White River, Ontario — Population & Demographics (2026)
Data source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population — View the official White River census dataset on Statistics Canada
- Population (2021)
- 557
- −13.6% since 2016
- Density
- 5.8
- people per km²
- Land area
- 95.55
- km²
- Median age
- 50.0
- years
- Median household income
- $80,000
- 2020, before tax
- Unemployment rate
- 7.1%
- 2021 Census
This article shows the demographic data and statistics of White River. It is a town in Canada that encompasses a land area of 95.55 km2. The town has a population density of 5.80 people per km2.
We highlight the White River town's various population characteristics. From gender, age distribution, ethnicity, household and dwelling, and income to spoken languages, occupation, and religion.
White River on the Map
- Points of interest (1)
- Places to visit (1)
White River location on the map. View in Google Maps
Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, White River has a population of around 557 people. The town's population is in decreased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of White River has decreased by ▼ -13.64%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 645 | 557 | --13.64% |
2026 Population Projection
White River's population declined between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, so a 2026 growth projection is not shown. The most recent confirmed figure remains the 557 people recorded in the 2021 census.
White River Population Trend & Context
White River is the 340th-largest town in Ontario, with a 2021 census population of 557 — a decline of 88 (▼ 13.64%) people from the 645 recorded in 2016.
The town's population has declined noticeably over this period, reflecting broader pressures facing Ontario towns. The town's median age of 50 years — above the national median of 41.9 — suggests a mature, established community rather than a rapidly growing one.
How does White River compare to other Ontario towns?
- 338th Dubreuilville 576
- 339th Tarbutt and Tarbutt Additional 573
- 340th White River This town 557
- 341st Alderville First Nation 542
- 342nd Mattice-Val Cote 542
Population By Genders
The male population of White River is around 285 while the female population is around 270.
Of the 557 total population in White River, the largest gender is male with around 285 male within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 285 | 270 | -5.26% |
Is White River a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how White River 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.
White River Population Compared to Ontario
Ontario's population in 2021 was 14,223,942, spread across the area. Here's how White River compares to the town's key indicators:
| Indicator | White River | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $80,000 | $91,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 12.2% |
| Median age | 50 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4.7% | 33.4% |
| Immigrants (%) | 0.0% | 30.0% |
Population by Age Characteristics
White River has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 12.60% of the total population. The town median age is 50.00.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|
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 65.80% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 20.70% and 14.40%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in White River are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 14 years | 30.00% | 45.00% | 80.00% |
| 15 to 64 years | 66.70% | 64.80% | 65.80% |
| 65 years and over | 22.80% | 20.40% | 20.70% |
| 0 to 14 years | 10.50% | 16.70% | 14.40% |
Explore White River Through Videos
Population of White River by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of White River is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. White River 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 White River are French, which accounts for 25.20% of the total population, followed by First Nations (North American Indian) (21.26%), Canadian (18.90%), Irish (14.96%), and English (10.24%).
Other ethnicities and origins in White River include Scottish, German, French Canadian, Caucasian (White), and Italian.
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| French | 28.81% | 22.39% | 25.20% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 20.34% | 22.39% | 21.26% |
| Canadian | 18.64% | 17.91% | 18.90% |
| Irish | 18.64% | 10.45% | 14.96% |
| English | 11.86% | 8.96% | 10.24% |
| Scottish | 10.17% | 8.96% | 10.24% |
| German | 3.39% | 10.45% | 7.87% |
| French Canadian | 6.78% | 8.96% | 7.87% |
| Caucasian (White) | 5.08% | 8.96% | 7.09% |
| Italian | 5.08% | 5.97% | 6.30% |
Indigenous Identity in White River
About 33.86% of White River's population (215 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 66.14% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 165 people (26.00% 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 White River's population profile.
About 0.0% of White River's population are immigrants (0 people).
The top countries of origin for White River's immigrant population are Netherlands (0), Poland (0), Portugal (0), Romania (0), Russian Federation (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Netherlands | 0 |
| Poland | 0 |
| Portugal | 0 |
| Romania | 0 |
| Russian Federation | 0 |
96.1% of White River's residents (610 people) are Canadian citizens, and 3.9% are not.
By generation status, 3.1% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 7.9% are second generation, and 88.2% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 185 of White River's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 2 persons household.
Household Size
About 20.35% of the population lives in 2 persons households. 1 person households ranked second, accounting for 17.60% of the population. 4 persons, 3 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 5.55%, 4.65%, and 1.85%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | 110 | 20.35% |
| 1 person | 95 | 17.60% |
| 4 persons | 30 | 5.55% |
| 3 persons | 25 | 4.65% |
| 5 or more persons | 10 | 1.85% |
Dwelling & Housing Detail
Of the 295 occupied private dwellings in White River, 79.7% are owner-occupied (235) and 20.3% are rented (60). The median value of owned dwellings is $120,000 (average $140,000).
Period of Construction
39.0% of White River's occupied private dwellings were built in 1960 or before, while 0.0% were built between 2016 and 2021.
Family and Household Structure in White River
Of census families in White River, 84.8% are couple families and 15.2% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.5 people.
37.0% of households in White River are one-person households, 50.0% are couple-family households, 7.4% are one-parent-family households, and 1.9% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 100 | 37.0% |
| Couple-family households | 135 | 50.0% |
| One-parent-family households | 20 | 7.4% |
| Multigenerational households | 5 | 1.9% |
Income in White River
Analyzing income distribution in White River can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within White River is $44,400.
