The Canadian population of Eastern Towhee is monitored best by the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), which samples most of the breeding range, is well-suited to detecting the species, and has high precision. The national trend shows a steep drop of nearly 50% from the early 1970s to the early 1980s and then a slower ongoing decline until the early 2000s. Since then there has been a slow but steady rate of increase, but overall the population remains 47% below early 1970s levels. The rebound has been most notable in the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Lowlands, where the population has nearly returned to early 1970s levels, Conversely, in central Ontario and Quebec there was a second sharp decline in the late 1990s and the population continues to decrease.

The goal for Eastern Towhee is to increase the population to the level it was at in the early 1970s, based on the Breeding Bird Survey. Trend data show that Eastern Towhee is currently below its goal range, but it has shown an increase over the past decade. Analysis of recent trends and potential growth rates suggests that Eastern Towhee could reach its population goal by 2050 with the support of conservation action.