Quebec, QC Population 2026: 567,600 (StatCan Estimate) + Age, Income & Growth Data

Name: 2021 Census Population and Demographics Profile for Quebec
Creator: Statistics Canada
License: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/reference/licence

Quebec on the Map

Points of interest (54)
Places to visit (27)
Green spaces (21)

Quebec location on the map. View in Google Maps

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Quebec has a population of around 549,459 people. The city's population is in increased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Quebec has increased by ▲ 3.30%.

Population in 2016	Population in 2021	Difference
531,902	549,459	+3.30%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.65% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Quebec's population is projected to reach approximately 567,596 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 1,254.91 people per km².

Population in 2021	Projected Population in 2026	Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
549,459	567,596	1,254.91

This projection is an estimate calculated by CAPopulation from the compound annual growth rate between the 2016 and 2021 censuses. Official 2026 complete census data expected to be released in late 2027.

Quebec Population Trend & Context

Quebec is the 2nd-largest city in Quebec, with a 2021 census population of 549,459 — an increase of 17,557 (▲ 3.30%) people from the 531,902 recorded in 2016.

The city's population has grown slightly over this period, reflecting broader growth trends among Quebec cities. The city's median age of 43.2 years closely mirrors the national median of 41.9, suggesting a demographic profile in line with the Canadian average.

How does Quebec compare to other Quebec cities?

1st Montreal 1,762,949
2nd Quebec This city 549,459
3rd Laval 438,366
4th Gatineau 291,041

Population By Genders

The male population of Quebec is around 267,585 while the female population is around 281,870.

Of the 549,459 total population in Quebec, the largest gender is female with around 281,870 female within the population.

Male	Female	Difference
267,585	281,870	+5.07%

Is Quebec a Good Place to Live?

Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Quebec compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Quebec, its own province. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.

Employment & Economy

7.1%

Unemployment rate

0.5 pts below the province

60.2%

Employment rate

0.9 pts above the province

64.9%

Participation rate

0.8 pts above the province

Income & Affordability

$70,500

Median household income

$2,000 below the province

10.5%

Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)

1.4 pts below the province

Commute

80.4%

Commute under 30 minutes

14.1 pts above the province

78.6%

Commute by car

3.8 pts below the province

10.8%

Commute by public transit

1.8 pts above the province

Housing Character

30.4%

Single-detached houses

14.2 pts below the province

60.8%

Apartments (any building size)

14.4 pts above the province

Household Composition

2.00 people

Average household size

0.20people below the province

41.5%

One-person households

6.4 pts above the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Quebec Population Compared to Quebec

Quebec's population in 2021 was 8,501,833, spread across the area. Here's how Quebec compares to the city's key indicators:

Indicator	Quebec	Quebec
Median household income	$70,500	$72,500
Unemployment rate	7.1%	7.6%
Median age	43.2	43.2
Bachelor's degree or higher	32.5%	26.5%
Immigrants (%)	8.5%	14.6%

Population by Age Characteristics

Quebec has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 25 to 29 years old, accounting for 7.20% of the total population. The city median age is 43.20.

