Community Profile: Ontario

Canada's largest province continues to grow with substantial increases in the youth and immigrant populations; almost 1 in 4 Ontarians born outside of Canada

orchestra jpgOntario is the largest Canadian province in terms of population. Home to almost 40% (12,160,282 people) of all Canadians, Ontario's population growth between 2001 and 2006 (6.6%) accounted for half of Canada's total population growth (5.4%). The rate of growth during this period was faster than was reported in the previous five-year period (6.1% from 1996-2001). Particularly strong growth occurred in the youth (13-24), newcomer and Aboriginal populations. The complete Ontario Community Profile includes population, labour force, education, income and language  information. 

NEW!! - 2011 Population Data Update (pdf)
Download the full report (pdf) or view the slideshow (pps)

Also:
Aboriginal Communities - Ontario
Francophone Community - Ontario

Provincial Highlights

  • As of 2006, more than one-quarter (28.3%) of all Ontario residents reported they were born outside of Canada.
  • Ontario's youth population (13-24 years old) grew by 9.3% between 2001 and 2006.
  • The number of Aboriginal people, though 2% of the total population, grew significantly across the province (28.8%). The Métis community had the highest population increase (59.5%) followed by the Inuit (32.4%) and First Nation communities (20.4%).
  • Ontario is home to nearly 553,665 Francophones.
  • 17% of the total population born outside Canada came to Ontario recently, between 2001 and 2006.
  • Twenty-three percent of Ontario residents identify themselves as a visible minority, with the South Asian community as the largest visible minority group in Ontario.
  • Ontario experienced a 7.9% growth in the number of employed people between 2001 and 2006.