 171,640 3.11% 128,905 2.54% 95,810 2.06%
Latin American 156,460 2.55% 132,945 2.27% 117,005 2.12% 99,295 1.96% 75,915 1.63%
Indigenous 44,635 0.73% 46,320 0.79% 36,990 0.67% 26,575 0.52% 20,300 0.44%
Other/Multiracial 226,910 3.69% 174,970 2.98% 143,500 2.6% 106,780 2.11% 99,695 2.14%
Total: Visible minority 3,501,280 57% 3,011,915 51.37% 2,596,420 47.03% 2,174,070 42.86% 1,712,545 36.85% 1,338,095 31.61% 404,790 13.6%
Total responses 6,142,885 99.04% 5,862,855 98.9% 5,521,235 98.89% 5,072,075 99.2% 4,647,955 99.25%
Total population 6,202,225 100% 5,928,040 100% 5,583,064 100% 5,113,149 100% 4,682,897 100%
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses
Visible minority population in the Toronto CMA
Year Pop. %
2021 3,501,275 57%
2016 3,011,905 51.4%
2011 2,596,420 47%
2006 2,174,070 42.9%
2001 1,712,530 36.8%
1996 1,338,095 31.6%
1991 997,500 25.8%
1986 586,500 17.3%
1981 404,790 13.6%

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) Percentage City/Town with

Highest Concentration

Percentage Riding with

Highest Concentration

Percentage
Canada Canadian 746,960 12.7 Georgina 36.3 Simcoe--Grey [New Tecumseth only] 31.7
England English 732,555 12.5 Uxbridge 40.3 Simcoe--Grey [New Tecumseth only] 33.1
China Chinese 700,705 12.0 Markham 46.5 Markham--Unionville 65.6
India East Indian 643,370 11.0 Brampton 33.4 Brampton East 51.4
Republic of Ireland Irish 544,380 9.3 New Tecumseth 24.8 Simcoe--Grey [New Tecumseth only] 24.8
Scotland Scottish 543,760 9.3 Uxbridge 26.4 Wellington--Halton Hills [Halton Hills only] 24.1
Italy Italian 484,360 8.3 King 34.5 Vaughan--Woodbridge 53.5
Philippines Filipino 274,675 4.7 Toronto 6.0 York Centre 17.0
Germany German 271,815 4.6 Uxbridge 12.9 Wellington--Halton Hills [Halton Hills only] 10.4
France French 247,790 4.2 Georgina 10.3 Wellington--Halton Hills [Halton Hills only] 9.4
Poland Polish 237,240 4.0 Mississauga 6.1 Thornhill 12.6
Portugal Portuguese 210,420 3.6 Bradford West Gwillimbury 11.8 Davenport 22.7
Jamaica Jamaican 200,335 3.4 Ajax 9.2 Brampton West 11.3
Ukraine Ukrainian 144,335 2.4 Oakville 3.6 Etobicoke Centre 8.1
Russia Russian 139,910 2.4 Vaughan 8.4 Thornhill 16.4
Pakistan Pakistani 122,950 2.1 Milton 7.2 Milton 7.2
Sri Lanka Sri Lankan 114,400 2.0 Ajax 4.4 Scarborough-Rouge Park 11.1
United Kingdom British Isles origins (other) 107,900 1.8 Uxbridge 5.8 < 5.0
Spain Spanish 106,685 1.8 Oakville 2.0 < 5.0
Greece Greek 99,145 1.7 Whitchurch-Stoufville 3.8 Toronto-Danforth 7.3
Total population 5,862,855 100

