Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Oshawa has a population of around 175,383 people. The city's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Oshawa has increased by 9.99%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 159,458 | 175,383 | +9.99% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.92% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Oshawa's population is projected to reach approximately 192,898 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 1,323.76 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 175,383 | 192,898 | 1,323.76 |
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 Oshawa is around 85,980 while the female population is around 89,400.
Of the 175,383 total population in Oshawa, the largest gender is female with around 89,400 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 85,980 | 89,400 | +3.83% |
Is Oshawa a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Oshawa 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 Cities Near Oshawa
- Pickering (19.5 km)
- Markham (38.3 km)
- Toronto (49.8 km)
- Kawartha Lakes (52.3 km)
- Vaughan (54.4 km)
- Peterborough (62.7 km)
- Mississauga (71.5 km)
- Brampton (75.7 km)
- Barrie (85.7 km)
- St. Catharines (87.8 km)
- Niagara Falls (89.4 km)
- Thorold (90.1 km)
- Orillia (90.3 km)
- Burlington (98.5 km)
Population by Age Characteristics
Oshawa has a young population. The majority of the population is people aged 30 to 34 years old, accounting for 7.50% of the total population. The city median age is 39.20.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 to 34 years | 6,570 7.60% | 6,595 7.40% | 0.38% | 13,165 7.50% |
| 55 to 59 years | 6,125 7.10% | 6,480 7.20% | 5.48% | 12,610 7.20% |
| 25 to 29 years | 6,150 7.20% | 6,315 7.10% | 2.61% | 12,465 7.10% |
| 35 to 39 years | 6,080 7.10% | 6,285 7.00% | 3.26% | 12,370 7.10% |
| 40 to 44 years | 5,505 6.40% | 5,820 6.50% | 5.41% | 11,325 6.50% |
| 60 to 64 years | 5,435 6.30% | 5,705 6.40% | 4.73% | 11,140 6.40% |
| 50 to 54 years | 5,465 6.40% | 5,550 6.20% | 1.53% | 11,015 6.30% |
| 20 to 24 years | 5,560 6.50% | 5,235 5.90% | 5.85% | 10,800 6.20% |
| 45 to 49 years | 5,215 6.10% | 5,470 6.10% | 4.66% | 10,680 6.10% |
| 5 to 9 years | 5,435 6.30% | 5,060 5.70% | 6.90% | 10,500 6.00% |
| 10 to 14 years | 5,275 6.10% | 5,065 5.70% | 3.98% | 10,345 5.90% |
| 0 to 4 years | 5,125 6.00% | 4,835 5.40% | 5.66% | 9,965 5.70% |
| 15 to 19 years | 5,110 5.90% | 4,570 5.10% | 10.57% | 9,680 5.50% |
| 65 to 69 years | 4,105 4.80% | 4,745 5.30% | 13.49% | 8,850 5.00% |
| 70 to 74 years | 3,500 4.10% | 4,220 4.70% | 17.06% | 7,720 4.40% |
| 75 to 79 years | 2,340 2.70% | 2,885 3.20% | 18.89% | 5,220 3.00% |
| 85 years and over | 1,370 1.60% | 2,455 2.70% | 44.20% | 3,825 2.20% |
| 80 to 84 years | 1,605 1.90% | 2,100 2.30% | 23.57% | 3,705 2.10% |
| 85 to 89 years | 905 1.10% | 1,400 1.60% | 35.36% | 2,310 1.30% |
| 90 to 94 years | 375 0.40% | 760 0.90% | 50.66% | 1,130 0.60% |
| 95 to 99 years | 75 0.10% | 255 0.30% | 70.59% | 330 0.20% |
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 65.70% of the population. The other age groups, 0 to 14 years and 65 years and over, account for 17.60% and 16.70%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Oshawa are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average age of the population | 39.20% | 41.50% | 40.30% |
| Median age of the population | 38.00% | 40.80% | 39.20% |
| 0 to 14 years | 18.40% | 16.70% | 17.60% |
| 65 years and over | 15.00% | 18.40% | 16.70% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Oshawa
Explore Oshawa Through Videos
Population of Oshawa by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Oshawa is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Oshawa 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 22.38% of the total population, followed by Irish (17.71%), Scottish (17.48%), Canadian (16.92%), and German (6.59%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include French, Italian, Indian (India), British Isles, and Polish.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 21.57% | 23.16% | 22.38% |
| Irish | 16.70% | 18.68% | 17.71% |
| Scottish | 17.10% | 17.84% | 17.48% |
| Canadian | 17.46% | 16.39% | 16.92% |
| German | 6.70% | 6.48% | 6.59% |
| French | 6.15% | 6.74% | 6.45% |
| Italian | 5.26% | 4.68% | 4.96% |
| Indian (India) | 4.42% | 4.15% | 4.28% |
| British Isles | 4.30% | 4.23% | 4.26% |
| Polish | 3.30% | 3.35% | 3.32% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Oshawa's population profile.
