What is Calgary’s population, really?

What is Calgary’s Population, Really?

A surprisingly difficult question to answer precisely.

Aerial view of Bridlewood in Calgary's far southwest — Photo: Farkhod Fayzullaev

The Sprawl connects Calgarians with their city through detailed, curiosity-driven journalism. If you appreciate our work, please support The Sprawl to help us continue exploring municipal issues in Calgary.

Opening Day at City Hall

Think of it as Opening Day at city hall: the new city council is sworn in. Like a fresh baseball season, the field is clean, and the long stretch ahead is full of potential. If the start goes well, you’re batting a thousand, at least briefly.

The optimism at the ceremony was palpable. Politicians confidently spoke about the new council’s promise, with no red flags on the “scoresheet.”

An Unexpected Population Reference

However, something caught my attention during the event. Early on, Calgary was referred to as a city “of 1.8 million.” In his inaugural mayoral speech, Jeromy Farkas stated:

“In the next few years, something remarkable is about to happen. We will welcome our two millionth Calgarian.”

This figure contrasts with official city hall forecasts for population within city limits but aligns with numbers Farkas used throughout his campaign. He projected that Calgary will reach two million people by 2029.

Summary

The exact population of Calgary is debated, with political rhetoric and official forecasts not always matching.

Author's note: Calgary's population count is a fluid number influenced by varying forecasts and political messaging.

The Sprawl — 2025-11-02