– For years, Mississauga proudly held its place as Canada’s sixth-largest city. With its own skyline, booming business sector, and growing reputation as a destination, the city confidently sat just behind Canada’s major metros like Toronto, Montreal, and Calgary.
But recent population shifts have left that title a little blurrier — and the city’s position in the national rankings has become a matter of both statistical fact and civic identity.
By the numbers, Mississauga’s population actually declined slightly in the 2021 census, dipping to 717,961 and dropping it to seventh place, behind a fast-growing Winnipeg, which clocked in at 749,607 residents. That shuffling pushed Mississauga out of its long-held sixth-place spot and sparked some quiet debate among city leaders and urban planners.
More recently, it’s Brampton, Mississauga’s neighbour to the north, that’s added another wrinkle to the rankings.
As of 2024, according to the latest Statistics Canada estimates, Brampton’s population has surged to 791,486, leapfrogging Mississauga’s 780,747. That change now places Brampton as Ontario’s third-largest city, and the seventh-largest in Canada — effectively nudging Mississauga to eighth.
The shift, however, hasn’t prompted any formal rebranding from City Hall. Speaking to INsauga.com, City of Mississauga spokesperson Irene McCutcheon said that while the city acknowledges the newer StatsCan estimates, official population rankings are still based on the 2021 census — and Mississauga will continue referring to itself as Canada’s seventh-largest city until the 2026 census provides a more definitive update.
“Last year’s Statistics Canada population estimates provide a good indication of likely population changes and may be used for planning purposes,” McCutcheon said. “But they are not as accurate as the detailed census. Therefore, the city will continue referencing 2021 census population as the official figure, until the 2026 census results are released.”
Still, the evolving numbers have sparked casual conversation — including among city councillors. During a recent council discussion about health care infrastructure, Deputy Mayor Matt Mahoney noted, “A city of our size — sixth-, seventh-largest in the country, depending on the day…” to underscore the need for more local services like a permanent hospice.
The population race between Mississauga, Brampton, and Winnipeg has been heating up for several years, fueled by immigration patterns, housing availability, and development strategies. Brampton, in particular, has seen a significant population boom in the past decade, as new residents settle in large numbers due to its affordability and accessibility.
While these figures might seem like trivial rankings, they hold real-world implications for city funding, marketing, business investment, and infrastructure planning. For Mississauga, whether it sits sixth, seventh, or eighth in the national standings, the goal remains the same — to grow responsibly, serve residents effectively, and keep attracting business and talent from across the globe.
So for now, the answer to “Where does Mississauga rank?” depends on the year, the data, and maybe even the day of the week — but the city’s ambitions remain firmly top-tier.