Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, O’Leary has a population of around 876 people. The town's population is in increased. Between 2016 and 2021, the population of O’Leary has increased by ▲ 7.48%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 815 | 876 | +7.48% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.45% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, O’Leary's population is projected to reach approximately 942 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 514.75 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 876 | 942 | 514.75 |
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.
O’Leary Population Trend & Context
O’Leary had a 2021 census population of 876 — an increase of 61 (▲ 7.48%) people from the 815 recorded in 2016.
The town's population has grown steadily over this period, reflecting broader growth trends among Prince Edward Island towns. The town's median age of 51.2 years — above the national median of 41.9 — suggests a mature, established community rather than a rapidly growing one.
Population By Genders
The male population of O’Leary is around 395 while the female population is around 485.
Of the 876 total population in O’Leary, the largest gender is female with around 485 female within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 395 | 485 | +18.56% |
Is O’Leary a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how O’Leary compares across key quality-of-life indicators — measured against Prince Edward Island, 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.
O’Leary Population Compared to Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island's population in 2021 was 154,331, spread across the area. Here's how O’Leary compares to the town's key indicators:
| Indicator | O’Leary | Prince Edward Island |
|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $47,200 | $73,500 |
| Unemployment rate | 8.5% | 10.3% |
| Median age | 51.2 | 44 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 24.7% |
| Immigrants (%) | 12.5% | 7.8% |
Population by Age Characteristics
O’Leary has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 8.00% of the total population. The town median age is 51.20.
| 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 55.40% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 31.40% and 13.70%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in O’Leary are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 55.70% | 53.60% | 55.40% |
| 65 years and over | 27.80% | 34.00% | 31.40% |
| 0 to 14 years | 15.20% | 11.30% | 13.70% |
Population of O’Leary by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of O’Leary is quite diverse, which contributes to the town's vibrant cultural landscape. O’Leary 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 O’Leary are Canadian, which accounts for 22.50% of the total population, followed by English (21.88%), Scottish (21.88%), Irish (19.38%), and Filipino (13.75%).
Other ethnicities and origins in O’Leary include French, Asian, First Nations (North American Indian), Prince Edward Islander, and Caucasian (White).
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | 20.83% | 23.86% | 22.50% |
| English | 23.61% | 20.45% | 21.88% |
| Scottish | 26.39% | 19.32% | 21.88% |
| Irish | 19.44% | 18.18% | 19.38% |
| Filipino | 9.72% | 17.05% | 13.75% |
| French | 11.11% | 12.50% | 11.88% |
| Asian | 5.56% | 3.41% | 4.38% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 4.17% | 3.41% | 3.75% |
| Prince Edward Islander | 2.78% | 4.55% | 3.75% |
| Caucasian (White) | 0.00% | 3.41% | 2.50% |
Indigenous Identity in O’Leary
About 0.00% of O’Leary's population (0 people) identify with an Indigenous identity, compared to 100.00% who report a non-Indigenous identity.
Of the Indigenous population, 0 people (0.00% 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 O’Leary's population profile.
About 12.5% of O’Leary's population are immigrants (100 people).
The top countries of origin for O’Leary's immigrant population are Philippines (65), Brazil (0), Colombia (0), El Salvador (0), Guyana (0).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| Philippines | 65 |
| Brazil | 0 |
| Colombia | 0 |
| El Salvador | 0 |
| Guyana | 0 |
79.4% of O’Leary's residents (635 people) are Canadian citizens, and 20.0% are not.
By generation status, 21.9% of residents are first generation (born outside Canada), 4.4% are second generation, and 73.8% are third generation or more.
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 195 of O’Leary's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.
Household Size
About 20.00% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 15.35% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.65%, 4.00%, and 4.00%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 150 | 20.00% |
| 2 persons | 115 | 15.35% |
| 3 persons | 50 | 6.65% |
| 4 persons | 30 | 4.00% |
| 5 or more persons | 30 | 4.00% |
Family and Household Structure in O’Leary
Of census families in O’Leary, 74.4% are couple families and 25.6% are one-parent families. The average census family has 2.7 people.
40.5% of households in O’Leary are one-person households, 36.5% are couple-family households, 12.2% are one-parent-family households, and 1.4% are multigenerational households.
| Household Type | Households | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| One-person households | 150 | 40.5% |
| Couple-family households | 135 | 36.5% |
| One-parent-family households | 45 | 12.2% |
| Multigenerational households | 5 | 1.4% |
Income in O’Leary
Analyzing income distribution in O’Leary can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within O’Leary is $29,200.
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 O’Leary population or around 140 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $30,000 to $49,999, and Under $10,000 with around 105 and 50 people, respectively.
Household Income
The O’Leary's median household income is $47,200, according to 2020 data.
Below national average O’Leary's median household income is 36,800 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 O’Leary
This data sheds light on the distribution of O’Leary 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.
