2001 Census Topic-based tabulations

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Topic-based tabulation: Religion (95) and Visible Minority Groups (15) for Population, for Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2001 Census - 20% Sample Data

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General information

Catalogue number :97F0022XCB2001005
Release date :May 13, 2003
Topic :Religions in Canada
Data dimensions :

Note

Special Note: Non-permanent Residents

In 1991, 1996 and 2001, the Census of Population enumerated both permanent and non-permanent residents of Canada. Non-permanent residents are persons who held a student or employment authorization, Minister's permit, or who were refugee claimants, at the time of the census. Family members living with these persons are also classified as non-permanent residents.

Prior to 1991, only permanent residents of Canada were included in the census. (The only exception to this occurred in 1941.) Non-permanent residents were considered foreign residents and were not enumerated.

Today in Canada, non-permanent residents make up a significant segment of the population, especially in several census metropolitan areas. Their presence can affect the demand for such government services as health care, schooling, employment programs and language training. The inclusion of non-permanent residents in the census facilitates comparisons with provincial and territorial statistics (marriages, divorces, births and deaths) which include this population. In addition, this inclusion of non-permanent residents brings Canadian practice closer to the UN recommendation that long-term residents (persons living in a country for one year or longer) be enumerated in the census.

According to the 1996 Census, there were 166,715 non-permanent residents in Canada, representing 0.6% of the total population. There were slightly more non-permanent residents in Canada at the time of the 2001 Census: 198,645 non-permanent residents, or 0.7% of the total population.

Total population counts, as well as counts for all variables, are affected by this change in the census universe. Users should be especially careful when comparing data from 1991, 1996 or 2001 with data from previous censuses in geographic areas where there is a concentration of non-permanent residents. Such areas include the major metropolitan areas in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia.

Although every attempt has been made to enumerate non-permanent residents, factors such as language difficulties, the reluctance to complete a government form or to understand the need to participate may have affected the enumeration of this population.

For additional information, please refer to the 2001 Census Dictionary, Catalogue Number 92-378-XIE or 92-378-XPE.

Special Note: Nunavut (1)

Data from the 2001 Census are available for Nunavut, the new territory that came into effect on April 1, 1999.

Standard data products released only at the Canada/Province/Territory geographic levels will not contain data for Nunavut for the census years prior to 2001.

Standard data products released at the Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) and Census Agglomeration (CA) geographic levels will contain data for Nunavut for the 2001, 1996 and/or 1991 Censuses.

The 1996 and 1991 CMA/CA data have been adjusted to reflect as closely as possible the 2001 CMA/CA geographic boundaries. This has been done to facilitate data comparisons using the 2001 geographic boundaries.

For additional information, please refer to the 2001 Census Dictionary, Catalogue Number 92-378-XIE or 92-378-XPE.

Special Note: Population Universe

The Population Universe of the 2001 Census includes the following groups:

- Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants with a usual place of residence in Canada;
- Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants who are abroad, either on a military base or attached to a diplomatic mission;
- Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants at sea or in port aboard merchant vessels under Canadian registry;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who are claiming refugee status and members of their families living with them;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who hold student authorizations (student visas or student permits) and members of their families living with them;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who hold employment authorizations (or work permits) and members of their families living with them;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who hold Minister's permits (including extensions) and members of their families living with them.

For census purposes, the last four groups in this list are referred to as 'non-permanent residents'. For further information, refer to the variable Immigration: Non-permanent Resident found in the 2001 Census Dictionary, Catalogue Number 92-378-XIE or 92-378-XPE.

