Analysis series Aboriginal peoples of Canada Aboriginal groups

Of the 976,305 people who identified themselves as Aboriginal in the 2001 Census, about 30%, or 292,310, reported that they were Métis.

Largest increase in population
More than two-thirds of Métis lived in urban areas
Three of 10 Métis were children aged 14 and under
Métis children less likely to live in a two-parent family in urban areas

Largest increase in population

This was a 43% increase from 204,120 five years earlier, the largest population gain of the three Aboriginal groups. While the fertility rate for the Métis population has declined in recent years, it is still higher than the fertility rate for the non-Aboriginal population, but lower than rates among North American Indians and Inuit.

Not all of the growth can be attributed to demographic factors. Increased awareness of Métis issues coming from court cases related to Métis rights, and constitutional discussions, as well as better enumeration of Métis communities have contributed to the increase in the population identifying as Métis.

The largest Métis population, 66,055, lived in Alberta where they accounted for almost 23% of Canada's total Métis population. Alberta was followed by Manitoba, with 56,795, or 19% of the total Métis population, and Ontario, with 48,345, or almost 17% of the total.

Population reporting a Métis identity, Canada, provinces and territories, 2001

The Métis population increased in all 10 provinces, more than doubling in Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

In 2001, 68% of the Métis population lived in Canada's urban areas, while 29% lived in rural areas. These shares are similar to those in 1996. Only 7,315 Métis lived on reserves, but this was more than double the level five years earlier.

Population reporting a Métis identity, by area of residence, Canada, 1996 and 2001

The five census metropolitan areas with the largest Métis populations in 2001 were Winnipeg (31,395), Edmonton (21,065), Vancouver (12,505), Calgary (10,575) and Saskatoon (8,305). These five metropolitan areas combined were home to 29% of the total Métis population.

More than one-fifth of Métis population pulled up stakes

Overall, 23% of the population that identified themselves as Métis changed residences in the year prior to the census, compared with only 14% of the non-Aboriginal population.

Among the Métis who were living in all urban areas, 27% moved. In contrast, only 15% of the non-Aboriginal population who were living in urban areas at the time of the census had moved. Nearly 14% of the Métis who were living in rural non-reserve areas reported that they had moved in the year before the census, compared with only 9% of the non-Aboriginal population in these areas.

The median age of Canada's Métis population was 27 years in 2001, nearly 11 years younger than that of the non-Aboriginal population. However, it was older than the median age of 23.5 years of the North American Indian population, and the median of 20.6 for Inuit.

The 84,695 Métis children aged 14 and under represented 29% of the Métis population, down from about 31% in 1996. In contrast, children in this age group represented 19% of the non-Aboriginal population.

Young people aged 15 to 24 represented 18% of the total Métis population, unchanged from 1996.

Close to one-half (49%) of the Métis population was in the age group 25 to 64, up from 46% in 1996.

The census enumerated 12,520 Métis seniors aged 65 and over, who represented 4% of their population, virtually unchanged from 1996. Seniors accounted for almost 13% of the non-Aboriginal population.

Population reporting a Métis identity, by age groups, Canada, 1996 and 2001

A total of 54,735 Métis children, or 65% of the total, lived in a two-parent family, while 27,955 youngsters, or 33%, lived with a lone parent. However, there is quite a difference by area of residence. The percentage of Métis children living with a lone parent in urban CMAs is 42%, almost double the proportion of 22% in rural areas.

In contrast, 83% of non-Aboriginal children lived in families with two parents, while only 17% lived in a lone-parent family.

Living arrangements of Métis children aged 0-14 years, by selected areas of residence, Canada, 2001