Prescott, Ontario — Population & Demographics (2026)
Data source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population — View the official Prescott census dataset on Statistics Canada
- Population (2021)
- 4,078
- −3.4% since 2016
- Density
- 826.0
- people per km²
- Land area
- 4.94
- km²
- Median age
- 49.6
- years
- Median household income
- $61,200
- 2020, before tax
- Unemployment rate
- 12.4%
- 2021 Census
This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Prescott. It is a town in Canada that encompasses a land area of 4.94 km2. The town has a population density of 826.00 people per km2.
We highlight the Prescott town's various population characteristics. From gender, age distribution, ethnicity, household and dwelling, and income to spoken languages, occupation, and religion.
Prescott on the Map
- Points of interest (14)
- Places to visit (17)
- Green spaces (7)
Prescott location on the map. View in Google Maps
Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Prescott has a population of around 4,078 people. The town's population is in decreased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Prescott has decreased by ▼ -3.41%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 4,222 | 4,078 | --3.41% |
2026 Population Projection
Prescott's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 4,078 people recorded in the 2021 census.
Prescott Population Trend & Context
Prescott is the 199th-largest town in Ontario, with a 2021 census population of 4,078 — a decline of 144 (▼ 3.41%) people from the 4,222 recorded in 2016.
The town's population has seen a slight decline over this period, reflecting broader pressures facing Ontario towns. The town's median age of 49.6 years — above the national median of 41.9 — suggests a mature, established community rather than a rapidly growing one.
How does Prescott compare to other Ontario towns?
- 197th Amaranth 4,327
- 198th Deep River 4,175
- 199th Prescott This town 4,078
- 200th Bancroft 4,065
- 201st Howick 4,045
Population By Genders
The male population of Prescott is around 1,975 while the female population is around 2,100.
Of the 4,078 total population in Prescott, the largest gender is female with around 2,100 female within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 1,975 | 2,100 | -5.95% |
Is Prescott a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Prescott 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.
Prescott Population Compared to Ontario
Ontario's population in 2021 was 14,223,942, spread across the area. Here's how Prescott compares to the town's key indicators:
| Indicator | Prescott | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $61,200 | $91,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 12.4% | 12.2% |
| Median age | 49.6 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.7% | 33.4% |
| Immigrants (%) | 5.9% | 30.0% |
Population by Age Characteristics
Prescott has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 8.20% of the total population. The town median age is 49.60.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 170 8.60% | 165 7.90% | 2.94% | 335 8.20% |
| 55 to 59 years | 140 7.10% | 175 8.30% | 20.00% | 320 7.80% |
| 65 to 69 years | 160 8.10% | 165 7.90% | 3.03% | 320 7.80% |
| 70 to 74 years | 145 7.30% | 160 7.60% | 9.38% | 305 7.50% |
| 50 to 54 years | 120 6.10% | 135 6.40% | 11.11% | 255 6.30% |
| 25 to 29 years | 125 6.30% | 125 6.00% | 0.00% | 250 6.10% |
| 10 to 14 years | 125 6.30% | 105 5.00% | 16.00% | 230 5.60% |
| 30 to 34 years | 105 5.30% | 115 5.50% | 8.70% | 220 5.40% |
| 45 to 49 years | 100 5.10% | 115 5.50% | 13.04% | 215 5.30% |
| 5 to 9 years | 110 5.60% | 100 4.80% | 9.09% | 210 5.10% |
| 15 to 19 years | 110 5.60% | 90 4.30% | 18.18% | 200 4.90% |
| 35 to 39 years | 100 5.10% | 100 4.80% | 0.00% | 200 4.90% |
| 40 to 44 years | 85 4.30% | 115 5.50% | 26.09% | 195 4.80% |
| 75 to 79 years | 85 4.30% | 100 4.80% | 15.00% | 190 4.70% |
| 20 to 24 years | 95 4.80% | 85 4.00% | 10.53% | 180 4.40% |
| 85 years and over | 65 3.30% | 95 4.50% | 31.58% | 155 3.80% |
| 0 to 4 years | 75 3.80% | 75 3.60% | 0.00% | 150 3.70% |
| 80 to 84 years | 65 3.30% | 80 3.80% | 18.75% | 145 3.60% |
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 58.10% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 27.30% and 14.50%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Prescott are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 58.00% | 58.30% | 58.10% |
| 65 years and over | 26.30% | 28.60% | 27.30% |
| 0 to 14 years | 15.40% | 13.30% | 14.50% |
Explore Prescott Through Videos
Population of Prescott by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Prescott is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. Prescott 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 Prescott are English, which accounts for 28.34% of the total population, followed by Irish (27.20%), Scottish (24.94%), Canadian (18.89%), and French (16.50%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Prescott include German, Dutch, British Isles, First Nations (North American Indian), and Italian.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 29.32% | 27.43% | 28.34% |
| Irish | 28.01% | 26.21% | 27.20% |
| Scottish | 25.65% | 24.27% | 24.94% |
| Canadian | 19.11% | 18.69% | 18.89% |
| French | 15.97% | 16.99% | 16.50% |
| German | 9.42% | 10.44% | 9.95% |
| Dutch | 6.02% | 6.31% | 6.30% |
| British Isles | 4.45% | 4.37% | 4.53% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 3.40% | 4.37% | 3.90% |
| Italian | 3.40% | 2.67% | 2.90% |
Indigenous Identity in Prescott
About 4.65% of Prescott's population (185 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 95.35% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 40 people (1.00% of the total population) hold Registered or Treaty Indian status.
