Ottawa has a high proportion of relatively wealthy households
Among the six largest cities in Canada, Ottawa had the third highest proportion of households with an after-tax income over $100,000 in 2016. Compared to 32% in Ottawa, Calgary had 39%, Edmonton 33%, Toronto 24%, Vancouver 24% and Montréal 12%. Moreover, compared to those same cities, at 9%, Ottawa has one of the smaller proportions of households earning less than $20,000.
- Statistics Canada. 2016 Census of Population
Population distribution by age
Ottawa's age demographics reflect the broader societal reality of an aging population. Fifty years ago, the proportion of Ottawa's population under the age of 19 was 40%, compared to 23% in 2016. Those over 65 made up about 7% of the City's population, compared to 15% in 2016. The proportion of residents over 65 is projected to grow to 20% by 2031.
- City of Ottawa 2010. A Portrait of Ottawa Older Adults:Demographic and Socio-Economic Characteristics. Accessed April 11, 2006
- City of Ottawa 2006. Long Range Financial Plan 3. Accessed April 11, 2006
- McKinsey Global Institute. Urban world: Mapping the economic power of cities. March 2011.
- Statistics Canada. 2016 Census of Population. Catalogue no. 98-316-X2016001
- Statistics Canada 2014. The Daily. Population projections: Canada, the provinces and territories - 2013 to 2063. Accessed April 11, 2016
Birthplace of Ottawa's immigrants
As of 2016, the population of Ottawa included over 216,000 immigrants. By individual country of origin, China is the birthplace of the largest proportion of Ottawa's immigrants. By taking a regional perspective, 45% of Ottawa's immigrant population was born in Asia or the Middle East. Most of these immigrants are from China, followed by Lebanon and India. Europe is the birthplace of the next largest segment, at 26%. Though the city’s immigrant population has grown significantly in the past decade, Ottawa is far from a top destination of choice for new immigrants to Canada.
- Bonikowska A., Hou, F., and Picot G. Changes in the Regional Distribution of New Immigrants to Canada. Statistics Canada. 2015.
- Statistics Canada. 2016 Census of Population. Catalogue no. 98-316-X2016001
Mother tongue of Ottawa residents
At 14% in 2016, the proportion of residents with French as a mother tongue is significantly higher in Ottawa than in all other major Canadian cities except Montreal. On the other hand, the proportion of Ottawa residents who reported a mother tongue other than English or French is 22%, compared to 44% for Toronto and Vancouver, 33% for Montreal, and 30% for Calgary.
- Statistics Canada. 2016 Census of Population. Catalogue no. 98-316-X2016001
Knowledge of official languages
Ottawa is a relatively bilingual city, with 38% of the population claiming knowledge of both official languages. This compares to 9% for Toronto and 7% for Edmonton and Calgary. Unilingual English speakers comprise 59% of Ottawa's population, compared to 86% in Toronto and 90% in Calgary and Edmonton. Unilingual French speakers make up 1% of Ottawa's population, compared to 0.1% for Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.
- Statistics Canada. 2016 Census of Population. Catalogue no. 98-316-X2016001
Geographic distribution of population
With an area of almost 2800 square km following amalgamation in 2000, the City of Ottawa is geographically by far the largest of Canada’s major cities. About 90% of this land is rural, strongly influencing the character and potential of the City. Yet 55% of Ottawa’s population is urban, 35% suburban, and only 10% rural. Depending on the City's success in focusing intensification on priority areas, proportionately more dwelling units should be built in the urban areas, leading to growth in the relative size of the urban population.
- City of Ottawa 2017. 2016 Annual Development Report.
- City of Ottawa 2005. Appendix A - Ward Population and Area. Accessed April 11, 2016