Data	Male	Female	Difference	Total
25 to 29 years	20,145 7.50%	19,325 6.90%	4.07%	39,470 7.20%
60 to 64 years	18,870 7.10%	20,240 7.20%	6.77%	39,105 7.10%
55 to 59 years	18,320 6.80%	18,805 6.70%	2.58%	37,125 6.80%
30 to 34 years	18,700 7.00%	18,200 6.50%	2.67%	36,900 6.70%
40 to 44 years	18,725 7.00%	18,085 6.40%	3.42%	36,805 6.70%
35 to 39 years	18,670 7.00%	17,610 6.20%	5.68%	36,280 6.60%
65 to 69 years	16,600 6.20%	19,405 6.90%	14.46%	36,000 6.60%
70 to 74 years	14,690 5.50%	17,670 6.30%	16.86%	32,360 5.90%
20 to 24 years	15,915 5.90%	16,070 5.70%	0.96%	31,980 5.80%
45 to 49 years	15,655 5.90%	15,035 5.30%	3.96%	30,685 5.60%
50 to 54 years	15,180 5.70%	15,200 5.40%	0.13%	30,385 5.50%
5 to 9 years	14,410 5.40%	13,735 4.90%	4.68%	28,145 5.10%
10 to 14 years	13,980 5.20%	13,650 4.80%	2.36%	27,630 5.00%
0 to 4 years	12,960 4.80%	12,285 4.40%	5.21%	25,250 4.60%
75 to 79 years	10,915 4.10%	14,015 5.00%	22.12%	24,930 4.50%
15 to 19 years	12,380 4.60%	12,285 4.40%	0.77%	24,665 4.50%
85 years and over	5,110 1.90%	10,940 3.90%	53.29%	16,050 2.90%
80 to 84 years	6,360 2.40%	9,325 3.30%	31.80%	15,680 2.90%
85 to 89 years	3,425 1.30%	6,380 2.30%	46.32%	9,810 1.80%
90 to 94 years	1,405 0.50%	3,470 1.20%	59.51%	4,875 0.90%
95 to 99 years	260 0.10%	955 0.30%	72.77%	1,210 0.20%
100 years and over	20 0.00%	135 0.00%	85.19%	155 0.00%

Broader Age Groups

If the city's population is divided into broader age groups, most of the population falls into the 15 to 64 years age group. The group accounts for 62.50% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 22.80% and 14.70%, respectively.

If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Quebec are within the 15 to 64 years age group.

Data	Male	Female	Total
15 to 64 years	64.50%	60.60%	62.50%
65 years and over	20.10%	25.30%	22.80%
0 to 14 years	15.50%	14.10%	14.70%

Population of Quebec by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Quebec is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Quebec is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the city appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.

The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Quebec are Canadian, which accounts for 33.90% of the total population, followed by French (27.58%), French Canadian (9.07%), Irish (4.39%), and Caucasian (White) (2.27%).

Other ethnicities and origins in Quebec include Scottish, First Nations (North American Indian), European, Italian, and English.

Ethnicity and Origin	Male	Female	Percentage in Population
Canadian	33.31%	34.47%	33.90%
French	28.28%	26.92%	27.58%
French Canadian	8.95%	9.19%	9.07%
Irish	4.27%	4.51%	4.39%
Caucasian (White)	2.27%	2.28%	2.27%
Scottish	1.63%	1.64%	1.63%
First Nations (North American Indian)	1.37%	1.73%	1.55%
European	1.46%	1.28%	1.37%
Italian	1.35%	1.28%	1.32%
English	1.31%	1.23%	1.27%

Indigenous Identity in Quebec

About 1.76% of Quebec's population (9,395 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 98.24% who report a non-Indigenous identity.

Of the Indigenous population, 3,260 people (0.60% of the total population) hold Registered or Treaty Indian status.

Indigenous identity1.8%

Non-Indigenous identity98.2%

Immigration Profile

Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Quebec's population profile.

About 8.5% of Quebec's population are immigrants (45,235 people).

The top countries of origin for Quebec's immigrant population are France (7,360), Colombia (2,865), Morocco (2,715), Algeria (1,915), Congo, Democratic Republic of the (1,310).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of Birth	Population
France	7,360
Colombia	2,865
Morocco	2,715
Algeria	1,915
Congo, Democratic Republic of the	1,310

94.3% of Quebec's residents (503,370 people) are Canadian citizens, and 5.7% are not.

By generation status, 11.6% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 5.5% are second generation, and 82.9% are third generation or more.

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 120,775 of Quebec's population live in a apartment in a building that has fewer than five storeys. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.

Household Size

About 20.75% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 17.35% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 5.35%, 4.60%, and 1.95%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in Household	Total	Percentage
1 person	110,300	20.75%
2 persons	92,215	17.35%
3 persons	28,440	5.35%
4 persons	24,375	4.60%
5 or more persons	10,375	1.95%

Dwelling & Housing Detail

Of the 265,715 occupied private dwellings in Quebec, 51.2% are owner-occupied (136,145) and 48.8% are rented (129,565). The median value of owned dwellings is $300,000 (average $326,800).

