2009
Rideau Lakes’ Demographic Profile
Township of Rideau Lakes,
Development Services Department
Report by: Greg Newman
3/3/2009
An Introduction to the Rideau Lakes’ Community
The Township of Rideau Lakes continues to prosper as a place where young families grow and where
retiring professionals come to escape the hustle and bustle of busy urban centres. With the designation
of the Rideau Canal as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Township has experienced continued interest
in its tourism industry and service sector. Annually, thousands of tourists come to Rideau Lakes to enjoy
the area’s unique natural amenity and charm.
This report summarizes demographic data acquired from the 2006 Census; collected and provided by
Statistics Canada. As a compliment to this data, references are made to important community resources
and local amenities. With a greater understanding of the community’s demographic composition, local
decision-makers will be able to adequately, and proactively, address the future needs of Rideau Lakes’
permanent and seasonal population.
Location
The Township of Rideau Lakes is a rural and rustic community located in the heart of southeastern
Ontario. With an area of 710km2, it is a large municipality comprised of distinct villages and hamlets that
are surrounded by a landscape of farmlands, woodlots and lakes. A vast network of roads and historic
waterways provide access to the Township from a variety of origins making this an ideal retreat for
cottagers and seasonal visitors.
Figure 1 – Township of Rideau Lakes Local Map
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Transportation & Access
Figure 2 – Township of Rideau Lakes Context Map &
Table 1 - Driving Distances
City
Perth, ON
Brockville, ON
Kingston, ON
Ottawa, ON
Cornwall, ON
Syracuse, NY
Montreal, QC
Toronto, ON
Rochester, NY
Buffalo, NY
Distance
(km/miles)
38/24
42/26
80/50
112/70
136/85
216/135
243/152
320/200
344/215
448/280
Drive
(hours)
0.5
0.75
1
1.5
1.75
2.5
3
3.75
4
5
Road
The Township is connected to
southeastern Ontario’s major
urban centres via an extensive
Provincial highway network.
Highway 15 bisects the Township
and provides access to Kingston
and Ottawa. At Kingston, Hwy. 15
joins the MacDonald Cartier
Freeway (Hwy 401) providing
access to Toronto and Montreal.
Air
Perhaps one of the best ways to enjoy the Township’s bounty of beautiful lakes, scenic valleylands and
parks is to arrive by air. To this end, the Rideau Lakes Township has established its own aerodrome on
the west end of Upper Rideau Lake. This aerodrome is owned by the Township and is managed by the
Rideau Lakes Flying club. The aerodrome was registered by Transport Canada in 2001 and is listed in the
Canadian Flight supplement as CRL2.
Water
Every year, thousands of tourists arrive at the Township of Rideau Lakes to enjoy the natural and historic
amenities provided along the Rideau Canal corridor. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June
of 2007, the Rideau Canal is comprised of 47 locks at 24 lock stations. The Canal offers boaters and
visitors alike, an opportunity to see one of world’s greatest engineering achievements, which spans from
Lake Ontario in Kingston to the Ottawa River in Ottawa. Spanning the Rideau Canal system and
numerous inland lakes, the Township has over 500 kilometres of waterfront; considered one of the
areas paramount resources.
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Population
In 2006, the Township’s permanent population, as recorded in the Census, was 10,350 people. Despite
having a considerably high rate of growth throughout the 2001 to 2006 census period (i.e. 6.84%), future
growth is expected occur at a more moderate rate; approximately 3 or 4% annually (i.e. 90 to 110
additional residents per year). A population projection to 2026 indicates a future Rideau Lakes’
population of nearly 12,200 people. This figure, however, does not include the Township’s seasonal
residents, whose numbers are expected to increase as a result of the area’s booming tourism industry
and expanding service sector. The age and sex composition of the Township’s residents are expected to
shift dramatically over the 20 year projection period as indicated below.
