Population of Vancouver, Canada 2025 | Statistics & Facts

Population of Vancouver, Canada 2025

Vancouver stands as British Columbia’s most vibrant and densely populated urban center, attracting residents from across the globe with its stunning natural beauty and economic opportunities. The city has experienced remarkable demographic transformation over recent decades, evolving into one of North America’s most ethnically diverse metropolitan areas. As Canada’s gateway to the Asia-Pacific region, Vancouver continues to draw international migrants, skilled workers, and families seeking quality of life combined with urban amenities.

The metropolitan region encompassing Vancouver has surpassed significant population milestones in recent years, with the area exceeding 3 million residents as verified by Statistics Canada’s latest estimates. This growth trajectory reflects not only natural population increase but substantial immigration flows, interprovincial migration, and the region’s role as an economic powerhouse in Western Canada. Understanding Vancouver’s demographic landscape provides crucial insights into housing markets, infrastructure needs, cultural diversity, and the socioeconomic fabric that defines this Pacific Coast metropolis.

Interesting Stats & Facts about Population of Vancouver 2025

Data Source: Statistics Canada 2021 Census, BC Stats 2024, Metro Vancouver Regional District

Key Population Statistics Analysis for Vancouver 2025

The statistical portrait of Vancouver reveals a city experiencing robust demographic expansion while maintaining its position as Canada’s most densely populated municipality. With 662,248 residents recorded in the 2021 Census within the city proper, Vancouver’s population density of 5,749.7 people per square kilometer surpasses all other Canadian cities with populations exceeding 5,000 residents. This extraordinary density reflects deliberate urban planning policies favoring high-rise residential development over suburban sprawl, creating a compact urban form nestled between the Pacific Ocean and coastal mountains.

The broader Metro Vancouver region achieved a historic milestone as Statistics Canada estimates confirmed the population surpassed 3 million residents in 2024, growing by approximately 4.3% annually between July 2023 and June 2024. This growth rate substantially exceeds the provincial average of 3.0%, positioning Metro Vancouver as British Columbia’s primary demographic and economic engine. The metropolitan area accounts for 54.56% of the entire province’s population, demonstrating the region’s gravitational pull for new residents. Perhaps most striking is Vancouver’s cultural diversity, with 54.5% of Metro Vancouver residents identifying as visible minorities and 42.2% of city residents born outside Canada, establishing Vancouver among the world’s most multicultural urban centers alongside Toronto and Sydney.

Population of Vancouver 2025 – City and Metropolitan Growth

Data Source: Statistics Canada Population Estimates July 2024, BC Stats 2024

Understanding Vancouver’s Population Growth Trajectory in 2025

The City of Vancouver proper experienced steady growth of 4.9% between the 2016 and 2021 census periods, adding over 30,000 new residents during those five years. However, the metropolitan region’s expansion has accelerated considerably, with the Metro Vancouver area growing at 4.3% annually as of 2024, substantially outpacing both provincial and national averages. This disparity highlights Vancouver’s continued appeal as British Columbia’s primary destination for newcomers, whether arriving from other provinces, countries, or rural areas within BC.

The metropolitan population exceeding 3 million residents represents approximately 20 years of growth to add one million people, compared to 30 years required to grow from one to two million residents in previous decades. This acceleration reflects multiple factors including robust international immigration to Canada with Vancouver receiving approximately 75% of BC’s recent immigrants, strong economic growth in technology and professional services sectors, and the region’s reputation for quality of life. The broader Lower Mainland region, combining Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley, now encompasses 3.389 million people, creating a contiguous urban corridor extending from the US border northward. Population projections suggest Metro Vancouver will reach 4 million residents by 2045, nine years earlier than previously forecast, necessitating substantial infrastructure investments and housing development.

