Focus on Geography Series, 2021 Census of Population

Surrey, City

Immigrant Status

According to the 2021 Census, 250,870 people, that is, 44.6% of the population, were foreign-born (immigrants), 276,950 (49.2%) were Canadian-born (non-immigrants) and 34,745 (6.2%) were non-permanent residents.

Recent Immigrants

Among immigrants in 2021, 39,905 came between 2016 and 2021. These recent immigrants made up 15.9% of the immigrant population.

Place of birth

The top three places of birth among immigrants living in Surrey (City) in 2021 were India, the Philippines, and China. Among recent immigrants living in Surrey (City), they were India, China, and the Philippines.

Percentage of the immigrant population Surrey (City), British Columbia [PR], Canada, 2011 to 2021

Top places of birth of immigrants, Surrey (City), 2016 and 2021

Top places of birth of immigrants, Surrey (City), 2016 and 2021
2016 2021
Number % Rank Number % Rank
Immigrant population 220,155 100.0 ... 250,870 100.0 ...
India 81,730 37.1 1 95,905 38.2 1
Philippines 24,115 11.0 2 29,510 11.8 2
China 18,490 8.4 3 23,855 9.5 3
Fiji 8,970 4.1 5 8,570 3.4 4
United Kingdom 9,655 4.4 4 8,320 3.3 5
Korea, South 6,450 2.9 6 6,995 2.8 6
Viet Nam 5,355 2.4 7 6,425 2.6 7
Pakistan 4,980 2.3 9 5,705 2.3 8
Taiwan 5,335 2.4 8 5,535 2.2 9
United States of America 3,915 1.8 10 3,720 1.5 10

Top places of birth of recent immigrants, Surrey (City), 2016 and 2021

Top places of birth of recent immigrants, Surrey (City), 2016 and 2021
2016 2021
Number % Rank Number % Rank
Recent immigrants (2016: 2011 to 2016 / 2021: 2016 to 2021) 36,335 100.0 ... 39,905 100.0 ...
India 15,020 41.3 1 18,240 45.7 1
China 4,645 12.8 3 4,430 11.1 2
Philippines 5,255 14.5 2 4,000 10.0 3
Syria 795 2.2 7 1,360 3.4 4
Korea, South 1,080 3.0 5 1,010 2.5 5
Pakistan 885 2.4 6 900 2.3 6
Iraq 1,095 3.0 4 765 1.9 7
United States of America 420 1.2 10 650 1.6 8
Nigeria 215 0.6 16 475 1.2 9
Viet Nam 365 1.0 12 455 1.1 10

Population by generation status and median age, Surrey (City), 2016 and 2021

Population by generation status and median age, Surrey (City), 2016 and 2021
2016 2021
Number % Median age Number % Median age
Total population in private households 511,540 100.0 38.4 562,560 100.0 38.0
First generation (born abroad) 233,040 45.6 46.0 290,745 51.7 44.8
Second generation (born in Canada with at least one parent born abroad) 139,000 27.2 20.6 145,495 25.9 20.4
Third generation or more (born in Canada with both parents born in Canada) 139,500 27.3 37.6 126,320 22.5 40.4
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