Demographics
The latest Census by Statistics Canada indicates that 2,503,281 people resided in Toronto in June 2006, making it the largest city in Canada.
- The city’s population grew by 0.91% (21,787 residents) between 2001 and 2006. This growth rate is relatively low compared to the rest of Ontario (6.6%).
- There were increases in some age groups. These were the 15-24 year olds, the 40-64 year olds and those over 75. Others declined, including children under 10, 25-39 year olds and, ages 65-74.
- The two fastest growing age groups were 80-84 and 55-59 year olds. They grew by 30% and 25%, respectively.
- Age cohorts that showed the greatest decline from 2001-2006 include 5-9, 30-35, and 35-39 year olds, all of which fell by about 10%.
- Females make up 48.15% of the population, males compose 51.85%.
- The median age was 38.4 years, whereas that of Ontario was 39 years.
Toronto relies heavily on high immigration levels to sustain its population and fill jobs. Without immigration, the City’s population would have shrunk an estimated 10% between 2001 and 2006. Almost half (44%) of recent immigrants (in Canada 5 years or less) in the City in 2006 were between the ages of 25 and 44 years when they moved; almost one-quarter (23%) were under the age of 14.
(Source: Toronto Vital Signs, 2009)
While the City of Toronto still attracted the largest share of all recent arrivals to the
metropolitan area, this proportion has dropped over the past few years. Between
2001 and 2006, the city attracted 59.8% of new immigrants, down from 67.5%
during the previous five years, and 71.5% between 1991 and 1996. This represents
a significant shift in immigration patterns.
The City of Toronto was home to the largest number of foreign-born people in 2006.
However, most of the recent growth in the foreign-born population occurred
in the municipalities surrounding the city.