It is with great pleasure that I extend a warm welcome to you on behalf of the vibrant Town of Petawawa. We are a thriving community with a rich history, culture, and opportunities for all. From our picturesque landscapes to our diverse economy, there’s no shortage of reasons why Petawawa is an ideal destination for investment and growth.
Our town boasts a strategic location, situated at the crossroads of major transportation routes and with easy access to markets both domestically and internationally. Whether you’re in manufacturing, technology, retail, or any other industry, Petawawa provides the infrastructure and support necessary for your business to flourish.
Petawawa is ready to welcome you with open arms. Thank you for considering our community as your next destination. I look forward to the opportunity to work together as we build a brighter future for all.
Gary Serviss
Mayor
About Petawawa
The Town of Petawawa is the largest community in the County of Renfrew. Renowned for water and land resources, Petawawa offers residents and visitors a family-oriented and sports-enthusiasts playland set along the Petawawa and Ottawa Rivers. Home to Garrison Petawawa, the community offers quality housing, an abundance of products, services, skilled labour, and disposable income.
Petawawa continues grow. The 2025 predicted population is 19,339. The immediate catchment area for the Town of Petawawa includes roughly 41,000 people within the municipalities of the Town of Laurentian Hills, Deep River, and a portion of Laurentian Valley. The greater catchment area of residents in the Ottawa Valley is 86,000.
The Town enjoys a unique partnership with Garrison Petawawa, the largest employer and a major economic driver for the Upper Ottawa Valley. Garrison Petawawa has grown and continues to invest heavily in infrastructure and personnel.
Petawawa is located only an hour and a half west of Ottawa along the TransCanada Hwy 17 corridor, linking Ottawa to North Bay. The municipality is also home to the Pembroke and Area Airport.
The Town of Petawawa truly is Dynamic by Nature!
Local and Regional Comparators
Population: 19,339
With growth of 1,208, the population is expected to reach 20,547 by 2025.
Households: 7,078
An estimated 737 households have an annual income over $200,000.
Labour Force: 10,611
There are 753 self-employed individuals, and 1,148 working from home.
University Degree: 2,716
5,009 are High School Graduates, and 3,892 have College.
Visible Minority: 797
There are 953 first generation immigrant population.
Median Household Income: CA$109,906
With an average of 2.3 people per household, the average household income is CA$102,937.82.
(includes Petawawa)
Population: 109,069
With growth of 4,202, the population is expected to reach 113,271 by 2025.
Households: 45,839
An estimated 4,038 households have an income over $200,000.
Labour Force: 53,812
There are 6,859 self-employed individuals, and 3,884 working from home.
University Degree: 14,753
28,003 are High School Graduates, and 24,095 have College.
Visible Minority: 2,905
There are 5,978 first generation immigrant population.
Median Household Income: CA$86,995
With an average of 2.3 people per household, the average household income is CA$102,937.82 .
Population & Workforce
Petawawa Population
| Age (years) | Male (53.84%) | Female (46.16%) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-19 | 2,565 | 2,295 |
| 20-39 | 4,070 | 2,955 |
| 40-59 | 1,975 | 1,855 |
| 60-79 | 995 | 1,070 |
| 80+ | 170 | 205 |
67% of Petawawa residents also work in Petawawa
A Growing Community
- Petawawa grew 26.2% between 2001 and 2021 and is expected to experience growth over the next 25 years
* Future growth estimates from Petawawa Housing Needs Assesment
Average age in Eastern Ontario
Total Labour Force: 9,340
Unemployment Rate: 5.2%
Participation Rate: 70.9%
Sources: June 2024 Labour Force Characteristics – Statistics Canada & Townfolio
Labour Force Breakdown
Source: This infographic contains data provided by Statistics Canada Focus on Geography Series and the 2021 Census of Population
Housing & Growth
Annual Growth Rate of 1.1%
The annual growth rate in Petawawa represents roughly 200 new residents requiring 90 households per year.
