20 Fastest Growing Cities in Canada [2022]

Whether you need this for class or you’re simply curious, here are the 20 fastest-growing cities in Canada. This list is based on a variety of sources including a report from Statistics Canada. They’re the fastest-growing cities based on their economy, population growth rates, and more.

Ace that test or impress that friend by learning about some of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, why they’re the fastest, and what they have to offer.

Top 20 Fastest-Growing Cities in Canada

According to Statistics Canada, here are the top 20 Fastest-Growing Cities in Canada and their population growth rate from 2016 to 2021:

  1.  Kelowna, B.C – 14%
  2. Chilliwack, B.C. – 12.1%
  3.  Kamloops, B.C. – 10%
  4. London, Ont. – 10%
  5. Nanaimo, B.C. – 10%
  6. Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo, Ont. – 9.9%
  7.  Oshawa, Ont. – 9.3%
  8. Halifax, N.S. – 9.1%
  9. Guelph, Ont. – 9%
  10. Moncton, N.B. – 8.9%
  11. Ottawa–Gatineau, Ont. and Que. 8.5%
  12. Abbotsford–Mission, B.C. – 8.4%
  13. Barrie, Ont. – 8%
  14. Victoria, B.C. – 8%
  15. Saskatoon, Sask. – 7.6%
  16. Belleville–Quinte West, Ont. – 7.5%
  17. Brantford, Ont. – 7.4%
  18. Edmonton, Alta. – 7.3%
  19. Vancouver, B.C. – 7.3%
  20. Sherbrooke, Que. – 7.2%
fastest growing cities in Canada
Source: Statistics Canada

1. Kelowna, British Columbia

Kelowna is the fastest growing city by population according to Statistics Canada. It is home to world-class vineyards, beaches, ski hills, and a ton of other attractions that make it a vacation hotspot.

You’ll no doubt enjoy your time in this city and it might even convince you to settle down here as it convinced the many other people who are now part of the population of Kelowna.

Another perk is that although the community is growing, it still is considered a small town. We all know why we love small towns. What? No! Not because of Gilmore Girls.

Ok, maybe just a little bit. But mostly because this small town has a great community perfect for raising families or just meeting new people in general. Add this to the list of top cities in Canada. Kelowna’s population grew by 14% from 2016 to 2021. The population in Kelowna grew from 194,892 to 222,162 in 2021.

2. Chilliwack, B.C.

The City of Chilliwack is primarily a great city to live in. Located in the province of British Columbia, Canada, east of Vancouver off the Trans Canada Highway Chilliwack is a historically agricultural community.

Chilliwack’s population has exploded in the past few years and it’s now primarily a suburban city. The population in Chilliwack grew from 101,512 in 2016 to 113,767 in 2021. That’s a significant growth of 12.1%.
 

3. Kamloops, B.C.

The city of Kamloops is nestled in the heart of British Columbia’s sunny Southern Interior and can easily be accessed via road, air, and rail. The popular Sun Peaks Resort’s hiking trails, bike parks, and a variety of ski runs lie to the northeast of this city.

Kamloops like many cities in Canada is a nature lover’s dream! The population in Kamloops grew from 103,811 in 2016 to 114,142 in 2021. That’s a significant growth of 10% in 5 years.

4. London, Ontario

Saskatoon was very unique indeed. However, we’ll move on to the next equally amazing city called London in Ontario. No, this is not the same London where the queen of England lives.

This is the London that is best known for its medical research, manufacturing, and technology. So, if you’re going for the modern feel, London is definitely a place you might want to visit soon. London saw a population percentage growth of 494,069 to 543,551. That’s a 10% growth from 2016 to 2021.

5. Nanaimo, B.C.

Nanaimo is a fast-growing ferry port city that has used its excellent harbor for fostering the trading, servicing and distribution industries. Fishing and lumbering have thrived in this city since the 1950s. Nanaimo is located on the east coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada.

Nanaimo has an abundance of outdoor adventure including scuba diving along the Nanaimo coastline, a variety of trails, golf courses, boating, and sailing opportunities. Nanaimo like London saw a population growth of 10% from 2016 to 2021. They went from a population of 104,936 to a fair 115,459.

6. Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo

Next up, we have Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo. These are beautiful cities and one name might be eerily familiar. Whether you know the word “waterloo” because of the Mamma Mia song or because you’re a history buff, Waterloo is quite popular.

