Guelph's 2026 population is now estimated at 163,551. In 2001, the population of Guelph was 110,824. Guelph has grown by 2,791 in the last year, which represents a 1.74% annual change. These population values and projections come from Statistics Canada Table 17-10-0155-01: Population estimates, July 1, by census subdivision, 2021 boundaries and World Population Review Internal Projections .
Guelph is a city that is located in Ontario, Canada. “The Royal City” is politically independent, although it is the seat of Wellington County. The city was first established as a settlement during the 1820s, and though its history is short, there are some quite interesting facts about Guelph. This city is known throughout the country and even worldwide as being one of the best cities in Canada in terms of livability. As of 2016, the population of Guelph is 131,794 and is expected only to continue to grow.
The city of Guelph takes up a total surface area of 87.2 square kilometers (33.6 square miles). The metro area expands to 378.4 square kilometers (146 square miles). This area size, in combination with the total population, gives us the population density of the city. The city proper has a population density of 1,511 individuals per square kilometer (3,914 per square mile) while the metropolitan area density is at 335.6 individuals per square kilometer (869 per square mile).
According to a National Survey conducted in 2011, the majority of residents in Guelph are white, accounting for 84.3% of the population. Many minority ethnic groups call this Canadian city home, including South Asian, Chinese, Southeast Asian, Filipino and Latin America, to name a few. This is based on the population of 120,545 recorded at the time of the survey.
The highest percentage of the population is of English origin. Trailing closely behind are those of Canadian origin. There are also people of Scottish, Irish, German and Italian descent that make up this city’s population.
Breaking down the population further shows that the majority of the people of Guelph are Christian, comprising over 61% of the population. Other religions observed throughout the city include Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Hinduism. There is a slightly higher population of females than males in Guelph, and the average age is 35.7 years.
The city has a very diverse economy and one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. It has been named multiple times as one of the best places to live in Canada.
The city was founded on April 23rd, 1927. This city was one of the first planned cities in the country. Original plans for the city imagined it as a sprawling city drawing heavily upon European city centers. However, the city remained as the size of a village for almost 30 years after its inception. Significant growth began after the Grand Trunk Railroad connected Guelph to Toronto.
In the years that followed, Guelph continued to experience growth and innovation. An electric radial railway was founded here and expanded to Toronto. It was used to haul passengers and coal for heating the Ontario Agricultural College. An interesting fact is that a man from Guelph created the first cable TV system in North America. The system was used to broadcast the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953.
The city today houses many historic Victorian-era buildings. Three of its buildings are on the National Historic Sites of Canada register. Today, many films and TV shows are filmed in Guelph, it is home to the University of Guelph, and it has many large businesses that help keep unemployment rates down. It also hosts multiple annual festivals, has cultural attractions, boasts many outdoor parks, and offers entertainment options for its residents.
Guelph has a population that varies throughout the year because of the population of students that attend the University of Guelph. However, despite these fluctuations, the city has shown impressive growth over the years. It is the 5th fastest-growing city in the country and its average growth rate is about 2% annually. The population of over 130,000 grew over 8% from the time of the 2011 census. The community is expected to reach 144,500 over the next four years, showing that this fast-growing city is going to continue on its upward trajectory.
| City | 2026 Pop. ↓ | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 3,358,275 | 2.64% |
| Montreal | 1,943,903 | 1.49% |
| Calgary | 1,678,073 | 4.04% |
| Edmonton | 1,284,480 | 3.73% |
| Ottawa | 1,218,903 | 2.59% |
| Winnipeg | 870,032 | 2.33% |
| Brampton | 801,732 | 3.08% |
| Mississauga | 768,794 | 0.55% |
| Vancouver | 751,644 | 1.51% |
| Surrey | 731,630 | 3.99% |
| Hamilton | 652,266 | 1.84% |
| Quebec | 602,025 | 1.58% |
| Halifax | 532,856 | 3.1% |
| London | 508,883 | 2.85% |
| Laval | 466,247 | 1.03% |
| Markham | 376,096 | 1.24% |
| Vaughan | 364,031 | 1.53% |
| Kitchener | 338,883 | 4.62% |
| Saskatoon | 328,613 | 3.32% |
| Burnaby | 309,694 | 3.34% |