Overview of Canada's Population Density
Canada is a vast country that spans over 3,855,103 square miles. Despite its large size, Canada is sparsely populated with just 37,742,154 people living in the nation. This gives Canada a population density of just 9.8 people per square mile, making it one of the least densely populated countries in the world. Canada has a population density of 2.6 people per square kilometer, ranking it as the 233rd most densely populated country. When compared to other countries, Canada is far less densely populated than the United States, which has a population density of 87 people per square mile, or India, which has a population density of 4,325 people per square mile.
Canada's Regional Population Density
Although Canada's population density is low overall, this figure is heavily impacted by the vast swaths of uninhabited territory in the north of the country. However, when looking at only the more populated regions in Canada, the population density is much higher. The most populous province, Ontario, has a population density of 153 people per square mile, while Quebec has a population density of 134 people per square mile. British Columbia, the country's westernmost province, has a population density of 24 people per square mile, while Alberta has a population density of 27 people per square mile.
Canada's Urban Population Density
The population density of Canada's major cities is significantly higher than the national average. Toronto, Canada's largest city, has a population density of 3,788 people per square mile. Montreal has a population density of 5,284 people per square mile, while Vancouver has a population density of 5,491 people per square mile. Calgary, the largest city in Alberta, has a population density of 2,069 people per square mile. Other cities with high population densities include Ottawa (2,115 people per square mile), Edmonton (2,739 people per square mile), and Hamilton (2,066 people per square mile).
Population Density of Canada's Territories
Canada's northern territories are even less densely populated than the rest of the country. The Northwest Territories has a population density of 0.03 people per square mile, while Nunavut has a population density of just 0.02 people per square mile. The Yukon Territory has a population density of 0.14 people per square mile, while the province of Newfoundland and Labrador has a population density of 2.4 people per square mile. These figures are significantly lower than those of Canada's more populated provinces.
Canada's Population Density Over Time
Canada's population density has increased significantly since the nation was founded. In 1867, the population density of Canada was just 0.3 people per square mile. By the year 1921, the population density had increased to 8.3 people per square mile. By 2016, the population density had increased to 9.8 people per square mile. This increase can be attributed to a combination of internal migration and immigration from other