Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Surrey has a population of around 568,322 people. The city's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Surrey has increased by 9.74%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 517,887 | 568,322 | +9.74% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.88% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Surrey's population is projected to reach approximately 623,669 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 1,972.95 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 568,322 | 623,669 | 1,972.95 |
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.
Population By Genders
The male population of Surrey is around 282,350 while the female population is around 285,970.
Of the 568,322 total population in Surrey, the largest gender is female with around 285,970 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 282,350 | 285,970 | +1.27% |
Is Surrey a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Surrey compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against British Columbia, its own province. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.
Employment & Economy
Income & Affordability
Commute
Housing Character
Household Composition
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.
Other Cities Near Surrey
- New Westminster (4.8 km)
- Port Coquitlam (9.3 km)
- Port Moody (10.2 km)
- Burnaby (10.7 km)
- Coquitlam (11.1 km)
- Pitt Meadows (12.0 km)
- Langley (17.0 km)
- Maple Ridge (18.4 km)
- Delta (19.3 km)
- Richmond (21.2 km)
- Abbotsford (40.9 km)
- Chilliwack (65.2 km)
- Duncan (77.7 km)
- Nanaimo (79.2 km)
- Langford (95.4 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
Surrey has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 20 to 24 years old, accounting for 8.00% of the total population. The city median age is 38.40.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 to 24 years | 23,725 8.40% | 21,560 7.50% | 9.13% | 45,280 8.00% |
| 25 to 29 years | 21,340 7.60% | 20,015 7.00% | 6.21% | 41,355 7.30% |
| 35 to 39 years | 19,980 7.10% | 21,080 7.40% | 5.22% | 41,055 7.20% |
| 30 to 34 years | 20,445 7.20% | 20,340 7.10% | 0.51% | 40,780 7.20% |
| 40 to 44 years | 19,025 6.70% | 20,310 7.10% | 6.33% | 39,335 6.90% |
| 45 to 49 years | 18,035 6.40% | 19,530 6.80% | 7.65% | 37,565 6.60% |
| 50 to 54 years | 18,190 6.40% | 18,945 6.60% | 3.99% | 37,135 6.50% |
| 55 to 59 years | 18,300 6.50% | 18,395 6.40% | 0.52% | 36,695 6.50% |
| 15 to 19 years | 18,115 6.40% | 16,865 5.90% | 6.90% | 34,980 6.20% |
| 10 to 14 years | 17,875 6.30% | 16,455 5.80% | 7.94% | 34,330 6.00% |
| 60 to 64 years | 16,085 5.70% | 16,810 5.90% | 4.31% | 32,895 5.80% |
| 5 to 9 years | 16,485 5.80% | 15,290 5.30% | 7.25% | 31,770 5.60% |
| 65 to 69 years | 13,510 4.80% | 14,665 5.10% | 7.88% | 28,175 5.00% |
| 0 to 4 years | 14,280 5.10% | 13,680 4.80% | 4.20% | 27,960 4.90% |
| 70 to 74 years | 10,980 3.90% | 12,215 4.30% | 10.11% | 23,195 4.10% |
| 75 to 79 years | 7,280 2.60% | 8,305 2.90% | 12.34% | 15,580 2.70% |
| 80 to 84 years | 4,635 1.60% | 5,660 2.00% | 18.11% | 10,300 1.80% |
| 85 years and over | 4,065 1.40% | 5,860 2.00% | 30.63% | 9,925 1.70% |
| 85 to 89 years | 2,655 0.90% | 3,325 1.20% | 20.15% | 5,985 1.10% |
| 90 to 94 years | 1,150 0.40% | 1,860 0.70% | 38.17% | 3,010 0.50% |
| 95 to 99 years | 220 0.10% | 555 0.20% | 60.36% | 780 0.10% |
| 100 years and over | 40 0.00% | 120 0.00% | 66.67% | 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 68.10% of the population. The other age groups, 0 to 14 years and 65 years and over, account for 16.60% and 15.30%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Surrey are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 68.40% | 67.80% | 68.10% |
| Average age of the population | 38.70% | 40.30% | 39.50% |
| Median age of the population | 37.20% | 39.60% | 38.40% |
| 0 to 14 years | 17.20% | 15.90% | 16.60% |
| 65 years and over | 14.30% | 16.30% | 15.30% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Surrey
Population of Surrey by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Surrey is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Surrey is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the province appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in the province are Indian (India), which accounts for 20.93% of the total population, followed by English (10.18%), Punjabi (8.72%), Chinese (8.40%), and Scottish (7.60%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include Filipino, Sikh, Canadian, Irish, and German.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian (India) | 21.10% | 20.77% | 20.93% |
| English | 10.16% | 10.20% | 10.18% |
| Punjabi | 8.95% | 8.50% | 8.72% |
| Chinese | 8.09% | 8.71% | 8.40% |
| Scottish | 7.39% | 7.81% | 7.60% |
| Filipino | 6.24% | 7.11% | 6.68% |
| Sikh | 6.74% | 6.33% | 6.54% |
| Canadian | 6.64% | 6.19% | 6.41% |
| Irish | 5.99% | 6.34% | 6.17% |