Population Demographics of Vancouver 2025 – Age Distribution

Data Source: Statistics Canada 2021 Census, TheDataInsider 2024 Analysis

Age Distribution Patterns in Vancouver’s Population 2025

Vancouver’s age structure reveals a metropolitan area with a relatively youthful median age of 38.7 years, younger than Canada’s overall median, indicating continued appeal to working-age adults and young families. The largest demographic cohort comprises residents aged 25-34 years, representing 20.59% of the population or approximately 640,000 individuals. This concentration of young adults reflects Vancouver’s role as an employment hub, particularly in technology, film production, international trade, and professional services sectors that attract early and mid-career professionals.

The senior population aged 65 years and older accounts for 17.01% of Metro Vancouver residents, totaling approximately 529,000 people. This proportion aligns with Canada’s aging demographic trends while remaining slightly below the national average, partly due to continued immigration of working-age adults. Children and youth under 15 years comprise 12.76% of the population, while those aged 15-24 represent another 10.42%, together constituting nearly one-quarter of residents. The working-age population between 25-64 years dominates at approximately 61.8%, providing a substantial tax base and labor force. However, housing affordability challenges have prompted concerns about young families’ ability to remain in the region, potentially impacting future age distribution patterns as some households relocate to more affordable markets.

Ethnic Diversity in Vancouver 2025 – Cultural Composition

Data Source: Statistics Canada 2021 Census Focus on Geography, Metro Vancouver Demographics

Cultural Mosaic of Vancouver’s Population in 2025

Vancouver’s ethnic composition represents one of the most diverse demographic profiles globally, with 54.5% of Metro Vancouver residents identifying as visible minorities according to the 2021 Census, marking the first time visible minorities constituted a majority in the metropolitan area. The Chinese community remains the largest single ethnic group at 24.5% or approximately 159,080 people in the city proper, with concentrations in Richmond where 80.3% of residents identify as visible minorities, creating vibrant Chinatowns and Asian commercial districts.

The South Asian community comprises 14.2% of Metro Vancouver’s population, representing approximately 374,000 residents concentrated particularly in Surrey and Burnaby, where Punjabi Market and other cultural institutions flourish. The Filipino population at 5.5% or roughly 145,000 people represents another significant demographic, distributed throughout the metropolitan area. European-descent residents account for 43.1% of the population, with English, Scottish, and Irish origins historically predominant, still visible in neighborhoods like Kerrisdale, Shaughnessy, and South Granville. The Indigenous population, while smaller at 2.4% or approximately 63,400 people, represents the original inhabitants of the region, with Coast Salish peoples including Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations maintaining territorial presence. Vancouver’s ethnocultural diversity exceeds Toronto and Montreal in certain metrics, with no visible majority existing in Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, and Coquitlam, creating genuinely multicultural urban environments.

Language Diversity in Vancouver 2025 – Linguistic Landscape

Data Source: Statistics Canada 2021 Census, City of Vancouver Language Analysis

Multilingual Character of Vancouver’s Population 2025

Vancouver stands among North America’s most linguistically diverse cities, with at least 190 different languages spoken throughout the metropolitan area, including 26 Indigenous languages representing Coast Salish and other First Nations linguistic traditions. While 94.1% of residents possess English language proficiency, a remarkable 47.8% of Vancouverites speak neither English nor French as their mother tongue, exceeding rates in Toronto and Montreal despite their larger immigrant populations.

Chinese languages collectively represent the largest non-official language group, with approximately 162,000 speakers or 24.9% of residents speaking Mandarin, Cantonese, or other Chinese dialects. The 2021 Census recorded 159,080 people of Chinese ethnic origin, making this community’s linguistic presence proportionally significant. Punjabi speakers number approximately 73,000 or 11.2%, reflecting the substantial South Asian population concentrated in Surrey and Burnaby suburbs. Tagalog, spoken by the Filipino community, accounts for 42,000 speakers or 6.5%, while Korean speakers number 28,000 at 4.3%, with visible commercial presence along Robson Street and in Coquitlam. At home, 67% of Vancouver residents speak English most often, while 13% use Chinese languages, and 26% regularly communicate in non-English languages, creating multilingual households and commercial districts. This linguistic diversity necessitates city services, signage, and community programs in multiple languages, with bilingual Chinese-English and Punjabi-English street signs visible in Chinatown and Punjabi Market respectively. The 44% of residents with non-English mother tongues represents one of North America’s highest proportions, reflecting Vancouver’s role as Canada’s primary gateway for Asia-Pacific immigration.