However, we don’t consider this triad fast growing because of the name. It is fast growing because of the population increase. In these three cities, there was a 50,000+ increase in population over the past 5 years. That’s a 9.9% growth over 5 years. That means the economy is bustling and more people are choosing to settle down there.

You don’t have to wonder why there was a population increase though because once you take a look at these cities, you’ll find that it has this historic vibe to them that surely draws in tourists. Asides from the many tech companies and students flooding these areas, there are lots of things you can do and opportunities you can make use of in these cities. Have fun discovering these gorgeous cities.

7. Oshawa, Ontario

Known for being the center of sports events and entertainment, Oshawa is growing into a bustling town sitting on the shore of Lake Ontario. Here, you’ll find some of the most beautiful sites and homes that can be likened to manors. Oshawa’s population grew from 379,848 in 2016 to 415,311 in 2021. That’s a percentage growth rate of 9.3%!

Enjoy plenty of walks in the park, trails, and opportunities to discover Canada’s robust culture. It’s a great place to live and a great place to visit during the holidays.

What can you do in Oshawa? There are a lot of fun things to be done here. You’re welcome to explore modern and contemporary Canadian art at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery or wander around the picturesque estate of Samuel McLaughlin, the founder of General Motors of Canada.

There are a great many things to do in Oshawa. It’s all just waiting to be discovered.

8. Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax in Nova Scotia is another fast-growing community. It is fast growing because of the economy that’s getting larger and larger every day. It is best known for its bustling economy. This is also a great place to live in or visit for the holidays.

In Halifax, you can walk along the waterfront downtown, book a tour in one of the most popular breweries in Canada which is Alexander Keith’s brewery. You can discover more of Canada for free by visiting one of the many museums with free admission in Halifax. The possibilities are endless.

9. Guelph, Ontario

Guelph is a city located in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Guelph is popularly known as “The Royal City” and is roughly 100 km west of Downtown Toronto; that’s about 45 mins to Toronto if you’re driving. Over the years, Guelph has maintained low unemployment, a low crime rate, and a high standard of living.

Guelph has just the right balance of city life and small-town friendliness and is definitely a top choice in the Ontario real estate market. Guelph’s population grew from 151,984 in 2016 to 165,588 in 2022. That’s a percentage of 9% over the past five years.

10. Moncton, N.B.

Moncton is a city located in southeastern New Brunswick, Canada. This art lover’s dream is home to Resurgo Place where you’ll find Moncton Museum, which explores the city’s history. Moncton is one of the best places to live in Canada.

A thriving city in the heart of a province, Moncton offers just the right amount of work-life balance. It’s filled with natural parks and beaches and promises short commutes to work, affordable real estate, and a friendly, welcoming community. Moncton has seen significant growth of 8.9% over the past five years with the population going from 144,810 in 2016 to 157,717 in 2021.

11. Ottawa–Gatineau, Ont. and Que.

Ottawa and Gatineau are cities situated on the opposite banks of the Ottawa River, with English-speaking Ottawa on the Ontario side and Gatineau in French-speaking Quebec Province on the other. Ottawa has been the capital of Canada since 1867.

Together, these cities form a metropolitan area of over 1 million people. The population in this area went from 1,371,576 in 2016 to 1,488,307 in 2021. That’s a growth rate of 8.5%. Not bad for Canada’s capital.

12. Abbotsford–Mission, B.C.

Abbotsford-Mission is situated in British Columbia, Canada. Yes, British Columbia has most of the fastest-growing cities on this list. Abbotsford is a large yet rural city east of Vancouver in the Fraser Valley.

Abbotsford-Mission saw a population growth of 8.4% with the population going from 180,518 in 2016 to 195,726 in 2021. This fast-growing city is famous for its farm country, the Abbotsford Airshow and cheap gas.

13. Barrie, Ontario

Barrie is located on the shores of Kempenfelt Bay, the western arm of Lake Simcoe. Barrie is one of Canada’s growing cities and has been described as ‘quaint’ and accessible. Barrie’s economy is based on services and diversified manufacturing.

The fast growth of this city has led to an explosion in real estate prices, but it’s still much more affordable than Toronto. Barrie’s population grew from 197,059 in 2016 to 212,856 in 2021. That’s a population growth rate of 8% in the past five years.

14. Victoria, B.C.

Everyone seems to be moving to B.C these days and it’s not surprising. Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and lies on the southern end of Vancouver Island. This popular city is home to a thousand and one adventure and outdoor activities.

