This bulletin summarizes some key trends regarding persons who identify with racialized groups in Hamilton based on data from the 2021 Census.
The term ‘racialized,’ which includes both visible minorities and Indigenous peoples, is becoming more common. The Ontario Human Rights Commission, in their factsheet on racial discrimination, explains that because ‘race’ has its roots in social, not biological characteristics and includes much more than skin colour, their preferred term is “racialized group or person.”
“The Commission has explained ‘race’ as socially constructed differences among people based on characteristics such as accent or manner of speech, name, clothing, diet, beliefs and practices, leisure preferences, places of origin and so forth. The process of social construction of race is called racialization: the process by which societies construct races as real, different and unequal in ways that matter to economic, political and social life. Recognizing that race is a social construct, the Commission describes people as ‘racialized person’ or ‘racialized group’ instead of the more outdated and inaccurate terms ‘racial minority.’ ‘visible minority’, ‘person of colour’ or ‘non-White’.”[1]
While this bulletin uses the term racialized population or persons, the charts and maps are based on Census data collected using the visible minority term and are still measured using the detailed “visible minority” variable. However, it is still measured using the detailed “visible minority” variable. Visible minorities include people, who are non‑Caucasian in race or non‑white in colour. The visible minority population consists of the following groups: South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Arab, Latin American, Southeast Asian, West Asian, Korean, and Japanese, as outlined in the Employment Equity Act. These data, however, do not include Indigenous residents. Visible minority is becoming an outdated term as many communities and cities in Canada, such as Toronto and Vancouver, have more than half of residents identifying with a visible minority group. Statistics Canada recently carried out a consultation on the visible minority concept and is further testing options as a lead-up to the 2026 Census.[2]
Canada has a long history of immigration. The proportion of immigrants has been rising and reached 23% in 2021. Nearly one in four Canadians is an immigrant. Statistics Canada projected that immigrants would represent 29.1% to 34.0% of Canada’s population in 2041.[3] At the same time, the visible minority[4] population, which includes both immigrants and non-immigrants, is projected to reach between 16.4 million and 22.3 million people by 2041. The proportion of the population that is part of a visible minority is expected to be between 38.2 and 43.0%, meaning about two in five Canadians will belong to this population group.
Hamilton’s racialized population tops 140,000 persons
Hamilton’s racialized population has nearly tripled in the last 20 years to just over 140,000 persons in 2021. The proportion of Hamilton’s racialized residents is now 25%. Between 2016 and 2021, the racialized population grew by over 40,000 persons, a 41% increase in five years.
Figure 1. Number and percentage of racialized residents, City of Hamilton, 2001-2021 Census (Statistics Canada)
South Asian and Black are Hamilton’s largest racialized groups
South Asian Population Growth in Hamilton
The South Asian population represents just under 35,000 residents in Hamilton. Between 2001 and 2011, the South Asian population grew by 57%, compared to the overall city growth of racialized persons at 52% growth. From 2011 to 2021, the South Asian population grew by 102%, compared to the overall city growth of racialized persons of 76%. In the twenty years from 2001 to 2021, the South Asian population grew by 216%. This compares to an overall racialized population growth between 2001 and 2021 of 167%. South Asian Population growth has consistently outpaced overall city racialized growth in the twenty years between 2001 and 2021.
Black Population Growth in Hamilton
The Black population represents just over 28,000 residents in Hamilton. Between 2001 and 2011, the Black population grew by 54%, a marginal increase over the 52% overall city growth of racialized persons. From 2011 to 2021, the Black population grew by 76%, which was on par with the overall city growth of racialized persons in the city. In the twenty years from 2001 to 2021, the Black population grew 171%, outpacing the overall racialized growth, which was 167% in this period.
Arab is the fastest-growing racialized group in Hamilton
The Arab population is the fastest growing racialized group, representing 15,490 residents in 2021. Between 2001 and 2011, the Arab population grew by 91%, nearly double the overall growth of 52% for racialized persons in Hamilton. From 2011 to 2021, the Arab population grew by 119%, compared to the overall city growth of racialized persons of 76%. In the twenty years from 2001 to 2021, the Arab population grew 319%. This compares to an overall racialized population growth between 2001 and 2021 of 167%. Arab population growth has consistently outpaced overall city racialized growth in the twenty years between 2001 and 2021.