46.20% or most of the O’Leary population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 38.50% of the population has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 15.40% 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 | 85 | 100 | 180 | 46.20% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 55 | 100 | 150 | 38.50% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 35 | 20 | 60 | 15.40% |
Below national average 16.7% of O’Leary's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in O’Leary
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in O’Leary. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in O’Leary is at 8.45% which is very high.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 48.87% |
| Unemployment rate | 8.45% |
Work Activity During the Reference Year
Of the population aged 15 and over in O’Leary, 18.7% worked full year full time in the reference year, 37.3% worked part year and/or part time, and 43.3% did not work.
| Work Activity | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Worked full year full time | 125 | 18.7% |
| Worked part year and/or part time | 250 | 37.3% |
| Did not work | 290 | 43.3% |
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 O’Leary's population (around 55.70%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the town, there are 25 men and 20 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 45.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 25 | 20 | 45 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The O’Leary industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in O’Leary is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
O’Leary has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (29%) works in the manufacturing sector. The Wholesale trade sector comes second at 14%, followed by Health care and social assistance at 13%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 55 | 45 | 29% |
| Wholesale trade | 20 | 30 | 14% |
| Health care and social assistance | 10 | 35 | 13% |
| Retail trade | 10 | 25 | 9% |
| Construction | 20 | 0 | 6% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 10 | 0 | 4% |
| Accommodation and food services | 0 | 15 | 4% |
| Public administration | 15 | 0 | 4% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 0 | 0 | 3% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 0 | 0 | 3% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 0 | 10 | 3% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Utilities | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Information and cultural industries | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Finance and insurance | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Educational services | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where O’Leary residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in O’Leary: Manufacturing (29%), Wholesale trade (14%), Health care and social assistance (13%)
Top occupation categories in O’Leary: Occupations in manufacturing and utilities (37%), Sales and service occupations (19%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (14%)
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 | 110 | 155 | 265 | 81.50% |
| No fixed workplace address | 30 | 10 | 35 | 10.80% |
| Worked at home | 10 | 10 | 20 | 6.20% |
| Worked outside Canada | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how O’Leary 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 O’Leary residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of O’Leary 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 | 47.50% |
| 15 to 29 minutes | 42.60% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 4.90% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 3.30% |
| 60 minutes and over | 3.30% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in O’Leary 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 O’Leary'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 O’Leary. About 790 people living in the town speak English, 10 people speak French, 0 people speak English and French language, and 0 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| English | 790 |
| French | 10 |
| English and French | 0 |
| Neither English nor French | 0 |
Knowledge of Official Languages
About 4.4% of O’Leary's population is bilingual, knowing both English and French. 95.6% know English only, 0.0% know French only, and 0.0% know neither official language.
| Knowledge of Official Languages | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| English only | 765 | 95.6% |
| French only | 0 | 0.0% |
| English and French | 35 | 4.4% |
| 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 | 85.0% | 86.9% |
| Non-official languages | 12.5% | 10.0% |
| French | 1.9% | 0.0% |
Religion
O’Leary is predominantly Christian. About 590 of its population is Christian (255 males and 335 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 | 73.8% |
| Buddhist | 0.0% |
| Hindu | 0.0% |
| Jewish | 0.0% |
| Islam | 0.0% |
| Sikh | 0.0% |
Points of Interest in O’Leary
Schools
Parks
Community Centres
Places to Visit in O’Leary
Museums
Historic Sites
Green Spaces in O’Leary
| Name | Type | Approx. Area |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Potato Museum | Parks | 1.0 ha |
| Centennial Park | Parks | 0.8 ha |
| Veterans Memorial Park | Parks | 0.5 ha |
Areas are approximate, calculated from OpenStreetMap boundary data.
Nearest Towns to O’Leary
- Alberton 17.0 km · 1,301 people
- Tignish 30.8 km · 744 people
- Kensington 54.2 km · 1,812 people
- Borden-Carleton 64.9 km · 788 people
- North Rustico 75.1 km · 648 people
- Cornwall 93.9 km · 6,574 people
- Stratford 102.8 km · 10,927 people
- Three Rivers 135.3 km · 7,883 people
Frequently Asked Questions about O’Leary
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada Census, O’Leary has a population of 876 people, making it the 15th town in Prince Edward Island. The population increased significantly from 815 in 2016, an increase of 61 people or 7.48%. The town has a population density of 479.0 people per km² across a land area of 1.83 km². The 2026 Census results are expected from Statistics Canada beginning February 2027.
O’Leary's population grew by 7.48% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses — from 815 to 876 people, a gain of 61 residents. This growth is above average compared to many other Prince Edward Island towns during this period. The median age of 51.20 years suggests an aging population. The relatively high proportion of one-person households (40.0%) 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.
O’Leary has a population density of approximately 479.00 people per square kilometre.
O’Leary covers a land area of approximately 1.83 km².
The median age of the population in O’Leary is 51.20 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in O’Leary is Canadian.
The median household income in O’Leary is $47,200, based on 2020 data.
English is the most common first official language spoken in O’Leary.
Christian is the predominant religion in O’Leary.
According to the 2021 Census, 0.0% of O’Leary's population identifies with an Indigenous identity.
79.4% of O’Leary's residents are Canadian citizens, based on 2021 Census data.
One-parent families make up 26.2% of census families in O’Leary, according to the 2021 Census.
Multigenerational households make up 1.4% of all households in O’Leary, per the 2021 Census.
4.4% of O’Leary's population knows both English and French, based on 2021 Census data on knowledge of official languages.
Of the population aged 15 and over in O’Leary, 18.7% worked full year full time in the 2021 Census reference year.
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.