Poverty and living standards in Ottawa, Canada: official figures
8.9% of people in private households in Ottawa, 89,205 in all, were in low income in 2020 by the low-income measure after tax (LIM-AT), 22nd lowest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site; the rate for Canada was 11.1%.
How many children in Ottawa live in poverty?
10.7% of children under 18 in Ottawa lived in low-income households in 2020 (LIM-AT), joint 27th lowest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 11.9%); among residents aged 65 and over the rate was 9.5% (Canada: 15.0%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the low-income cut-off rate in Ottawa?
By the stricter low-income cut-offs after tax (LICO-AT), 6.0% of people in Ottawa were in low income in 2020 (Canada: 5.2%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many households in Ottawa are in core housing need?
11.2% of households in Ottawa, 44,435, were in core housing need in 2021, meaning their home was unaffordable, crowded or in need of major repairs and they could not afford an acceptable local alternative; that was joint 24th highest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 10.1%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many households in Ottawa spend too much on housing?
20.1% of households in Ottawa spent 30% or more of their income on shelter costs in 2021, 18th lowest of 69 Canadian cities and metropolitan areas on this site (Canada: 20.9%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many renters in Ottawa struggle with housing costs?
Among renter households in Ottawa in 2021, 35.1% spent 30% or more of income on shelter, 23.3% were in core housing need and 14.1% lived in subsidized housing; among owners, 11.7% spent 30% or more and 4.6% were in core need (Canada: renters 33.2% and 20.0%, owners 14.8% and 5.3%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow Ottawa compares with other cities in Canada
Prevalence of low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census (2020)
Ottawa ranks 48 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Prevalence of low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Mississauga | 9.4% |
| 46 | Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo | 9.3% |
| 47 | Calgary | 9.0% |
| 48 | Ottawa | 8.9% |
| 49 | Ottawa - Gatineau | 8.8% |
| 50 | Surrey | 8.8% |
| 51 | Laval | 8.7% |
Children aged 0-17 in low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census (2020)
Ottawa ranks 42 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Children aged 0-17 in low income (LIM-AT), 2020 income, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Sherbrooke | 11.1% |
| 40 | Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo | 10.8% |
| 41 | Calgary | 10.7% |
| 42 | Ottawa | 10.7% |
| 43 | Surrey | 10.7% |
| 44 | Kelowna | 10.6% |
| 45 | Oakville | 10.5% |
Households in core housing need, 2021 Census (2021)
Ottawa ranks 24 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households in core housing need, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Winnipeg | 11.8% |
| 22 | St. John's | 11.3% |
| 23 | Delta | 11.3% |
| 24 | Ottawa | 11.2% |
| 25 | London | 11.2% |
| 26 | Langley | 11.2% |
| 27 | Brantford | 11.1% |
Households spending 30% or more of income on shelter, 2021 Census (2021)
Ottawa ranks 52 of 69, highest first.
| Rank | City | Households spending 30% or more of income on shelter, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | Lethbridge | 20.5% |
| 50 | Winnipeg | 20.2% |
| 51 | Moncton | 20.2% |
| 52 | Ottawa | 20.1% |
| 53 | Regina | 19.3% |
| 54 | Kamloops | 19.0% |
| 55 | Saint John | 18.6% |
More on Ottawa: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · all cities in Canada
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population (98-316-X2021001): census subdivisions, selected characteristics (Census Profile SDMX API extract, dataflow DF_CSD, gender total, counts and rates), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 46d086943a5e…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.