Halifax Population 2024

424,916

The estimated 2024 population of Halifax is 424,916. The population of Halifax was recorded at 403,131 in the 2016 Canadian Census, and was recorded at 390,086 in the 2011 census. This is a change in population of 13,045, which is an annual growth rate of 0.66%.

Halifax, or the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), is the capital of Nova Scotia, Canada. Halifax is a global city and an important economic center of eastern Canada. It's been described as one of the "large cities of the future." Halifax has an estimated 2015 population of 415,000.

City Size and Population Density

The urban center around Halifax Harbour has a population of 297,000 with a density of 1,077 people per square kilometer (2,790/square mile). Halifax is the 14th largest municipality in Canada and the 13th largest metropolitan area. The area comes to 5,490.3 square kilometers (2,119.8 square miles).

Halifax Demographics

According to the 2011 census, the ethnic origins of Halifax include: Canadian (38%), English (34%), Scottish (30%), Irish (25%), French (18%), German (12%), Dutch (4%), North American Indian (3%), and Welsh (2%). Respondents were able to choose more than one option. The city also has between 1,000 and 7,000 people with Italian, Polish, Lebanese, Chinese, African, East Indian, American, Norwegian, Spanish, Jewish, and Greek ethnicities, among others.

85% of the population is Christian, followed by 13% who have no religious affiliation. Less than 1% of the population is Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, or Sikh.

Halifax History

The Halifax Peninsula was the site of the first permanent European settlement in the area with the Town of Halifax established in 1749. The town was named for the British Earl of Halifax. Father Le Loutre's War began that same year when Edward Cornwallis came to establish the settlement with 13 transports and a sloop. Developing the town meant the British were violating a 1729 treaty with the Mi'kmaq. Several British fortifications were set up to guard the city against attacks from the French, Acadians, and Mi'kmaq.

In 1917, "the Narrows" between Bedford Basin and the upper Halifax Harbour was the site of one of Canada's greatest disasters. While carrying munitions, the SS Mont-Blanc collided with another vessel. The Halifax Explosion killed 2,000 people and injured about 9,000 more. This was the most massive artificial explosion before the development of nuclear weapons.

In 1996, Halifax and four municipalities in the area were amalgamated to create the Halifax Regional Municipality, which now includes the entire Halifax County aside from First Nation reserves.

Halifax Population Growth

The city's population growth has fallen below the national average for the last 5 years during the economic recession. The metropolitan region of Halifax grew just 4.7% in 2011 from the previous census in 2006 while the national growth rate was 5.9%. Eastern Canada was hit much harder by the recession than western provinces.

According to a new study, outmigration is the cause for Halifax's weak growth. The city has been challenged to hold on to new graduates while attracting immigrants to the region.

Province
Density (km²)
73.4
Area (km²)
5490.35
2024 Pop (est)
424,916
2016 Pop
403,131
2011 Pop
390,086
Growth
13,045
Growth Rate
0.66%

Halifax Population 2024

population

Avg. Age
40.8
Median Age
41

Halifax Age Distribution

Marital Status

Divorced

Married

Never Married

Separated

Halifax Basic Marriage Statistics

Spoken Language

English

French

English and French

Other

Halifax Language Spoken

value

Avg. Income
$46,440
Median Income
$36,098

Halifax Income Data

Halifax Urban Area Population

Download Table Data

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Year
Population
Growth Rate
Growth
1950130,0860%0
1951134,2813.22%4,195
1952138,6163.23%4,335
1953143,0793.22%4,463
1954147,6923.22%4,613
1955152,4543.22%4,762
1956157,3763.23%4,922
1957162,4423.22%5,066
1958167,6803.22%5,238
1959173,0863.22%5,406
1960178,6743.23%5,588
1961184,1723.08%5,498
1962186,9401.5%2,768
1963189,7501.5%2,810
1964192,6061.51%2,856
1965195,4981.5%2,892
1966198,5721.57%3,074
1967203,2462.35%4,674
1968208,0362.36%4,790
1969212,9252.35%4,889
1970217,9372.35%5,012
1971223,3192.47%5,382
1972231,7643.78%8,445
1973240,5043.77%8,740
1974249,5863.78%9,082
1975259,0113.78%9,425
1976268,1953.55%9,184
1977270,7070.94%2,512
1978273,2470.94%2,540
1979275,8100.94%2,563
1980278,4000.94%2,590
1981281,0340.95%2,634
1982284,0091.06%2,975
1983287,0161.06%3,007
1984290,0591.06%3,043
1985293,1261.06%3,067
1986296,3511.1%3,225
1987301,1021.6%4,751
1988305,9351.61%4,833
1989310,8331.6%4,898
1990315,8161.6%4,983
1991320,8261.59%5,010
1992325,2581.38%4,432
1993329,7401.38%4,482
1994334,2891.38%4,549
1995338,9011.38%4,612
1996343,3821.32%4,481
1997346,5640.93%3,182
1998349,7810.93%3,217
1999353,0270.93%3,246
2000356,3080.93%3,281
2001359,5290.9%3,221
2002362,2240.75%2,695
2003364,9400.75%2,716
2004367,6790.75%2,739
2005370,4320.75%2,753
2006373,2900.77%2,858
2007376,7360.92%3,446
2008380,2180.92%3,482
2009383,7230.92%3,505
2010387,2650.92%3,542
2011390,6940.89%3,429
2012393,2770.66%2,583
2013395,8700.66%2,593
2014398,4840.66%2,614
2015401,1150.66%2,631
2016403,7670.66%2,652
2017406,4370.66%2,670
2018409,1240.66%2,687
2019410,8160.41%1,692
2020412,6740.45%1,858
2021414,7770.51%2,103
2022417,1730.58%2,396
2023419,8820.65%2,709
2024422,8910.72%3,009
2025426,1670.77%3,276
2026429,6650.82%3,498
2027433,3360.85%3,671
2028437,1240.87%3,788
2029440,9800.88%3,856
2030444,8630.88%3,883
2031448,7470.87%3,884
2032452,6190.86%3,872
2033456,4720.85%3,853
2034460,3040.84%3,832
2035464,1170.83%3,813
showing: 86 rows

Halifax Population Data (Urban Area)

  1. Canada Census Data - Official Canadian Census Data.
  2. World Urbanization Prospects - United Nations population estimates and projections of major Urban Agglomerations

Sources