Cape Breton: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Cape Breton: The median total income of households in Cape Breton was C$62,400 in 2020, as reported in the 2021 Census, joint 2nd lowest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site; the median for Canada was C$84,000.
- Education in Cape Breton: 21.7% of people aged 25 to 64 in Cape Breton held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2021, 6th lowest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site, below the national 32.9%.
- Poverty and living standards in Cape Breton: 17.4% of people in private households in Cape Breton, 15,965 in all, were in low income in 2020 by the low-income measure after tax (LIM-AT), joint 2nd highest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site; the rate for Canada was 11.1%.
What is the population of Cape Breton?
Statistics Canada estimates that Cape Breton (the municipality) had 106,752 residents on 1 July 2025, 7th smallest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site; that was 0.2% fewer than a year earlier (106,942) and 11.2% more than on 1 July 2021 (95,991).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow fast is Cape Breton growing?
Between 1 July 2021 and 1 July 2025 the population of Cape Breton changed by +11.2%, 30th fastest growth of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site; Canada as a whole grew 8.9%, to 41,651,653, and Cape Breton held 0.26% of that total.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many people lived in Cape Breton at the 2021 Census?
The 2021 Census counted 93,694 people in Cape Breton, -0.6% on the 94,285 counted in 2016 (2nd slowest growth of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site; Canada: +5.2%). It covers 2,420 square kilometres, or 39 people per square kilometre.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the median age in Cape Breton?
The median age in Cape Breton was 50.4 years at the 2021 Census, the oldest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 41.6); 26.7% of residents were 65 or older and 12.5% were under 15 (Canada: 19.0% and 16.3%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWho runs Cape Breton?
In Canada, cities and towns are run by regional or upper-tier municipalities: Mostly councillors sent from lower-tier councils; some heads elected directly. Regional planning, transit, water and policing in some areas.
How local power works in Canada
Cities of a similar size in Canada
- Ajax 141,111
- St. John's 128,693
- Terrebonne 126,872
- Saanich 126,011
- Delta 124,670
- Brantford 123,521
- Thunder Bay 117,671
- Red Deer 115,409
- Lethbridge 113,671
- Chatham-Kent 112,716
- Nanaimo 111,845
- Kamloops 108,793
- Chilliwack 105,520
- Victoria 103,888
- Moncton 102,378
- Peterborough 97,834
Up a level: all cities in Canada · Canada · government and power
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population (98-316-X2021001): census subdivisions, selected characteristics (Census Profile SDMX API extract, dataflow DF_CSD, gender total, counts and rates), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 46d086943a5e…)
- Statistics Canada: Table 17-10-0155-01: Population estimates, July 1, by census subdivision, 2021 boundaries (Web Data Service extract, 2021-2025; request saved as popest-17100155-csd.request.json), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 95b5a4929299…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.