Oakville is a town and the seat of Halton Region in Ontario, Canada. It borders Burlington to the southwest, Milton to the northwest and Mississauga to the northeast. In the 2021 Canadian census the town had a population of 213,759, with an estimated 233,700 people as of 2024, making it Ontario's largest town. Oakville is part of the Greater Toronto Area, the largest urban area in Canada.
History In 1793, Dundas Street was surveyed for a military road. In 1805, the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada bought the lands between Etobicoke and Hamilton from the indigenous Mississaugas people, except for the land at the mouths of Twelve Mile Creek (Bronte Creek), Sixteen Mile Creek, and along the Credit River. In 1807, British immigrants settled the area surrounding Dundas Street as well as on the shore of Lake Ontario.
In 1820, the Crown bought the area surrounding the waterways. The area around the creeks, , ceded to the Crown by the Mississaugas, was auctioned off to William Chisholm in 1827. He left the development of the area to his son, Robert Kerr Chisholm, and his brother-in-law, Merrick Thomas. Chisholm also formed a shipbuilding business in Oakville Navy Street and Sixteen Mile Creek that lasted until 1842, although the shipbuilding industry in Oakville lasted into the late 20th century.
The population in 1846 was 1,500. The community shipped large quantities of wheat and lumber via schooners and the railway. There were three churches, a grist mill and saw mill, and various small companies making threshing machines, wagons, watches, saddles, and metal goods. There were also tradesmen of various types.
Oakville's industries also included shipbuilding. In the 1850s, there was an economic recession and the foundry, the most important industry in town, was closed. Basket-making became a major industry in the town, and the Grand Trunk Railway was built through it. In 1869, the population was 2,000. The community was served by the Great Western Railway and it was a port on Lake Ontario.
Oakville's first electric lights were installed in 1889 on the west bank of Sixteen Mile Creek, in the area now known as Harbour Grove, to illuminate a temperance rally.
The town eventually became industrialized with the opening of Cities Service Canada (later BP Canada, and now Petro-Canada) and Shell Canada oil refineries (both now closed), the Procor factory (no longer manufacturing), and, most importantly, the Ford Motor Company's Canadian headquarters and plant, all close to the Canadian National Railway and the Queen Elizabeth Way highway between Toronto and Fort Erie (Buffalo).
In 1962, the town of Oakville merged with its neighbouring villages (Bronte, Palermo, Sheridan, and the remainder of Trafalgar Township) to become the new Town of Oakville, reaching northwards to Steeles Avenue in Milton. In 1973, the restructuring of Halton County into Halton Region brought the northern border southwards to just north of the future Highway 407.
In 1981, the Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District became the town's first designated heritage conservation district.
Underground Railroad Oakville has a long and important role in Black Canadian historical narratives. The town is one of the many Underground Railroad Station Stops established along the Canada-U.S.A border. The town served as a location for fugitive enslaved Black people to escape the slavery of America and establish themselves. This population was very influential in establishing the town's prosperous economy.
Geography Neighbourhoods Oakville's Planning Department divides the town into communities. These are based on traditional neighbourhoods.
Neighbourhood Description Old Oakville Old Oakville (downtown) is located in South-Central Oakville along the shore of Lake Ontario. It is bordered by the Sixteen Mile Creek and Oakville Harbour to the west, Chartwell Road to the east, and Cornwall Road to the north. Kerr Village Kerr Village is a section of downtown located just west of the Old Village around Kerr Street between Speers Rd and Lakeshore Road. Bronte Bronte is located in Southwest Oakville along the shore of Lake Ontario. It is a community centred on Bronte Harbour. Eastlake Eastlake is located in Southeast Oakville along the shore of Lake Ontario. It is often divided into the neighbourhoods of Morrison and Ford. It is bordered on the west by Chartwell Road, to the north by Cornwall Road, and to the east by Mississauga.Clearview Clearview is located in Centre East Oakville. It is located on the Oakville-Mississauga border. College Park College Park is located between Sixteen Mile Creek and just east of Trafalgar Road, from the Queen Elizabeth Way north to Upper Middle Road. It surrounds Sheridan College. Iroquois Ridge NorthIroquois Ridge North is located in North East Oakville between Upper Middle Road and Dundas Street.Iroquois Ridge South Iroquois Ridge South is located in North East Oakville. The Falgarwood area is located in the southern end of the Iroquois Ridge South community.Glen Abbey Glen Abbey is located in West Oakville, with Third Line and Dorval Drive being the major arteries of the community. It is a large area west of the Glen Abbey Golf Course, home of the Canadian Open.Palermo Palermo is located in Northwest Oakville. It is a small community centred on the intersection of Dundas Street and Bronte Road (Highway 25).River Oaks River Oaks is located in North-Central Oakville. It includes the Oak Park development.Uptown Core Uptown Core is located in North Centre Oakville. It includes the area on either side of Trafalgar Road between Dundas Street and Glenashton Drive.West Oak Trails West Oak Trails is located in North Centre West Oakville on the north side of Upper Middle Road. It is a newer development than the other communities.
Climate Like much of Southern Ontario, Oakville has a humid continental climate straddling Dfa/Dfb classifications, with cold winters with frequent snowfall, and warm summers. Like most lakeside municipalities on the Great Lakes, there are varying temperatures within town boundaries, generally warmer days further from the lake, the exception being on the colder days in winter.
