Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Fort Erie has a population of around 32,901 people. The town's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Fort Erie has increased by 7.13%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 30,710 | 32,901 | +7.13% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.39% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Fort Erie's population is projected to reach approximately 35,248 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 212.03 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 32,901 | 35,248 | 212.03 |
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 Fort Erie is around 16,080 while the female population is around 16,825.
Of the 32,901 total population in Fort Erie, the largest gender is female with around 16,825 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 16,080 | 16,825 | +4.43% |
Is Fort Erie a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Fort Erie 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.
Other Towns Near Fort Erie
- Hilton (23.1 km)
- Pelham (33.1 km)
- Wainfleet (37.7 km)
- Niagara-on-the-Lake (40.1 km)
- Lincoln (49.7 km)
- West Lincoln (55.6 km)
- Grimsby (60.8 km)
- Oakville (84.9 km)
- James (89.9 km)
- Wellesley (91.7 km)
- St. Clair (94.3 km)
- O’Connor (94.4 km)
- Laird (96.1 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
Fort Erie has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 9.40% of the total population. The town median age is 51.60.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 1,465 9.10% | 1,630 9.70% | 10.12% | 3,095 9.40% |
| 65 to 69 years | 1,425 8.90% | 1,520 9.00% | 6.25% | 2,945 9.00% |
| 55 to 59 years | 1,390 8.60% | 1,480 8.80% | 6.08% | 2,870 8.70% |
| 70 to 74 years | 1,230 7.60% | 1,290 7.70% | 4.65% | 2,520 7.70% |
| 50 to 54 years | 1,015 6.30% | 1,170 7.00% | 13.25% | 2,185 6.60% |
| 45 to 49 years | 890 5.50% | 915 5.40% | 2.73% | 1,800 5.50% |
| 40 to 44 years | 815 5.10% | 865 5.10% | 5.78% | 1,680 5.10% |
| 30 to 34 years | 845 5.30% | 830 4.90% | 1.78% | 1,675 5.10% |
| 15 to 19 years | 840 5.20% | 780 4.60% | 7.14% | 1,620 4.90% |
| 75 to 79 years | 785 4.90% | 820 4.90% | 4.27% | 1,600 4.90% |
| 10 to 14 years | 805 5.00% | 780 4.60% | 3.11% | 1,585 4.80% |
| 35 to 39 years | 770 4.80% | 805 4.80% | 4.35% | 1,575 4.80% |
| 20 to 24 years | 775 4.80% | 740 4.40% | 4.52% | 1,515 4.60% |
| 25 to 29 years | 775 4.80% | 735 4.40% | 5.16% | 1,510 4.60% |
| 5 to 9 years | 760 4.70% | 740 4.40% | 2.63% | 1,495 4.50% |
| 0 to 4 years | 670 4.20% | 655 3.90% | 2.24% | 1,325 4.00% |
| 80 to 84 years | 455 2.80% | 520 3.10% | 12.50% | 970 2.90% |
| 85 years and over | 370 2.30% | 560 3.30% | 33.93% | 930 2.80% |
| 85 to 89 years | 240 1.50% | 315 1.90% | 23.81% | 560 1.70% |
| 90 to 94 years | 105 0.70% | 165 1.00% | 36.36% | 270 0.80% |
| 95 to 99 years | 20 0.10% | 70 0.40% | 71.43% | 90 0.30% |
Broader Age Groups
If the town'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 59.40% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 27.30% and 13.40%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Fort Erie are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age of the population | 50.40% | 52.40% | 51.60% |
| Average age of the population | 46.40% | 47.90% | 47.20% |
| 65 years and over | 26.50% | 28.00% | 27.30% |
| 0 to 14 years | 13.90% | 12.90% | 13.40% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Fort Erie
Population of Fort Erie by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Fort Erie is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Fort Erie 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 27.65% of the total population, followed by Irish (19.10%), Scottish (17.97%), German (16.48%), and Canadian (15.88%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include French, Italian, British Isles, Polish, and Dutch.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 27.59% | 27.68% | 27.65% |
| Irish | 18.13% | 20.02% | 19.10% |
| Scottish | 18.13% | 17.82% | 17.97% |
| German | 17.57% | 15.41% | 16.48% |
| Canadian | 15.87% | 15.89% | 15.88% |
| French | 10.40% | 10.31% | 10.34% |
| Italian | 10.84% | 9.16% | 9.99% |
| British Isles | 4.78% | 5.46% | 5.14% |
| Polish | 5.15% | 4.88% | 5.03% |
| Dutch | 4.68% | 4.94% | 4.80% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Fort Erie's population profile.