Immigration and Newcomers to Vancouver 2025

Data Source: Statistics Canada 2021 Census Immigration Profile, Metro Vancouver Demographics

Immigration Patterns Shaping Vancouver’s Population 2025

Immigration serves as the primary driver of population growth in Vancouver and British Columbia broadly, with 41.8% of Metro Vancouver residents born outside Canada, totaling approximately 1,089,185 immigrants. Within the City of Vancouver proper, immigrants comprise 42.2% or 274,365 people, slightly exceeding the metropolitan average and establishing Vancouver among Canada’s top immigration destinations alongside Toronto and Montreal. Between 2016 and 2021 alone, 154,820 newcomers settled in Metro Vancouver, with approximately 75% of British Columbia’s recent immigrants choosing the metropolitan area.

China remains the dominant source country, with 63,275 immigrants or 23.1% of Vancouver’s foreign-born population originating from Mainland China, supplemented by 25,480 from Hong Kong representing 9.3%. However, recent immigration patterns show India emerging as the leading source, with 30,545 recent immigrants between 2016-2021 arriving from India, representing 19.7% of newcomers during that period. The Philippines constitutes the second-largest source country with 29,930 immigrants or 10.9%, while China contributed 28,970 recent immigrants. This shift reflects changing Canadian immigration policy priorities and economic opportunities.

The United Kingdom contributes 12,895 immigrants or 4.7%, maintaining historical Commonwealth ties, while Vietnam accounts for 12,120 or 4.4%, Iran 8,775 at 3.2%, and South Korea 6,495 or 2.4%. The United States surprisingly ranks among top-ten source countries with 9,790 immigrants or 3.6%, including returning Canadian citizens and American workers relocating for employment. International immigration has been the province’s primary population growth driver in recent years, with projections indicating this trend will continue through 2046, when Metro Vancouver is expected to reach 3.97 million people with 27.7% growth driven substantially by international migration flows.

Housing and Dwellings in Vancouver 2025

Data Source: Statistics Canada 2021 Census, Greater Vancouver Realtors September 2025, WOWA.ca

Housing Market Dynamics in Vancouver’s Population 2025

Vancouver’s housing market remains among North America’s most expensive and competitive, though recent trends show price moderation following rapid increases during the pandemic era. The City of Vancouver contains 328,347 total private dwellings, with 305,336 occupied units representing 93% occupancy, while the broader Metro Vancouver region encompasses 1,104,532 total dwellings growing at 5.8% between 2016-2021, outpacing population growth and suggesting increasing dwelling density.

The benchmark home price across all property types in Metro Vancouver stood at $1,142,100 in September 2025, declining 3.2% year-over-year as elevated inventory levels and higher mortgage rates tempered buyer demand. Detached houses command the highest prices at $1,933,100, down 4.4% annually, while townhouses average $1,069,800 with 2.7% decline, and apartments/condos benchmark at $728,800 experiencing 4.4% decrease. These price reductions represent the first sustained decline since 2019, though values remain substantially elevated compared to pre-2015 levels. Active listings reached 17,079 units in September 2025, up 14.4% from September 2024 and 36.1% above the 10-year seasonal average, creating a buyer’s market with the sales-to-active-listings ratio at 11.3%, well below the 20% threshold typically associated with price appreciation.

Rental markets have experienced unusual downward pressure, with median rents declining 8.2% year-over-year to $2,776 monthly, attributed to increased purpose-built rental construction and reduced investor participation. Homeownership rates in Vancouver proper approximate 42%, substantially below Canada’s 66% national average, reflecting both housing costs and demographic factors including younger populations and higher immigrant concentrations. Housing affordability remains a critical challenge, with studies indicating over 106% of median household income required to cover ownership costs, effectively pricing out average earners without substantial financial assistance. The median household income of $82,000 contrasts starkly with the $219,000 annual income required to qualify for Vancouver’s average home price, creating a severe affordability gap driving policy debates and housing initiatives.