With abundant parkland, it’s known for outdoor activities. Victoria also has one of the cleanest environments in Canada. This city has been highly rated as one of the best places to live and do business and highly regarded for its freedom, safety and healthcare.

Victoria had a percentage growth of 8% from 2016 to 2021. The population in Victoria, B.C grew from 367,770 in 2016 to 397,237 in 2022.

15. Saskatoon

Fun fact: ‘Saskatoon’ is a Cree word that means “place of many berries”. It’s no wonder because this is a place of many berries, specifically the Saskatoon berry which is fitting.

After all, the berries do grow in Saskatoon. These are delicious, mouth-watering berries that will take your breath away. My stomach is growling at the thought of it. It is also the capital of some of the best restaurants the world has to offer.

Aside from the restaurants, the city also has tons of sites that you can consider Instagram-worthy. These sites are great and will definitely be unforgettable. Explore, dine, and have some fun in the bustling and growing city of Saskatoon.

The population in Saskatoon grew from 295,095 in 2016 to 317,480 in 2021. That’s a percentage growth rate of 7.6% in just five years!

16. Belleville–Quinte West, Ont.

The Quinte region is fast-growing and has become one of the top areas to live in Canada. The Belleville–Quinte areas offer a unique and dynamic mix of rural and urban lifestyles. This city like several others on this list is perfect for people looking to move from larger cities to smaller cities to achieve the much needed work-life balance.

You’ll experience the exquisite variety of natural scenery and a strong, vibrant and diverse economic base that also serves as home to Canada’s largest military base, 8 Wing/CFB Trenton. Belleville–Quinte West saw a growth rate of 7.5% with the population going from 103,401 in 2016 to 111,184 in 2021.

17. Brantford, Ontario

If you’re an avid follower of the Ontario real estate market, you definitely wouldn’t be surprised to find Brantford on this list! The pandemic has definitely contributed to the population explosion in smaller cities like Brantford. Did you know that Brantford is popular for being the birthplace of the telephone?

From the Bell Homestead National Historic Site to the Upper Canada’s first-ever Anglican Church, there’s so much history to explore in Brantford. Brantford is also an art lover’s dream and has a collection of art galleries by both small and renowned artists. This historical city saw a population growth percentage of 7.4% with the population going from 134,203 in 2016 to 144,162 in 2021.

18. Edmonton, Alberta

If you’ve checked out this list to see which city would be the best city to move to or live in, you’ll be hard-pressed to choose one. We’ve already shown you 17 amazing choices. We’re not going to stop there.

We’re adding Edmonton city in Alberta to not only your list but to the list of the fastest-growing communities in Canada. This city grew by 7.3% in the past five years with the population going from 1,321,441 in 2016 to 1,418,118 in 2021.

People love Edmonton because it offers an affordable cost of living with income that is slightly higher than the average and some of the lowest gasoline and diesel prices in Canada. Not such a bad choice, eh?

19. Vancouver, B.C.

If you’re looking for diversity, you’ll find it in Vancouver! Vancouver is a bustling west coast seaport in British Columbia and is among Canada’s densest, most ethnically diverse cities.

It’s very possible you’ve seen a movie filmed in Vancouver since it’s a popular filming location. Vancouver is surrounded by mountains, and also has thriving art, theatre and music scenes. This is the city where you go to be a star! Be warned though, the real estate prices in Vancouver are off the charts!

Vancouver has seen a growth rate of 7.3% over the past five years with the population going from 2,463,431 in 2016 to 2,642,825 in 2021.

20. Sherbrooke, Quebec

Here’s one of the more known facts about Sherbrooke. Residents here usually speak French.

Now, I know it is a bit of a turn-off however, this is one of the most stunning cities in Canada as it is situated near a river and who wouldn’t love to live in a place where everyone speaks French?

Get your Belle on when you visit this city. This city is simply fantastique. As Fancy Nancy would say, that’s French for fantastic. This Quebec city saw a percentage growth of 7.2% with the population going from 212,105 in 2016 to 227,398 in 2021.

The Takeaway

We hope that you found this article enlightening and informative. Canada truly is a beautiful country with cities that continue to grow and prosper.

The top 20 fastest-growing cities are great options to consider if you want to move to Canada or out of your current city. This guide is here to help you learn as much as you can about such a great place. You might also want to see some great facts about Canada.

Who knows? If you aren’t living in Canada now, you might want to in the future. Canada offers an array of opportunities for everyone out there. All you have to do is grab them.

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