Markham has experienced remarkable population growth over the past few decades. In 1986, the city was home to just over 114,000 residents, but by 2021 that number had risen to 338,503. This makes Markham one of the fastest-growing urban centres in Ontario. While the pace of growth has slowed in recent years showing a 2.9% increase from 2016 to 2021. The overall trend reflects Markham’s transformation into a major suburban city within the Greater Toronto Area. With a land area of 210.93 km², the population density now reaches 1,604.8 people per km², highlighting its increasingly urban character.
Immigration and Diversity
Markham is often celebrated as one of the most multicultural cities in Canada. According to the 2021 census, 58% of residents are immigrants, representing a rich blend of backgrounds. The largest immigrant communities come from China (33.8%), India (7.2%), and Sri Lanka (6.4%), followed by notable populations from the Philippines, Iran, Pakistan, and Jamaica.
The city’s ethnocultural composition reflects this diversity. Chinese heritage is the most prominent, making up 47.9% of the population, followed by European (17.7%) and South Asian (17.6%) communities. Smaller but vibrant groups include Black, West Asian, Filipino, and Korean populations. This mix of cultures gives Markham its distinctive identity, visible in its neighbourhoods, businesses, festivals, and places of worship.
Religion
Faith in Markham is as diverse as its people. In 2021, about 40.8% of residents reported no religious affiliation, reflecting a growing secular trend across Canada. Among those who do identify with a religion, Christianity remains the largest at 35.1%, while Hinduism (9.2%), Islam (7.9%), and Buddhism (4.0%) represent significant communities. Smaller groups include Judaism (1.4%) and Sikhism (1.1%), adding to the city’s interfaith character.
Language
Markham is also linguistically diverse. While English is spoken by 90% of residents, many people also use other languages at home or in the community. The most common mother tongues include Cantonese (22.2%), Mandarin (12.7%), and Tamil (4.5%), alongside Persian, Urdu, Tagalog, Gujarati, Punjabi, and Italian. This multilingual environment enriches local schools, cultural centres, and daily life, making Markham a true reflection of Canada’s multicultural mosaic.