Slowest Growth Groups
The Chinese and Korean racialized groups had the slowest growth between 2011 and 2021. The Chinese population, representing 10,945 residents in 2021, grew by 29% between 2011 and 2021. Likewise, the Korean population of 2,365 residents in 2021 grew by 20% in the period between 2011 and 2021. Both growth rates are below the overall growth of 52% overall city growth of racialized persons.
Figure 2.
Downtown, Riverdale, South Mountain (including Meadowlands), and Elfrida, have the highest proportions of racialized residents
As the following map indicates, the population of racialized residents is spread across Hamilton, with the highest concentrations (50% and over) in the following areas of the city:
- Downtown Hamilton and surrounding neighbourhoods, including Central and Beasley neighbourhoods and the part of the Strathcona neighbourhood north of York Boulevard.
- Riverdale West (near Centennial Parkway and Queenston Road) is one of Hamilton’s largest arrival areas for immigrants, where about half of the residents were born outside Canada.
- The Meadowlands neighbourhood in Ancaster and nearby neighbourhoods on the south Mountain (south of the Lincoln Alexander Parkway and on either side of Upper James).
- The Elfrida area bounded by Trinty Church Road, Golf Club Road, Rymal Road East, and Hendershot Road
To use this map, you can zoom to a census tract (CT) and click the area to open a pop-up with information on persons identifying with specific racialized groups. The home button zooms the map back to view the entire city of Hamilton. Use the button with three lines to show the map legend.
Figure 3. Racialized Population in Hamilton, 2021 (Statistics Canada, 2021 Census)
Canadian-Born
Over one-third (34%) of racialized people in Hamilton were born in Canada. The ratio is also higher than the national average of 32%. The proportion of Canadian-born racialized people varied widely from group to group, which largely reflects historical immigration patterns. In Hamilton, about 80% of individuals who identify as part of the Japanese racialized group were born in Canada, the highest proportion of all racialized groups. This is followed by 45% of individuals who identify as Black, 37% who identify as Southeast Asian, and 31% of Chinese, Korean, and Filipino. Less than 25% of Latin Americans living in Hamilton were born in Canada.
Figure 4.
Age Breakdown
When looking at age breakdowns across Hamilton, there are differences between the various racialized groups. There is a higher percentage of children and youth (0-24) among the Black (45%) and Arab (47%) populations compared to the overall visible minority population. Among older people (65+), there are higher rates for the Japanese (25%) and Chinese (12%) populations.
Table 1.
Implications for Hamilton
- As Hamilton’s racialized population grows, cultural understanding, support, and outreach must increase to promote social cohesion and inclusion.
- There will be an increased need for culturally and linguistically sensitive services for a diverse population, particularly in areas of the city where there is a higher concentration of racialized populations.
- Nonprofits may see a rise in demand for services tailored to diverse communities, such as language support, cultural integration programs, and mental health services.
- In workplaces, staff training and resources should be provided to learn about diversity and recognize unconscious biases and stereotypes to help foster an inclusive working environment.
- There is a need to ensure diverse representation in leadership roles within local institutions and organizations to reflect better the community they serve.
- Services need to be accessible for the persons and communities they serve. In particular, ensuring services are available in Hamilton’s more rural and newly developed areas.
- Human and community services should consider how they are meeting the needs of racialized community members with a focus on growth groups: South Asian, Black, and Arab community members.
- Building partnerships with community racialized groups and other organizations can enhance service delivery and community engagement.
[1] Ontario Human Rights Commission, Racial discrimination, race and racism (fact sheet)
[2] Statistics Canada. Report and Draft Recommendations – Results of the Consultative Engagement on the Visible Minority Concept, June 14, 2024.
[3] Statistics Canada, Population projections on immigration and diversity for Canada and its regions, 2016 to 2041: Overview of projection assumptions and scenarios, September 8, 2022
[4] ‘Visible minority’ refers to whether a person belongs to a visible minority group as defined by the Employment Equity Act and, if so, the visible minority group to which the person belongs. The Employment Equity Act defines visible minorities as “persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour.” The visible minority population consists mainly of the following groups: South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Latin American, Arab, Southeast Asian, West Asian, Korean, and Japanese.
This series of bulletins focuses on issues highlighted in Hamilton’s Social Landscape report and brings attention to more recent trends. These bulletins are published by the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton and funded in part by the United Way Halton Hamilton and the City of Hamilton Enrichment Fund.
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