Average Residental Listing: $501,861
The average cost of a residential property in Petawawa was $501,861 in 2024 with a total of 273 home sales.
2nd Safest Place to Live in Canada
According to McLeans Magazine, Petawawa was listed as the second safest place to live in 2021.
$45M Total Value of Building Permits
In 2024, municipal staff processed construction permits with a total value over $45,000,000.
Average Household Size: 2.6
Smaller household sizes compared to national rates leaves Petawawa residents with more disposable income.
Attainable Home Ownership
Home ownership is attainable in Petawawa with 65.5% owning their own home compared to 34.5% renters.
Population Density (per square km): 110.3
The Town of Petawawa is the largest municipality in the County of Renfrew.
Under Construction
- Residential Under Construction: 261
- Planned Residental Units: 905
Housing Stock in Petawawa
Housing Needs
- Seniors housing is limited seniors population grew 24% from 2016 to 2021
- Limited accessible and attainable housing stock
- 1.5% vacancy rate for rental units in 2024 (8% in 2013)
Transportation
163 km from downtown Ottawa
364 km from downtown Montréal
390 km from downtown Toronto
846 km from downtown New York
The regional airport (YTA) is located in the Town of Petawawa and coordinates approximately 4,800 aircraft movements per year including corporate, government, military and emergency flights.
The average commute time for Petawawa residents is 15 minutes with 89.7% of the population travelling 29 minutes or less to get to work. Approximately 75% of commuters leave for work between 6AM and 9AM.
The 296 km multi-use Algonquin Trail runs through Petawawa and connects with the County of Renfrew, City of Pembroke, Lanark County and Papineau Cameron Townships.
Traffic Counts
Petawawa Blvd. at Petawawa Bridge Average daily total: 12,881
14-day Vehicle Count: 133,562
Doran to Murphy Average daily: 11,205
14-day Vehicle Count: 146,664
Petawawa Blvd. 800m North of Laurentian Drive Average daily: 10,077
14-day Vehicle Count: 100,347
Source: Renfrew County Fall 2023 14-day period Nov 1 – Nov 14, 2023
Parks, Recreation & Outdoor Living
A Festive Community
Petawawa is home to many exciting festivals and events that bring residents and visitors together throughout the year.
- Cabin Fever Winter Carnival - February
- Petawawa Showcase - April
- Container Market Opens - May to October
- Civic Centre Days - June
- Canada Day in Petawawa - July
- Water & Dirt Festival - August
- Petawawa Ramble Fall Festival - October
- Veteran Business Vendor Expo - November
- Merry & Bright Festival - December
- Access to 100+ km of ATV Trails
- Connections to extenstive trail network
- Bronze medal for being a bicycle friendly community
- 1 pool in Garrison
- 255+ acres of parkland
- 2 beaches
- 3 boat launches
- 2 campgrounds
- 6 ball diamonds, 4 tennis courts, 5 sports fields, 1 bike park
- 30+ parks and parkettes
- 2 dog parks
Commercial & Industrial
258 total industries*
34 unique restaurants
Average commercial rent per sq ft: $21.87*
11 community improvement plan financial incetives
12 quarries and pits (annual extraction limits of 2.36M tonnes*)
2 sawmills operating on over 400 acres
Municipal Industrial land at $15,000 per acre
Water treatment plan operating at 53% capacity
Sewer treament plan operating at 51% capacity
*average commercial rent data from 2025 business retention and expansion survey, extraction limits from Ministry of Natural Resources, total industries from Statistics Canada Business Counts, December 2024
Municipal Services, Utilities & Property Taxes
Water & Sewer
Residential: $436.74 (water) / $535.97 (sewer)
Commercial: $589.60 (water) / $744.99 (sewer)
2023 flat rates from finance department
If Metered: $638.72 flat rate and 1.9897/m³ for water and $859.72 flat rate and 2.4417/m³ for sewer
Electricity
On Peak: 15.80 ¢/kWh / Mid Peak: 12.20 ¢/kWh
Off Peak: 7.60 ¢/kWh
Source: Ontario Energy Board, Time-of-Use Rates, November 2023
Natural Gas
9.22 ¢/m³
Own Supply Charge from Enbridge, January 2023
Internet Providers
Bell, Cogeco, NRTC, Rogers, StarLink, Vianet
Health & Education
Petawawa families are close to a variety of healthcare services across the region.
