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Canada Population

Parry Sound, Ontario — Population & Demographics (2026)

Data source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population — View the official Parry Sound census dataset on Statistics Canada

Population (2021)
6,879
+7.4% since 2016
Density
524.9
people per km²
Land area
13.10
km²
Median age
53.2
years
Median household income
$62,000
2020, before tax
Unemployment rate
9.5%
2021 Census

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Parry Sound. It is a town in Canada that encompasses a land area of 13.10 km2. The town has a population density of 524.90 people per km2.

We highlight the Parry Sound town's various population characteristics. From gender, age distribution, ethnicity, household and dwelling, and income to spoken languages, occupation, and religion.

Parry Sound on the Map

  • Points of interest (28)
  • Places to visit (31)
  • Green spaces (19)

Parry Sound location on the map. View in Google Maps

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Parry Sound has a population of around 6,879 people. The town's population is in increased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Parry Sound has increased by ▲ 7.35%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
6,4086,879 +7.35%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.43% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Parry Sound's population is projected to reach approximately 7,385 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 563.74 people per km².

Population in 2021Projected Population in 2026Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
6,8797,385563.74

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.

Parry Sound Population Trend & Context

Parry Sound is the 176th-largest town in Ontario, with a 2021 census population of 6,879 — an increase of 471 (▲ 7.35%) people from the 6,408 recorded in 2016.

The town's population has grown steadily over this period, reflecting broader growth trends among Ontario towns. The town's median age of 53.2 years — above the national median of 41.9 — suggests a mature, established community rather than a rapidly growing one.

How does Parry Sound compare to other Ontario towns?

  1. 174th Minden Hills 6,971
  2. 175th Wainfleet 6,887
  3. 176th Parry Sound This town 6,879
  4. 177th Cramahe 6,509
  5. 178th Perth 6,469

Population By Genders

The male population of Parry Sound is around 3,230 while the female population is around 3,650.

Of the 6,879 total population in Parry Sound, the largest gender is female with around 3,650 female within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
3,2303,650 +11.51%

Is Parry Sound a Good Place to Live?

Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Parry Sound compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Ontario, its own province. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.

Employment & Economy

9.5%
Unemployment rate
2.7 pts below the province
49.2%
Employment rate
5.9 pts below the province
54.3%
Participation rate
8.5 pts below the province

Income & Affordability

$62,000
Median household income
$29,000 below the province
14.6%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
4.5 pts above the province

Commute

83.3%
Commute under 30 minutes
21.3 pts above the province
84.5%
Commute by car
0.9 pts above the province
0.0%
Commute by public transit
8.6 pts below the province

Housing Character

53.6%
Single-detached houses
About the same as the province
38.5%
Apartments (any building size)
7.3 pts above the province

Household Composition

2.00 people
Average household size
0.60people below the province
40.4%
One-person households
13.9 pts above the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Parry Sound Population Compared to Ontario

Ontario's population in 2021 was 14,223,942, spread across the area. Here's how Parry Sound compares to the town's key indicators:

IndicatorParry SoundOntario
Median household income$62,000$91,000
Unemployment rate9.5%12.2%
Median age53.241.6
Bachelor's degree or higher17.8%33.4%
Immigrants (%)7.5%30.0%

Population by Age Characteristics

Parry Sound has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 8.30% of the total population. The town median age is 53.20.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
60 to 64 years285 8.80%290 7.90% 1.72%570 8.30%
55 to 59 years235 7.30%275 7.50% 14.55%510 7.40%
65 to 69 years240 7.40%275 7.50% 12.73%505 7.30%
70 to 74 years215 6.70%260 7.10% 17.31%475 6.90%
85 years and over155 4.80%310 8.50% 50.00%465 6.80%
25 to 29 years190 5.90%240 6.60% 20.83%435 6.30%
30 to 34 years220 6.80%210 5.80% 4.55%425 6.20%
80 to 84 years205 6.30%215 5.90% 4.65%415 6.00%
50 to 54 years190 5.90%200 5.50% 5.00%390 5.70%
75 to 79 years150 4.60%190 5.20% 21.05%340 4.90%
35 to 39 years155 4.80%165 4.50% 6.06%320 4.70%
20 to 24 years160 5.00%160 4.40% 0.00%315 4.60%
45 to 49 years140 4.30%180 4.90% 22.22%315 4.60%
40 to 44 years145 4.50%155 4.20% 6.45%300 4.40%
5 to 9 years155 4.80%140 3.80% 9.68%290 4.20%
15 to 19 years135 4.20%145 4.00% 6.90%285 4.10%
0 to 4 years135 4.20%140 3.80% 3.57%275 4.00%
85 to 89 years70 2.20%200 5.50% 65.00%275 4.00%
10 to 14 years125 3.90%115 3.20% 8.00%235 3.40%
90 to 94 years75 2.30%90 2.50% 16.67%160 2.30%

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 56.30% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 32.00% and 11.70%, respectively.

If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Parry Sound are within the 15 to 64 years age group.

