Welland, Ontario Population & Demographics: How Many People Live Here?

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

This article shows the demographic data and statistics of Welland. It is a city in Canada that encompasses a land area of 81.16 km2. The city has a population density of 686.90 people per km2.

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

Welland on the Map

The map and listings below are sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors, not Statistics Canada, and may be incomplete depending on how thoroughly the area has been mapped.

Welland location on the map. View in Google Map

Population Characteristics

According to the latest census, Welland has a population of around 55,750 people. The city's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Welland has increased by 6.61%.

Population in 2016Population in 2021Difference
52,29355,750 +6.61%

2026 Population Projection

Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.29% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Welland's population is projected to reach approximately 59,436 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 732.33 people per km².

Population in 2021Projected Population in 2026Projected Density in 2026 (per km²)
55,75059,436732.33

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 Welland is around 27,180 while the female population is around 28,575.

Of the 55,750 total population in Welland, the largest gender is female with around 28,575 women within the population.

MaleFemaleDifference
27,18028,575 +4.88%

Is Welland a Good Place to Live?

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

Employment & Economy

15.0%
Unemployment rate
2.8 pts above the province
48.4%
Employment rate
6.7 pts below the province
56.9%
Participation rate
5.9 pts below the province

Income & Affordability

$71,500
Median household income
$19,500 below the province
12.0%
Below low-income threshold (LIM-AT)
1.9 pts above the province

Commute

71.5%
Commute under 30 minutes
9.5 pts above the province
92.4%
Commute by car
8.8 pts above the province
1.6%
Commute by public transit
7.0 pts below the province

Housing Character

64.5%
Single-detached houses
10.9 pts above the province
23.4%
Apartments (any building size)
7.8 pts below the province

Household Composition

2.30 people
Average household size
0.30people below the province
30.1%
One-person households
3.6 pts above the province

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population.

Other Cities Near Welland

Population by Age Characteristics

Welland has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 7.60% of the total population. The city median age is 45.20.

DataMaleFemaleDifferenceTotal
60 to 64 years2,000 7.40%2,215 7.80% 9.71%4,220 7.60%
55 to 59 years1,975 7.30%2,125 7.40% 7.06%4,095 7.30%
65 to 69 years1,785 6.60%2,070 7.20% 13.77%3,865 6.90%
50 to 54 years1,680 6.20%1,905 6.70% 11.81%3,590 6.40%
25 to 29 years1,810 6.70%1,720 6.00% 4.97%3,525 6.30%
30 to 34 years1,770 6.50%1,730 6.10% 2.26%3,495 6.30%
70 to 74 years1,660 6.10%1,800 6.30% 7.78%3,465 6.20%
35 to 39 years1,600 5.90%1,700 5.90% 5.88%3,300 5.90%
40 to 44 years1,560 5.70%1,645 5.80% 5.17%3,205 5.70%
45 to 49 years1,535 5.60%1,615 5.70% 4.95%3,150 5.70%
20 to 24 years1,590 5.80%1,520 5.30% 4.40%3,110 5.60%
15 to 19 years1,550 5.70%1,350 4.70% 12.90%2,895 5.20%
10 to 14 years1,430 5.30%1,420 5.00% 0.70%2,845 5.10%
5 to 9 years1,420 5.20%1,355 4.70% 4.58%2,775 5.00%
0 to 4 years1,410 5.20%1,280 4.50% 9.22%2,695 4.80%
75 to 79 years1,115 4.10%1,255 4.40% 11.16%2,375 4.30%
85 years and over605 2.20%1,010 3.50% 40.10%1,615 2.90%
80 to 84 years680 2.50%850 3.00% 20.00%1,530 2.70%
85 to 89 years405 1.50%590 2.10% 31.36%995 1.80%
90 to 94 years155 0.60%310 1.10% 50.00%470 0.80%
95 to 99 years40 0.10%100 0.30% 60.00%135 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 62.10% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 23.00% and 14.90%, respectively.

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

DataMaleFemaleTotal
Median age of the population43.20%46.80%45.20%
Average age of the population42.90%45.20%44.10%
65 years and over21.50%24.50%23.00%
0 to 14 years15.70%14.20%14.90%

Photos of Places & Sceneries in Welland

Explore Welland Through Videos

Population of Welland by Ethnicity and Origin

The population of Welland is quite diverse, which contributes to the city's vibrant cultural landscape. Welland 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 23.75% of the total population, followed by Irish (16.55%), Scottish (16.37%), Canadian (16.25%), and French (14.99%).

Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include German, Italian, Dutch, Ukrainian, and Hungarian.

Ethnicity and OriginMaleFemalePercentage in Population
English23.17%24.31%23.75%
Irish15.40%17.65%16.55%
Scottish16.24%16.49%16.37%
Canadian16.66%15.85%16.25%
French14.06%15.87%14.99%
German12.16%12.86%12.52%
Italian13.20%11.67%12.41%
Dutch6.73%5.84%6.28%
Ukrainian5.08%5.21%5.14%
Hungarian4.69%5.14%4.92%

Immigration Profile

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

About 11.9% of Welland's population are immigrants (6,540 people).