Data table

Select data categories for this table


This table details religion and visible minority groups for population in CanadaFootnote 1
Religion (95) Visible Minority Groups (15)
Total - Total population by visible minority groups Total visible minority population Chinese South Asian Black Filipino Latin American Southeast Asian Arab West Asian Korean Japanese Visible minority, n.i.e.Footnote 2 Multiple visible minoritiesFootnote 3 All othersFootnote 4
Total - Religion 29,639,030 3,983,845 1,029,400 917,075 662,215 308,575 216,980 198,880 194,680 109,285 100,660 73,315 98,915 73,870 25,655,185
Catholic 12,936,910 930,215 120,420 75,095 176,510 253,995 148,190 41,455 33,800 3,020 24,720 4,895 23,825 24,275 12,006,695
Roman Catholic 12,793,125 924,880 120,255 75,005 176,200 253,940 148,155 41,405 30,335 2,865 24,715 4,875 22,960 24,170 11,868,240
Ukrainian Catholic 126,200 570 100 45 260 45 20 20 20 10 10 20 15 15 125,630
Polish National Catholic Church 795 35 0 0 10 0 0 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 765
Other CatholicFootnote 5 16,785 4,725 45 40 50 15 15 15 3,450 145 0 0 855 95 12,060
Protestant 8,654,850 549,540 92,220 30,450 274,210 33,050 30,975 7,520 3,555 1,370 32,120 17,425 16,250 10,380 8,105,310
Adventist 62,880 34,525 600 750 25,870 3,085 1,915 185 25 45 465 120 820 655 28,350
Anglican 2,035,500 92,610 12,145 7,995 58,155 1,615 830 665 710 335 675 3,650 3,590 2,245 1,942,885
Apostolic Christian Church 1,120 110 10 0 70 0 0 10 0 15 0 0 0 0 1,005
Associated Gospel 7,730 390 225 30 75 25 0 15 0 0 20 0 0 10 7,340
Baptist 729,475 116,695 29,275 3,425 58,890 8,905 5,195 1,215 825 225 4,505 1,135 1,620 1,475 612,780
Brethren in Christ 20,590 1,015 105 255 430 0 0 10 35 0 15 45 50 65 19,570
Charismatic Renewal 3,220 345 65 55 145 25 10 10 20 0 0 0 0 20 2,875
Christadelphian 3,055 220 25 75 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 20 0 2,835
Christian and Missionary Alliance 66,285 9,360 6,940 130 320 595 75 660 10 0 140 200 90 215 56,915
Christian Congregational 6,150 50 10 0 35 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 6,105
Christian or Plymouth Brethren 5,485 165 0 40 75 0 0 0 45 0 0 0 0 10 5,315
Churches of Christ, Disciples 15,340 5,015 195 45 405 4,085 40 55 0 0 20 0 120 40 10,325
Church of God, n.o.s. 11,215 5,765 10 60 5,355 105 30 0 0 25 0 0 170 0 5,455
Church of the Nazarene 13,955 1,200 140 75 615 105 155 10 10 0 30 15 55 0 12,760
Doukhobors 3,800 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,790
Evangelical Free Church 9,115 685 550 15 45 20 0 10 0 0 10 30 10 0 8,430
Hutterite 26,300 75 10 30 25 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 26,230
Jehovah's Witnesses 154,745 20,705 1,190 1,165 9,380 1,445 4,200 450 785 95 565 390 550 495 134,040
Latter-day Saints (Mormons) 104,745 7,890 835 235 1,390 1,160 2,885 170 0 65 235 500 170 250 96,855
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 101,805 7,865 835 235 1,370 1,155 2,885 160 0 65 240 505 170 245 93,945
Reorganized Church of Latter-day Saints 2,945 30 0 0 20 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,910
Lutheran 606,595 11,910 3,830 1,590 2,830 320 635 300 110 90 575 400 825 410 594,680
Mennonite 191,465 4,065 1,530 235 490 155 620 415 25 0 265 140 130 60 187,405
Methodist Bodies 106,545 18,745 2,450 810 8,640 1,665 2,455 210 35 30 1,615 245 325 260 87,805