DataMaleFemaleTotal
15 to 64 years57.40%55.20%56.30%
65 years and over29.90%34.10%32.00%
0 to 14 years12.80%10.70%11.70%

Explore Parry Sound Through Videos

Population of Parry Sound by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Parry Sound is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Parry Sound is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the town appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.

The top 5 ethnicities and origins in Parry Sound are English, which accounts for 33.95% of the total population, followed by Irish (27.75%), Scottish (25.50%), Canadian (18.84%), and French (10.70%).

Other ethnicities and origins in Parry Sound include German, British Isles, Dutch, First Nations (North American Indian), and Italian.

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
English33.77%34.12%33.95%
Irish28.03%27.50%27.75%
Scottish26.56%24.56%25.50%
Canadian19.67%18.09%18.84%
French10.66%10.74%10.70%
German10.49%9.85%10.23%
British Isles4.10%5.29%4.65%
Dutch3.44%3.68%3.57%
First Nations (North American Indian)3.28%3.68%3.49%
Italian4.10%2.35%3.18%

Indigenous Identity in Parry Sound

About 10.08% of Parry Sound's population (650 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 89.92% who report a non-Indigenous identity.

Of the Indigenous population, 355 people (5.50% of the total population) hold Registered or Treaty Indian status.

Indigenous identity10.1%
Non-Indigenous identity89.9%

Immigration Profile

Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Parry Sound's population profile.

About 7.5% of Parry Sound's population are immigrants (485 people).

The top countries of origin for Parry Sound's immigrant population are United Kingdom (110), India (70), Germany (65), United States of America (30), Hungary (15).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
United Kingdom110
India70
Germany65
United States of America30
Hungary15

96.8% of Parry Sound's residents (6,245 people) are Canadian citizens, and 3.2% are not.

By generation status, 9.2% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 11.6% are second generation, and 79.3% are third generation or more.

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 1,715 of Parry Sound's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.

Household Size

About 20.20% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 17.90% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 5.85%, 4.15%, and 1.90%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
1 person1,29020.20%
2 persons1,14517.90%
3 persons3755.85%
4 persons2654.15%
5 or more persons1201.90%

Dwelling & Housing Detail

Of the 3,195 occupied private dwellings in Parry Sound, 59.8% are owner-occupied (1,910) and 40.4% are rented (1,290). The median value of owned dwellings is $360,000 (average $398,800).

Period of Construction

40.7% of Parry Sound's occupied private dwellings were built in 1960 or before, while 3.4% were built between 2016 and 2021.

Family and Household Structure in Parry Sound

Of census families in Parry Sound, 77.2% are couple families and 22.8% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.6 people.

Couple families77.2%
One-parent families22.8%

40.4% of households in Parry Sound are one-person households, 40.5% are couple-family households, 10.6% are one-parent-family households, and 1.7% are multigenerational households.

Household TypeHouseholdsPercentage
One-person households1,29040.4%
Couple-family households1,29540.5%
One-parent-family households34010.6%
Multigenerational households551.7%

Income in Parry Sound

Analyzing income distribution in Parry Sound can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Parry Sound is $37,200.

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 Parry Sound population or around 850 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 785 and 630 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Parry Sound's median household income is $62,000, according to 2020 data.

Below national average Parry Sound's median household income is 22,000 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 Parry Sound

This data sheds light on the distribution of Parry 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.

51.70% or most of the Parry Sound population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 33.40% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 14.60% has a No certificate, diploma or degree. (Individual figures may not sum to exactly 100% due to Statistics Canada's random rounding of small-area 25% sample data.)

Population aged 25 to 64 years, using 25% sample data. Individual values may not sum exactly to totals due to Statistics Canada's random rounding.
DegreeMenWomenTotalPercentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree7509201,66551.70%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate5355451,07533.40%
No certificate, diploma or degree28019547014.60%

Below national average 18.8% of Parry Sound's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Parry Sound

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Parry Sound. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.

The data shows that the unemployment rate in Parry Sound is at 9.46% which is very high.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate49.16%
Unemployment rate9.46%

Work Activity During the Reference Year

Of the population aged 15 and over in Parry Sound, 27.3% worked full year full time in the reference year, 28.8% worked part year and/or part time, and 43.9% did not work.

Only using 25% sample data.
Work ActivityPopulationPercentage
Worked full year full time1,54527.3%
Worked part year and/or part time1,62528.8%
Did not work2,48043.9%

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 Parry Sound's population (around 68.20%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the town, there are 225 men and 220 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 450.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed225220450

Employment Industry Sectors

The Parry Sound industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Parry Sound is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.

Parry Sound has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (23%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 16%, followed by Construction at 13%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Health care and social assistance16055523%
Retail trade23026516%
Construction3306013%
Accommodation and food services1201509%
Manufacturing125506%
Other services (except public administration)45904%
Public administration85454%
Educational services40754%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services60453%
Professional, scientific and technical services35503%
Arts, entertainment and recreation45403%
Transportation and warehousing50202%
Finance and insurance20402%
Wholesale trade30202%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting25152%
Information and cultural industries0301%
Real estate and rental and leasing30101%
Utilities1501%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction000%
Management of companies and enterprises000%

Labour Market Snapshot

A quick snapshot of where Parry Sound residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.