| German | 5.53% | 5.70% | 5.61% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Surrey's population profile.
About 44.6% of Surrey's population are immigrants (250,870 people).
The top countries of origin for Surrey's immigrant population are India (95,905), Philippines (29,510), China (23,850), United Kingdom (8,320), Korea, South (6,995).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| India | 95,905 |
| Philippines | 29,510 |
| China | 23,850 |
| United Kingdom | 8,320 |
| Korea, South | 6,995 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 60,895 of Surrey's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 13.65% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 9.90% of the population. 4 persons, 5 or more persons, and 3 persons households account for 9.05%, 8.75%, and 8.60%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 50,710 | 13.65% |
| 1 person | 36,850 | 9.90% |
| 4 persons | 33,690 | 9.05% |
| 5 or more persons | 32,530 | 8.75% |
| 3 persons | 31,895 | 8.60% |
Income in Surrey
Analyzing income distribution in Surrey can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Surrey is $37,600.
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 Surrey population or around 76,075 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $50,000 to $79,999, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 68,300 and 64,820 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Surrey's median household income is $98,000, according to 2020 data.
Above national average Surrey's median household income is 14,000 dollars above 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 Surrey
This data sheds light on the distribution of Surrey 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.
56.65% or most of the Surrey population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 30.15% of the population has a Bachelor's degree or higher, 29.70% has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 13.65% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 204,610 | 225,855 | 430,465 | 56.65% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 103,410 | 123,790 | 227,200 | 30.15% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 121,200 | 111,570 | 232,765 | 29.70% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 55,080 | 55,270 | 110,345 | 13.65% |
Below national average 30.2% of Surrey's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Surrey
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Surrey. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Newfoundland and Labrador is at 5.65% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 60.12% |
| Unemployment rate | 5.65% |
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 Surrey's population (around 69.40%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the city, there are 31,105 men and 15,020 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 46,125.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 31,105 | 15,020 | 46,125 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Surrey industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Surrey is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Surrey has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (12%) works in the retail trade sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 11%, followed by Construction at 10%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | 16,835 | 19,575 | 12% |
| Health care and social assistance | 6,050 | 28,730 | 11% |
| Construction | 26,530 | 3,980 | 10% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 23,555 | 6,475 | 10% |
| Manufacturing | 15,620 | 7,925 | 8% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 11,765 | 9,240 | 7% |
| Accommodation and food services | 6,825 | 13,000 | 6% |
| Educational services | 4,980 | 12,140 | 6% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 9,265 | 6,805 | 5% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 6,350 | 6,545 | 4% |
| Public administration | 6,125 | 6,230 | 4% |
| Wholesale trade | 7,630 | 4,140 | 4% |
| Finance and insurance | 4,680 | 6,625 | 4% |
| Information and cultural industries | 3,870 | 2,070 | 2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 3,405 | 2,355 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 2,325 | 2,200 | 2% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 2,235 | 2,115 | 1% |
| Utilities | 960 | 535 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 240 | 310 | 0% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 385 | 115 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Surrey residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Surrey: -45 Retail trade (12%), Health care and social assistance (11%), Construction (10%)
Top occupation categories in Surrey: Sales and service occupations (27%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (22%), Business, finance and administration occupations (16%)
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.
