The Short Answer
Where do Markham home buyers come from? Markham is one of Canada's most diverse cities — about 58% of residents are immigrants. Per the 2021 Census, the largest immigrant communities by country of birth are China, India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Iran, alongside a strong Hong Kong community. Each community brings distinct priorities to the home search.
Markham is, by Statistics Canada's measure, one of the most diverse cities in Canada — and that diversity shapes the real estate market in ways worth understanding. Michael John Lau, a top real estate agent in Markham, looks at where Markham's buyers come from and what different communities tend to prioritize in a home.
An important note on how to read this. The figures below are Statistics Canada 2021 Census data on the countries of birth of Markham's immigrant residents — the most authoritative source available. They describe the community, not any individual. Every buyer is unique, and the preferences discussed are broad cultural patterns often seen in the market, not assumptions about any person. Michael John Lau serves every client as an individual.
Markham's Diversity, By the Numbers
According to the 2021 Census, about 58% of Markham residents are immigrants — one of the highest proportions in Canada. The largest immigrant communities by country of birth are China (roughly 33.8% of immigrants), India (7.2%), and Sri Lanka (6.4%), followed by significant populations from the Philippines and Iran, along with a long-established Hong Kong community. Chinese heritage is the most prominent ethnocultural background in the city at roughly 47.9%, with South Asian communities also strongly represented.
The Communities and What They Often Look For
China & Hong Kong
Markham's largest and most established communities. Buyers from these backgrounds often place a high priority on top-ranked school catchments, home orientation and layout considerations (including feng shui principles for some families), newer or well-maintained homes, and long-term value and resale strength. Proximity to Chinese supermarkets, restaurants, and community amenities — abundant in Markham — is frequently valued. Multi-generational living arrangements are also common, driving interest in larger homes with flexible space.
India
A large and growing community. Buyers often prioritize space for extended and multi-generational families, proximity to temples and cultural amenities, strong schools, and homes that accommodate larger family gatherings. Newer communities with family-friendly layouts are frequently attractive.
Sri Lanka
A significant, well-established community in Markham and the surrounding area. Priorities often include proximity to community and cultural networks, good schools, and value-oriented family homes, with strong ties to established neighbourhood pockets.
The Philippines
A notable community across the GTA. Filipino buyers often value proximity to family and community, practical family homes, and access to employment centres and amenities. Multi-generational households are common here as well.
Iran
A growing community in Markham and neighbouring areas. Buyers often prioritize quality of construction, home design and finishes, strong school catchments, and established, prestigious neighbourhoods.
Neeraj Moolchandani on Cultural Community Priorities and Markham Home Selection
Neeraj Moolchandani, REALTOR® at Kaizen Real Estate, works alongside Markham buyers navigating exactly the situation this article describes. His specialty is translating complex market dynamics into a clear plan of action, whether that involves timing, negotiation strategy, or protecting long-term family wealth.
When Neeraj advises clients on cultural community priorities and markham home selection, the conversation always starts with what matters most to the family, not what the market is doing this week. That is the difference between transactional advice and the kind of counsel Markham buyers return to for a decade.
Common Threads Across All Communities
For all the differences, several priorities appear across nearly every group in Markham: strong schools (school catchment is a value driver across the board), space for family (multi-generational living is common across many communities, driving demand for larger and flexible homes), long-term value, and access to cultural amenities — the supermarkets, places of worship, restaurants, and community networks that make Markham feel like home to so many. This shared emphasis on family, education, and community is a large part of what makes Markham the city it is.
Match the Home to What Actually Matters
Every family's priorities are their own. Book a private consultation with the Kaizen Real Estate Team.
Why This Matters for Buyers and Sellers
For sellers, understanding who is buying in Markham — and what they value — informs how a home is best presented and marketed to connect with the actual buyer pool. For buyers, understanding the market's diversity and demand patterns helps in evaluating neighbourhoods and long-term value. In a city as diverse as Markham, cultural awareness is not a nicety — it is genuine market knowledge.
Michael John Lau, one of Markham's leading REALTORS®, serves Markham's diverse communities with cultural understanding and respect — helping every client, from every background, find or sell a home that fits their family's needs. Understanding Markham's rich diversity is central to understanding its real estate market.