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 % 2011 Population % 2006 Population % 2001 Population % 1996 Population %
Canada Canadian 746,960 12.7 English 777,110 14.1 English 804,100 15.9 Canadian 861,945 18.5 English 891,735 21.1
England English 732,555 12.5 Canadian 728,745 13.2 Canadian 651,635 12.8 English 783,770 16.9 Canadian 710,755 16.8
China Chinese 700,705 12.0 Chinese 594,735 10.8 Scottish 561,050 11.1 Scottish 517,115 11.1 Scottish 534,595 12.6
India East Indian 643,370 11.0 East Indian 572,250 10.4 Chinese 537,060 10.6 Irish 487,215 10.4 Irish 480,980 11.4
Republic of Ireland Irish 544,380 9.3 Scottish 545,365 9.9 Irish 531,865 10.5 Chinese 435,685 9.4 Italian 414,310 9.8
Scotland Scottish 543,760 9.3 Irish 543,600 9.8 East Indian 484,655 9.6 Italian 429,385 9.2 Chinese 359,450 8.5
Italy Italian 484,360 8.3 Italian 475,090 8.6 Italian 466,155 9.2 East Indian 345,855 7.4 East Indian 255,685 6.0
Philippines Filipino 274,675 4.7 German 262,830 4.8 German 259,015 5.1 French 220,535 4.7 French 236,315 5.6
Germany German 271,815 4.6 French 249,375 4.5 French 241,395 4.8 German 220,140 4.7 German 224,525 5.3
France French 247,790 4.2 Filipino 246,345 4.5 Polish 207,495 4.1 Portuguese 171,545 3.7 Portuguese 161,685 3.8
Poland Polish 237,240 4.0 Polish 214,455 3.9 Portuguese 188,110 3.7 Polish 166,695 3.6 Polish 161,005 3.8
Portugal Portuguese 210,420 3.6 Portuguese 196,975 3.6 Filipino 181,330 3.6 Jewish 161,215 3.5 Jewish 156,300 3.7
Jamaica Jamaican 200,335 3.4 Jamaican 177,305 3.2 Jamaican 160,205 3.2 Jamaican 150,840 3.2 Jamaican 133,690 3.2
Ukraine Ukrainian 144,335 2.4 Jewish 137,165 2.5 Jewish 141,685 2.8 Filipino 140,405 3.0 Filipino 102,525 2.4
Russia Russian 139,910 2.4 Ukrainian 130,350 2.4 Ukrainian 122,510 2.4 Ukrainian 104,485 2.2 Ukrainian 95,500 2.3
Pakistan Pakistani 122,950 2.1 Russian 118,090 2.1 Russian 102,815 2.0 Dutch (Netherlands) 85,860 1.8 Dutch (Netherlands) 85,250 2.0
Sri Lanka Sri Lankan 114,400 2.0 Spanish 105,740 1.9 Spanish 97,255 1.9 Greek 85,375 1.8 Greek 80,330 1.9
United Kingdom British Isles origins (other) 107,900 1.8 Sri Lankan 104,980 1.9 Dutch (Netherlands) 95,560 1.9 Spanish 65,600 1.4 Spanish 62,520 1.5
Spain Spanish 106,685 1.8 British Isles origins (other) 104,070 1.9 Greek 90,585 1.8 Russian 62,540 1.3 Hungarian (Magyar) 44,160 1.1
Greece Greek 99,145 1.7 Dutch (Netherlands) 98,925 1.8 Sri Lankan 80,610 1.6 Hungarian (Magyar) 46,790 1.0 Welsh 44,015 1.0
Total population 5,862,855 100 Total population 5,521,235 100 Total population 5,072,075 100 Total population 4,647,955 100 Total population 4,232,905 100

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):

City/Town Population Ethnic Group #1 % Ethnic Group #2 % Ethnic Group #3 % Ethnic Group #4 % Ethnic Group #5 % Ethnic Group #6 %
Toronto 2,691,665 White 47.7 South Asian 12.6 Chinese 11.1 Black 8.9 Filipino 5.7
Mississauga 715,475 White 42.3 South Asian 23.2 Chinese 7.6 Black 6.6 Filipino 5.1 Arab 5.1
Brampton 590,950 South Asian 44.3 White 26.0 Black 13.9
Markham 327,400 Chinese 45.1 White 21.8 South Asian 17.8
Vaughan 304,145 White 64.4 South Asian 10.1 Chinese 6.8
Richmond Hill 193,800 White 39.8 Chinese 29.4 West Asian 10.4 South Asian 7.7
Oakville 191,720 White 68.4 South Asian 8.9 Chinese 7.0
Ajax 119,180 White 42.3 South Asian 20.9 Black 16.7
Milton 108,935 White 56.3 South Asian 21.0
Pickering 90,995 White 55.9 South Asian 15.2 Black 10.8
Newmarket 82,730 White 72.6 Chinese 6.8
Caledon 66,215 White 80.3 South Asian 10.0
Halton Hills 60,195 White 90.9
Aurora 54,705 White 72.4 Chinese 10.2
Whitchurch-Stouffville 45,345 White 62.3 Chinese 13.1 South Asian 12.4
Georgina 44,765 White 91.8
Bradford West Gwillimbury 34,965 White 77.9 South Asian 5.5
New Tecumseth 33,735 White 90.4
King 24,365 White 86.7
East Gwillimbury 23,435 White 87.2
Uxbridge 20,975 White 92.5