About 16.6% of Fort Erie's population are immigrants (5,380 people).
The top countries of origin for Fort Erie's immigrant population are United States of America (1,250), United Kingdom (995), Italy (305), Germany (190), China (175).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United States of America | 1,250 |
| United Kingdom | 995 |
| Italy | 305 |
| Germany | 190 |
| China | 175 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 11,620 of Fort Erie's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 20.40% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 13.90% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 7.10%, 5.50%, and 3.15%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 5,745 | 20.40% |
| 1 person | 3,910 | 13.90% |
| 3 persons | 2,000 | 7.10% |
| 4 persons | 1,550 | 5.50% |
| 5 or more persons | 880 | 3.15% |
Income in Fort Erie
Analyzing income distribution in Fort Erie can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Fort Erie is $37,600.
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 town's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Fort Erie population or around 3,955 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $30,000 to $49,999, and $50,000 to $79,999 with around 3,155 and 3,085 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Fort Erie's median household income is $76,000, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Fort Erie's median household income is 8,000 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the town'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 town's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in Fort Erie
This data sheds light on the distribution of Fort Erie 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.
53.05% or most of the Fort Erie population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 34.45% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 16.60% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.45% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 11,020 | 12,050 | 23,065 | 53.05% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 7,315 | 8,070 | 15,380 | 34.45% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 3,060 | 4,165 | 7,220 | 16.60% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 3,125 | 2,815 | 5,935 | 12.45% |
Below national average 16.6% of Fort Erie's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Fort Erie
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Fort Erie. 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 8.42% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 46.41% |
| Unemployment rate | 8.42% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the town who work as an employee. The majority of Fort Erie's population (around 69.60%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 1,245 men and 910 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 2,160.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 1,245 | 910 | 2,160 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Fort Erie industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Fort Erie is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Fort Erie has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (12%) works in the retail trade sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 11%, followed by Manufacturing at 10%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | 795 | 1,060 | 12% |
| Health care and social assistance | 240 | 1,510 | 11% |
| Manufacturing | 1,165 | 445 | 10% |
| Construction | 1,250 | 165 | 9% |
| Accommodation and food services | 540 | 735 | 8% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 550 | 410 | 6% |
| Public administration | 535 | 315 | 6% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 450 | 365 | 5% |
| Educational services | 220 | 560 | 5% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 330 | 415 | 5% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 415 | 310 | 5% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 320 | 270 | 4% |
| Finance and insurance | 110 | 265 | 2% |
| Wholesale trade | 230 | 140 | 2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 110 | 125 | 2% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 140 | 95 | 2% |
| Utilities | 105 | 25 | 1% |
| Information and cultural industries | 90 | 45 | 1% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 30 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 10 | 10 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Fort Erie residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Fort Erie: -45 Retail trade (12%), Health care and social assistance (11%), -33 Manufacturing (10%)
