Why Is It That 90% of Canadians Live Within 200KM of the US Border? Is It Because of the Ease of Entry Into the US?

Check out this answer from Consensus:

The primary reasons why 90% of Canadians live within 200 kilometers of the U.S. border are multifaceted. Economic efficiency, urbanization, and the challenging northern climate are significant factors. While ease of entry into the U.S. provides economic benefits, it is not the sole reason for this population distribution. Instead, a combination of economic, social, and environmental factors collectively influence this demographic pattern.

The majority of Canadians, approximately 90%, live within 200 kilometers of the U.S. border. This phenomenon is influenced by various factors, including economic, social, and environmental considerations. This synthesis explores the reasons behind this population distribution, focusing on whether ease of entry into the U.S. is a significant factor.

Key Insights

• Economic and Social Networks:
  • The concentration of economic activity within national borders is driven by networks of contacts, trust, and institutions, making it efficient to concentrate economic activity close to the U.S. border rather than further north1.
  • Trade and capital mobility are significantly tighter among Canadian provinces than between Canadian provinces and U.S. states, reinforcing the concentration of the population near the border1.
• Urbanization and Population Density:
  • Canada is one of the most urbanized nations, with a significant portion of the population living in major cities like Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, which are all relatively close to the U.S. border2.
  • The sparse population density and challenging geography of rural Canada make it difficult to provide equitable and sustainable services, further encouraging urban concentration near the border2.
• Climate and Living Conditions:
  • The adverse climate in northern Canada discourages people from resettling further north, leading to a higher population density near the more temperate southern border3.
  • Innovative solutions like creating townships under transparent membranes have been proposed to make northern living more viable, but these are not yet widespread3.
• Cultural and Economic Integration with the U.S.:
  • The proximity to the U.S. border facilitates economic benefits from trade and employment opportunities due to free trade agreements, making it advantageous for Canadians to live near the border4.
  • Concerns over cultural domination by the U.S. also play a role, as living close to the border allows Canadians to maintain a distinct social and political culture while benefiting economically4.