| Work Location | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual place of work | 85,215 | 92,830 | 178,045 | 63.20% |
| No fixed workplace address | 41,595 | 13,620 | 55,215 | 19.60% |
| Worked at home | 22,530 | 24,505 | 47,035 | 16.70% |
| Worked outside Canada | 990 | 430 | 1,420 | 0.50% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Surrey 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 Surrey residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Surrey 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.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 15 to 29 minutes | 32.80% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 28.00% |
| Less than 15 minutes | 17.70% |
| 60 minutes and over | 10.90% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 10.70% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Surreyshed 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 Surrey's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
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.
English is the most spoken official language in Surrey. About 521,015 people living in the province speak English, 37,335 people speak Neither English nor French, 3,185 people speak French language, and 2,705 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 521,015 |
| Neither English nor French | 37,335 |
| French | 3,185 |
| English and French | 2,705 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Non-official languages | 49.4% | 34.9% |
| English | 43.2% | 56.4% |
| French | 0.5% | 0.2% |
Religion
Surrey is predominantly Christian. About 170,115 of its population is Christian (79,175 males and 79,175 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Sikh with 27.4% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Muslim and Hindu, both represent 5.5% and 5.4% of the population, while Buddhist represent 1.9% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 30.2% |
| Sikh | 27.4% |
| Islam | 5.5% |
| Hindu | 5.4% |
| Buddhist | 1.9% |
| Jewish | 0.2% |
Points of Interest in Surrey
Hospitals
Schools
- Sinclaire
- Rider School
- Phoenix Dance and Music School
- Glarea Elevated Learning School
- Sunshine Hills Elementary
- McCloskey Elementary
- Cougar Canyon Elementary
- Pinewood Elementary
- Heath Elementary
- Annieville Elementary
- Hellings Elementary
- Richardson Elementary
- Jarvis Elementary
- Immaculate Conception Elementary
- Gibson Elementary
- North Delta Secondary
- Seaquam Secondary
- Delview Secondary
- Sands Secondary
Universities
Parks
- Spirea Meadow
- Oliver Park
- Moody Park
- John Oliver Park
- Wade Road Park
- Sunshine Hills Park
- Westview Park
- Cory Drive Park
- Gunderson Park
Libraries
- SL: Strawberry Hill Barnch
- NWPL: Queensborough Library
- SL: Fleetwood Branch
- SL: Newton Branch
- Semiahmoo Library
- Fraser Library
- Library and Learning Centre
- SL: Clayton Branch
- NWPL: New Westminster Public Library
Community Centres
- Tong Louie Family YMCA
- Surrey Nature Centre at Green Timbers
- Guilford Recreation Centre
- White Rock Community Centre
- Kennedy Community Hall Association
- The Stanjean Center
- Deltassist
- Centennial Park Leisure Centre and Arena
- Horst and Emmy Werner Centre for Active Living
- Sullivan Community Hall
- South Bonson Community Centre
- New Westminster Youth Centre
- Edmonds Youth Education Centre
- Taiba Mussala Cultural Center
Frequently Asked Questions about Surrey
According to the 2021 census, Surrey has a population of approximately 568,322 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Surrey increased by 9.74%.
Surrey has a population density of approximately 1,797.90 people per square kilometre.
Surrey covers a land area of approximately 316.11 km².
The median age of the population in Surrey is 38.40 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Surrey is Indian (India).
The median household income in Surrey is $98,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Surrey.
Christian is the predominant religion in Surrey.
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.