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Prescott's population profile.
About 5.9% of Prescott's population are immigrants (235 people).
The top countries of origin for Prescott's immigrant population are United Kingdom (75), United States of America (60), Netherlands (20), Germany (10), Brazil (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 75 |
| United States of America | 60 |
| Netherlands | 20 |
| Germany | 10 |
| Brazil | 0 |
97.7% of Prescott's residents (3,880 people) are Canadian citizens, and 2.1% are not.
By generation status, 6.5% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 14.2% are second generation, and 79.2% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 1,090 of Prescott's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.
Household Size
About 18.55% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 18.05% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.75%, 4.65%, and 2.10%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 700 | 18.55% |
| 2 persons | 680 | 18.05% |
| 3 persons | 255 | 6.75% |
| 4 persons | 175 | 4.65% |
| 5 or more persons | 80 | 2.10% |
Dwelling & Housing Detail
Of the 1,890 occupied private dwellings in Prescott, 57.7% are owner-occupied (1,090) and 42.1% are rented (795). The median value of owned dwellings is $250,000 (average $275,500).
Period of Construction
57.9% of Prescott's occupied private dwellings were built in 1960 or before, while 2.1% were built between 2016 and 2021.
Family and Household Structure in Prescott
Of census families in Prescott, 79.1% are couple families and 20.9% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.7 people.
36.8% of households in Prescott are one-person households, 44.2% are couple-family households, 11.1% are one-parent-family households, and 1.9% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 695 | 36.8% |
| Couple-family households | 835 | 44.2% |
| One-parent-family households | 210 | 11.1% |
| Multigenerational households | 35 | 1.9% |
Income in Prescott
Analyzing income distribution in Prescott can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Prescott is $35,200.
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 Prescott population or around 445 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $10,000 to $29,999, and $50,000 to $79,999 with around 445 and 415 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Prescott's median household income is $61,200, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Prescott's median household income is 22,800 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 Prescott
This data sheds light on the distribution of Prescott 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.
54.50% or most of the Prescott population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 34.10% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 11.20% 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.)
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 465 | 625 | 1,095 | 54.50% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 345 | 345 | 685 | 34.10% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 145 | 80 | 225 | 11.20% |
Below national average 13.7% of Prescott's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Prescott
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Prescott. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Prescott is at 12.39% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 43.29% |
| Unemployment rate | 12.39% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in Prescott, 27.2% worked full year full time in the reference year, 23.9% worked part year and/or part time, and 48.9% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 930 | 27.2% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 820 | 23.9% |
| Did not work | 1,675 | 48.9% |
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 Prescott's population (around 76.10%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 80 men and 90 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 170.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 80 | 90 | 170 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Prescott industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Prescott is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Prescott has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (19%) works in the retail trade sector. The Health care and social assistance sector comes second at 15%, followed by Manufacturing at 11%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | 140 | 185 | 19% |
| Health care and social assistance | 25 | 230 | 15% |
| Manufacturing | 140 | 55 | 11% |
| Construction | 145 | 15 | 9% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 70 | 55 | 8% |
| Public administration | 60 | 50 | 7% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 45 | 45 | 5% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 30 | 55 | 5% |
| Accommodation and food services | 20 | 45 | 4% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 40 | 20 | 4% |
| Educational services | 10 | 50 | 3% |
| Wholesale trade | 40 | 0 | 2% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 35 | 2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 10 | 0 | 1% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 15 | 0 | 1% |
| Information and cultural industries | 10 | 0 | 1% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Prescott residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Prescott: Retail trade (19%), Health care and social assistance (15%), Manufacturing (11%)
Top occupation categories in Prescott: Sales and service occupations (29%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (19%), Business, finance and administration occupations (17%)
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 | 535 | 555 | 1,090 | 73.40% |
| Worked at home | 70 | 135 | 200 | 13.50% |
| No fixed workplace address | 140 | 55 | 195 | 13.10% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Prescott 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 Prescott residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Prescott 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 | 40.90% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 40.10% |
| 60 minutes and over | 9.30% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 5.80% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 3.90% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Prescott 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 Prescott'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 Prescott. About 3,900 people living in the town speak English, 115 people speak French, 5 people speak English and French language, and 5 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 3,900 |
| French | 115 |
| English and French | 5 |
| Neither English nor French | 5 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 11.1% of Prescott's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 88.8% know English only, 0.0% know French only, and 0.1% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 3,575 | 88.8% |
| French only | 0 | 0.0% |
| English and French | 445 | 11.1% |
| Neither English nor French | 5 | 0.1% |
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 | 93.3% | 98.0% |
| French | 3.1% | 0.6% |
| Non-official languages | 2.7% | 0.6% |
Religion
Prescott is predominantly Christian. About 2,305 of its population is Christian (1,085 males and 1,215 females).