- 705 MacKay St, Pembroke, ON
- Distance: 23 km
- 117 Banting Dr, Deep River, ON
- Distance: 31 km
- 1145 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON
- Distance: 158 km
- 401 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ON
- Distance: 168 km
5 Elementary Schools
Herman Street
Valour JK-8
Pine View
St Francis of Asisisi
Our Lady of Sorrows
1 Secondary School
Valour Gr. 9-12
Algonquin College
15 km away (18 minute drive)
Social & Economic Impact
Garrison Petawawa
Over $1 billion in infrastructure investments at Garrison Petawawa since 2010
2024-2026 Military Family Resource Centre $42 million
2023-2027 Next Generation Fighting Vehicle Facility $20 million
2022 Communication and Information Technology Building $29 million
2022 Integrated Health Care Facility $45 million
2019-2021 Royal Canadian Dragoons $88.1 million
2018 Petawawa Energy Performance Contract $248 million
2017 Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) $319 million
2017 Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV) facility $26 million
2015 Canadian Armed Forces (general infrastructure) $20 million
2015-2017 New CANEX building
2012 Medium to Heavy Lift Helicopter Training Accommodation $20 million
2012 New LAV III Facility $21.8 million
2012 Equipment Fielding Coordination Centre $3.5 million
2012 Medium to Heavy Lift Helicopter Training Accommodation $38.8 million
2012 Joint Personnel Support Building $2.6 million
2010 New Chinook Hangar $280 million
Regular military and their dependents represent roughly 4 out of every 10 (42.3%) people in Petawawa.
Garrison Petawawa has a Regional Economic Impact of $480 Million from combined annual salaries.
Petawawa has over 6,000 Regular and Reserve Force members and 900 DND and NonPublic Funds Employees
There are 1,621 residential units with another 80 planned. The Garrison has grown by 40% from 2012-2024
Canadian Nuclear Labratories
- Annual Operating Budget of $1 Billion
- Infrastructure Investment of $1.3B
- CNL is an economic driver for the region with 300 suppliers within 200 km of the site and 139 suppliers within 100 km.
- Often hundreds of of contractors augment the permanent workforce at the Chalk River site requiring short and long-term accommodations.
- 3,282 staff at Chalk River site with approximately 20% (640 people) Petawawa residents
- Average salary of $102,000
- 10,126 purchase orders from 2020-2023 valued at $127M
- 26 min (30.1 km) from Petawawa to CNL site
*Sources: CNL Corporate Communications Update at Development Summit, March 2025, and CNL Economic Impact Presentation, June 2023
Why Invest in Petawawa
Proven Success
With a track record of successful businesses, you can trust that investing in Petawawa is a smart economic decision that will benefit you and your company for generations to come.
Growing Population
The Town of Petawawa has seen significant growth over the past two decades and with hundreds of acres of land still available for development and more project planned, ther eis no sign of the growth slowing down.
Cutting Red Tape
Municipal staff in Petawawa are ready and equipped to respond to any business inquiries you may have. Our commitment is to ensure your business has all the tools needed to succeed.
Opportunities for All
Municipal staff in Petawawa are ready and equipped to respond to any business inquiries you may have. Our commitment is to ensure your business has all the tools needed to succeed.
Let's Connect!
Municipal staff in Petawawa are ready and equipped to respond to any business inquiries you may have. Our commitment is to ensure your business has all the tools needed to succeed.
Christine Mitchell
- Manager of Economic Develpment
- cmitchell@petawawa.ca
- 613-687-5536