Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Owen Sound has a population of around 21,612 people. The city's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Owen Sound has increased by 1.27%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 21,341 | 21,612 | +1.27% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.25% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Owen Sound's population is projected to reach approximately 21,886 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 904.01 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 21,612 | 21,886 | 904.01 |
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 Owen Sound is around 10,090 while the female population is around 11,515.
Of the 21,612 total population in Owen Sound, the largest gender is female with around 11,515 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 10,090 | 11,515 | +12.38% |
Is Owen Sound a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Owen Sound 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
Owen Sound has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 7.80% of the total population. The city median age is 48.00.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 750 7.40% | 940 8.20% | 20.21% | 1,695 7.80% |
| 55 to 59 years | 720 7.10% | 820 7.10% | 12.20% | 1,535 7.10% |
| 65 to 69 years | 665 6.60% | 820 7.10% | 18.90% | 1,490 6.90% |
| 70 to 74 years | 620 6.10% | 775 6.70% | 20.00% | 1,395 6.50% |
| 25 to 29 years | 680 6.70% | 640 5.60% | 5.88% | 1,320 6.10% |
| 30 to 34 years | 625 6.20% | 690 6.00% | 9.42% | 1,315 6.10% |
| 50 to 54 years | 590 5.80% | 645 5.60% | 8.53% | 1,240 5.70% |
| 35 to 39 years | 590 5.80% | 640 5.60% | 7.81% | 1,235 5.70% |
| 85 years and over | 375 3.70% | 760 6.60% | 50.66% | 1,135 5.30% |
| 40 to 44 years | 530 5.30% | 590 5.10% | 10.17% | 1,120 5.20% |
| 20 to 24 years | 570 5.60% | 520 4.50% | 8.77% | 1,090 5.00% |
| 10 to 14 years | 530 5.30% | 530 4.60% | 0.00% | 1,065 4.90% |
| 5 to 9 years | 555 5.50% | 500 4.30% | 9.91% | 1,060 4.90% |
| 15 to 19 years | 530 5.30% | 530 4.60% | 0.00% | 1,055 4.90% |
| 45 to 49 years | 510 5.10% | 540 4.70% | 5.56% | 1,050 4.90% |
| 75 to 79 years | 445 4.40% | 605 5.30% | 26.45% | 1,050 4.90% |
| 0 to 4 years | 485 4.80% | 475 4.10% | 2.06% | 965 4.50% |
| 80 to 84 years | 310 3.10% | 490 4.30% | 36.73% | 805 3.70% |
| 85 to 89 years | 240 2.40% | 415 3.60% | 42.17% | 655 3.00% |
| 90 to 94 years | 100 1.00% | 265 2.30% | 62.26% | 365 1.70% |
| 95 to 99 years | 25 0.20% | 65 0.60% | 61.54% | 95 0.40% |
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 58.60% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 27.20% and 14.30%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Owen Sound are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age of the population | 44.40% | 50.80% | 48.00% |
| Average age of the population | 44.10% | 48.20% | 46.30% |
| 65 years and over | 23.90% | 30.00% | 27.20% |
| 0 to 14 years | 15.60% | 13.10% | 14.30% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Owen Sound
Explore Owen Sound Through Videos
Population of Owen Sound by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Owen Sound is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Owen Sound 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 33.69% of the total population, followed by Scottish (31.84%), Irish (28.00%), Canadian (18.20%), and German (15.32%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include French, British Isles, Dutch, Welsh, and Caucasian (White).
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 32.37% | 34.89% | 33.69% |
| Scottish | 31.05% | 32.60% | 31.84% |
| Irish | 28.52% | 27.53% | 28.00% |
| Canadian | 17.93% | 18.45% | 18.20% |
| German | 15.55% | 15.11% | 15.32% |
| French | 7.29% | 7.12% | 7.20% |
| British Isles | 4.31% | 5.30% | 4.83% |
| Dutch | 4.20% | 4.98% | 4.59% |
| Welsh | 2.18% | 3.47% | 2.88% |
| Caucasian (White) | 3.14% | 2.60% | 2.83% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Owen Sound's population profile.
About 7.8% of Owen Sound's population are immigrants (1,620 people).
The top countries of origin for Owen Sound's immigrant population are United Kingdom (480), India (115), United States of America (95), Syria (90), Germany (70).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 480 |
| India | 115 |
| United States of America | 95 |
| Syria | 90 |
| Germany | 70 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 5,055 of Owen Sound's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.
Household Size
About 19.10% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 17.45% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.20%, 4.75%, and 2.45%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 3,780 | 19.10% |
| 2 persons | 3,455 | 17.45% |
| 3 persons | 1,230 | 6.20% |
| 4 persons | 940 | 4.75% |
| 5 or more persons | 485 | 2.45% |
Income in Owen Sound
Analyzing income distribution in Owen Sound can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Owen Sound is $36,000.
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 Owen Sound population or around 2,765 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 2,295 and 1,965 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Owen Sound's median household income is $63,200, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Owen Sound's median household income is 20,800 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 Owen Sound
This data sheds light on the distribution of Owen Sound 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.
