Ottawa vs Hamilton: Population & Income Compared

Choosing between Ottawa and Hamilton in Ontario? These metrics — population, growth, median after-tax household income, and average age — offer a factual starting point. Here is a clear head-to-head.

Population & growth

Ottawa counted 1,017,449 residents in 2021, compared with Hamilton at 569,353. Size, however, is not the same as momentum. Ottawa's population rose 8.9% from 2016 to 2021, while Hamilton grew 6% over the same period.

In short: Ottawa leads on municipal population; Ottawa grew faster during the last census cycle.

Income

Median after-tax household income tells another part of the story. Ottawa households sat at $88,000 (median after tax), versus $75,500 in Hamilton. That gap matters for cost-of-living and labour-market conversations across the two cities.

Age profile

Average age was 40.7 years in Ottawa and 41.5 in Hamilton. Ottawa's younger profile contrasts with Hamilton in this census snapshot.

Quick comparison table

• Population (2021): Ottawa 1,017,449 · Hamilton 569,353
• Growth 2016–2021: Ottawa 8.9% · Hamilton 6%
• Median HH income (after tax): Ottawa $88,000 · Hamilton $75,500
• Average age: Ottawa 40.7 · Hamilton 41.5

Ottawa leads on population; Ottawa grew faster over 2016–2021; Ottawa posts higher median after-tax household income, with Ottawa slightly younger on average age.

Explore the full datasets

Dig into every section (households, labour, languages, dwellings) on the location profiles, or build your own side-by-side:

• Ottawa demographic profile
• Hamilton demographic profile
• Location Comparison tool — select Census subdivision, then Ottawa and Hamilton