Community Profile
Peterborough continues to grow as a dynamic, sustainable, and inclusive community: one that values innovation, creativity, and connection. Whether you’re looking to start a business, raise a family, study, or simply enjoy a high quality of life surrounded by nature, Peterborough offers the perfect place to live, work, and thrive.
Beyond its economic strengths, Peterborough offers an enviable lifestyle. Nestled along the Otonabee River and surrounded by the lakes and trails of the Kawarthas, the city provides an outstanding environment for recreation and work-life balance. This blend of opportunity, innovation, and natural beauty makes Peterborough one of Ontario’s most promising places to invest, build, and thrive.
City of Peterborough by the Numbers: Snapshot
*Information and statistics below are sourced from 2022 Townfolio data. Information is subject to change.
83,000 +
The population of the City of Peterborough
$71,500
The approximate median household income for the City of Peterborough
48.8%
The employment rate for the City of Peterborough
43.2 Years
The median age of residents living in the City of Peterborough
64%
Percentage of City of Peterborough residents who have post-secondary education (e.g. certificate, diploma or degree)
$685,000
Average price of a home in the City of Peterborough
Economic Development in Action
Living Well
Cottage country is just outside your door! Embrace year-round tranquility and outdoor activity with beautiful parks, trails, in the largest urban centre along the historic Trent-Severn Waterway (named one of 52 destinations to visit in 2025 by the New York Times).
Growing Infrastructure
The City has an ongoing investments in roads, broadband, public transit, and serviced employment lands, with a focus on innovation and sustainability, and regional support for green tech, cleantech, and circular economy initiatives.
Diverse Workforce
The City has a skilled labour pool supported by local post-secondary institutions like Trent University, Fleming College, and Seneca College School of Aviation, ensuring Peterborough remains a dynamic, inclusive centre for innovation, growth and research.
Nationally Recognized Cultural Institutions
Home of the internationally-recognized Canadian Canoe Museum and multiple cultural institutions, Peterborough boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene, with local festivals, live music, and theatre year-round.
Sustainable Lifestyle
Peterborough’s compact urban layout, vibrant downtown small business community, scenic trails, pedestrian-friendly downtown, combined with a strong commitment to sustainability, make it easy to embrace an active lifestyle.
Supportive Business Environment
Access to local economic development support, funding programs, and networking opportunities support the City’s growing manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, and tourism industries, and create a vibrant hub for small businesses.
The Ideal Location
The City of Peterborough is situated along the Trent-Severn Waterway, a National Historic Site of Canada, and one of the finest interconnected systems of navigation in the world (named one of 52 destinations to visit in 2025 by the New York Times). There are several marinas, including the popular Peterborough Marina located in the heart of downtown Peterborough, and 12 unique lock stations.
Positioned between the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Ottawa, the City of Peterborough has easy access to major highways and markets, including the 407, GO Transit, and listed as a stop on Alto, a proposed high-speed rail line linking Toronto to Quebec City.
| Travelling to | Distance | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto, ON | 140 km | 1h 40min |
| Ottawa, ON | 270 km | 3h 10min |
| Kingston, ON | 186 km | 2h 10min |
| Niagara Falls, ON | 265 km | 3h 20min |
| Montreal, QC | 470 km | 4h 45min |
| Detroit, MI | 520 km | 6h 20min |
| New York, NY | 785 km | 7h 55min |
Statistics Canada is a main source for demographic information. To use its Census Profile tool, enter the name of the community or postal code in the search bar where indicated on the Statistics Canada website.
The City of Peterborough provides maps and tools through its Open Data portal that reflect what the Census data means to Peterborough. Examples include:
- Census Over Time dashboard
- Census 2021 Population interactive map
- Census 2021 Housing interactive map
- Census 2021 Income of Households interactive map
To find Census data maps and tools in the City's Open Data portal, search for Census in the Open Data portal search function.