Oakville, Ontario facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oakville
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| Town of Oakville | |||
Aerial view of Oakville in 2023
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| Motto(s):
Avancez ("Go forward")
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 Oakville
Location in Southern Ontario
Oakville
Location in Regional Municipality of Halton
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| Country | Canada | ||
| Province | Ontario | ||
| Region | Halton | ||
| Wards | 7 | ||
| Neighbourhoods | 12 | ||
| Established | 1827 | ||
| Area
(2021)
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| • Land | 138.94 km2 (53.65 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 173 m (568 ft) | ||
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 213,759 | ||
| • Density | 1,538.5/km2 (3,985/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Oakvillian | ||
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (EST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (EDT) | ||
| Forward sortation area |
L6H to L6M
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| Area codes | 905, 289, 365, and 742 | ||
Oakville is a busy town in Ontario, Canada. It is located right on the shore of Lake Ontario, between the big cities of Toronto and Hamilton. In 2021, over 213,000 people lived here, making it Ontario's largest town. Oakville is part of the Greater Toronto Area, a very populated part of Canada. About 36% of people in Oakville speak a language other than English at home.
Contents
History of Oakville
Early Days and Settlement
In 1793, a military road called Dundas Street was planned. Later, in 1805, the government of Upper Canada (which is now Ontario) bought land from the Mississaugas people. This land was between Etobicoke and Hamilton. Some areas around the mouths of creeks were not included in this purchase.
In 1807, British families started settling in the area. They built homes near Dundas Street and along Lake Ontario.
How Oakville Grew
In 1820, the government bought more land, especially around the creeks. About 960 acres near the creeks were sold to William Chisholm in 1827. He let his son, Robert Kerr Chisholm, and his brother-in-law develop the area.
Chisholm also started a shipbuilding business in Oakville. It was located on Navy Street and Sixteen Mile Creek. Shipbuilding continued in Oakville until the late 1900s.
By 1846, about 1,500 people lived in Oakville. The town shipped a lot of wheat and lumber using boats called schooners and the railway. There were churches, mills for grinding grain and cutting wood, and small businesses making things like wagons and watches.
In the 1850s, the town faced a tough economic time, and a big factory closed. But basket-making became a new important industry. The Grand Trunk Railway also built tracks through the town, which helped it grow. By 1869, Oakville had 2,000 people and was a busy port on Lake Ontario.
Modern Industries and Growth
Over time, more factories came to Oakville. Companies like Cities Service Canada (now Petro Canada) and Shell Canada built oil refineries, though these are now closed. The Procor factory also opened, but it no longer makes things.
One of the most important companies is the Ford Motor Company. Their Canadian headquarters and a large car manufacturing plant are in Oakville. These big businesses are located near the Canadian National Railway and the Queen Elizabeth Way highway, which connects Toronto and Fort Erie.
In 1962, Oakville grew even bigger. It joined with nearby villages like Bronte, Palermo, and Sheridan. This made the new Town of Oakville much larger. In 1973, the town's northern border changed to be just north of Highway 407.
Geography of Oakville
Oakville's Neighbourhoods
Oakville is divided into different communities, which are based on its traditional neighbourhoods. Here are some of them:
| Neighbourhood | Description |
|---|---|
| Old Oakville | This is the downtown area, located in south-central Oakville along Lake Ontario. It's next to the Sixteen Mile Creek and Oakville Harbour. |
| Kerr Village | A part of downtown, just west of Old Oakville. It's centered around Kerr Street. |
| Bronte | Bronte is in southwest Oakville, also along Lake Ontario. It's known for Bronte Harbour. |
| Eastlake | Found in southeast Oakville along Lake Ontario. It includes the Morrison and Ford areas. |
| Clearview | Located in central-east Oakville, right on the border with Mississauga. |
| College Park | This area is between Sixteen Mile Creek and Trafalgar Road. It's home to Sheridan College. |
| Iroquois Ridge North | In northeast Oakville, between Upper Middle Road and Dundas Street. |
| Iroquois Ridge South | Also in northeast Oakville, with the Falgarwood area at its southern end. |
| Glen Abbey | Located in west Oakville, with Third Line and Dorval Drive as main roads. It's west of the Glen Abbey Golf Course. |
| Palermo | Palermo is in northwest Oakville. It's a small community around Dundas Street and Bronte Road. |
| River Oaks | Found in north-central Oakville. It includes the Oak Park development. |
| Uptown Core | In north-central Oakville, around Trafalgar Road between Dundas Street and Glenashton Drive. |
| West Oak Trails | A newer development in north-central west Oakville, north of Upper Middle Road. |
Oakville's Climate
Oakville has a climate with cold winters and lots of snow, and warm summers. This is typical for much of Southern Ontario. Because it's next to the Great Lakes, temperatures can be different within the town. Areas further from the lake are usually warmer, except on very cold winter days.
