Living in Cities in Canada: 1800 to Today (and Tomorrow)

Behind every percentage lies the quiet redistribution of human lives across the Canadian landscape. This is the story of how generations shifted from scattered rural horizons to dense urban grids, fundamentally altering daily routines, work, and community. Numbers compiled by MYRIAD reveal the profound scale of this migration across three centuries, mapping the physical spaces where millions of people built their homes, raised families, and shaped the modern nation.

The historical arc traces a steady, unbroken climb from the 1800s estimate of 5.99 percent, through the 1900s estimate of 39.91 percent, reaching the 2020s standing at 81.6 percent — ranking #19 of 157 countries. Projections suggest this trajectory will continue upward, moving from the 2030s projection of 83.6 percent toward the 2100s projection of 95 percent. Every decade records a new chapter in this demographic transformation, reflecting the evolving nature of human settlement in Canada.

For anyone navigating this urban evolution, living in cities defines the rhythm of modern existence, connecting you to a dense network of fellow citizens. As urban shares rise from past decades toward future projections, the daily environment grows increasingly compact and interconnected.

Where do YOU rank among everyone ever born? →