The second largest religion in the town is Hindu with 0.5% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Jewish and Buddhist, both represent 0.3% and 0.0% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 58.1% |
| Hindu | 0.5% |
| Jewish | 0.3% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in Prescott
Schools
- South Grenville District High School
- Wellington Elementary Public School
- St. Mark Catholic School
- TR Leger School - Prescott
- St. Lawrence Academy
Parks
- Fort Wellington National Historic Site
- Sarah Spencer park
- Riverwalk park
- Faders park
- Centennial Park
- Fairways Park
- Rothesay Dive Site
Libraries
Community Centres
Places to Visit in Prescott
Museums
Historic Sites
- Rothesay (Shipwreck)
- Sandy Hill Cemetery
- Dr. Hamilton Dibble Jessup
- Lieutenant William Frederick Nelson Sharpe
- Major James Morrow Walsh
- Fort Wellington Hospital
- Prescott Barracks and Hospital
- Sir Richard William Scott
- Harry Horwood
- Capture of Ogdensburg 1813
- Jean Casselman Wadds
- Justus Sherwood 1747-1798
- The Rothesay shipwreck
- Prescott Cenotaph
- Fort Wellington National Historic Site
- Stockade Barracks
Green Spaces in Prescott
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Wellington National Historic Site | Parks | 5.9 ha |
| Sarah Spencer park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
| Riverwalk park | Parks | 0.4 ha |
| Faders park | Parks | 0.2 ha |
| Centennial Park | Parks | 1.9 ha |
| Fairways Park | Parks | 2.9 ha |
| Rothesay Dive Site | Parks | 0.3 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Nearest Towns to Prescott
- Augusta 9.4 km away · 7,386 people
- Edwardsburgh/Cardinal 12.7 km away · 7,505 people
- Elizabethtown-Kitley 23.2 km away · 9,545 people
- Front of Yonge 35.7 km away · 2,595 people
- Athens 35.8 km away · 3,042 people
- North Dundas 43.0 km away · 11,304 people
- Smiths Falls 44.5 km away · 9,254 people
- Montague 45.2 km away · 3,914 people
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 Prescott
What is the population of Prescott?
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, Prescott has a population of 4,078 people, making it the 199th town in Ontario. The population declined moderately from 4,222 in 2016, a decrease of 144 people or 3.41%. The town has a population density of 826.0 people per km² across a land area of 4.94 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Is the population of Prescott growing?
Prescott's population declined by 3.41% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 4,222 to 4,078 people, a loss of 144 residents. This decline is consistent with pressures faced by many other Ontario towns during this period. The median age of 49.60 years suggests an aging population. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (37.1%) 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 Prescott?
Prescott has a population density of approximately 826.00 people per square kilometre.
How large is Prescott?
Prescott covers a land area of approximately 4.94 km².
What is the median age in Prescott?
The median age of the population in Prescott is 49.60 years.
What is the largest ethnic group in Prescott?
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Prescott is English.
What is the median household income in Prescott?
The median household income in Prescott is $61,200, based on 2020 data.
What is the most spoken language in Prescott?
English is the most common first official language spoken in Prescott.
What is the main religion in Prescott?
Christian is the predominant religion in Prescott.
What percentage of Prescott's population is Indigenous?
According to the 2021 Census, 4.7% of Prescott's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
What percentage of Prescott residents are Canadian citizens?
97.7% of Prescott's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
What percentage of families in Prescott are one-parent families?
One-parent families make up 20.9% of census families in Prescott, according to the 2021 Census.
Are there many multigenerational households in Prescott?
Multigenerational households make up 1.9% of all households in Prescott, per the 2021 Census.
What percentage of Prescott's population is bilingual in English and French?
11.1% of Prescott's population knows both English and French, based on 2021 Census data on knowledge of official languages.
What percentage of Prescott's workforce works full-time year-round?
Of the population aged 15 and over in Prescott, 27.2% worked full year full time in the 2021 Census reference year.
Why isn't 2026 census data for Prescott 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.