| Climate data for Oakville Southeast WPCP Climate ID: 615N745; coordinates 43°29′N 79°38′W / 43.483°N 79.633°W; elevation: 86.9 m (285 ft); 1981–2010 normals |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 13.9 (57.0) |
15.6 (60.1) |
27.5 (81.5) |
32.0 (89.6) |
33.0 (91.4) |
38.0 (100.4) |
37.0 (98.6) |
37.5 (99.5) |
35.0 (95.0) |
28.9 (84.0) |
23.3 (73.9) |
22.0 (71.6) |
38.0 (100.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −0.4 (31.3) |
0.6 (33.1) |
4.7 (40.5) |
11.3 (52.3) |
17.9 (64.2) |
23.2 (73.8) |
26.3 (79.3) |
25.2 (77.4) |
20.9 (69.6) |
14.3 (57.7) |
8.3 (46.9) |
2.8 (37.0) |
12.9 (55.2) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −4.7 (23.5) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
0.1 (32.2) |
6.4 (43.5) |
12.3 (54.1) |
17.7 (63.9) |
20.9 (69.6) |
20.1 (68.2) |
15.6 (60.1) |
9.3 (48.7) |
4.0 (39.2) |
−1.3 (29.7) |
8.1 (46.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −8.9 (16.0) |
−8.3 (17.1) |
−4.5 (23.9) |
1.5 (34.7) |
6.8 (44.2) |
12.1 (53.8) |
15.4 (59.7) |
15.0 (59.0) |
10.2 (50.4) |
4.3 (39.7) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
−5.5 (22.1) |
3.2 (37.8) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −30.0 (−22.0) |
−25.0 (−13.0) |
−22.0 (−7.6) |
−14.4 (6.1) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
1.1 (34.0) |
7.0 (44.6) |
3.0 (37.4) |
−1.7 (28.9) |
−7.0 (19.4) |
−14.0 (6.8) |
−27.0 (−16.6) |
−30.0 (−22.0) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 59.8 (2.35) |
46.7 (1.84) |
54.4 (2.14) |
65.2 (2.57) |
73.9 (2.91) |
71.0 (2.80) |
75.8 (2.98) |
78.3 (3.08) |
73.5 (2.89) |
70.0 (2.76) |
79.3 (3.12) |
58.8 (2.31) |
806.7 (31.76) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 31.5 (1.24) |
30.7 (1.21) |
37.2 (1.46) |
63.1 (2.48) |
73.9 (2.91) |
71.0 (2.80) |
75.8 (2.98) |
78.3 (3.08) |
73.5 (2.89) |
70.0 (2.76) |
76.8 (3.02) |
43.9 (1.73) |
725.6 (28.57) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 28.3 (11.1) |
16.1 (6.3) |
17.2 (6.8) |
2.1 (0.8) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
2.5 (1.0) |
14.9 (5.9) |
81.0 (31.9) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 9.6 | 7.2 | 9.0 | 11.1 | 10.4 | 10.3 | 8.8 | 9.8 | 10.2 | 10.4 | 11.1 | 9.7 | 117.6 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 4.4 | 3.8 | 6.4 | 10.6 | 10.4 | 10.3 | 8.8 | 9.8 | 10.2 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 6.8 | 102.4 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 5.6 | 3.7 | 3.2 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 17.6 |
| Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada | |||||||||||||
People of Oakville (Demographics)
| Oakville | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1841 | 550 | — |
| 1871 | 1,684 | +206.2% |
| 1901 | 1,643 | −2.4% |
| 1911 | 2,372 | +44.4% |
| 1921 | 3,298 | +39.0% |
| 1931 | 3,857 | +16.9% |
| 1941 | 4,115 | +6.7% |
| 1951 | 6,910 | +67.9% |
| 1961 | 10,366 | +50.0% |
| 1971 | 61,483 | +493.1% |
| 1981 | 75,773 | +23.2% |
| 1991 | 114,670 | +51.3% |
| 1996 | 128,405 | +12.0% |
| 2001 | 144,738 | +12.7% |
| 2006 | 165,613 | +14.4% |
| 2011 | 182,520 | +10.2% |
| 2016 | 193,832 | +6.2% |
| 2021 | 213,759 | +10.3% |
In 2021, the population of Oakville was 213,759 people. This was a good increase from 2016. The town has a land area of about 139 square kilometers. This means there are about 1,538 people living in each square kilometer.