The top countries of origin for Welland's immigrant population are Italy (910), United Kingdom (885), United States of America (475), Poland (285), Netherlands (270).

Only using 25% sample data.
Country of BirthPopulation
Italy910
United Kingdom885
United States of America475
Poland285
Netherlands270

Household and Dwelling Characteristics

About 15,265 of Welland's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.

Household Size

About 18.00% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 15.05% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 7.80%, 5.75%, and 3.40%, respectively.

Number of Person(s) in HouseholdTotalPercentage
2 persons8,51518.00%
1 person7,13015.05%
3 persons3,6907.80%
4 persons2,7205.75%
5 or more persons1,6053.40%

Income in Welland

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

Per Capita Income

According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Welland 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 city's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.

Most of Welland population or around 6,800 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 5,895 and 5,750 people, respectively.

Household Income

The Welland's median household income is $71,500, according to 2020 data.

Below national average Welland's median household income is 12,500 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 Welland

This data sheds light on the distribution of Welland 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.

53.65% or most of the Welland population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 33.25% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, 15.70% has a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.10% has No certificate, diploma or degree.

Only using 25% sample data.
DegreeMenWomenTotalPercentage
Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree17,86021,59039,44053.65%
High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate12,84012,21525,05033.25%
Bachelor's degree or higher4,6106,90011,51015.70%
No certificate, diploma or degree5,6554,95510,62013.10%

Below national average 15.7% of Welland's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).

Employment in Welland

This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Welland. 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 8.52% which is very high.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusPercentage
Employment rate48.41%
Unemployment rate8.52%

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 Welland's population (around 75.40%) are working permanent position as an employee.

Self-employed

In the city, there are 1,620 men and 1,135 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 2,760.

Only using 25% sample data.
StatusMenWomenTotal
Self-employed1,6201,1352,760

Employment Industry Sectors

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

Welland has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (14%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 13%, followed by Manufacturing at 10%.

Only using 25% sample data.
IndustryMenWomenPercentage
Health care and social assistance5303,13014%
Retail trade1,5451,92513%
Manufacturing2,08045510%
Construction2,1302259%
Accommodation and food services7701,2858%
Educational services5751,3757%
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services8805505%
Public administration6955055%
Transportation and warehousing8802804%
Professional, scientific and technical services5556104%
Finance and insurance3757554%
Other services (except public administration)5355854%
Wholesale trade4801602%
Arts, entertainment and recreation3202702%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting2351451%
Real estate and rental and leasing2001601%
Information and cultural industries1501101%
Utilities145251%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction6000%
Management of companies and enterprises25150%

Labour Market Snapshot

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

Top employer sectors in Welland: Health care and social assistance (14%), -45 Retail trade (13%), -33 Manufacturing (10%)

Top occupation categories in Welland: Sales and service occupations (30%), 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.

Only using 25% sample data.
Work LocationMenWomenTotalPercentage
Usual place of work7,8157,64515,46068.40%
Worked at home1,4652,3753,84517.00%
No fixed workplace address2,4307803,21514.20%
Worked outside Canada3540750.30%

Commuting

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

Commuting Duration

This data reveals the average time that the residents of Welland 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.

Only using 25% sample data.
DurationPercentage
15 to 29 minutes36.90%
Less than 15 minutes34.60%
30 to 44 minutes18.20%
60 minutes and over5.90%
45 to 59 minutes4.50%

Marital Status

The statistics on marital status in Wellandshed 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 Welland's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.

Married or living common-law
54.93%
Married or living common-law
45.07%

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 Welland. About 51,120 people living in the province speak English, 3,810 people speak French, 255 people speak Neither English nor French language, and 230 people speak English and French language.

LanguagePopulation
English51,120
French3,810
Neither English nor French255
English and French230

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
English80.2%92.4%
Non-official languages9.7%3.7%
French7.2%2.0%

Religion

Welland is predominantly Christian. About 34,330 of its population is Christian (16,005 males and 16,005 females).

The second largest religion in the province is Muslim with 0.9% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Sikh, both represent 0.4% and 0.4% of the population, while Buddhist represent 0.3% of the population.

ReligionPopulation
Christian62.4%
Islam0.9%
Hindu0.4%
Sikh0.4%
Buddhist0.3%
Jewish0.1%

Frequently Asked Questions about Welland

According to the 2021 census, Welland has a population of approximately 55,750 people.

Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Welland increased by 6.61%.

Welland has a population density of approximately 686.90 people per square kilometre.

Welland covers a land area of approximately 81.16 km².

The median age of the population in Welland is 45.20 years.

The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Welland is English.

The median household income in Welland is $71,500, based on 2020 data.

English is the most common first official language spoken in Welland.

Christian is the predominant religion in Welland.

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.