Evangelical Missionary Church 66,705 7,635 1,315 190 2,265 685 2,420 170 35 15 140 175 115 115 59,070
Free Methodist 14,110 560 170 45 140 105 0 15 0 0 15 70 0 0 13,550
Methodist, n.i.e. 25,730 10,545 960 580 6,235 875 35 20 0 15 1,455 0 205 150 15,185
Mission de l'Esprit Saint 775 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 770
Moravian 5,330 535 10 0 520 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4,800
New Apostolic 6,370 760 25 25 230 15 155 190 0 0 55 0 25 35 5,605
Pentecostal 369,475 69,900 2,595 4,310 47,595 3,545 5,730 535 150 125 685 330 3,040 1,270 299,580
Presbyterian 409,830 29,705 3,565 2,855 5,860 310 275 175 240 130 13,110 425 2,290 480 380,120
Quakers 2,980 90 20 10 35 15 10 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 2,885
Reformed Bodies 115,735 1,505 450 145 340 115 40 120 15 0 55 100 40 85 114,225
Christian Reformed Church 76,665 1,075 380 115 230 70 40 100 10 0 0 55 20 55 75,595
Canadian and American Reformed Church 15,355 95 30 0 15 10 0 0 10 0 0 15 0 10 15,265
Dutch Reformed Church 7,830 80 0 25 30 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 15 7,745
Reformed, n.i.e. 15,880 255 40 0 70 45 0 0 0 0 45 25 15 15 15,625
Salvation Army 87,790 1,255 250 25 725 25 15 35 0 0 85 35 35 30 86,535
Spiritualist 3,290 100 10 0 40 20 35 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3,195
Standard Church 1,055 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,045
Swedenborgian (New Church) 1,015 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,010
Unitarian 17,480 565 105 135 135 0 45 20 0 0 0 65 30 25 16,915
United Church 2,839,125 65,220 16,555 4,150 20,680 3,045 1,175 1,010 255 105 6,880 8,700 1,370 1,300 2,773,905
Vineyard Christian Fellowship 2,595 50 25 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 2,545
Wesleyan 11,630 425 60 0 280 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 45 11,205
Worldwide Church of God 2,280 135 10 15 10 95 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 2,140
Non-denominational 40,545 2,590 490 125 1,190 215 135 70 10 25 45 115 100 70 37,955
Interdenominational 3,050 200 40 30 55 65 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 0 2,845
Protestant, n.o.s. 549,205 44,950 7,910 1,620 23,175 2,260 4,300 985 245 65 2,065 760 740 820 504,260
Christian Orthodox 479,620 42,280 950 2,085 11,400 265 295 235 21,130 1,505 330 90 3,620 370 437,340
Antiochian Orthodox Christian 4,270 2,880 15 1,065 10 0 0 30 1,385 40 0 0 330 0 1,390
Armenian Orthodox 10,950 1,055 10 40 30 15 10 0 325 585 0 0 0 35 9,900
Coptic Orthodox 10,285 8,365 15 25 785 0 0 0 5,910 0 20 0 1,520 85 1,915
Greek Orthodox 215,170 8,245 270 170 1,440 95 65 60 5,475 180 90 25 290 70 206,930
Romanian Orthodox 4,675 480 0 0 15 0 0 10 420 0 0 10 30 0 4,200
Russian Orthodox 15,610 285 20 15 10 35 35 0 0 30 75 25 15 10 15,325
Serbian Orthodox 20,520 140 20 15 60 10 0 10 0 10 0 10 0 15 20,385
Ukrainian Orthodox 32,720 145 10 40 45 30 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 32,570
Orthodox, n.i.e. 165,420 20,690 585 715 9,015 90 170 125 7,600 650 140 20 1,425 155 144,730
Christian, n.i.e. 780,450 216,165 60,760 16,690 61,595 12,715 13,980 6,220 7,305 2,555 19,065 2,195 8,715 4,370 564,280
Muslim 579,640 497,275 2,150 212,805 51,680 810 890 4,440 122,130 81,360 155 100 13,815 6,935 82,365
Jewish 329,990 5,275 755 660 1,445 145 540 65 730 360 105 110 240 115 324,720
