About Elliot Lake
Elliot Lake, once famed as the “Uranium Capital of the World”, finds its roots in the northern reaches of Ontario. Over the decades, the city has reinvented itself multiple times, witnessing a series of transformations in its socio-economic fabric.
In its glory day, the glint of uranium brought prosperity and growth, turning Elliot Lake into a bustling hub. As the mines closed, an era ended, but the resilience of the community shone through. The city turned towards promoting itself as a haven for retirees, highlighting the pristine environment, affordable living, and modern amenities. This switch in focus underscores how adaptive and versatile urban centers can be when faced with economic challenges.
The latest population census places Elliot Lake at a count of approximately 11,372 residents (2021 census data). The fluctuation in numbers over the years paints a portrait of the city’s ability to draw individuals in, whether for work or relaxation.
Diversification is the key to any sustainable economy. While Elliot Lake no longer depends on uranium mining, it has branched out into various sectors. Tourism, bolstered by its lakes and trails, plays a significant role in drawing annual visitors. At the same time, local businesses, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions provide employment and services to residents.
Beyond the numbers and statistics, what truly sets Elliot Lake apart is its community spirit. From festivals celebrating its rich history to initiatives promoting sustainability, the city has consistently showcased a commitment to preserving its legacy while looking ahead to the future. Such a blend of reverence for the past and anticipation for what lies ahead can be seen in the city’s architecture, events, and in the aspirations of its citizens.
Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Elliot Lake has a population of around 11,372 people. The city's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Elliot Lake has increased by 5.87%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 10,741 | 11,372 | +5.87% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.15% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Elliot Lake's population is projected to reach approximately 12,040 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 17.30 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 11,372 | 12,040 | 17.30 |
This projection is an estimate calculated by CAPopulation from the compound annual growth rate between the 2016 and 2021 censuses. Official 2026 complete census data expected to be released in late 2027.
Population By Genders
The male population of Elliot Lake is around 5,550 while the female population is around 5,820.
Of the 11,372 total population in Elliot Lake, the largest gender is female with around 5,820 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 5,550 | 5,820 | +4.64% |
Is Elliot Lake a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Elliot Lake compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Ontario, its own province. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.
Employment & Economy
Income & Affordability
Commute
Housing Character
Household Composition
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.
Population by Age Characteristics
Elliot Lake has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 70 to 74 years old, accounting for 11.60% of the total population. The city median age is 60.40.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 to 74 years | 650 11.70% | 670 11.50% | 2.99% | 1,320 11.60% |
| 65 to 69 years | 650 11.70% | 640 11.00% | 1.54% | 1,290 11.30% |
| 60 to 64 years | 555 10.00% | 690 11.90% | 19.57% | 1,240 10.90% |
| 75 to 79 years | 445 8.00% | 465 8.00% | 4.30% | 910 8.00% |
| 55 to 59 years | 420 7.60% | 450 7.70% | 6.67% | 875 7.70% |
| 80 to 84 years | 285 5.10% | 305 5.20% | 6.56% | 595 5.20% |
| 50 to 54 years | 285 5.10% | 300 5.20% | 5.00% | 590 5.20% |
| 35 to 39 years | 245 4.40% | 235 4.00% | 4.08% | 480 4.20% |
| 30 to 34 years | 230 4.10% | 240 4.10% | 4.17% | 470 4.10% |
| 40 to 44 years | 230 4.10% | 215 3.70% | 6.52% | 450 4.00% |
| 85 years and over | 175 3.20% | 255 4.40% | 31.37% | 435 3.80% |
| 10 to 14 years | 220 4.00% | 200 3.40% | 9.09% | 420 3.70% |
| 45 to 49 years | 200 3.60% | 225 3.90% | 11.11% | 420 3.70% |
| 25 to 29 years | 200 3.60% | 205 3.50% | 2.44% | 405 3.60% |
| 5 to 9 years | 190 3.40% | 215 3.70% | 11.63% | 400 3.50% |
| 15 to 19 years | 190 3.40% | 185 3.20% | 2.63% | 375 3.30% |
| 0 to 4 years | 180 3.20% | 175 3.00% | 2.78% | 360 3.20% |
| 20 to 24 years | 195 3.50% | 155 2.70% | 20.51% | 350 3.10% |
| 85 to 89 years | 130 2.30% | 160 2.70% | 18.75% | 290 2.50% |
| 90 to 94 years | 40 0.70% | 75 1.30% | 46.67% | 120 1.10% |
| Median age of the population | 60 60.00% | 61 61.20% | 1.63% | 60 60.40% |
| Average age of the population | 53 52.70% | 54 53.90% | 1.86% | 53 53.40% |
Broader Age Groups
If the city's population is divided into broader age groups, most of the population falls into the 15 to 64 years age group. The group accounts for 49.70% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 39.90% and 10.30%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Elliot Lake are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 49.60% | 49.80% | 49.70% |
| 65 years and over | 39.70% | 40.20% | 39.90% |
| 0 to 14 years | 10.60% | 10.10% | 10.30% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Elliot Lake
Explore Elliot Lake Through Videos
Population of Elliot Lake by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Elliot Lake is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Elliot Lake is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the province appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in the province are English, which accounts for 21.56% of the total population, followed by French (21.16%), Scottish (20.67%), Irish (20.45%), and Canadian (17.28%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include German, French Canadian, Italian, British Isles, and Polish.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 22.03% | 21.02% | 21.56% |