The average age in Oakville is about 41.6 years old. About 18% of the people are under 15 years old. Most people, 66.3%, are between 15 and 64 years old. About 15.7% are 65 years or older.
In 2016, about 35.9% of the people living in Oakville were immigrants. This means they were born in another country. The top countries they came from include the United Kingdom, China, and India.
Languages Spoken
In 2021, the most common first languages spoken in Oakville were:
Many other languages are also spoken in Oakville, making it a diverse place.
Different Backgrounds
Oakville is home to people from many different backgrounds. In 2016, the largest group was White (68.5%). Other large groups included South Asian (8.9%), Chinese (7%), and Arab (3.2%).
Economy of Oakville
Oakville has many important companies and organizations that provide jobs. Some of the top employers include:
| Company / organization | Employees | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Halton Catholic District School Board | 4,592 | Education |
| Ford Motor Company of Canada | 4,500 | Head Office & Automobile Manufacturing Plant |
| Halton District School Board | 2,393 | Education |
| Halton Healthcare | 2,290 | Healthcare Services |
| Regional Municipality of Halton | 2,054 | Regional Government |
| Sheridan College | 1,856 | Post-Secondary Institution |
| The Corporation of the Town of Oakville | 1,144 | Municipal Government |
Many companies have their main offices in Oakville. These include Sagen MI Canada, Algonquin Power & Utilities, Canadian Tire Financial Services, and Pelmorex (which owns The Weather Network). Major companies like Siemens and The Ford Motor Company also have their Canadian headquarters here.
Oakville also has many companies in the life sciences, especially in medicine and elder care. There are also several retirement homes.
Because Oakville is part of the Greater Toronto Area, many people who live in Oakville travel to Toronto for work.
Arts and Culture in Oakville
Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts
The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts is a place where you can see many shows. It hosts performances by local and international artists. It's also where the Oakville Symphony Orchestra, the Oakville Children's Choir, and the Oakville Ballet Company perform. The Oakville Arts Council helps showcase local films, writers, and visual artists.
Oakville Children's Choir
The Oakville Children's Choir has been performing since 1994.
Oakville Galleries
Oakville Galleries is an art museum that shows modern art. It also has its own collection and offers programs for the public. It has two locations: Gairloch Gardens and Centennial Square.
Fun Events in Oakville
Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival
The Downtown Oakville Jazz Festival is a yearly music festival held in the summer since 1992. You can enjoy free jazz performances on stages along Lakeshore Road in downtown Oakville.
Waterfront Festival
The Oakville Waterfront Festival used to be a big yearly event at Coronation Park. It had rides, crafts, food, free concerts, and fireworks. It ran from 1982 until 2010. It came back in 2013, but there hasn't been one since.
Kerrfest
Kerrfest is a free outdoor music festival held every September at Westwood Park. It started in 2014 and features live music for everyone to enjoy.
For the Love of the Arts Festival
This festival happens every spring in Oakville. It started in 2002 and showcases local talent in dance, theatre, music, and visual arts. It's a way to celebrate the arts in the community.
Northeast Oakville Fair
The Northeast Oakville Fair is a yearly event in late spring. It features local businesses, bouncy castles, food trucks, hot air balloon rides, and family activities. It's free and open to everyone.
Shopping in Oakville
The Oakville Place Shopping Centre is a large indoor mall in Oakville. It opened in 1981 and has many stores.
Sports in Oakville
Running and Athletics
The Oakville Half Marathon is a yearly running event. It also has shorter races like 10K, 5K, and a 2K Fun Run/Walk.
Golfing in Oakville
Glen Abbey Golf Course is a famous golf course in Oakville. It was designed by Jack Nicklaus. This course has hosted the Canadian Open golf championship 30 times since 1977. Both Golf Canada and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame are located here. In 2021, plans to build houses on the course were stopped, so it will continue to be a golf course.