Figure 3 – 1996 Population Composition by Age and Sex (1996 Census)
70 - 74 years
60 - 64 years
50 - 54 years
40 - 44 years
30 - 34 years
20 - 24 years
Female
Male
10 - 14 years
0 - 4 years
900
700
500
300
100
100
300
500
700
900
Figure 4 – 2026 Population Composition by Age and Sex (2026 Population Projection)
70 - 74 years
60 - 64 years
50 - 54 years
40 - 44 years
30 - 34 years
20 - 24 years
Female
Male
10 - 14 years
0 - 4 years
900
700
500
300
100
100
300
500
700
900
3
Labour Force & Income
As recorded in the 2006 Census, the Township of Rideau Lakes has a labour force of 5,295 people, with a
total labour force participation of 60.8%. The overall rate of unemployment in the Township (5.2%) is
less than that experienced in the County (5.7%), the Province (6.4%) and the Nation as a whole (6.6%).
The Township’s overall income levels are consistent with those in the County and the Nation, although
household and individual incomes are slightly lower than those identified across Ontario.
Table 2: Labour Force Activity by Geographic Area
Westport
Labour
Force
340
Not In the
Labour Force
230
Participation
Rate
59.6%
Employment
Rate
55.3%
Unemployment
Rate
5.9%
Merrickville-Wolford
1,500
765
66.1%
63.7%
3.7%
Athens
1,605
780
67.2%
63.4%
5.6%
Front of Young
1,650
680
70.8%
68.2%
3.9%
Prescott
1,860
1,515
55.1%
52.3%
4.8%
Gananoque
2,790
2,575
63.8%
58.9%
7.9%
Edwardsburgh/Cardinal
3,280
2,225
59.6%
55.7%
6.6%
Augusta
3,985
2,125
65.2%
62.4%
4.3%
Leeds and the Thousand Islands
5,200
2,645
66.3%
63.0%
5.0%
Rideau Lakes
5,295
3,415
60.8%
57.6%
5.2%
Elizabethtown-Kitley
5,585
2,350
70.4%
66.4%
5.6%
North Grenville
7,955
3,240
71.1%
67.8%
4.6%
Brockville
10,465
7,845
57.2%
52.8%
7.6%
Geographic Area
Leeds and Grenville (County)
51,515
29,410
63.7%
60.0%
5.7%
Ontario
6,587,580
3,231,840
67.1%
62.8%
6.4%
Canada
17,146,135
8,518,085
66.8%
62.4%
6.6%
Table 3 – Labour Force Activity by Sex
In the labour force
Not in the labour force
Participation rate
Employed
Unemployment rate
Male
2,825
1,550
64.6%
2,670
5.5%
Female
2,470
1865
57.0%
2,350
4.9%
Table 4 – Labour Force Income by Geographic Area (2005 Income Data, 2006 Census)
Rideau Lakes
Median Total Income ($)
Average Total Income ($)
County of Leeds and Grenville
Median Total Income ($)
Average Total Income ($)
Ontario
Median Total Income ($)
Average Total Income ($)
Canada
Median Total Income ($)
Average Total Income ($)
Private Household
Individual
Male
Female
$55,722
$66,441
$26,493
$33,053
$34,485
$39,480
$20,494
$26,611
$54,556
$64,596
$26,720
$33,246
$33,659
$39,746
$21,235
$27,084
$60,455
$77,967
$27,258
$38,099
$34,454
$46,962
$21,669
$29,712
$53,634
$69,548
$25,615
$35,498
$32,224
$43,684
$20,460
$27,653
4
Occupation
As illustrated in Figure 1 below, the Township’s permanent population is primarily involved in the sales
and service sector as well as in the field of trades, transport and equipment operation.
Figure 5 –Rideau Lakes’ Labour Force Activity by Occupation (Percentage of Total)
25%
2001
2006
Natural and applied sciences and related
Art, culture, recreation and sport
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Health
Primary industry
Processing, manufacturing and utilities
Social science, education, government service
and religion
Management
Business, finance and administration
Trades, transport and equipment operators
Sales and service
Over the 2001 to 2006 census period, the Township’s labour force grew by 540 people. The largest
occupational growth was seen in the service, manufacturing and trades sectors while the number of
people involved in primary industries declined slightly. When looking at proportional growth, the
greatest increases were found in the manufacturing sector (an increase of 1.5%) as well as in
occupations related to arts, culture, recreation and sport (an increase of 1.0%). Further analysis of the
2006 labour force occupation data reveals a strong gender division in the Township’s two most common
occupations (i.e. sales/service and trades). As outlined in Figure 2, the three most common areas of
employment for males are: trades, management, and primary industries while females are more
commonly identified in the fields of: sales and service, education, administration and health.