| French | 20.13% | 22.15% | 21.16% |
| Scottish | 21.12% | 20.14% | 20.67% |
| Irish | 19.49% | 21.28% | 20.45% |
| Canadian | 17.95% | 16.64% | 17.28% |
| German | 10.34% | 9.89% | 10.11% |
| French Canadian | 3.90% | 5.25% | 4.59% |
| Italian | 3.90% | 4.47% | 4.19% |
| British Isles | 3.90% | 4.29% | 4.05% |
| Polish | 4.08% | 3.85% | 4.01% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Elliot Lake's population profile.
About 10.5% of Elliot Lake's population are immigrants (1,180 people).
The top countries of origin for Elliot Lake's immigrant population are United Kingdom (365), Germany (200), Poland (95), United States of America (95), Netherlands (45).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 365 |
| Germany | 200 |
| Poland | 95 |
| United States of America | 95 |
| Netherlands | 45 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 2,630 of Elliot Lake's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 21.10% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 19.95% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 4.35%, 2.85%, and 1.75%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 2,465 | 21.10% |
| 1 person | 2,330 | 19.95% |
| 3 persons | 505 | 4.35% |
| 4 persons | 335 | 2.85% |
| 5 or more persons | 205 | 1.75% |
Income in Elliot Lake
Analyzing income distribution in Elliot Lake can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Elliot Lake is $29,800.
A region's per capita data sheds light on the average income earned per person living in it. Since per capita income is calculated by dividing the region's total income by its population, it quantifies the population's economic situation on an individual basis.
Such data offers insights into the city's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Elliot Lake population or around 1,000 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the Under $10,000, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 755 and 730 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Elliot Lake's median household income is $50,000, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Elliot Lake's median household income is 34,000 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the city's economic landscape as well as the living standards of its population.
Analyzing such data enables researchers, policymakers, and businesses to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the city's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in Elliot Lake
This data sheds light on the distribution of Elliot Lake residents across educational milestones.
Such information is crucial in shaping the province’s policies on education, workforce development strategies, and initiatives that aim to improve access to quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
44.25% or most of the Elliot Lake population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 33.85% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 21.90% has a No certificate, diploma or degree, and 11.35% has Bachelor's degree or higher.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 3,070 | 3,505 | 6,570 | 44.25% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 2,325 | 2,620 | 4,945 | 33.85% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 1,890 | 1,560 | 3,455 | 21.90% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 670 | 990 | 1,665 | 11.35% |
Below national average 11.4% of Elliot Lake's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Elliot Lake
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Elliot Lake. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Newfoundland and Labrador is at 5.82% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 29.40% |
| Unemployment rate | 5.82% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the city who work as an employee. The majority of Elliot Lake's population (around 72.50%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the city, there are 230 men and 135 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 360.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 230 | 135 | 360 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Elliot Lake industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Elliot Lake is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Elliot Lake has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (22%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 15%, followed by Educational services at 7%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 185 | 605 | 22% |
| Retail trade | 240 | 285 | 15% |
| Educational services | 70 | 185 | 7% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 220 | 10 | 7% |
| Construction | 190 | 30 | 6% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 155 | 50 | 6% |
| Accommodation and food services | 85 | 110 | 5% |
| Public administration | 65 | 95 | 5% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 90 | 60 | 4% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 90 | 45 | 4% |
| Manufacturing | 95 | 30 | 4% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 75 | 40 | 3% |
| Finance and insurance | 15 | 70 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 40 | 20 | 2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 30 | 30 | 2% |
| Information and cultural industries | 10 | 25 | 1% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 15 | 10 | 1% |
| Utilities | 25 | 0 | 1% |
| Wholesale trade | 10 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Elliot Lake residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Elliot Lake: Health care and social assistance (22%), -45 Retail trade (15%), Educational services (7%)
Top occupation categories in Elliot Lake: Sales and service occupations (26%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (20%), Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (13%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the city. It provides a snapshot of workplaces, showing their geographic distribution and the flow of workers across different areas.
