Ontario · Census Metropolitan Area
Barrie by the numbers
Barrie is Canada's 20th largest metro area, home to about 252K people, growing faster than the country since 2021 (+13.7% vs +9.3%). A two-bedroom rents for about $1,749, the median age is 40.0 and January averages -8°C.
People
Population of Barrie
The Barrie census metropolitan area had an estimated 252,446 people on July 1, 2025, up +13.7% since 2021 (Canada grew +9.3%). The 2021 Census counted 212,856 people, +8.0% more than in 2016.
The City of Barrie itself had an estimated 174,469 residents in 2025.
Municipalities in the Barrie area
| Municipality | 2025 estimate | 2021 Census | 2016–21 growth | People / km² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrie | 174,469 | 147,829 | +4.5% | 1,493 |
| Innisfil | 50,686 | 43,326 | +18.5% | 165 |
| Springwater | 24,144 | 21,701 | +13.9% | 40 |
Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 17-10-0148-01, Statistics Canada, Table 17-10-0155-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0003-01
2021 Census
Who lives in Barrie
Age
Median age is 40.0 (Canada: 41.6). 16.2% of residents are 65 or older and 17.0% are under 15.
Languages
6.4% can speak both official languages. At home, 90.5% speak mostly English, 0.5% mostly French and 6.7% mostly another language.
Immigration
16.8% of residents are immigrants (Canada: 23.0%), and 2.0% arrived between 2016 and 2021.
Education: 24.2% of 25 to 64 year olds hold a bachelor's degree or higher; 29.8% have a college or CEGEP diploma and 6.5% a trades certificate.
Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0030-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0223-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0227-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0302-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0384-01
Money
Income and jobs in Barrie
Half of Barrie households made more than $97,000 in 2020 and half made less. Across Canada the median was $84,000.
Unemployment rate
In September 2026, the unemployment rate was 6.2% and 64.4% of adults had a job.
Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0061-01, Statistics Canada, Table 14-10-0459-01
Housing
Housing in Barrie
Average rent (October 2025)
A two-bedroom apartment rented for $1,749 a month on average, +2.7% from a year earlier and +25.3% over five years. The rental vacancy rate was 4.2%.
New homes being built
Builders started 865 new homes in the Barrie area in the 12 months to September 2026, -37.1% from the year before. That is 3.4 new homes per 1,000 residents. Source: Statistics Canada, Table 34-10-0154-01 (CMHC housing starts)
Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0258-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0256-01, Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0253-01, Statistics Canada, Table 34-10-0133-01, Statistics Canada, Table 34-10-0127-01
Commuting
Getting around Barrie
Census day 2021 fell during the COVID-19 pandemic, so transit use is lower than in normal years.
Safety
Crime in Barrie
The Crime Severity Index weighs each police-reported crime by how serious it is. Canada in 2006 = 100. Barrie's index fell -2.8% in the latest year.
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 35-10-0026-01
Every crime type in Barrie → Car theft, break-ins, fraud, homicides and more.
Climate
Barrie weather and climate
30-year averages (1981–2010) from the Shanty Bay weather station, 4.7 km from the city centre.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010
Official city data
Barrie open data & fun facts
City of Barrie Open Data · 116 datasets
- Tax Parcels Tax Parcel feature layer.
- Facility Site Point Facility Site Point feature layer.
Out of all Canadian metro areas with data
How Barrie ranks
Compare
Municipality profiles
Cities and towns in the Barrie area
Cities near Barrie
FAQ
Barrie questions, answered
What is the population of Barrie?
The Barrie metro area had an estimated 252,446 people on July 1, 2025 (Statistics Canada). The City of Barrie itself had about 174,469.
How much is rent in Barrie?
In October 2025 the average rent in Barrie was $1,583 for a one-bedroom and $1,749 for a two-bedroom apartment (CMHC Rental Market Survey).
What is the average household income in Barrie?
The median household income in Barrie was $97,000 before tax in 2020 ($85,000 after tax), according to the 2021 Census. The average was $114,500.
What is the unemployment rate in Barrie?
The unemployment rate in Barrie was 6.2% in September 2026 (Labour Force Survey, three-month moving average, seasonally adjusted).
How cold does it get in Barrie?
January averages -7.7°C, with average lows of -12.0°C. Barrie gets about 265 cm of snow a year, and in July the average daily high is 25.6°C (1981–2010 climate normals).
Is Barrie bilingual?
6.4% of people in Barrie can speak both English and French; 92.7% speak English only and 0.0% French only (2021 Census).
What is the median age in Barrie?
The median age in Barrie was 40.0 in the 2021 Census, compared with 41.6 for Canada.
Is Barrie safe?
Barrie had a Crime Severity Index of 46.9 in 2025, compared with 75.0 for Canada as a whole. A lower number means less, and less serious, police-reported crime.
Built October 30, 2026 from the latest published official data.