Economic Indicators for Vancouver Population 2025

Data Source: Statistics Canada 2021 Census, Point2Homes 2024, CMHC, Ratehub

Income and Economic Prosperity in Vancouver’s Population 2025

Vancouver presents a paradox of exceptional quality of life coupled with concerning economic indicators relative to comparable North American cities. The median household income of $82,000 annually places Vancouver substantially below regional peers, with Calgary and Edmonton both reporting median incomes approximately 20% higher. Among the 12 largest metropolitan areas in Alberta, British Columbia, and western United States, Vancouver recorded the lowest median employment income, trailing even mid-sized American cities like Fresno and Stockton, California. Seattle’s median employment income exceeds Vancouver’s by approximately $23,756, while Portland, Oregon reports 36% higher median earnings.

The median employment income for full-year, full-time workers in Vancouver stands at $63,200, with the average reaching $82,600, indicating income inequality with higher earners substantially exceeding median levels. After-tax household income averages $72,000, representing approximately 20% reduction from pre-tax figures due to federal and provincial taxation. Metro Vancouver’s average household income before taxes was recorded at $117,300 in 2021 by CMHC, though this metric includes higher-income households significantly above median levels.

The unemployment rate of 9.0% exceeds both provincial and national averages, though labor market conditions fluctuate with economic cycles. Housing cost burdens severely impact household finances, with 33.5% of households spending more than 30% of income on shelter costs, exceeding the widely accepted affordability threshold. Median monthly shelter costs reach $1,460 for homeowners and $1,570 for renters, both representing significant portions of median incomes. The stark gap between median household income ($82,000) and the $219,000 annual income required to purchase Vancouver’s average home illuminates the affordability crisis. This disparity has prompted policy discussions regarding wage growth, housing supply, land use regulations, and economic development strategies to enhance prosperity while maintaining the region’s environmental and cultural qualities that attract residents despite economic challenges.

Education and Qualifications in Vancouver 2025

Data Source: Statistics Canada 2021 Census, Point2Homes Educational Attainment Analysis

Educational Attainment in Vancouver’s Population 2025

Vancouver boasts among Canada’s highest educational attainment levels, with 33.5% of residents aged 25-64 holding university degrees at bachelor’s level or higher, totaling approximately 218,000 individuals. This proportion substantially exceeds the national average, reflecting Vancouver’s knowledge economy orientation and attraction of educated immigrants through Canada’s points-based immigration system favoring advanced credentials. Graduate and professional degree holders represent 14.6% or roughly 95,000 people, indicating significant concentrations of master’s, doctoral, and professional degree recipients in law, medicine, and business.

College diploma holders account for 13.5% or approximately 88,000 residents, while those with high school graduation as their highest credential comprise 23.2% or 151,000 people. Trades and apprenticeship certificate holders represent 4.2% or 27,000 individuals, a relatively modest proportion compared to other Canadian cities, reflecting Vancouver’s service-oriented economy versus manufacturing or resource extraction sectors. Approximately 10.5% or 68,000 residents possess no formal certificate or diploma, below national averages and reflecting both educational attainment among immigrants and domestic populations.

The highly educated population correlates with Vancouver’s economic specialization in technology, film production, professional services, international trade, and tourism sectors requiring advanced credentials. Major post-secondary institutions including the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, British Columbia Institute of Technology, and numerous colleges serve approximately 200,000 students annually, contributing to educational attainment while generating economic activity and attracting international students who often transition to permanent residence. The concentration of university graduates creates competition for knowledge economy positions while potentially contributing to income stagnation as credential inflation affects compensation expectations. Educational attainment disparities exist across ethnic and immigrant cohorts, with recent immigrants often possessing higher formal education than Canadian-born residents, though credential recognition challenges can impede career progression despite advanced qualifications.

