Population and growth
How many people live in Winnipeg, how fast that is changing, and how much of the city is built up. All figures are from Statistics Canada.
Statistics Canada publishes two different population numbers for a city, and they measure different things. The census is a full count taken every five years, most recently in May 2021. The annual estimates are produced every year in between, using births, deaths, immigration and migration records; they are the better guide to what the population is today.
Census of Population, 2021
“Land area” and “density” use the census subdivision boundary, which is the legal municipal boundary rather than the built-up area. A city that has annexed a large rural fringe will show a low density for that reason alone.
Population estimates since 2001
These are Statistics Canada’s July 1 estimates on 2021 boundaries, so the whole series is comparable like for like. The most recent estimate is for 2025: 850,260 people. That is a compound annual growth rate of 2.06% over the previous five years.
| Year | Population | Change from previous year | Five-year growth rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 850,260 | +8,245 | +2.06% |
| 2024 | 842,015 | +26,821 | +1.97% |
| 2023 | 815,194 | +29,230 | +1.58% |
| 2022 | 785,964 | +13,634 | +1.17% |
| 2021 | 772,330 | +4,353 | +1.21% |
| 2020 | 767,977 | +4,292 | +1.46% |
| 2019 | 763,685 | +10,090 | +1.64% |
| 2018 | 753,595 | +11,966 | +1.62% |
| 2017 | 741,629 | +14,284 | +1.51% |
| 2016 | 727,345 | +13,172 | +1.39% |
| 2015 | 714,173 | +10,136 | +1.27% |
| 2014 | 704,037 | +8,601 | +1.16% |
| 2013 | 695,436 | +7,344 | +1.08% |
| 2012 | 688,092 | +9,405 | +0.95% |
| 2011 | 678,687 | +8,196 | +0.74% |
| 2010 | 670,491 | — | +0.58% |
Where this sits
Winnipeg is the anchor of the Winnipeg Metropolitan Region. For how the city compares with its neighbours and how the wider region is growing, Statistics Canada publishes census metropolitan area tables alongside the municipal ones linked below.
Official sources
- Statistics Canada — Population and dwelling counts: Canada and census subdivisions (municipalities) (2021 Census of Population)
- Statistics Canada — Population estimates, July 1, by census subdivision, 2021 boundaries
Details such as fares, fees, hours and program rules change. Always confirm against the official source before acting on anything time-sensitive.