Top occupation categories in Fort Erie: Sales and service occupations (28%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (20%), Business, finance and administration occupations (14%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the town. 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 | 4,430 | 4,260 | 8,690 | 66.60% |
| Worked at home | 885 | 1,335 | 2,225 | 17.10% |
| No fixed workplace address | 1,330 | 460 | 1,790 | 13.70% |
| Worked outside Canada | 170 | 165 | 335 | 2.60% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Fort Erie 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 Fort Erie residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Fort Erie spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the town's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the town.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 15 minutes | 38.50% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 29.90% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 21.30% |
| 60 minutes and over | 6.00% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 4.40% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Fort Erieshed 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 town's social fabric. We can gain insights into Fort Erie's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights town'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 Fort Erie. About 31,960 people living in the province speak English, 500 people speak French, 140 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 40 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 31,960 |
| French | 500 |
| Neither English nor French | 140 |
| English and French | 40 |
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 | 88.4% | 95.4% |
| Non-official languages | 8.3% | 3.2% |
| French | 1.6% | 0.3% |
Religion
Fort Erie is predominantly Christian. About 19,530 of its population is Christian (9,070 males and 9,070 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Muslim with 0.5% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Buddhist and Jewish, both represent 0.4% and 0.4% of the population, while Hindu represent 0.3% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 60.1% |
| Islam | 0.5% |
| Buddhist | 0.4% |
| Jewish | 0.4% |
| Hindu | 0.3% |
| Sikh | 0.2% |
Points of Interest in Fort Erie
Hospitals
Schools
- Our Lady of Victory Catholic Elementary School
- Peace Bridge Public School
- Greater Fort Erie Secondary School
- St. Philomena Catholic Elementary School
- Garrison Road Public School
- St. George Catholic Elementary School
- John Brant Public School
- Stevensville Public School
- St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School
Parks
- Kennedy Park
- Freedom Park
- Riverside Park
- Crystal Ridge Park
- Waverly Beach Park
- Bertie Centennial Park
- Sugarbowl Park
- Gonder's Flats
- Douglas Park
- Albert Street Park
- Aqua Lane Park
- George Washington Park
- Unity Island Park
- Black Rock Canal Park
- Tow Path Park
- Oakes Park
- Bill Connolly Field
- Shagbark Conservation Area
- Madeline Faizzia Memorial Park
- Fairview Park
- Horne Park
- Battle of Ridgeway Memorial Park
- Queen's Circle
- Bay Beach Park
- Goderich Sreet Park
Libraries
- Fort Erie Public Library - Centennial Branch
- Fort Erie Public Library - Crystal Ridge Branch
- Fort Erie Public Library - Stevensville Branch
Community Centres
Places to Visit in Fort Erie
Museums
Attractions
Historic Sites
- Christopher W Dill stone
- World War I Memorial
- WWI Memorial
- Enlarged Erie Canal
- Black Rock Lock
- Teal House
- Riverside Park Lighthouse
- Battle of Ridgeway Memorial Park
Green Spaces in Fort Erie
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Kennedy Park | Parks | — |
| Freedom Park | Parks | 40.9 ha |
| Riverside Park | Parks | 15.7 ha |
| Crystal Ridge Park | Parks | 9.1 ha |
| Waverly Beach Park | Parks | 0.7 ha |
| Bertie Centennial Park | Parks | 5.4 ha |
| Sugarbowl Park | Parks | 6.4 ha |
| Gonder's Flats | Parks | 3.1 ha |
| Douglas Park | Parks | 2.4 ha |
| Albert Street Park | Parks | 0.9 ha |
| Aqua Lane Park | Parks | 1.4 ha |
| George Washington Park | Parks | 1.2 ha |
| Unity Island Park | Parks | 28.1 ha |
| Point Abino Woods | Nature Reserves | — |
| Marcy's Woods | Nature Reserves | — |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Erie
According to the 2021 census, Fort Erie has a population of approximately 32,901 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Fort Erie increased by 7.13%.
Fort Erie has a population density of approximately 197.90 people per square kilometre.
Fort Erie covers a land area of approximately 166.24 km².
The median age of the population in Fort Erie is 51.60 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Fort Erie is English.
The median household income in Fort Erie is $76,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Fort Erie.
Christian is the predominant religion in Fort Erie.
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.