About 22.1% of Oshawa's population are immigrants (38,520 people).
The top countries of origin for Oshawa's immigrant population are United Kingdom (4,010), India (3,945), Philippines (2,730), Jamaica (2,560), Pakistan (2,475).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 4,010 |
| India | 3,945 |
| Philippines | 2,730 |
| Jamaica | 2,560 |
| Pakistan | 2,475 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 37,000 of Oshawa's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 15.80% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 12.65% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 8.60%, 7.50%, and 5.40%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 21,080 | 15.80% |
| 1 person | 16,845 | 12.65% |
| 3 persons | 11,490 | 8.60% |
| 4 persons | 10,010 | 7.50% |
| 5 or more persons | 7,205 | 5.40% |
Income in Oshawa
Analyzing income distribution in Oshawa can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Oshawa is $39,600.
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 city's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Oshawa population or around 20,610 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $50,000 to $79,999, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 19,015 and 16,430 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Oshawa's median household income is $86,000, according to 2020 data.
Above national average Oshawa's median household income is 2,000 dollars above 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 Oshawa
This data sheds light on the distribution of Oshawa 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.
56.00% or most of the Oshawa population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 30.40% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 21.30% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.60% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 59,960 | 70,870 | 130,830 | 56.00% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 38,035 | 34,805 | 72,845 | 30.40% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21,375 | 28,115 | 49,485 | 21.30% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 18,185 | 15,865 | 34,050 | 13.60% |
Below national average 21.3% of Oshawa's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Oshawa
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Oshawa. 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 9.29% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 51.84% |
| Unemployment rate | 9.29% |
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 Oshawa's population (around 72.90%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the city, there are 5,960 men and 3,995 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 9,955.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 5,960 | 3,995 | 9,955 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Oshawa industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Oshawa is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Oshawa has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (13%) works in the retail trade sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 13%, followed by Construction at 9%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | 5,515 | 5,780 | 13% |
| Health care and social assistance | 1,765 | 9,355 | 13% |
| Construction | 6,975 | 725 | 9% |
| Educational services | 1,900 | 4,155 | 7% |
| Manufacturing | 4,325 | 1,570 | 7% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 2,985 | 2,610 | 6% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 3,015 | 2,305 | 6% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 3,795 | 1,200 | 6% |
| Accommodation and food services | 2,020 | 2,760 | 6% |
| Public administration | 1,915 | 2,055 | 5% |
| Finance and insurance | 1,670 | 2,230 | 5% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 1,635 | 1,795 | 4% |
| Wholesale trade | 1,635 | 715 | 3% |
| Information and cultural industries | 1,125 | 785 | 2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 885 | 795 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 780 | 805 | 2% |
| Utilities | 1,220 | 335 | 2% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 210 | 190 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 180 | 145 | 0% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 105 | 25 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Oshawa residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Oshawa: -45 Retail trade (13%), Health care and social assistance (13%), Construction (9%)
