Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Waterloo has a population of around 121,436 people. The city's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Waterloo has increased by 15.67%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 104,986 | 121,436 | +15.67% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.95% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Waterloo's population is projected to reach approximately 140,464 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 2,192.69 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 121,436 | 140,464 | 2,192.69 |
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 Waterloo is around 61,235 while the female population is around 60,200.
Of the 121,436 total population in Waterloo, the largest gender is male with around 61,235 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 61,235 | 60,200 | +1.69% |
Is Waterloo a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Waterloo compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Ontario, 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 Waterloo
- Kitchener (2.8 km)
- Cambridge (20.6 km)
- Guelph (23.8 km)
- Stratford (38.6 km)
- Brant (41.2 km)
- Brantford (41.7 km)
- Woodstock (41.8 km)
- Hamilton (57.4 km)
- Burlington (60.7 km)
- Brampton (66.1 km)
- Mississauga (72.1 km)
- Norfolk County (74.5 km)
- London (79.6 km)
- Haldimand County (80.2 km)
- Vaughan (88.1 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
Waterloo has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 20 to 24 years old, accounting for 11.60% of the total population. The city median age is 36.00.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 to 24 years | 7,605 12.40% | 6,510 10.80% | 14.40% | 14,110 11.60% |
| 25 to 29 years | 6,320 10.30% | 4,820 8.00% | 23.73% | 11,145 9.20% |
| 30 to 34 years | 4,370 7.10% | 3,890 6.50% | 10.98% | 8,260 6.80% |
| 15 to 19 years | 4,255 6.90% | 4,000 6.60% | 5.99% | 8,250 6.80% |
| 50 to 54 years | 3,700 6.00% | 3,930 6.50% | 5.85% | 7,625 6.30% |
| 55 to 59 years | 3,695 6.00% | 3,875 6.40% | 4.65% | 7,575 6.20% |
| 35 to 39 years | 3,665 6.00% | 3,660 6.10% | 0.14% | 7,330 6.00% |
| 45 to 49 years | 3,430 5.60% | 3,770 6.30% | 9.02% | 7,200 5.90% |
| 40 to 44 years | 3,355 5.50% | 3,565 5.90% | 5.89% | 6,915 5.70% |
| 10 to 14 years | 3,435 5.60% | 3,235 5.40% | 5.82% | 6,670 5.50% |
| 60 to 64 years | 3,285 5.40% | 3,380 5.60% | 2.81% | 6,665 5.50% |
| 5 to 9 years | 3,110 5.10% | 2,850 4.70% | 8.36% | 5,960 4.90% |
| 65 to 69 years | 2,520 4.10% | 2,935 4.90% | 14.14% | 5,455 4.50% |
| 0 to 4 years | 2,615 4.30% | 2,400 4.00% | 8.22% | 5,015 4.10% |
| 70 to 74 years | 2,135 3.50% | 2,565 4.30% | 16.76% | 4,700 3.90% |
| 75 to 79 years | 1,500 2.40% | 1,780 3.00% | 15.73% | 3,280 2.70% |
| 85 years and over | 1,175 1.90% | 1,650 2.70% | 28.79% | 2,820 2.30% |
| 80 to 84 years | 1,070 1.70% | 1,390 2.30% | 23.02% | 2,455 2.00% |
| 85 to 89 years | 715 1.20% | 895 1.50% | 20.11% | 1,615 1.30% |
| 90 to 94 years | 410 0.70% | 525 0.90% | 21.90% | 930 0.80% |
| 95 to 99 years | 45 0.10% | 200 0.30% | 77.50% | 250 0.20% |
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 70.10% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 15.40% and 14.50%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Waterloo are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average age of the population | 37.90% | 40.50% | 39.20% |
| Median age of the population | 33.60% | 38.40% | 36.00% |
| 65 years and over | 13.70% | 17.10% | 15.40% |
| 0 to 14 years | 15.00% | 14.10% | 14.50% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Waterloo
Explore Waterloo Through Videos
Population of Waterloo by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Waterloo is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Waterloo 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 German, which accounts for 17.86% of the total population, followed by English (17.00%), Scottish (14.64%), Irish (14.27%), and Canadian (10.17%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include Chinese, Indian (India), French, British Isles, and Polish.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| German | 17.59% | 18.15% | 17.86% |
| English | 16.51% | 17.50% | 17.00% |
| Scottish | 13.78% | 15.52% | 14.64% |
| Irish | 13.32% | 15.24% | 14.27% |
| Canadian | 10.16% | 10.19% | 10.17% |
| Chinese | 8.81% | 8.96% | 8.88% |
| Indian (India) | 7.32% | 5.53% | 6.44% |
| French | 5.91% | 6.16% | 6.04% |
| British Isles | 4.08% | 4.18% | 4.13% |
| Polish | 3.73% | 4.39% | 4.06% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Waterloo's population profile.
About 27.5% of Waterloo's population are immigrants (32,530 people).
The top countries of origin for Waterloo's immigrant population are China (4,450), India (3,440), United Kingdom (1,905), Pakistan (1,340), United States of America (1,310).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| China | 4,450 |
| India | 3,440 |
| United Kingdom | 1,905 |
| Pakistan | 1,340 |
| United States of America | 1,310 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 23,145 of Waterloo's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 16.70% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 13.00% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 8.05%, 8.00%, and 4.25%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 15,710 | 16.70% |
| 1 person | 12,250 | 13.00% |
| 3 persons | 7,560 | 8.05% |
| 4 persons | 7,505 | 8.00% |
| 5 or more persons | 4,020 | 4.25% |
Income in Waterloo
Analyzing income distribution in Waterloo can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Waterloo is $41,600.
