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Petawawa Profile

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

National Rank:245 of 688
Level:Census subdivision

Petawawa Population

Total Population (2021)
18,160
Total Population (2016)
17,187
Population Growth
+5.7% (+973)
Growth Rank
#288 of 688Same geo level
Male
53.9%9,780
Female
46.2%8,385
Male-to-Female Ratio
1.166
Average Age
34.1
Median Age
32
Age Rank
#15 of 688Same geo level

Population Age Distribution

0–4
1,400(7.7%)
5–9
1,460(8.0%)
10–14
1,090(6.0%)
15–19
915(5.0%)
20–24
1,365(7.5%)
25–29
2,020(11.1%)
30–34
2,050(11.3%)
35–39
1,595(8.8%)
40–44
1,125(6.2%)
45–49
920(5.1%)
50–54
865(4.8%)
55–59
925(5.1%)
60–64
720(4.0%)
65–69
565(3.1%)
70–74
500(2.8%)
75–79
280(1.5%)
80–84
210(1.2%)
85+
165(0.9%)

Petawawa Households

Household Size

Average Household Size
2.6
Total Private Dwellings
7,174
Occupied Private Dwellings
6,762

Size Distribution

1 Person
1,555 (23.0%)
2 Persons
2,355 (34.8%)
3 Persons
1,150 (17.0%)
4 Persons
1,140 (16.9%)
5+ Persons
555 (8.2%)

Household Composition

Couples with children
2,235(33.1%)
Couples without children
1,805(26.7%)
One-parent families
480(7.1%)
One-person households
1,555(23.0%)
Multigenerational
110(1.6%)
Multiple-family
20(0.3%)

Petawawa Incomes

Summary

Avg. Household Income
$95,100After tax
Median Household Income
$89,000After tax
Avg. Individual Income
$49,720After tax
Median Individual Income
$50,000After tax
Income Rank
#145 of 688Same geo level

Income Composition

Market Income
87.8%
Employment Income
77.4%
Government Transfers
12.3%

Individual Income Distribution

Under $10k
815(6.3%)
$10k–$20k
1,170(9.0%)
$20k–$30k
1,225(9.5%)
$30k–$40k
1,160(9.0%)
$40k–$50k
1,145(8.8%)
$50k–$60k
1,275(9.8%)
$60k–$70k
1,635(12.6%)
$70k–$80k
1,540(11.9%)
$80k–$90k
1,060(8.2%)
$90k–$100k
615(4.8%)
$100k+
1,305(10.1%)

Petawawa Employment

Labour Force

Employment Rate
66.4%
Unemployment Rate
6.3%
Total Labour Force
9,475
Employed
8,875
Unemployed
600
Not in Labour Force
3,895

Low Income Prevalence

Overall Low-Income Rate
3.7%
Children (0–17)
3.8%
Adults (18–64)
2.9%
Seniors (65+)
8.4%
Gini Coefficient (Total)
0.2370 = perfect equality
Gini Coefficient (After-Tax)
0.212

Petawawa Languages

Language Knowledge

English Only
14,205 (78.2%)
French Only
150 (0.8%)
English & French
3,785 (20.8%)
Neither
25 (0.1%)

Mother Tongue

English
15,165 (83.5%)
French
1,795 (9.9%)
Non-official languages
735 (4.0%)

Top Mother Tongue Languages

English
15,165(83.5%)
French
1,795(9.9%)
Spanish
55(0.3%)
Tagalog
45(0.2%)
Punjabi
45(0.2%)
Arabic
40(0.2%)
Polish
40(0.2%)
Russian
40(0.2%)
Mandarin
30(0.2%)
Portuguese
30(0.2%)

Petawawa Dwellings

Dwelling Type

Single-detached
4,760(70.4%)
Semi-detached
455(6.7%)
Row house
845(12.5%)
Duplex
50(0.7%)
Apt. < 5 storeys
635(9.4%)
Other attached
10(0.1%)
Movable
5(0.1%)

Community snapshot

About Petawawa

Petawawa is a town in Renfrew County, Ontario, on the Ottawa River northwest of Pembroke beside CFB Petawawa. Military community life, river beaches, and Canadian Shield forest define a northeastern Ontario town closely tied to the base. Highway 17 is the main corridor. About 18,000 people live in Petawawa.

Known for

  • Town beside Canadian Forces Base Petawawa
  • Ottawa River waterfront and beaches
  • Military family and service community character
  • Canadian Shield forest setting in Renfrew County
  • Highway 17 corridor northwest of Pembroke

See & do

  • Petawawa Terrace / river beaches

    Ottawa River swimming and shoreline parks.

  • Downtown Petawawa

    Local shops and services for town and base families.

  • Petawawa Research Forest approaches

    Trail and forest recreation near town.

  • Community recreation complexes

    Arenas and sports facilities serving residents.

  • Ottawa River black-granite shore drives

    Shield scenery along the river corridor.

Data source → Census methodology & attribution

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Data source → Census methodology & attribution