A new analysis from Statistics Canada compares population density in the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Toronto for 1971 and 2016 to provide a long-term view of urbanization.
The overall population of Toronto CMA increased 120 per cent, from 2.7 million in 1971 to 5.9 million in 2016, with the largest increases in population seen in the largest cities, including Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton. The fastest growth occurred in Vaughan and Markham.
Notably, Province of Ontario finance ministry officials say the GTA is projected to be the fastest growing region of the province, accounting for more than 65 per cent of Ontario’s net population growth to 2041. The GTA’s population is projected to increase from 6.9 million in 2017 to 9.7 million in 2041.
Image courtesy of Statistics Canada
| Geographic name | 2016 | 1971 | 2016 | ||
| Land area | Population | Private dwelling | Population | Private dwelling | |
| km2 | number | ||||
| Toronto CMA | 5,905.8 | 2,699,927 | 794,253 | 5,928,040 | 2,235,145 |
| Toronto | 630.2 | 2,089,729 | 630,164 | 2,731,571 | 1,179,057 |
| Mississauga | 292.4 | 172,510 | 46,973 | 721,599 | 248,469 |
| Brampton | 266.4 | 69,943 | 18,252 | 593,638 | 173,428 |
| Markham | 212.3 | 36,684 | 9,557 | 328,966 | 106,131 |
| Vaughan | 273.6 | 15,873 | 4,270 | 306,233 | 96,657 |
| Richmond Hill | 101.1 | 32,384 | 8,680 | 195,022 | 66,465 |
| Oakville | 138.9 | 59,043 | 16,091 | 193,832 | 68,617 |
| Ajax | 67.0 | 17,878 | 4,639 | 119,677 | 38,105 |
| Milton | 363.2 | 13,583 | 3,638 | 110,128 | 35,537 |
| Pickering | 231.5 | 25,196 | 6,239 | 91,771 | 31,630 |
| Newmarket | 38.5 | 18,941 | 5,059 | 84,224 | 29,315 |
| Caledon | 688.2 | 17,422 | 4,689 | 66,502 | 22,021 |
| Halton Hills | 276.3 | 31,136 | 8,324 | 61,161 | 21,475 |
| Aurora | 49.8 | 13,614 | 3,611 | 55,445 | 19,381 |
| Whitchurch-Stouffville | 206.2 | 11,262 | 3,113 | 45,837 | 15,712 |
| Georgina | 287.8 | 14,959 | 4,570 | 45,418 | 18,687 |
| Bradford West Gwillimbury | 201.0 | 6,673 | 1,803 | 35,325 | 11,918 |
| New Tecumseth | 274.2 | 10,438 | 2,944 | 34,242 | 13,191 |
| Orangeville | 15.6 | 8,074 | 2,400 | 28,900 | 10,696 |
| King | 333.3 | 12,864 | 3,400 | 24,512 | 8,736 |
| East Gwillimbury | 245.0 | 9,359 | 2,427 | 23,991 | 8,279 |
| Uxbridge | 420.9 | 9,507 | 2,619 | 21,176 | 7,946 |
| Mono | 277.8 | 2,735 | 757 | 8,609 | 3,127 |
| Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation | 14.5 | 120 | 34 | 261 | 565 |