Period of Construction

20.8% of Quebec's occupied private dwellings were built in 1960 or before, while 6.1% were built between 2016 and 2021.

Family and Household Structure in Quebec

Of census families in Quebec, 85.1% are couple families and 14.9% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.7 people.

Couple families85.1%

One-parent families14.9%

41.5% of households in Quebec are one-person households, 45.3% are couple-family households, 7.5% are one-parent-family households, and 0.5% are multigenerational households.

Household Type	Households	Percentage
One-person households	110,300	41.5%
Couple-family households	120,310	45.3%
One-parent-family households	20,060	7.5%
Multigenerational households	1,310	0.5%

Income in Quebec

Analyzing income distribution in Quebec can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Quebec is $44,400.

A region's per capita data sheds light on the average income earned per person living in it. Since per capita income is calculated by dividing the region's total income by its population, it quantifies the population's economic situation on an individual basis.

Such data offers insights into the city's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.

Most of Quebec population or around 72,485 people falls in the $50,000 to $79,999 group. The next largest groups are the $10,000 to $29,999, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 68,460 and 66,470 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Quebec's median household income is $70,500, according to 2020 data.

Below national average Quebec's median household income is 13,500 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).

The data provides important insights into the city's economic landscape as well as the living standards of its population.

Analyzing such data enables researchers, policymakers, and businesses to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the city's income distribution, disparities, and trends.

Education Levels in Quebec

This data sheds light on the distribution of Quebec residents across educational milestones.

Such information is crucial in shaping the province’s policies on education, workforce development strategies, and initiatives that aim to improve access to quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.

78.40% or most of the Quebec population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 14.50% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 7.10% has a No certificate, diploma or degree. (Individual figures may not sum to exactly 100% due to Statistics Canada's random rounding of small-area 25% sample data.)

Population aged 25 to 64 years, using 25% sample data. Individual values may not sum exactly to totals due to Statistics Canada's random rounding.
Degree	Men	Women	Total	Percentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree	108,825	113,995	222,815	78.40%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate	21,655	19,500	41,150	14.50%
No certificate, diploma or degree	11,875	8,435	20,315	7.10%

Above national average 35.7% of Quebec's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Quebec

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Quebec. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.

The data shows that the unemployment rate in Quebec is at 7.15% which is quite high.

Only using 25% sample data.
Status	Percentage
Employment rate	60.23%
Unemployment rate	7.15%

Work Activity During the Reference Year

Of the population aged 15 and over in Quebec, 36.3% worked full year full time in the reference year, 30.0% worked part year and/or part time, and 33.6% did not work.

Only using 25% sample data.
Work Activity	Population	Percentage
Worked full year full time	164,495	36.3%
Worked part year and/or part time	135,940	30.0%
Did not work	152,255	33.6%

Working as an Employee

The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the city who work as an employee. The majority of Quebec's population (around 74.00%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the city, there are 16,000 men and 10,815 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 26,810.

Only using 25% sample data.
Status	Men	Women	Total
Self-employed	16,000	10,815	26,810

Employment Industry Sectors

The Quebec industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Quebec is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.

Quebec has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (15%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Public administration sector comes second at 13%, followed by Retail trade at 11%.

Only using 25% sample data.
Industry	Men	Women	Percentage
Health care and social assistance	10,755	34,120	15%
Public administration	19,355	20,025	13%
Retail trade	16,625	16,320	11%
Professional, scientific and technical services	16,180	10,305	9%
Educational services	8,030	15,195	8%
Accommodation and food services	9,160	8,345	6%
Manufacturing	12,255	4,750	6%
Construction	12,520	1,945	5%
Finance and insurance	6,395	7,535	5%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services	7,565	4,460	4%
Other services (except public administration)	5,415	6,195	4%
Transportation and warehousing	8,380	2,095	4%
Wholesale trade	5,785	1,960	3%
Arts, entertainment and recreation	2,560	2,330	2%
Information and cultural industries	3,105	1,610	2%
Real estate and rental and leasing	2,505	1,755	2%
Utilities	1,070	285	1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting	745	585	1%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction	455	90	0%
Management of companies and enterprises	160	145	0%

Labour Market Snapshot

A quick snapshot of where Quebec residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.