| Work Location | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual place of work | 1,035 | 1,230 | 2,270 | 76.90% |
| No fixed workplace address | 300 | 85 | 380 | 12.90% |
| Worked at home | 95 | 205 | 295 | 10.00% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Elliot Lake residents travel to school or work. It highlights the frequency of different modes of transportation like walking, cycling, carpooling, and public transit.
The data is pivotal in the making of transportation policies as well as the development of transit systems. Ultimately commuting data contributes to improving the quality of life of Elliot Lake residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Elliot Lake spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the city's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the city.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 74.10% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 11.50% |
| 60 minutes and over | 6.20% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 4.50% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 3.60% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Elliot Lakeshed light on its societal dynamics. It captures the diverse types of marital statuses of the population.
Long-term commitments, such as common-law partnerships, civil unions, and marriages, reflect the city's social fabric. We can gain insights into Elliot Lake's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights city's linguistic diversity, showing elegances of solo language as well as bilingual harmonies. Other than language, it also shows the cultural landscape in Canada.
English is the most spoken official language in Elliot Lake. About 9,940 people living in the province speak English, 1,335 people speak French, 25 people speak English and French language, and 10 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 9,940 |
| French | 1,335 |
| English and French | 25 |
| Neither English nor French | 10 |
Mother Tongue & Home Language
Useful for newcomers researching an area: this shows the language residents first learned at home in childhood (mother tongue) and the language they speak most often at home now, which can differ as families settle in.
| Language | Mother Tongue | Spoken Most Often at Home |
|---|---|---|
| English | 80.4% | 93.0% |
| French | 12.3% | 4.7% |
| Non-official languages | 5.3% | 1.0% |
Religion
Elliot Lake is predominantly Christian. About 6,905 of its population is Christian (3,180 males and 3,180 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Muslim with 0.4% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Buddhist and Jewish, both represent 0.2% and 0.2% of the population, while Hindu represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 61.5% |
| Islam | 0.4% |
| Buddhist | 0.2% |
| Jewish | 0.2% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Elliot Lake
Hospitals
Schools
- Elliot Lake Secondary School
- Central Avenue Public School
- Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School
- École séparée Georges-Vanier
- North Shore Adolescent Education School
- École secondaire Villa Française des Jeunes
- Our Lady of Lourdes French Immersion Catholic School
- Esten Park Public School
Parks
Libraries
Community Centres
Places to Visit in Elliot Lake
Historic Sites
Green Spaces in Elliot Lake
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Kiwanis Park | Parks | 1.9 ha |
| Nordic Park | Parks | 5.0 ha |
| Westview Park | Parks | 1.4 ha |
| Roman Avenue Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
| Spruce Beach | Parks | 2.9 ha |
| Burley Park | Parks | 2.7 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Frequently Asked Questions about Elliot Lake
According to the 2021 census, Elliot Lake has a population of approximately 11,372 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Elliot Lake increased by 5.87%.
Elliot Lake has a population density of approximately 16.30 people per square kilometre.
Elliot Lake covers a land area of approximately 696.06 km².
The median age of the population in Elliot Lake is 60.40 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Elliot Lake is English.
The median household income in Elliot Lake is $50,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Elliot Lake.
Christian is the predominant religion in Elliot Lake.
Statistics Canada (statcan.gc.ca) conducted the 2026 Census of Population in May 2026. However, census data goes through an extensive processing, validation, and quality-assurance period before public release. Based on the release plan, the 2026 Census results begin rolling out on February 10, 2027, with complete community-level profiles available by December 1, 2027. Until then, this page uses 2021 Census data as its primary source, supplemented by a population projection estimate for 2026 calculated using the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from the 2016–2021 Census period.