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 Waterloo population or around 15,140 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $50,000 to $79,999, and Under $10,000 with around 12,300 and 10,870 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Waterloo's median household income is $94,000, according to 2020 data.
Above national average Waterloo's median household income is 10,000 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 Waterloo
This data sheds light on the distribution of Waterloo 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.
71.55% or most of the Waterloo population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 49.05% of the population has a Bachelor's degree or higher, 21.00% has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 7.45% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 56,965 | 57,040 | 114,020 | 71.55% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38,850 | 38,990 | 77,835 | 49.05% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 18,440 | 17,410 | 35,845 | 21.00% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 6,760 | 6,450 | 13,205 | 7.45% |
Above national average 49.1% of Waterloo's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Waterloo
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Waterloo. 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 7.84% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 57.58% |
| Unemployment rate | 7.84% |
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 Waterloo's population (around 68.60%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the city, there are 4,725 men and 3,040 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 7,775.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 4,725 | 3,040 | 7,775 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Waterloo industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Waterloo is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Waterloo has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (14%) works in the professional, scientific and technical services sector. The Educational services sector comes second at 13%, followed by Manufacturing at 10%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 5,760 | 3,180 | 14% |
| Educational services | 3,615 | 5,160 | 13% |
| Manufacturing | 4,840 | 1,985 | 10% |
| Retail trade | 3,355 | 3,155 | 10% |
| Health care and social assistance | 1,295 | 4,375 | 9% |
| Finance and insurance | 2,260 | 2,790 | 8% |
| Accommodation and food services | 1,620 | 1,800 | 5% |
| Construction | 2,630 | 555 | 5% |
| Information and cultural industries | 1,570 | 990 | 4% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 1,400 | 990 | 4% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 850 | 1,070 | 3% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 1,480 | 440 | 3% |
| Wholesale trade | 1,285 | 615 | 3% |
| Public administration | 935 | 960 | 3% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 590 | 480 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 460 | 480 | 1% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 230 | 140 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 165 | 180 | 1% |
| Utilities | 225 | 60 | 0% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 50 | 15 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Waterloo residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Waterloo: Professional, scientific and technical services (14%), Educational services (13%), -33 Manufacturing (10%)
Top occupation categories in Waterloo: Sales and service occupations (22%), Natural and applied sciences and related occupations (17%), Business, finance and administration occupations (17%)
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 | 16,315 | 13,750 | 30,065 | 51.80% |
| Worked at home | 12,230 | 11,150 | 23,380 | 40.30% |
| No fixed workplace address | 3,090 | 1,180 | 4,275 | 7.40% |
| Worked outside Canada | 225 | 105 | 325 | 0.60% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Waterloo 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 Waterloo residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Waterloo 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 | 41.40% |
| Less than 15 minutes | 36.80% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 12.90% |
| 60 minutes and over | 5.60% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 3.40% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Waterlooshed 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 Waterloo'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 Waterloo. About 116,070 people living in the province speak English, 2,020 people speak Neither English nor French, 1,100 people speak French language, and 790 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 116,070 |
| Neither English nor French | 2,020 |
| French | 1,100 |
| English and French | 790 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| English | 64.6% | 77.5% |
| Non-official languages | 30.0% | 17.3% |
| French | 0.9% | 0.3% |
Religion
Waterloo is predominantly Christian. About 54,215 of its population is Christian (25,620 males and 25,620 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Muslim with 8.1% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Sikh, both represent 4.7% and 1.2% of the population, while Buddhist represent 1.1% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 45.8% |
| Islam | 8.1% |
| Hindu | 4.7% |
| Sikh | 1.2% |
| Buddhist | 1.1% |
| Jewish | 0.5% |
Points of Interest in Waterloo
Schools
- Beechwood Brainery
- Centennial Public School
- King Edward Public School
- Empire Public School
- Winston Churchill Public School
- Sir Edgar Bauer Catholic Elementary School
- Cedarbrae Public School
- Suddaby Public School
- Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute
- Courtland Avenue Public School
- Sheppard Public School
Parks
- Beechwood Bridle Gate Homes Association
- Hibner Park
- Tyson Park
- Heritage Park
- Bluestream
- Dunvegan Park
- Glen Acres Park
- Cornerbrook Park
- Belmont Park
- Timm Park
- Gzowski Park
- Peter Roos Park
- Overlea Park
- Vermont Park
- Cherry Park
- Lakeside Park
- Bechtel Park
- Joe Thompson Park
- Schaefer Park
- Ash Park
- Major Park
- Glendale Park
- Mausser Park
- Charles Best
- Veterans' Park
- Rockway Gardens
- Mike Wagner Green
- Kingscourt Park
- Deer Run
- Luther Green
Libraries
- Davis Centre Library
- Waterloo Public Library - McCormick Branch
- Lusi Wong Library
- St. Jerome's Library
- Waterloo Public Library - John M. Harper Branch
- Laurier Library
- Dana Porter Library
- Waterloo Public Library - Main
Community Centres
- Downtown Community Centre
- Paulander Community Group Centre
- Waterloo Aboriginal Education Centre
- Wing 404 R.C.A.F.A. Rotary Adult Centre
- Spectrum
- Bridgeport Community Centre
- Breithaupt Community Centre
Frequently Asked Questions about Waterloo
According to the 2021 census, Waterloo has a population of approximately 121,436 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Waterloo increased by 15.67%.
Waterloo has a population density of approximately 1,895.80 people per square kilometre.
Waterloo covers a land area of approximately 64.06 km².
The median age of the population in Waterloo is 36.00 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Waterloo is German.
The median household income in Waterloo is $94,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Waterloo.
Christian is the predominant religion in Waterloo.
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.