Owen Sound Profile

Explore population, households, income, employment, languages, and dwellings for Owen Sound. Compare trends since 2016 and dig into the full demographic profile below.

National Rank:202 of 688

Level:Census subdivision

Owen Sound Population

Total Population (2021)

21,612

Total Population (2016)

21,341

Population Growth

+1.3% (+271)

Growth Rank

#521 of 688Same geo level

Male

46.7%10,090

Female

53.3%11,515

Male-to-Female Ratio

0.876

Average Age

46.3

Median Age

Age Rank

#534 of 688Same geo level

Population Age Distribution

0–4

965(4.5%)

5–9

1,060(4.9%)

10–14

1,065(4.9%)

15–19

1,055(4.9%)

20–24

1,090(5.0%)

25–29

1,320(6.1%)

30–34

1,315(6.1%)

35–39

1,235(5.7%)

40–44

1,120(5.2%)

45–49

1,050(4.9%)

50–54

1,240(5.7%)

55–59

1,535(7.1%)

60–64

1,695(7.8%)

65–69

1,490(6.9%)

70–74

1,395(6.5%)

75–79

1,050(4.9%)

80–84

805(3.7%)

85+

1,135(5.3%)

Owen Sound Households

Household Size

Average Household Size

2.1

Total Private Dwellings

10,406

Occupied Private Dwellings

9,895

Size Distribution

1 Person

3,780 (38.2%)

2 Persons

3,455 (34.9%)

3 Persons

1,230 (12.4%)

4 Persons

940 (9.5%)

5+ Persons

485 (4.9%)

Household Composition

Couples with children

1,730(17.5%)

Couples without children

2,555(25.8%)

One-parent families

1,040(10.5%)

One-person households

3,785(38.3%)

Multigenerational

160(1.6%)

Multiple-family

30(0.3%)

Owen Sound Incomes

Summary

Avg. Household Income

$67,600After tax

Median Household Income

$57,600After tax

Avg. Individual Income

$38,800After tax

Median Individual Income

$33,600After tax

Income Rank

#614 of 688Same geo level

Income Composition

Market Income

73.6%

Employment Income

54.6%

Government Transfers

26.5%

Individual Income Distribution

Under $10k

1,190(6.9%)

$10k–$20k

2,520(14.6%)

$20k–$30k

3,225(18.7%)

$30k–$40k

2,635(15.2%)

$40k–$50k

2,210(12.8%)

$50k–$60k

1,575(9.1%)

$60k–$70k

1,210(7.0%)

$70k–$80k

815(4.7%)

$80k–$90k

495(2.9%)

$90k–$100k

395(2.3%)

$100k+

1,010(5.8%)

Owen Sound Employment

Labour Force

Employment Rate

49.0%

Unemployment Rate

11.1%

Total Labour Force

9,785

Employed

8,695

Unemployed

1,090

Not in Labour Force

7,950

Low Income Prevalence

Overall Low-Income Rate

15.2%

Children (0–17)

15.4%

Adults (18–64)

15.0%

Seniors (65+)

15.5%

Gini Coefficient (Total)

0.3140 = perfect equality

Gini Coefficient (After-Tax)

0.277

Owen Sound Languages

Language Knowledge

English Only

19,760 (93.1%)

French Only

5 (0.0%)

English & French

1,410 (6.6%)

Neither

50 (0.2%)

Mother Tongue

English

19,760 (93.1%)

French

200 (0.9%)

Non-official languages

995 (4.7%)

Top Mother Tongue Languages

English

19,760(93.1%)

French

200(0.9%)

Arabic

110(0.5%)

Punjabi

55(0.3%)

Spanish

50(0.2%)

Gujarati

45(0.2%)

Mandarin

30(0.1%)

Cantonese

30(0.1%)

Hindi

30(0.1%)

Polish

30(0.1%)

Owen Sound Dwellings

Dwelling Type

Single-detached

5,055(51.1%)

Semi-detached

415(4.2%)

Row house

670(6.8%)

Duplex

265(2.7%)

Apt. < 5 storeys

2,700(27.3%)

Apt. ≥ 5 storeys

735(7.4%)

Other attached

20(0.2%)

Movable

35(0.4%)

Community snapshot

About Owen Sound

Owen Sound is a city at the head of Owen Sound harbour on Georgian Bay, in Grey County, Ontario. Steep harbour hills drop to a working waterfront and a compact downtown, with trails climbing into the Niagara Escarpment. It anchors the region’s hospital, retail, and ferry-access corridors toward the Bruce Peninsula. About 22,000 people live in Owen Sound.

Known for

Harbour city on Georgian Bay
Niagara Escarpment ravines and waterfall trails
Regional service hub for Grey and Bruce counties
Historic downtown and waterfront parks
Gateway toward the Bruce Peninsula

See & do

Harrison Park
Large riverside park with trails, pools, and picnic areas.
Inglis Falls
Escarpment waterfall and conservation area south of town.
Downtown Owen Sound / harbourfront
Shops, murals, and bay views along the waterfront.
Tom Thomson Art Gallery
Regional art museum tied to the Group of Seven painter’s roots.
Billy Bishop Home and Museum
Historic house museum of the WWI flying ace.

Data source → Census methodology & attribution

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Data source → Census methodology & attribution