Ontario · Census Agglomeration
North Bay by the numbers
North Bay is Canada's 50th largest metro area, home to about 85K people, growing faster than the country since 2021 (+13.8% vs +9.3%). A two-bedroom rents for about $1,404, the median age is 45.6 and January averages -13°C.
People
Population of North Bay
The North Bay census agglomeration had an estimated 84,834 people on July 1, 2025, up +13.8% since 2021 (Canada grew +9.3%). The 2021 Census counted 71,736 people, +1.9% more than in 2016.
The City of North Bay itself had an estimated 62,062 residents in 2025.
Municipalities in the North Bay area
| Municipality | 2025 estimate | 2021 Census | 2016–21 growth | People / km² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Bay | 62,062 | 52,662 | +2.2% | 167 |
| East Ferris | 5,835 | 4,946 | +1.7% | 33 |
| Callander | 4,021 | 3,964 | +2.6% | 38 |
| Powassan | 3,657 | 3,346 | -3.2% | 15 |
| Bonfield | 2,597 | 2,146 | +7.8% | 10 |
| Nipissing | 1,840 | 1,769 | +3.6% | 5 |
| Nipissing, Unorganized, North Part | 1,843 | 1,591 | -10.8% | 0 |
| Chisholm | 1,593 | 1,312 | +1.6% | 6 |
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 North Bay
Age
Median age is 45.6 (Canada: 41.6). 22.2% of residents are 65 or older and 14.5% are under 15.
Languages
24.1% can speak both official languages. At home, 93.0% speak mostly English, 3.9% mostly French and 1.5% mostly another language.
Immigration
— of residents are immigrants (Canada: 23.0%), and — arrived between 2016 and 2021.
Education: 21.9% of 25 to 64 year olds hold a bachelor's degree or higher; 35.0% have a college or CEGEP diploma and 7.1% 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 North Bay
Half of North Bay households made more than $76,000 in 2020 and half made less. Across Canada the median was $84,000.
Housing
Housing in North Bay
Average rent (October 2025)
A two-bedroom apartment rented for $1,404 a month on average, +6.0% from a year earlier and +36.3% over five years.
New homes being built
Builders started 223 new homes in the North Bay area in the 12 months to September 2026, +60.4% from the year before. That is 2.6 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 North Bay
Census day 2021 fell during the COVID-19 pandemic, so transit use is lower than in normal years.
Climate
North Bay weather and climate
30-year averages (1981–2010) from the North Bay A weather station, 6.1 km from the city centre.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010
Out of all Canadian metro areas with data
How North Bay ranks
Compare
Cities near North Bay
FAQ
North Bay questions, answered
What is the population of North Bay?
The North Bay metro area had an estimated 84,834 people on July 1, 2025 (Statistics Canada). The City of North Bay itself had about 62,062.
How much is rent in North Bay?
In October 2025 the average rent in North Bay was $1,078 for a one-bedroom and $1,404 for a two-bedroom apartment (CMHC Rental Market Survey).
What is the average household income in North Bay?
The median household income in North Bay was $76,000 before tax in 2020 ($68,000 after tax), according to the 2021 Census. The average was $93,000.
How cold does it get in North Bay?
January averages -12.5°C, with average lows of -17.4°C. North Bay gets about 300 cm of snow a year, and in July the average daily high is 24.0°C (1981–2010 climate normals).
Is North Bay bilingual?
24.1% of people in North Bay can speak both English and French; 75.4% speak English only and 0.3% French only (2021 Census).
What is the median age in North Bay?
The median age in North Bay was 45.6 in the 2021 Census, compared with 41.6 for Canada.
Built October 30, 2026 from the latest published official data.