Buddhist 300,345 276,275 144,555 8,630 525 275 180 93,330 40 120 3,860 12,955 1,200 10,615 24,070
Hindu 297,205 291,495 715 260,535 1,950 100 905 2,700 110 1,305 70 55 21,595 1,465 5,705
Sikh 278,415 275,715 300 272,220 170 65 25 1,870 45 315 20 30 60 595 2,695
Eastern religions 37,545 21,170 3,230 6,500 685 80 70 1,020 305 7,425 135 745 170 800 16,380
Baha'i 18,020 7,690 135 400 265 50 55 120 230 6,035 0 70 85 250 10,330
Jains 2,455 2,400 10 2,385 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 55
Shinto 545 490 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 470 0 0 55
Taoist 3,440 1,675 1,445 15 20 10 0 115 10 0 0 10 0 45 1,765
Zoroastrian 4,955 4,580 0 2,900 20 10 0 10 20 1,280 0 0 10 340 370
Eastern religions, n.i.e. 8,125 4,325 1,645 795 375 20 15 775 35 105 130 195 70 160 3,800
Aboriginal spirituality 29,820 740 20 585 75 0 10 20 0 0 15 10 0 0 29,080
PaganFootnote 6 21,080 720 110 55 325 50 30 45 30 0 10 15 25 25 20,365
Unity - New Thought - Pantheist 4,000 215 40 0 125 0 10 10 0 0 0 20 0 0 3,785
New Age 1,530 60 10 10 20 0 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1,465
Scientology 1,525 70 30 10 10 0 0 15 0 0 0 0 0 10 1,455
Gnostic 1,165 140 0 30 15 0 30 0 45 0 0 0 0 0 1,025
Rastafarian 1,135 710 10 25 585 20 10 0 10 0 0 0 60 10 420
Satanist 850 95 15 10 35 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 20 750
Other religions, n.i.e. 2,870 585 10 65 420 0 35 10 10 0 0 10 0 15 2,290
No religious affiliation 4,900,095 875,095 603,115 30,610 80,430 6,990 20,775 39,915 5,435 9,940 20,040 34,660 9,320 13,875 4,024,995
Agnostic 17,815 865 240 95 170 20 65 30 10 40 25 100 30 40 16,950
Atheist 18,605 920 365 130 120 0 70 35 25 50 35 60 10 15 17,685
Humanist 2,100 240 0 175 20 0 0 0 10 10 0 20 0 0 1,865
No religion 4,796,325 867,275 601,275 29,560 78,235 6,750 20,365 39,610 5,205 9,680 19,880 34,205 8,985 13,520 3,929,050
Other, n.i.e. 65,245 5,800 1,230 650 1,880 215 265 235 185 160 100 280 295 295 59,445

Footnotes

Footnote 1

Excludes census data for one or more incompletely enumerated Indian reserves or Indian settlements.

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Footnote 2

Includes respondents who reported a write-in response classified as a visible minority such as 'Polynesian', 'Guyanese', 'Mauritian', etc.

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Footnote 3

Includes respondents who reported more than one visible minority group by checking two or more mark-in circles, e.g. 'Black' and 'South Asian'.

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Footnote 4

Includes respondents who reported 'Yes' to Question 18 (Aboriginal self-reporting) as well as respondents who were not considered to be members of a visible minority group.

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Footnote 5

Includes Armenian Catholic, Chaldean Catholic, Greek or Byzantine Catholic, Melkite Greek Catholic, Maronite, Melkite, Syrian Catholic and Other Eastern Catholic.

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Footnote 6

Includes Wicca.

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Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 Census of Population, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 97F0022XCB2001005.

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Related data

  • 2006 Census analysis series:
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