Demographics
In the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Oakville had a population of 213,759 living in 73,558 of its 76,179 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 193,832. With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2021.
According to the 2021 census, the median age in the town is 41.6 years. 18% of the population is under 15 years of age, 66.3% is between 15 and 64 years, and 15.7% is 65 and over.
In 2021, immigrants made up 41.2% of the population. The top 10 places of birth of the immigrant population were China (15.3%), India (10.2%), United Kingdom (7.4%), Pakistan (5.7%), Philippines (3.4%), Egypt (3.3%), the United States (3.2%), Poland (2.7%), South Korea (2.5%), and Portugal (2.1%).
Language The most common mother tongues among the population in 2021 were English (57.4%), Mandarin (7.0%), Arabic (3.5%), Spanish (2.3%), and Urdu (2.2%).
Mother tongue Population % English 122,255 57.4 Mandarin 14,815 7.0 Arabic 7,350 3.5 Spanish 4,875 2.3 Urdu 4,605 2.2 Portuguese 3,500 1.6 French 2,970 1.4 Polish 2,910 1.4 Italian 2,800 1.3 Punjabi 2,540 1.2 Korean 2,475 1.2 Hindi 2,285 1.1 Tagalog (Filipino) 1,840 0.9 Croatian 1,635 0.8 Russian 1,400 0.7 Cantonese 1,340 0.6 Persian 1,330 0.7 Serbian 1,295 0.6 German 1,220 0.6 Romanian 1,025 0.5
Ethnicity
The 2016 census found the most reported ethnocultural background to be White (68.5%), followed by South Asian (8.9%), Chinese (7%), Arab (3.2%), Black (2.9%), Filipino (1.9%), Latin American (1.9%), Korean (1.6%), West Asian (1.1%), and other backgrounds. Aboriginals make up 0.7% of the population: 0.4% First Nations and 0.3% Métis. Ethnic origins (2016)Multiple ethnic origins can be reportedPopulation%English42,280 22.1Canadian32,415 16.9Scottish31,525 16.4Irish30,880 16.1Italian16,900 8.8German15,500 8.1Chinese14,840 7.7French14,250 7.4East Indian12,615 6.6Polish9,890 5.2Portuguese7,550 3.9Ukrainian6,9903.6Dutch5,880 3.1
+ Panethnic groups in the Town of Oakville (2001–2021)Panethnicgroup20212016201120062001 European 120,515 131,230 138,170 133,505 124,535 South Asian 28,685 17,095 12,935 9,945 6,275 East Asian 27,155 17,205 9,500 7,575 4,350 Middle Eastern 12,500 8,185 4,140 2,745 1,410 Southeast Asian 5,770 4,740 4,930 3,130 2,040 African 7,020 5,520 4,820 3,535 2,770 Latin American 4,265 3,595 2,640 1,640 730 Indigenous 1,415 1,415 1,160 665 520 Other/Multiracial 4,735 2,730 2,150 1,740 1,065 Total responses 212,060 191,720 180,430 164,485 143,685 Total population 213,759 193,832 182,520 165,613 144,738
Religion According to the 2021 census, 52.7% of the population identify as Christians, with Catholics (28.8%) making up the largest denomination. Others identify as Muslims (10.4%), Hindus (4.5%), Sikhs (1.9%), Buddhists (1.1%), Jewish (0.6%), and with other religions. A total of 28.3% of the population report no religious affiliation.
Economy The top employers in Oakville include: Company / organization Employees SectorFord Motor Company of Canada4,110Head Office & Automobile Manufacturing PlantHalton Healthcare2,626Healthcare ServicesHalton District School Board2,441EducationRegional Municipality of Halton1,542Regional Government Collins Aerospace1,500Aerospace Products & Parts ManufacturingThe Corporation of the Town of Oakville1279Municipal GovernmentHalton Catholic District School Board1,094EducationSheridan College1,031Education, Post-Secondary Institution
Arts and culture Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts houses several performances by local and international artists. It is also the performing venue for the Oakville Symphony Orchestra, the Oakville Children's Choir and the Oakville Ballet Company. The Oakville Arts Council provides further artistic talents in the town showcasing films, literary figures and visual arts.
The Oakville Children's Choir The Oakville Children's Choir has been in business since 1994.
Oakville Galleries Oakville Galleries is a not-for-profit art museum that exhibits contemporary art, cares for a permanent collection and delivers public programming. Its exhibition spaces are located on two sites: Gairloch Gardens and Centennial Square.
Events Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival The Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival is an annual summer jazz festival established in 1992. The event includes performances at a number of stages along Lakeshore Road in downtown Oakville. The event is free to the public.
Waterfront Festival Beginning in 1982, Oakville's Coronation Park played host to the annual Oakville Waterfront Festival. Among a range of events, the festival included small amusement park rides, arts and crafts, food and drinks, free concerts headlined by Canadian bands, and nightly fireworks displays. The Waterfront Festival took place in late June of each year until 2010, when it was cancelled due to financial difficulties, despite having annual attendance of up to 100,000 visitors. It returned in August 2013, which was the most recent festival to date.
Kerrfest Kerrfest is an annual outdoor music festival that takes place in early September in Oakville. Having begun in 2014, the event includes free performances and is open to the public, located at Westwood Park.
Midnight Madness Midnight Madness was a street festival that happened one night each summer. It ran for over 40 years, until it was cancelled in 2023. It would attract thousands of visitors to Downtown Oakville.
For the Love of the Arts Festival