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/Town Population Ethnic Origin #1 % Ethnic Group #2 % Ethnic Group #3 % Ethnic Group #4 % Ethnic Group #5 % Ethnic Group #6 % Ethnic Group #7 % Ethnic Group #8 %
Toronto 2,691,665 Chinese 12.5 English 12.3 Canadian 12.0 Irish 9.8 Scottish 9.5 East Indian 7.5
Mississauga 715,475 East Indian 15.4 Canadian 10.2 English 9.3 Chinese 9.1
Brampton 590,950 East Indian 33.4 Canadian 10.8 Jamaican 7.8 English 7.4
Markham 327,400 Chinese 46.5 East Indian 10.1
Vaughan 304,145 Italian 31.1 Russian 8.4 Canadian 8.0 Chinese 7.9
Richmond Hill 193,800 Chinese 30.2 Iranian 11.0 Italian 9.9 Canadian 7.3
Oakville 191,720 English 22.1 Canadian 16.7 Scottish 16.4 Irish 16.1 Italian 8.8 German 8.1 Chinese 7.7 French 7.4
Ajax 119,180 Canadian 17.7 English 16.9 East Indian 13.0 Scottish 12.8 Irish 11.8 Jamaican 9.2
Milton 108,935 Canadian 18.6 English 17.4 Scottish 14.1 Irish 12.8 East Indian 11.7 Italian 7.7 Pakistani 7.2
Pickering 90,995 English 20.5 Canadian 19.8 Scottish 15.4 Irish 14.7 East Indian 11.6
Newmarket 82,730 English 26.3 Canadian 23.0 Scottish 19.1 Irish 17.3 Italian 9.7 German 8.0 Chinese 7.7 French 7.7
Caledon 66,215 Italian 27.3 English 21.1 Canadian 19.7 Scottish 15.2 Irish 14.3 East Indian 8.3 German 7.3
Halton Hills 60,195 English 32.5 Canadian 30.0 Scottish 24.1 Irish 22.2 German 10.4 French 9.4 Italian 8.7
Aurora 54,705 English 23.6 Canadian 19.8 Scottish 16.9 Irish 16.7 Italian 12.5 Chinese 11.1 German 8.6
Whitchurch-Stouffville 45,345 English 20.1 Canadian 18.6 Chinese 14.8 Scottish 14.3 Irish 13.7 Italian 11.7
Georgina 44,765 Canadian 36.3 English 35.4 Scottish 24.3 Irish 23.4 German 10.4 French 10.3
Bradford West Gwillimbury 34,965 Canadian 23.3 English 20.6 Italian 15.2 Irish 13.9 Scottish 13.3 Portuguese 11.8
New Tecumseth 33,735 English 33.1 Canadian 31.7 Irish 24.8 Scottish 23.3 German 10.3 Italian 10.2 French 8.6
King 24,365 Italian 34.5 English 18.3 Canadian 16.8 Scottish 13.0 Irish 12.6 German 7.4
East Gwillimbury 23,435 English 34.3 Canadian 30.3 Scottish 22.4 Irish 22.2 German 11.1 Italian 8.7 French 8.6
Uxbridge 20,975 English 40.3 Canadian 32.2 Scottish 26.4 Irish 24.5 German 12.9 French 8.5

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) Percentage Most Populous

Ethnic Origin

Percentage Most Populous

Visible Minority

Percentage
Simcoe—Grey [New Tecumseth only] 7.37 English 33.1 South Asian 1.8
Wellington—Halton Hills [Halton Hills only] 7.43 English 32.5 South Asian 2.3
York—Simcoe 12.5 Canadian 30.6 South Asian 2.9
Dufferin—Caledon [Caledon only] 18.7 Italian 27.3 South Asian 10.0
Oakville 25.5 English 25.3 South Asian 6.8
Newmarket—Aurora 27.7 English 24.5 Chinese 8.7
Mississauga—Lakeshore 28.8 English 19.2 South Asian 8.7
Vaughan—Woodbridge 28.9 Italian 53.5 South Asian 9.4
Oakville North--Burlington [incl. part of Burlington] 33.1 English 20.7 South Asian 11.0
Pickering—Uxbridge 36.0 English 24.2 South Asian 12.5
Thornhill 37.1 Russian 16.4 Chinese 10.5
King—Vaughan 37.3 Italian 31.2 South Asian 12.2
Milton [Town of Milton only] 42.8 Canadian 18.6 South Asian 21.0
Mississauga East—Cooksville 47.8 Polish 10.6 South Asian 15.8
Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill 51.7 Chinese 25.0 Chinese 24.1
Mississauga—Streetsville 52.2 East Indian 15.5 South Asian 21.5
Markham—Stouffville 54.9 Chinese 24.5 Chinese 22.5
Ajax 56.7 Canadian 17.7 South Asian 20.9
Brampton Centre 59.8 East Indian 19.9 South Asian 26.2
Richmond Hill 61.6 Chinese 32.3 Chinese 31.5
Mississauga—Erin Mills 64.1 East Indian 15.1 South Asian 24.6
Brampton South 66.6 East Indian 31.4 South Asian 41.5
Brampton North 68.0 East Indian 31.1 South Asian 41.5
Mississauga Centre 70.6 East Indian 18.0 South Asian 26.6
Mississauga—Malton 78.1 East Indian 28.3 South Asian 41.3
Brampton West 78.8 East Indian 31.2 South Asian 43.4
Markham—Unionville 84.6 Chinese 65.6 Chinese 64.5
Markham—Thornhill 84.8 Chinese 41.6 Chinese 40.7
Brampton East 90.6 East Indian 51.4 South Asian 65.9