Soccer in Oakville
The Blue Devils FC is a professional soccer team in Oakville. They are connected to the Oakville Soccer Club, which is the biggest soccer club in Canada. Oakville has over 60 soccer fields and a special indoor soccer facility.
Lacrosse in Oakville
Oakville is home to the Toronto Rock professional box lacrosse team. They practice here. Oakville also has one of the largest youth lacrosse groups in Ontario, with over 1,500 players. The Oakville Buzz is a Junior "A" lacrosse team that won the Founders Cup in 2006. The current youth representative team is the Oakville Hawks.
Hockey in Oakville
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The Oakville Blades is a Junior "A" hockey team that has been around since 1966. For boys, the main youth hockey team is the Oakville Rangers. For girls, it's the Oakville Hornets.
Skating in Oakville
Skate Oakville is a large skating club. It offers lessons for learning to skate, recreational programs, competitive training, and synchronized skating teams.
Baseball in Oakville
Baseball in Oakville is managed by two groups: Oakville Little League and the OMBA (Oakville Minor Baseball Association).
Oakville Little League is the largest Little League group in Canada. In 2018, over 1,150 young people played on more than 90 teams. They also have All-Star teams called the Oakville Whitecaps. These teams compete to play in the Little League World Series.
The OMBA started in 1963. It offers different levels of baseball for kids and teens, including House League, Select, and Rep teams. The OMBA runs the Oakville A's, which is the town's official representative baseball team.
Canoeing in Oakville
The Burloak Canoe Club is located in Oakville. Three Olympic athletes, Adam van Koeverden, Mark Oldershaw, and Larry Cain, trained at this club.
Getting Around Oakville (Infrastructure)
Public Transportation
Oakville has its own bus service called Oakville Transit. These buses connect to the Lakeshore West line at four different GO train stations in or near Oakville. GO Transit also provides commuter train and bus services from Bronte GO and Oakville GO stations. You can also take Via Rail trains from Oakville station to other cities.
Roads and Highways
Several major roads and highways pass through Oakville:
- The Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW)
- Highway 403 (runs with the QEW for most of Oakville)
- Highway 407 ETR
- Bronte Road (Highway 25)
- Dundas Street
- Lakeshore Road (West/East)
- Trafalgar Road
- Dorval Drive
- Neyagawa Boulevard
- Winston Churchill Boulevard (border with Mississauga)
- Burloak Drive (border with Burlington)
- William Halton Parkway (a new section is being built)
Emergency Services
Police services in Oakville are handled by the Halton Regional Police Service.
The Oakville Fire Department has nine fire stations that provide fire services.
The Town of Oakville's Waters Air Rescue Force is a group of volunteers. They help with marine search and rescue on Western Lake Ontario. They started in 1954.
Education in Oakville
Oakville has many schools, both private and public. It has one of the highest numbers of private schools compared to its student population in Canada. The public schools are part of the Halton District School Board and the Halton Catholic District School Board. There are also French-language school boards. Some high schools, like St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School (Oakville) and White Oaks Secondary School, offer the International Baccalaureate Program.
Oakville is home to Appleby College, a private school for grades seven to twelve, which opened in 1911. St. Mildred's-Lightbourn School is another independent all-girls school. For higher education, Oakville has the Trafalgar Campus of Sheridan College. This college focuses on arts and business studies.
Media in Oakville
Most of the news and media for Oakville comes from Toronto, as Oakville is part of the Greater Toronto Area. However, there is a local newspaper called the Oakville Beaver, which is published once a week. There are also monthly magazines for specific neighbourhoods. Oakvillenews.org is a local online news website.
Oakville also has two special radio stations:
- AM 1250 CJYE, which plays Christian music.
- AM 1320 CJMR, which plays multicultural music.
Some national TV stations also broadcast from or cover Oakville:
- The Weather Network has been broadcasting nationally from Oakville since 2005.
- CHCH-DT is a TV station from Hamilton that covers Oakville.
- YourTV broadcasts from the Cogeco headquarters near Burlington.
Sister Cities of Oakville
Oakville has special connections with other cities around the world. These are called "sister cities":
- Dorval, Quebec, Canada (since 1957). Dorval Drive in Oakville is named after this city.
- Neyagawa, Osaka, Japan (since 1984). Neyagawa Boulevard in Oakville is named after this city, and there's an apartment complex in Neyagawa named after Oakville.
- Huai'an, Jiangsu, China (since 2015).
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