51.10% or most of the Owen Sound population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 31.40% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 17.50% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.50% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 6,100 | 8,075 | 14,185 | 51.10% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 4,450 | 4,425 | 8,875 | 31.40% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 2,005 | 2,845 | 4,845 | 17.50% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 2,745 | 2,410 | 5,155 | 17.50% |
Below national average 17.5% of Owen Sound's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Owen Sound
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Owen Sound. 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 6.14% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 49.01% |
| Unemployment rate | 6.14% |
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 Owen Sound's population (around 72.80%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the city, there are 645 men and 600 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 1,250.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 645 | 600 | 1,250 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Owen Sound industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Owen Sound is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Owen Sound has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (20%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 18%, followed by Construction at 8%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 410 | 1,575 | 20% |
| Retail trade | 885 | 895 | 18% |
| Construction | 715 | 85 | 8% |
| Manufacturing | 590 | 200 | 8% |
| Accommodation and food services | 265 | 455 | 7% |
| Educational services | 215 | 345 | 6% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 245 | 160 | 4% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 260 | 115 | 4% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 155 | 200 | 4% |
| Public administration | 170 | 185 | 4% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 170 | 180 | 4% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 110 | 110 | 2% |
| Finance and insurance | 75 | 115 | 2% |
| Wholesale trade | 135 | 30 | 2% |
| Utilities | 125 | 30 | 2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 65 | 80 | 2% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 55 | 50 | 1% |
| Information and cultural industries | 60 | 40 | 1% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 45 | 0 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Owen Sound residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Owen Sound: Health care and social assistance (20%), -45 Retail trade (18%), Construction (8%)
Top occupation categories in Owen Sound: Sales and service occupations (31%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (19%), Business, finance and administration occupations (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.
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Owen Sound 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 Owen Sound residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Owen Sound 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.
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Owen Soundshed 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 Owen Sound'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 Owen Sound. About 20,985 people living in the province speak English, 175 people speak French, 45 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 20 people speak English and French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 20,985 |
| French | 175 |
| Neither English nor French | 45 |
| English and French | 20 |
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 | 93.1% | 97.1% |
| Non-official languages | 4.7% | 1.9% |
| French | 0.9% | 0.1% |
Religion
Owen Sound is predominantly Christian. About 10,325 of its population is Christian (4,445 males and 4,445 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Muslim with 1.1% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Jewish, both represent 0.6% and 0.5% of the population, while Sikh represent 0.3% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 49.6% |
| Islam | 1.1% |
| Hindu | 0.6% |
| Jewish | 0.5% |
| Sikh | 0.3% |
| Buddhist | 0.1% |
Points of Interest in Owen Sound
Hospitals
Schools
- Owen Sound District Secondary School
- St. Mary's High School
- Alexandra Community School
- St. Basil's Separate School
- Notre Dame Catholic School
- Keppel-Sarawak Elementary School
- Timothy Christian School
- Hillcrest Elementary School
- École catholique Saint-Dominique-Savio
- East Ridge Community School
Parks
- Parkview
- Taylor Park
- Kelso Beach
- St. Julien's Park
- Duncan McLellan Park
- Soundview Park
- Ryerson Park
- Tom Williams Park
- Alexandra Park
- Kinsmen Park
- Bayshore Park
- Owen Heights Park
- Black's Park
- Comm-R-Ette Park
- Cpl Robert T. James Mitchell Park
- Garafraxa Park
- Stoney Orchard Park
- McArthur Park
- Kiwanis Soccer Complex
- St George's Park
- Evans Park
- Jervis Bay Park
- Mary Miller Park
- Harrison Field
- Maitland Park
- Sarawak Family Park
- labarinth
Libraries
Community Centres
- Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre
- M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre
- Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre
- McQuay Tannery Seniors Centre
- Harmony Centre
Places to Visit in Owen Sound
Museums
Attractions
Historic Sites
Theatres
Green Spaces in Owen Sound
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Parkview | Parks | — |
| Taylor Park | Parks | 1.0 ha |
| Kelso Beach | Parks | 10.5 ha |
| St. Julien's Park | Parks | 1.7 ha |
| Duncan McLellan Park | Parks | 5.3 ha |
| Soundview Park | Parks | 1.9 ha |
| Ryerson Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Tom Williams Park | Parks | 2.0 ha |
| Alexandra Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Kinsmen Park | Parks | 1.8 ha |
| Bayshore Park | Parks | 3.1 ha |
| Owen Heights Park | Parks | 0.7 ha |
| Black's Park | Parks | 0.9 ha |
| Comm-R-Ette Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Cpl Robert T. James Mitchell Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
| Garafraxa Park | Parks | 2.5 ha |
| Stoney Orchard Park | Parks | 11.2 ha |
| McArthur Park | Parks | 11.6 ha |
| Kiwanis Soccer Complex | Parks | 14.4 ha |
| St George's Park | Parks | 1.0 ha |
| Evans Park | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| Jervis Bay Park | Parks | 0.1 ha |
| Mary Miller Park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Inglis Falls Conservation Area | Nature Reserves | 158.4 ha |
| West Rocks Management Area | Nature Reserves | 101.9 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Frequently Asked Questions about Owen Sound
According to the 2021 census, Owen Sound has a population of approximately 21,612 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Owen Sound increased by 1.27%.
Owen Sound has a population density of approximately 892.60 people per square kilometre.
Owen Sound covers a land area of approximately 24.21 km².
The median age of the population in Owen Sound is 48.00 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Owen Sound is English.
The median household income in Owen Sound is $63,200, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in Owen Sound.
Christian is the predominant religion in Owen Sound.
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.