List of 15 Fastest-Growing Cities in Canada: Check Complete List

Eric Nkom May 14, 2024

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List of 15 Fastest-Growing Cities in Canada: Check Complete List

The top 15 Canadian cities with the quickest rates of growth will be examined in this article. You can jump straight to the list of Canada’s Top 5 Fastest-Growing Cities if you’d like to bypass our explanation of the demographic trends in the nation.

After Russia, Canada is the second-largest country in the world by land area. The population of the nation, despite its size, is only about 40.7 million. With barely 11 people per square mile, the nation continues to have one of the lowest population densities in the world.

There have been changes in Canada’s demographic patterns since late 2020. In 2022, the fertility rate fell to a record low of 1.33 children per woman. In the meantime, the population of millennials has overtaken that of baby boomers. In addition, the nation’s labor market has changed, resulting in a labor shortage in several sectors of the economy. Along with workers and foreign students, Canada has also welcomed a sizable influx of temporary and permanent immigrants.

Canada’s population increased by 1,271,872 persons in the previous year to 40,769,890 as of January 1, 2024. With a 3.2% yearly population growth rate, this increase is the biggest in Canada since 1957.

Canada’s population growth rate of 3.2% in 2023 is primarily attributable to temporary immigration. If Canada had only allowed permanent immigration and allowed natural population growth instead of temporary immigration, its population growth would have been around three times lower, or 1.2%.

Technique Employed

We analyzed the most recent data from Statistics Canada to create a shortlist of the top 15 fastest-growing cities in Canada by 2024. According to their rates of population increase between 2018 and 2022, the cities have been listed in ascending order. Some of Canada’s largest cities with the quickest rates of growth are on the list.

15 Fastest-Growing Cities in Canada

15. Fredericton, New Brunswick

Population Growth Rate: 7.79%

New Brunswick’s capital, Fredericton, is located along the Saint John River. Fredericton, one of New Brunswick’s major urban centers, is the third-biggest city in the province, behind Moncton and Saint John.

14. London, Ontario

Population Growth Rate: 7.85 %

London is a city in southwest Ontario that is home to about 422,324 people. About 140 miles separate it from Buffalo, New York, and about 120 miles from Toronto. With facilities like the University of Western Ontario, Fanshawe College, Victoria Hospital, University Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Hospital, the city acts as a regional hub for healthcare and education.

13. Summerside, Prince Edward Island

Population Growth Rate: 8.26 %

The second-biggest city in Prince County, Prince Edward Island, is Summerside. It serves as the main hub for services on the western portion of the island. The city boasts some of Canada’s lowest rates for utilities, sewer access, and property taxes. The population of Summerside was expected to be more than 18,000 people based on the census taken in 2022.

12. Chilliwack, British Columbia

Population Growth Rate: 8.33 %

With 121,800 residents, Chilliwack is a city in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is in the Fraser Valley, roughly 100 kilometers east of Vancouver. Important industries like dairy, poultry, and greenhouse businesses propel the city’s economy.

11. Calgary, Alberta

Population Growth Rate: 8.41%

Being the core of Canada’s oil sector, Calgary is a cosmopolitan city that has expanded quickly. In comparison to many other major Canadian cities, Calgary offers a reduced cost of living. In 2022, the population of Calgary (CMA) was 1.61 million.

10. Barrie, Ontario

Population Growth Rate: 8.99%

Barrie is located in Central Ontario and is roughly ninety kilometers from Toronto. The city is situated along Kempenfelt Bay’s shoreline in Simcoe County. The city’s economy is based on tourism and manufacturing, and it serves as a winter and summer resort. Barrie is one of Canada’s ten fastest-growing cities.

9. Winkler, Manitoba

Population Growth Rate: 9.01%

In Manitoba, Winkler is the province’s fourth-biggest city. It is the biggest city in the Pembina Valley and is situated roughly 100 kilometers from Winnipeg. As one of the safest cities in Canada, Winkler consistently maintains a crime severity index that is much lower than the national average.

8. Kitchener, Ontario

Population Growth Rate: 9.62%

Southern Ontario is home to the Waterloo Region metropolitan area. The Regional Municipality of Waterloo is its official name. The Tri-Cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo are located there. The government seat is in Kitchener, the largest of the three cities. The economy of the area is expanding significantly.

7. Kelowna, British Columbia

Population Growth Rate: 10.12%

Because of its excellent combination of food, weather, proximity to the outdoors and outdoor activities, and natural landscape, Kelowna is one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada. After Victoria and Vancouver, it is the third-largest metropolitan region in British Columbia. Ranking seventh on our list of Canada’s fastest-growing cities is Kelowna.

6. Oshawa, Ontario

Population Growth Rate: 10.18%

Oshawa is located about 60 kilometers east of Downtown Toronto, on the beaches of Lake Ontario. Within Durham Regional Municipality, it is the biggest municipality. The population of Oshawa is growing as more people move there from Toronto in pursuit of larger suburban homes.

5. Whitehorse, Yukon

Population Growth Rate: 10.54%

One of the biggest cities in Northern Canada, Whitehorse is the capital of the Yukon territory. The downtown and Riverdale districts of Whitehorse are situated on each side of the Yukon River. The weather is milder in Whitehorse. Winter days are short, but summer days can have up to 19 hours of daylight. A population of 35,372 was reported for Whitehorse in the 2022 Census.

4. Halifax, Nova Scotia

Population Growth Rate: 11.79%

Atlantic Canada’s largest city is Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia. Its location in one of the biggest and deepest natural harbors on Earth gives it significance, making it a crucial commercial port for Canada. Halifax is a hub for the economy, home to both public and private enterprises.

The Department of Defense, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Saint Mary’s University, the Halifax Shipyard, and the Port of Halifax are a few of the major employers. The population of the city increased by 11.79% between 2018 and 2022.

3. Woodstock, Ontario

Population Growth Rate: 12.35%

Located in Oxford County, Woodstock is known as “The Friendly City” and is recognized as the Dairy Capital of Canada. Manufacturing and tourism are the main drivers of the local economy. The Fanshawe College campus and sites like the Woodstock Museum are well-liked features. The city’s economy is heavily reliant on manufacturing, especially the auto industry.

2. Moncton, New Brunswick

Population Growth Rate: 12.49%

One of the most populous cities in New Brunswick is Moncton. The name “Hub City” also refers to its central inland location in the area. Moncton has one of Canada’s greatest rates of population increase, with 12.49% of its total population added between 2018 and 2022.

1. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Population Growth Rate: 13.33%

Prince Edward Island’s capital is Charlottetown. The city’s population was reported to be 86,865 as of 2022. The historical significance of the city has earned it the title of “Birthplace of Confederation.” The city hosted the historic Charlottetown Conference in 1864, which cleared the path for Canada’s Confederation. The city takes the top spot on our ranking of Canadian cities with the quickest rate of growth.