Population Projections for Vancouver 2025-2046

Data Source: BC Stats Population Projections 2024, Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy, Medium-Growth Scenario

Future Population Growth for Vancouver Through 2046

Population projections indicate Metro Vancouver will experience sustained robust growth through mid-century, driven primarily by international immigration supplemented by interprovincial migration and natural increase. The medium-growth scenario projects the metropolitan population reaching 3,323,000 by 2030, representing approximately 10% growth from current levels. By 2040, the population is expected to reach 3,810,000, while the milestone of 4 million residents is anticipated by 2045, nine years earlier than previous projections suggested.

By 2046, Metro Vancouver’s population is forecast at 3,970,000 under medium-growth assumptions, representing 27.7% growth from 2024 levels. The high-growth scenario suggests the population could reach 4,210,000 by 2050, nearly 40% increase from current levels. These projections assume continued federal immigration targets directing substantial newcomer flows to British Columbia, stable economic conditions supporting employment growth, and housing supply expanding to accommodate population increases, though all three assumptions face uncertainty given policy volatility, economic cycles, and regulatory constraints on development.

The City of Vancouver proper is projected to grow more modestly than surrounding suburbs, potentially reaching 820,000 by 2030, 920,000 by 2040, and approaching 1 million residents by 2046 as densification policies enable additional housing despite geographic constraints. Surrey, currently the second-largest city, is projected to surpass Vancouver’s population by approximately 2027 at current growth rates, becoming BC’s most populous municipality. Burnaby is expected to reach 310,000 by 2030 and 388,000 by 2050 under medium scenarios.

These population increases necessitate substantial infrastructure investments including rapid transit expansion, school construction, healthcare facilities, water and sewage system upgrades, and housing production estimated at 20,000-30,000 units annually across the metropolitan area. Environmental considerations including protecting agricultural land, managing urban sprawl, maintaining green spaces, and achieving climate targets add complexity to accommodating projected growth. Immigration policy changes, housing affordability trends, economic opportunities, and climate change impacts introduce significant uncertainty to long-term projections, though the fundamental trajectory points toward continued metropolitan expansion establishing Metro Vancouver as one of North America’s major urban regions comparable in scale to Greater Montreal today.

Population Density Analysis for Vancouver 2025

Data Source: Statistics Canada 2021 Census, BC Stats Regional Data

Density Patterns in Vancouver’s Population Distribution 2025

Vancouver ranks as Canada’s most densely populated city at 5,749.7 people per square kilometer, exceeding all other Canadian municipalities with populations above 5,000 residents. This extraordinary density results from geographic constraints including water boundaries on three sides, mountainous terrain to the north, and deliberate urban planning policies prioritizing vertical development over horizontal sprawl. For comparison, Toronto’s density approximates 4,334 per km², Montreal 4,662 per km², placing Vancouver substantially above both despite their larger absolute populations.

Within Metro Vancouver, density varies considerably by municipality. Burnaby, the third-largest city, maintains density of 2,939.9 per km², reflecting its role as a transition zone between Vancouver’s core and suburban communities. Surrey, despite being BC’s second-most populous city approaching 633,000 residents, exhibits lower density at 2,000.3 per km² due to its larger land area of 316.41 km² and more suburban character with significant single-family housing stock. Richmond’s density of 1,624.3 per km² reflects mixed development patterns including substantial agricultural land reserves alongside dense urban nodes.

Metro Vancouver overall averages 1,080 people per km² across its 2,878.93 km² land area, substantially exceeding densities in Calgary (1,501 per km²) and Edmonton (1,360 per km²) when comparing metropolitan regions. The broader Lower Mainland region, encompassing 35,000 km² including extensive rural and mountainous areas, exhibits much lower density at 96.8 per km². Vancouver’s density remains modest by global standards, with Singapore reaching 8,500 per km².

Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.

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