The Acadian population, as it is known today, is a group of Francophones living in the four provinces of Atlantic Canada. The vast majority of Acadians live in this region. Of course, there are some Acadians living in Quebec, Ontario, Western Canada, the United States, Europe, and other places around the world. There are also many people of Acadian ancestry, which means that some of their ancestors were Acadians. Such is the case for Quebec singer Gilles Vigneault, who has Acadian ancestors and is therefore of Acadian ancestry.

At one time, people were considered Acadian if their surnames could be traced back to the Deportation. Some examples of those surnames are Arsenault, Breau, Cormier, Doiron, Haché, Gallant, Landry, LeBlanc, Melanson, Poirier, Richard, Robichaud, Thériault and Thibodeau. More recently, Acadian society has embraced newcomers who have chosen to join the Acadian group. The French language continues to be the common denominator for all Acadians. Today, there are approximately 300,000 Acadians living in the four provinces of Atlantic Canada, and they form what is known as the "Acadia of the Atlantic."