Future projections

Panethnic origin projections (2041)
2041
Population %
South Asian 2,768,000 27.62%
European 2,759,500 27.53%
East Asian 1,360,000 13.57%
African 925,000 9.23%
Middle Eastern 744,000 7.42%
Southeast Asian 742,000 7.4%
Latin American 299,000 2.98%
Indigenous 95,500 0.95%
Other/multiracial 330,000 3.29%
Projected Metro Toronto Population 10,023,000 100%

Ethnic groups

Black-Canadians

Cambodians

Chinese

Greeks

Italians

Japanese

Jews

South Asians

Vietnamese

Religion

City of Toronto

Religion in the City of Toronto (2021)

 Christianity (46.2%)
 Irreligious (30.6%)
 Islam (9.6%)
 Hinduism (6.2%)
 Judaism (3.6%)
 Buddhism (2.3%)
 Sikhism (0.8%)
 Other (0.8%)

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 groups in the Toronto CMA (1981−2021)
Religious group 2021 2011 2001 1991 1981
Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. % Pop. %
Christianity 2,851,285 46.42% 3,128,565 56.66% 3,049,050 65.6% 2,851,655 73.82% 2,480,885 83.38%
Irreligion 1,636,860 26.65% 1,165,010 21.1% 784,700 16.88% 562,265 14.55% 272,570 9.16%
Islam 626,010 10.19% 424,935 7.7% 254,115 5.47% 105,965 2.74% 36,695 1.23%
Hinduism 457,825 7.45% 325,420 5.89% 191,305 4.12% 90,140 2.33% 31,090 1.04%
Sikhism 244,240 3.98% 159,905 2.9% 90,590 1.95% 41,450 1.07% 11,620 0.39%
Judaism 165,765 2.7% 167,765 3.04% 164,510 3.54% 151,115 3.91% 123,730 4.16%
Buddhism 120,865 1.97% 124,215 2.25% 97,165 2.09% 48,385 1.25% 11,780 0.4%
Indigenous spirituality 1,290 0.02% 1,110 0.02%
Other 38,745 0.63% 24,305 0.44% 16,525 0.36% 12,120 0.31% 7,125 0.24%
Total responses 6,142,880 99.04% 5,521,235 98.89% 4,647,955 99.25% 3,863,110 99.23% 2,975,495 99.22%
Total population 6,202,225 100% 5,583,064 100% 4,682,897 100% 3,893,046 100% 2,998,947 100%

Languages

Mother tongue by population

City of Toronto

Languages with more than 10,000 speakers, 2021 Population %
English 1,391,685 50.2
Mandarin 112,620 4.1
Cantonese 103,530 3.7
Tagalog (Filipino) 82,185 3.0
Spanish 78,575 2.8
Portuguese 60,360 2.2
Tamil 52,905 1.9
Italian 50,995 1.8
Persian (includes Dari) 50,490 1.8
Urdu 34,460 1.2
French 34,115 1.2
Russian 33,770 1.2
Arabic 32,985 1.2
Korean 32,805 1.2
Bengali 31,335 1.1
Vietnamese 27,445 1.0
Gujarati 27,090 1.0
Greek 23,540 0.8
Hindi 22,300 0.8
Panjabi (Punjabi) 21,230 0.8
Polish 20,795 0.8
Ukrainian 13,740 0.5
Serbian 12,630 0.5
Turkish 11,225 0.4
Somali 11,020 0.4
German 10,700 0.4
Romanian 10,510 0.4

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, 2016 Population %
English 3,061,820 52.0
Cantonese 247,710 4.2
Mandarin 227,085 3.9
Panjabi (Punjabi) 171,230 2.9
Italian 151,415 2.6
Tagalog (Filipino) 136,115 2.3
Urdu 128,845 2.2
Spanish 126,500 2.2
Tamil 109,580 1.9
Portuguese 104,305 1.8
Persian 100,640 1.7
Arabic 85,175 1.5
Russian 83,105 1.4
Polish 69,860 1.2
French 65,535 1.1
Gujarati 64,115 1.1
Korean 55,005 0.9
Hindi 48,140 0.8
Vietnamese 48,005 0.8
Greek 41,225 0.7

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 patterns

According to the Canadian government, Toronto has one of the highest per capita immigration rate 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. According to the 2006 Census, 45.7% of the residents of Toronto were immigrants. For the City of Toronto, the corresponding figure stood at 50.0%

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%

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%).

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%

This page was last updated at 2023-11-09 15:06 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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