Top employer sectors in Quebec: Health care and social assistance (15%), Public administration (13%), Retail trade (11%)

Top occupation categories in Quebec: Sales and service occupations (24%), Business, finance and administration occupations (20%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (14%)

Places of Work

The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the city. It provides a snapshot of workplaces, showing their geographic distribution and the flow of workers across different areas.

Only using 25% sample data.
Work Location	Men	Women	Total	Percentage
Usual place of work	86,015	89,845	175,860	64.50%
Worked at home	35,490	35,815	71,305	26.20%
No fixed workplace address	18,640	6,405	25,050	9.20%
Worked outside Canada	325	125	450	0.20%

Commuting

The data sheds light on how Quebec residents travel to school or work. It highlights the frequency of different modes of transportation like walking, cycling, carpooling, and public transit.

The data is pivotal in the making of transportation policies as well as the development of transit systems. Ultimately commuting data contributes to improving the quality of life of Quebec residents and sustainable urban planning.

Commuting Duration

This data reveals the average time that the residents of Quebec spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the city's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the city.

Only using 25% sample data.
Duration	Percentage
15 to 29 minutes	48.00%
Less than 15 minutes	32.40%
30 to 44 minutes	13.40%
45 to 59 minutes	3.60%
60 minutes and over	2.60%

Marital Status

The statistics on marital status in Quebec shed light on its societal dynamics. It captures the diverse types of marital statuses of the population.

Long-term commitments, such as common-law partnerships, civil unions, and marriages, reflect the city's social fabric. We can gain insights into Quebec's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.

Married or living common-law54.2%

Not married and not living common-law45.8%

Language Spoken

The data below highlights city's linguistic diversity, showing elegances of solo language as well as bilingual harmonies. Other than language, it also shows the cultural landscape in Canada.

French is the most spoken official language in Quebec. About 522,475 people living in the city speak French, 10,130 people speak English, 7,795 people speak English and French language, and 2,040 people speak Neither English nor French language.

Language	Population
French	522,475
English	10,130
English and French	7,795
Neither English nor French	2,040

Knowledge of Official Languages

About 42.7% of Quebec's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 0.4% know English only, 56.5% know French only, and 0.4% know neither official language.

Knowledge of Official Languages	Population	Percentage
English only	2,150	0.4%
French only	306,375	56.5%
English and French	231,725	42.7%
Neither English nor French	2,180	0.4%

Mother Tongue & Home Language

Useful for newcomers researching an area: this shows the language residents first learned at home in childhood (mother tongue) and the language they speak most often at home now, which can differ as families settle in.

Language	Mother Tongue	Spoken Most Often at Home
French	90.6%	93.5%
Non-official languages	6.1%	3.2%
English	1.4%	1.2%

Religion

Quebec is predominantly Christian. About 349,320 of its population is Christian (163,960 males and 185,355 females).

The second largest religion in the city is Muslim with 3.3% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Buddhist and Hindu, both represent 0.3% and 0.1% of the population, while Jewish represent 0.1% of the population.