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 White River population or around 80 people falls in the $30,000 to $49,999 group. The next largest groups are the $50,000 to $79,999, and $10,000 to $29,999 with around 75 and 70 people, respectively.
Household Income
The White River's median household income is $80,000, according to 2020 data.
Below national average White River's median household income is 4,000 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 White River
This data sheds light on the distribution of White River 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.
44.90% or most of the White River population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 33.30% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 21.80% 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 | 90 | 90 | 175 | 44.90% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 60 | 75 | 130 | 33.30% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 50 | 30 | 85 | 21.80% |
Below national average 3.8% of White River's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in White River
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in White River. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in White River is at 7.04% which is quite high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 60.00% |
| Unemployment rate | 7.04% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in White River, 32.7% worked full year full time in the reference year, 34.5% worked part year and/or part time, and 32.7% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 180 | 32.7% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 190 | 34.5% |
| Did not work | 180 | 32.7% |
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 White River's population (around 88.70%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 10 men and 0 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 10.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 10 | 0 | 10 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The White River industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in White River is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
White River has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (18%) works in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector. The Manufacturing sector comes second at 14%, followed by Construction at 11%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 40 | 20 | 18% |
| Manufacturing | 40 | 10 | 14% |
| Construction | 40 | 0 | 11% |
| Retail trade | 0 | 25 | 10% |
| Accommodation and food services | 0 | 30 | 9% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 20 | 0 | 6% |
| Educational services | 0 | 20 | 6% |
| Health care and social assistance | 0 | 20 | 6% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 15 | 4% |
| Wholesale trade | 10 | 0 | 3% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 10 | 3% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 0 | 10 | 3% |
| Public administration | 0 | 10 | 3% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where White River residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in White River: Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction (18%), Manufacturing (14%), Construction (11%)
Top occupation categories in White River: Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (37%), Sales and service occupations (24%), Business, finance and administration occupations (10%)
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 | 130 | 155 | 290 | 87.90% |
| No fixed workplace address | 15 | 20 | 35 | 10.60% |
| Worked at home | 10 | 0 | 10 | 3.00% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how White River 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 White River residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of White River 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 | 70.30% |
| 60 minutes and over | 10.90% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 9.40% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 4.70% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 0.00% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in White River 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 White River'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 White River. About 485 people living in the town speak English, 65 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 485 |
| French | 65 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 0 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 18.9% of White River's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 81.1% know English only, 0.9% know French only, and 0.0% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 450 | 81.1% |
| French only | 5 | 0.9% |
| English and French | 105 | 18.9% |
| Neither English nor French | 0 | 0.0% |
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 | 82.0% | 95.5% |
| French | 12.6% | 3.6% |
| Non-official languages | 2.7% | 0.9% |
Religion
White River is predominantly Christian. About 435 of its population is Christian (205 males and 240 females).
The second largest religion in the town is Buddhist with 0.0% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Hindu and Jewish, both represent 0.0% and 0.0% of the population, while Muslim represent 0.0% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 68.5% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in White River
Schools
Places to Visit in White River
Attractions
Nearest Towns to White River
- Ryerson 44.1 km away · 745 people
- Dubreuilville 60.5 km away · 576 people
- Manitouwadge 71.4 km away · 1,974 people
- Hornepayne 78.9 km away · 968 people
- Marathon 81.1 km away · 3,138 people
- Perry 94.7 km away · 2,650 people
- Terrace Bay 135.1 km away · 1,528 people
- Schreiber 147.2 km away · 1,039 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 White River
What is the population of White River?
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, White River has a population of 557 people, making it the 340th town in Ontario. The population declined significantly from 645 in 2016, a decrease of 88 people or 13.64%. The town has a population density of 5.8 people per km² across a land area of 95.55 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
Is the population of White River growing?
White River's population declined by 13.64% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 645 to 557 people, a loss of 88 residents. This decline is consistent with pressures faced by many other Ontario towns during this period. The median age of 50.00 years suggests an aging population. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (35.2%) 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 White River?
White River has a population density of approximately 5.80 people per square kilometre.
How large is White River?
White River covers a land area of approximately 95.55 km².
What is the median age in White River?
The median age of the population in White River is 50.00 years.
What is the largest ethnic group in White River?
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in White River is French.
What is the median household income in White River?
The median household income in White River is $80,000, based on 2020 data.
What is the most spoken language in White River?
English is the most common first official language spoken in White River.
What is the main religion in White River?
Christian is the predominant religion in White River.
What percentage of White River's population is Indigenous?
According to the 2021 Census, 33.9% of White River's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
What percentage of White River residents are Canadian citizens?
96.1% of White River's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
What percentage of families in White River are one-parent families?
One-parent families make up 15.2% of census families in White River, according to the 2021 Census.
Are there many multigenerational households in White River?
Multigenerational households make up 1.9% of all households in White River, per the 2021 Census.
What percentage of White River's population is bilingual in English and French?
18.9% of White River's population knows both English and French, based on 2021 Census data on knowledge of official languages.
What percentage of White River's workforce works full-time year-round?
Of the population aged 15 and over in White River, 32.7% worked full year full time in the 2021 Census reference year.
Why isn't 2026 census data for White River 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.