- The City of Toronto proudly celebrates itself as the most diverse city in the world, owing to the visible minorities that make up 51% of its population. However, while early waves of immigration formed traditional ethnic enclaves with distinct borders such as Chinatown, and Little Italy within the inner city, recent waves of immigration has formed even larger ethnic communities in the suburbs. In these peripheries, approximately 64% identify as visible minorities, and in certain corners of the city such as Scarborough North and Etobicoke North, these numbers soar to 96% and 88% respectively.
- Unlike the suburban middle-class myth, the periphery is also where the city's lower income individuals reside. Pockets of lower income are found downtown, but these tend to include traditional ethnic enclaves and student living areas around campuses associated with student housing.
- Amongst all generations of immigrants, a higher percentage of first generation live in the urban periphery and historical ethnic enclaves. This geographical distribution is similar to the median individual income and visible minority map. Areas of first generation also encompass international students living around campuses.
Second generation, defined as being born in Canada and having at least one parent born outside Canada, is well mixed throughout Toronto. Second generation never account for more than 55% of immigrants in any given area.
Third generation onward, with both parents in Canada, are well concentrated in the city center, downtown, and along prime waterfront areas.
*Immigrant is defined foreign-born and include those from European countries.
Each map data is categorizes via natural breaks (Jenks Optimization).
- Those with post-secondary education outside Canada, who’s credentials are from racialized countries such as China, India, and Philippines, are over represented in the urban periphery. On the other hand, those with post-secondary education outside Canada but from Anglo Saxon nations such as US, UK, or France are overly represented in the city centre, where mainstream amenities and society reside.
- Toronto is abundant in natural land cover and tree canopies. This is especially the case outside the downtown core. Though city parks play an important role, all the informal greenery interwoven throughout the suburban landscape contribute significantly to our daily experience and well-being.
error: © Esmond Lee