5
Figure 6 – Total Labour Force Participation by Occupation and Sex, 2006 Census data
1200
Male
Female
Art, culture, recreation and sport
Health
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Business, finance and administration
Social science, education, government service
and religion
Natural and applied sciences and related
Processing, manufacturing and utilities
Primary industry
Management
Sales and service
Trades, transport and equipment operators
The occupational data noted in the preceding figures is directly attributable to labour force participation
in the Township’s existing and emerging employment industries. Recognizing changing proportions of
particular industries within Rideau Lakes may help guide future economic development initiatives. As
illustrated on the following page, the Township’s trades and tourism industries experienced growth over
the 2001 to 2006 census period. The manufacturing industry also increased slightly while the natural
resources and public sector industries declined. It is expected that with the designation of the Rideau
Canal as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Township will continue to encounter an increased demand
for tourism services and associated local amenities.
6
Industry
Figure 7 – Labour Force participation by Industry
45%
2001
40%
2006
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
TOURISM AND
SERVICES
PUBLIC SECTOR
MANUFACTURING
TRADES
NATURAL
RESOURCES
Figure 8 - Total Labour Force Participation by Industry and Sex, 2006 Census data
1200
Male
Female
1000
800
600
400
200
0
TOURISM AND
SERVICES
MANUFACTURING
TRADES
PUBLIC SECTOR
NATURAL
RESOURCES
7
Education
The Township of Rideau Lakes has four public elementary schools (i.e. Lombardy, Rideau Vista, Rideau
Centennial, and South Crosby) and one local high school (Rideau District High School). There are also a
number of Catholic schools in adjacent municipalities. Figure 9 illustrates the highest level of
educational attainment achieved by Rideau Lakes’ residents.
Figure 9 – Educational Attainment in Rideau Lakes by Age, 2006 Census Data
3000
15-24
24-64
65+
Total 15+
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
No Certificate,
Diploma or Degree
High School
Certificate or
Equivalent
Apprenticeship or College, CEGEP or
Trades Certificate
other nonor Diploma
university
certificate or
diploma
University
Certificate or
Diploma below
Bachelor Level
University
Certificate or
Degree
Table 5 – Educational Attainment by Age (2006 Census, Statistics Canada)
Township Population (Age)
Level of Educational Attainment
15-24
24-64
65+
Total 15+
No Certificate, Diploma or Degree
510
845
650
2,005
High School Certificate or Equivalent
505
1,595
420
2,520
Apprenticeship or Trades Certificate or Diploma
40
560
240
840
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma
90
1,595
320
2,005
University Certificate or Diploma below Bachelor Level
0
115
85
200
University Certificate or Degree
25
810
285
1,120
1170
5520
2000
8690
TOTAL
8
As illustrated in Figure 10, the proportions of Rideau Lakes’ residents within each educational level is
relatively consistent with those found in the County of Leeds and Grenville, Ontario, and Canada.
Figure 10 – Highest Level of Educational Attainment as Proportion of Total Population, 2006 Census Data
35%
Township
County
Ontario
Canada
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
No Certificate,
Diploma or
Degree
High School
Certificate or
Equivalent
Apprenticeship College, CEGEP or
University
or Trades
other nonCertificate or
Certificate or
university
Diploma below
Diploma
certificate or
Bachelor Level
diploma
University
Certificate or
Degree
Figure 11 – Major Field of Study pursued by Rideau Lakes’ residents
Architecture, engineering, and related technologies
4%
2%
3% 2%
Health, parks, recreation and fitness
22%
Business, management and public administration
6%
Education
6%
Social and Behavioural sciences and law
Personal, protective and transportation services
Humanities
10%
18%
Agriculture, natural resources and conservation
Physical and life sciences and technologies
11%
Visual & Performing Arts, and Comm. Technologies
16%
Mathematics, computer and information sciences
9
Family Structure
Tables 6, 7, and 8 summarize data pertaining to the family structure upheld by Rideau Lakes’ residents.
As illustrated in Table 6, the majority (i.e. 60.3%) of the Township’s permanent population, aged 15 and
older, are married while 22.2% are single. The average number of persons within defined census
families1 is 2.8 persons although most census families are recognized as having 2 persons only (Table 7).
