Ontario · Census Agglomeration

Petawawa by the numbers

Petawawa is Canada's 116th largest metro area, home to about 21K people, growing slower than the country since 2021 (+9.2% vs +9.3%). A two-bedroom rents for about $1,225, the median age is 32.0 and January averages -12°C.

Live weather Compare Petawawa

Population (2025 est.)19,606

Growth since 2021+9.2%Canada: +8.9%

Median household income$102,000Canada: $84,000

Avg. 2-bedroom rent$1,225CMHC, Oct 2025

Median age32.0Canada: 41.6

Immigrants—Canada: 23.0%

January average-12.1°CJuly high 26°C

Speak English & French20.8%Canada: 18.0%

People

Population of Petawawa

The Petawawa census agglomeration had an estimated 20,890 people on July 1, 2025, up +9.2% since 2021 (Canada grew +9.3%). The 2021 Census counted 18,160 people, +5.7% more than in 2016.

Land area165 km²

People per km²110.3

Households6,760

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 Petawawa

Age

Under 15 22%15 to 64 69%65 and over 9%

Median age is 32.0 (Canada: 41.6). 9.5% of residents are 65 or older and 21.8% are under 15.

Languages

English only 78%English & French 21%French only 1%Neither 0%

20.8% can speak both official languages. At home, 91.1% speak mostly English, 5.9% mostly French and 1.3% mostly another language.

Immigration

— of residents are immigrants (Canada: 23.0%), and — arrived between 2016 and 2021.

Education: 20.2% of 25 to 64 year olds hold a bachelor's degree or higher; 30.2% have a college or CEGEP diploma and 7.3% 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 Petawawa

Median household income$102,000before tax, 2020

After tax$89,000median, 2020

Average household income$112,000before tax, 2020

Half of Petawawa households made more than $102,000 in 2020 and half made less. Across Canada the median was $84,000.

Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0061-01

Housing

Housing in Petawawa

Owners 64%Renters 36%

Median home value$348,000owner-estimated, 2021

Owners' monthly costs$1,430median, 2021

Renters' monthly costs$950median, 2021

Spend 30%+ on housing8.5%of households

Average rent (October 2025)

1 bedroom$1,079

2 bedrooms$1,225

3+ bedrooms$1,104

A two-bedroom apartment rented for $1,225 a month on average, +6.0% from a year earlier and +45.8% over five years.

Petawawa 2-bedroomPetawawa 1-bedroom

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 Petawawa

How people get to work

Car, truck or van94.4%

Public transit0.2%

Walked3.1%

Bicycle0.6%

Other1.7%

Average commute14.7 minCanada: 23.7 min

Commute an hour or more1.8%one way

Census day 2021 fell during the COVID-19 pandemic, so transit use is lower than in normal years.

Source: Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0457-01

Climate

Petawawa weather and climate

Average daily highAverage daily lowPrecipitation

Coldest month-12.1°CJanuary average

July daily high26.2°C

Snow per year182 cm

Precipitation853 mmper year

Days above 30°C10.7

Nights below −20°C32.5

30-year averages (1981–2010) from the Sheenboro weather station, 10.6 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 Petawawa ranks

#116 of 152 · Largest cities by population #44 of 152 · Fastest-growing cities #2 of 152 · Youngest cities #11 of 152 · Highest-income cities #72 of 152 · Most expensive homes #38 of 152 · Cities with the most renters #37 of 152 · Most bilingual cities #82 of 152 · Most educated cities #130 of 152 · Cities with the longest commutes #141 of 152 · Cities where the most people take transit #141 of 152 · Cities where the most people walk to work #85 of 152 · Best cycling cities #45 of 152 · Coldest cities #34 of 152 · Cities with the hottest summers #69 of 152 · Snowiest cities #100 of 152 · Wettest cities

Compare

Compare with any city →

Cities near Petawawa

PembrokeON 24K people $1,2002BR rent-12°Jan avg46.0median age OttawaON 1.70M people $1,7572BR rent-10°Jan avg40.4median age North BayON 85K people $1,4042BR rent-13°Jan avg45.6median age BellevilleON 125K people $1,2822BR rent-7°Jan avg45.2median age Kawartha LakesON 85K people $1,5912BR rent-8°Jan avg51.6median age KingstonON 193K people $1,7632BR rent-7°Jan avg42.8median age

FAQ

Petawawa questions, answered

What is the population of Petawawa?

The Petawawa metro area had an estimated 20,890 people on July 1, 2025 (Statistics Canada).

How much is rent in Petawawa?

In October 2025 the average rent in Petawawa was $1,079 for a one-bedroom and $1,225 for a two-bedroom apartment (CMHC Rental Market Survey).

What is the average household income in Petawawa?

The median household income in Petawawa was $102,000 before tax in 2020 ($89,000 after tax), according to the 2021 Census. The average was $112,000.

How cold does it get in Petawawa?

January averages -12.1°C, with average lows of -17.7°C. Petawawa gets about 182 cm of snow a year, and in July the average daily high is 26.2°C (1981–2010 climate normals).

Is Petawawa bilingual?

20.8% of people in Petawawa can speak both English and French; 78.2% speak English only and 0.8% French only (2021 Census).

What is the median age in Petawawa?

The median age in Petawawa was 32.0 in the 2021 Census, compared with 41.6 for Canada.

Built October 30, 2026 from the latest published official data.