Top occupation categories in Oshawa: Sales and service occupations (27%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (19%), Business, finance and administration occupations (16%)
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 | 23,405 | 22,645 | 46,050 | 62.00% |
| Worked at home | 7,365 | 9,755 | 17,115 | 23.10% |
| No fixed workplace address | 8,260 | 2,650 | 10,910 | 14.70% |
| Worked outside Canada | 125 | 45 | 170 | 0.20% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Oshawa 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 Oshawa residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Oshawa 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 |
|---|---|
| 15 to 29 minutes | 30.90% |
| Less than 15 minutes | 26.30% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 17.00% |
| 60 minutes and over | 15.30% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 10.50% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Oshawashed 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 Oshawa'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 Oshawa. About 169,235 people living in the province speak English, 2,935 people speak French, 1,550 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 670 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 169,235 |
| French | 2,935 |
| Neither English nor French | 1,550 |
| English and French | 670 |
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 | 79.5% | 87.8% |
| Non-official languages | 15.4% | 8.1% |
| French | 1.7% | 0.7% |
Religion
Oshawa is predominantly Christian. About 89,390 of its population is Christian (41,195 males and 41,195 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Muslim with 5.8% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Buddhist, both represent 3.7% and 0.5% of the population, while Sikh represent 0.4% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 51.4% |
| Islam | 5.8% |
| Hindu | 3.7% |
| Buddhist | 0.5% |
| Sikh | 0.4% |
| Jewish | 0.3% |
Points of Interest in Oshawa
Schools
- Fairport Montessori Academy
- St. Paul Catholic School
- École élémentaire Antonine Maillet
- Woodcrest Public School
- St. Christopher Catholic School
- Sir William Stephenson Public School
- Earl A. Fairman Public School
- École élémentaire catholique Jean-Paul II
Universities
Parks
- Nichol Park
- Longwood Park
- Chipperfield Park
- Ennisclare Park
- Whitby Optimist Park
- Glenayr Park
- Homestead Park
- Rimosa Park
- Ash Park
- Wyndfield Park
- Fallingbrook Open Space
- Highland Park
- Glenabbey Parkette
- Penfound Park
- Eastbourne Park
- Alexandra Park
- Rick Gay Memorial Park
- Prince of Wales Park
- Glen Stewart Park
- Radio Park
- Warne Park
- D'Hillier Park
Libraries
- Oshawa Public Libraries - Jess Hann Branch
- Whitby Public Library - Central Branch
- Whitby Public Library - Rossland Branch
- Oshawa Public Libraries - Delpark Centre Branch
Community Centres
- Durham Outlook for the Needy
- Baagwating Indigenous Student Centre
- Oshawa Centre Community Room
- The Oshawa Chamber of Commerce
Places to Visit in Oshawa
Museums
- Canadian Automotive Museum
- Oshawa Community Museum
- Ontario Regiment Museum
- Oshawa Museum
- Parkwood Estate
- Station Gallery
Historic Sites
Theatres
Green Spaces in Oshawa
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Nichol Park | Parks | — |
| Longwood Park | Parks | — |
| Chipperfield Park | Parks | — |
| Ennisclare Park | Parks | — |
| Whitby Optimist Park | Parks | — |
| Glenayr Park | Parks | — |
| Homestead Park | Parks | — |
| Rimosa Park | Parks | — |
| Ash Park | Parks | 2.2 ha |
| Wyndfield Park | Parks | 6.4 ha |
| Fallingbrook Open Space | Parks | 11.4 ha |
| Highland Park | Parks | 2.1 ha |
| Harmony Valley Conservation Area | Nature Reserves | — |
| Pumphouse Marsh Wildlife Reserve | Nature Reserves | — |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Frequently Asked Questions about Oshawa
According to the 2021 census, Oshawa has a population of approximately 175,383 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Oshawa increased by 9.99%.
Oshawa has a population density of approximately 1,203.60 people per square kilometre.
Oshawa covers a land area of approximately 145.72 km².
The median age of the population in Oshawa is 39.20 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Oshawa is English.
The median household income in Oshawa is $86,000, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Oshawa.
Christian is the predominant religion in Oshawa.
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.