Finally, as outlined in Table 8, nearly 70% of those aged 17 or younger live at home. It is interesting to
note that those aged 6 – 14 account for 37% of all children at home while those under 6 represent only
16.4%. The discrepancy in these two age cohorts may suggest a reduction in fertility as the number of
children is seen to decline. It is also interesting to note a gradual reduction in the average number of
persons per household, which was 2.6 in the 1996 Census and now rests at only 2.5 persons per
household. When considered across the entire Township, this modest reduction could have significant
impacts.
Table 6 – Total Population Aged 15 and older by Legal Marital Status (2006 Census)
Marital Status
Single
Married
Separated, still married
Divorced
Widowed
Total
Common Law
Count
1,945
5,280
275
690
565
8,755
705
Proportion
22.2%
60.3%
3.1%
7.9%
6.5%
100%
NA
Count
1,920
550
570
290
3,330
Proportion
57.7%
16.5%
17.1%
8.7%
100%
Count
490
1,100
420
680
290
2975
Proportion
16.4%
37.0%
14.1%
22.8%
9.7%
100%
Table 7 – Total Size of Census Family
Size of Census Family
2 persons
3 persons
4 persons
5 or more persons
Total
Table 8 – Children at Home
Age of Children
Under 6
6 – 14
15 – 17
18 – 24
25 +
Total
Housing
Throughout the entire Township there are approximately 4,200 private households, which range in
terms of: size, tenure, type, and period of construction. The average number of rooms per dwelling is
7.3 while the average number of bedrooms is 2.9. The majority of all homes in the Township are owned
(90%) with the remainder of the housing stock offered for rent (10%). Table 10 reveals data consistent
with the information summarized in Table 7 above. As one may expect, with the majority of census
1
Refers to a married couple (with or without children of either or both spouses), a couple living common-law (with
or without children of either or both partners) or a lone parent of any marital status, with at least one child living
in the same dwelling. A couple may be of opposite or same sex. 'Children' in a census family include grandchildren
living with their grandparent(s) but with no parents present.
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families falling in the range of 2 to 3 persons per household, the greatest proportion of private homes
(44.7%) contain two persons (Table 9). As outlined in Table 10, the bulk of dwellings in Rideau Lakes
come in the form of single-detached homes (93.9%). It is perhaps reassuring to the construction sector
that the majority of these homes were built prior to 1946 meaning that future reconstruction practices
or major renovation plans are likely to occur in the future.
Table 9 – Total Number of Private Households by Household Size
Household Size
1 person
2 persons
3 persons
4 – 5 persons
6 or more persons
Total
Count
825
1,865
600
805
75
4,170
Proportion
19.8%
44.7%
14.4%
19.3%
1.8%
100%
Table 10 – Total Number of Private Dwellings by Structural Type of Dwelling
Structural Type of Dwelling
Single-detached house
Semi-detached house
Row house
Apartments, Duplex
Apartments, 5+ Storeys
Apartments, <5 Storeys
Other Single Attached Homes
Moveable Dwellings
Total
Count
3,910
45
20
20
0
100
15
55
4,165
Proportion
93.9%
1.1%
0.5%
0.5%
0%
2.4%
0.4%
1.3%
100%
Table 11 – Total Number of Occupied Dwellings by Period of Construction
Period of Construction
Before 1946
1946 – 1960
1961 – 1970
1971 – 1980
1981 – 1985
1986 – 1990
1991 – 1995
1996 – 2000
2001 – 2006
Total
Count
1,055
305
295
730
320
465
440
300
260
4,170
Proportion
25.2%
7.3%
7.1%
17.5%
7.7%
11.1%
10.6%
7.2%
6.2%
100%
Concluding Remarks
The Township of Rideau Lakes has a labour force that is actively involved in the trades and service
sectors. Low unemployment rates are coupled with stable income levels which speak to a workforce
engaged in continued economic growth and development. Continued interest in tourism along the
Rideau Canal, coupled with a stable housing market, will help to ensure the Township remains an
attractive place for both visitors and residents. Encouraging those who leave the Township (e.g. for work
or schooling) to return, will provide support for a population that is declining due to reduced fertility and
smaller average household sizes. As the Rideau Lakes’ community grows, so too do the opportunities for
economic, environmental, and social advancement.
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