Religion	Population
Christian	65.5%
Islam	3.3%
Buddhist	0.3%
Hindu	0.1%
Jewish	0.1%
Sikh	0.0%

Points of Interest in Quebec

Hospitals

CRCEO

Schools

Universities

Parks

Libraries

Community Centres

Places to Visit in Quebec

Museums

Attractions

Historic Sites

Theatres

Green Spaces in Quebec

Name	Type	Approx. Area
Parc de la chute Montmorency	Parks	—
Parc de l'Escarpement	Parks	—
Parc Linéaire des Rivières Saint-Charles et du Berger	Parks	—
Parc de la Rivière Duberger	Parks	—
Centre de Plein-Air Notre-Dame-des-Bois	Parks	—
Parc de la Gentiane	Parks	—
Parc du Vieux-Passage	Parks	—
Parc Chabanel	Parks	—
Parc Jean-Mignaux	Parks	—
Parc de l'Anse-à-Cartier	Parks	—
Parc De L'escarpement	Parks	—
Tir à l'arc saisonnier	Parks	—
Cabane vikings	Parks	—
Maison Elfes	Parks	—
Place de l'Assemblée-Nationale	Parks	—
Parc des Moulins	Parks	—
Parc Bassin Brown	Parks	—
Parc du Cap-au-Diable	Parks	—
Parc Gilles-Lamontagne	Parks	—
ruelle 1	Parks	—
Site historique de la Chute-Montmorency	Nature Reserves	—

Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.

Nearest Cities to Quebec

Methodology

Data vintage: Reference date was Census Day, May 11, 2021. Statistics Canada released this profile in stages starting February 9, 2022, with later characteristics added through the remainder of 2022.
Rounding & suppression: To protect respondent confidentiality, Statistics Canada randomly rounds every count shown here, and withholds some characteristics entirely for areas with very small populations. This is why a small number of figures on this page may show as unavailable for smaller places — it reflects a StatCan privacy rule, not missing data on our end.
Next update: These are the most recent figures available. Canada's next census is scheduled for May 2026, with results expected to begin release in 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions about Quebec

What is the population of Quebec?

According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Quebec has a population of 549,459 people, making it the 2nd city in Quebec. The population increased moderately from 531,902 in 2016, an increase of 17,557 people or 3.30%. The city has a population density of 1,214.8 people per km² across a land area of 452.30 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.

Is the population of Quebec growing?

Quebec's population grew by 3.30% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 531,902 to 549,459 people, a gain of 17,557 residents. This modest growth reflects patterns seen in many other Quebec cities during this period. The median age of 43.20 years suggests a mature, established community. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (41.5%) may indicate young adults leaving for larger centres. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.

What is the population density of Quebec?

Quebec has a population density of approximately 1,214.80 people per square kilometre.

How large is Quebec?

Quebec covers a land area of approximately 452.30 km².

What is the median age in Quebec?

The median age of the population in Quebec is 43.20 years.

What is the largest ethnic group in Quebec?

The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Quebec is Canadian.

What is the median household income in Quebec?

The median household income in Quebec is $70,500, based on 2020 data.

What is the most spoken language in Quebec?

French is the most common first official language spoken in Quebec.

What is the main religion in Quebec?

Christian is the predominant religion in Quebec.

What percentage of Quebec's population is Indigenous?

According to the 2021 Census, 1.8% of Quebec's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.

What percentage of Quebec residents are Canadian citizens?

94.3% of Quebec's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.

What percentage of families in Quebec are one-parent families?

One-parent families make up 14.9% of census families in Quebec, according to the 2021 Census.

Are there many multigenerational households in Quebec?

Multigenerational households make up 0.5% of all households in Quebec, per the 2021 Census.

What percentage of Quebec's population is bilingual in English and French?

42.7% of Quebec's population knows both English and French, based on 2021 Census data on knowledge of official languages.

What percentage of Quebec's workforce works full-time year-round?

Of the population aged 15 and over in Quebec, 36.3% worked full year full time in the 2021 Census reference year.

Why isn't 2026 census data for Quebec available yet?

Statistics Canada (statcan.gc.ca) conducted the 2026 Census of Population in May 2026. However, census data goes through an extensive processing, validation, and quality-assurance period before public release. Based on the release plan, the 2026 Census results begin rolling out on February 10, 2027, with complete community-level profiles available by December 1, 2027. Until then, this page uses 2021 Census data as its primary source, supplemented by a population projection estimate for 2026 calculated using the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from the 2016–2021 Census period.