Top employer sectors in Parry Sound: Health care and social assistance (23%), Retail trade (16%), Construction (13%)

Top occupation categories in Parry Sound: Sales and service occupations (34%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (20%), Health occupations (12%)

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.

Only using 25% sample data.
Work LocationMenWomenTotalPercentage
Usual place of work8801,1652,05573.90%
No fixed workplace address2809037013.30%
Worked at home15519535012.60%
Worked outside Canada0000.00%

Commuting

The data sheds light on how Parry 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 Parry Sound residents and sustainable urban planning.

Commuting Duration

This data reveals the average time that the residents of Parry Sound 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.

Only using 25% sample data.
DurationPercentage
Less than 15 minutes66.80%
15 to 29 minutes16.50%
30 to 44 minutes7.20%
45 to 59 minutes4.70%
60 minutes and over4.50%

Marital Status

The statistics on marital status in Parry Sound shed 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 Parry Sound's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.

Married or living common-law48.8%
Not married and not living common-law51.2%

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 Parry Sound. About 6,555 people living in the town speak English, 90 people speak French, 10 people speak English and French language, and 10 people speak Neither English nor French language.

LanguagePopulation
English6,555
French90
English and French10
Neither English nor French10

Knowledge of Official Languages

About 6.5% of Parry Sound's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 93.4% know English only, 0.1% know French only, and 0.2% know neither official language.

Knowledge of Official LanguagesPopulationPercentage
English only6,22593.4%
French only50.1%
English and French4306.5%
Neither English nor French100.2%

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.

LanguageMother TongueSpoken Most Often at Home
English91.2%96.5%
Non-official languages5.9%2.2%
French1.6%0.4%

Religion

Parry Sound is predominantly Christian. About 3,125 of its population is Christian (1,370 males and 1,760 females).

The second largest religion in the town is Buddhist with 1.2% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Muslim and Hindu, both represent 0.5% and 0.4% of the population, while Sikh represent 0.3% of the population.

ReligionPopulation
Christian48.5%
Buddhist1.2%
Islam0.5%
Hindu0.4%
Sikh0.3%
Jewish0.0%

Points of Interest in Parry Sound

Schools

Parks

Libraries

Community Centres

Places to Visit in Parry Sound

Museums

Attractions

Historic Sites

Theatres

Green Spaces in Parry Sound

Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.

Nearest Towns to Parry Sound

Methodology

  • Data vintage: Reference date was Census Day, May 11, 2021. Statistics Canada released this profile in stages starting February 9, 2022, with later characteristics added through the remainder of 2022.
  • Rounding & suppression: To protect respondent confidentiality, Statistics Canada randomly rounds every count shown here, and withholds some characteristics entirely for areas with very small populations. This is why a small number of figures on this page may show as unavailable for smaller places — it reflects a StatCan privacy rule, not missing data on our end.
  • Next update: These are the most recent figures available. Canada's next census is scheduled for May 2026, with results expected to begin release in 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions about Parry Sound

What is the population of Parry Sound?

According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Parry Sound has a population of 6,879 people, making it the 176th town in Ontario. The population increased significantly from 6,408 in 2016, an increase of 471 people or 7.35%. The town has a population density of 524.9 people per km² across a land area of 13.10 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.

Is the population of Parry Sound growing?

Parry Sound's population grew by 7.35% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 6,408 to 6,879 people, a gain of 471 residents. This growth is above average compared to many other Ontario towns during this period. The median age of 53.20 years suggests an aging population. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (40.4%) may indicate young adults leaving for larger centres. Official 2026 Census data, which will confirm whether this trend continued, is expected from Statistics Canada in February 2027.

What is the population density of Parry Sound?

Parry Sound has a population density of approximately 524.90 people per square kilometre.

How large is Parry Sound?

Parry Sound covers a land area of approximately 13.10 km².

What is the median age in Parry Sound?

The median age of the population in Parry Sound is 53.20 years.

What is the largest ethnic group in Parry Sound?

The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Parry Sound is English.

What is the median household income in Parry Sound?

The median household income in Parry Sound is $62,000, based on 2020 data.

What is the most spoken language in Parry Sound?

English is the most common first official language spoken in Parry Sound.

What is the main religion in Parry Sound?

Christian is the predominant religion in Parry Sound.

What percentage of Parry Sound's population is Indigenous?

According to the 2021 Census, 10.1% of Parry Sound's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.

What percentage of Parry Sound residents are Canadian citizens?

96.8% of Parry Sound's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.

What percentage of families in Parry Sound are one-parent families?

One-parent families make up 22.8% of census families in Parry Sound, according to the 2021 Census.

Are there many multigenerational households in Parry Sound?

Multigenerational households make up 1.7% of all households in Parry Sound, per the 2021 Census.

What percentage of Parry Sound's population is bilingual in English and French?

6.5% of Parry Sound's population knows both English and French, based on 2021 Census data on knowledge of official languages.

What percentage of Parry Sound's workforce works full-time year-round?

Of the population aged 15 and over in Parry Sound, 27.3% worked full year full time in the 2021 Census reference year.

Why isn't 2026 census data for Parry Sound available yet?

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.