The Hoary Redpoll is difficult to monitor because the species breeds in far northern Canada and winters primarily throughout remote parts of the Boreal forest. Movements farther south in winter occur primarily when seed crops are poor in the north. There are approximately 13 million individuals in Canada, which represents 46% of the global population and a moderate level of responsibility for Canada. An additional 1.5 million individuals breed in Alaska, most of which spend at least some time migrating to or through Canada, and boosting the proportion of the global total to 54%, which is considered high. The Canadian population of Hoary Redpoll has shown little change relative to 1970 based on the Christmas Bird Count, but confidence is low because of limited survey coverage. The national population of Hoary Redpoll is within its goal range.

In July 2024, the American Ornithological Society determined that Common Redpoll and Hoary Redpoll should be treated as a single species, Redpoll. This species account will be revised once analyses of combined data are available.