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Research & Statistics

Key information and statistics concerning the town, ranging from demographics to information on schools and the Town’s proximity to major centres.

Smiths Falls, Ontario

Located at the heart of the Rideau Canal, Ontario’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, Smiths Falls is a vibrant community with close to 9,000 residents. Incorporated in 1954 and named after Lieutenant Thomas Smyth, Smiths Falls grew as a result of the transportation sector, namely the construction of the Rideau Canal in the 1830s, and especially after the construction of a Canadian Pacific Railway line through the area. Over the years, Smiths Falls has hosted a number of important industries such as the Rideau Regional Centre and Hershey’s Canada Inc.

Today, the economy of Smiths Falls is diversifying after the downturn of its manufacturing sector. As a result, potential economic drivers in the community include advanced manufacturing pharmaceuticals, arts, entertainment and recreation, and information and cultural industries.

Location

Latitude: 44.9037° North
Longitude: 76.0216° West

Population & Geography

Population: 8,780
Workforce (25+): 3160
Area: 9.61 km2
Density: 934.6 people per km2

Smiths Falls population distribution by age groups and sex (Statistics Canada. 2012. Focus on Geography Series, 2011 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 98-310-XWE2011004. Ottawa, Ontario. Analytical products, 2011 Census. Last updated October 24, 2012.)

Population Growth (2011 to 2016)

Town of Smiths Falls Population (2011): 8,780
% Change (2006): -2.0%
Number of households: 4,070
Lanark County Population (2011): 33,005
% Change (2006): 2.1%
Number of households: 13,604

Family Characteristics (2011 Census)

Families in Private Households 725
Couple Family Households 1,120
Lone-parent Households 555
One-person Households 1,465
Other Households 205

Housing Stock

Single-detached House 2,185
Semi-detached House 585

1 Includes 2011 population data from the Town of Smiths Falls, Village of Merrickville-Wolford, and Townships of Rideau Lakes, Montague, and Drummond/North Elmsley, all in Ontario)

Row House/Duplex 145
Apartments > 5 Storeys 50
Apartments < 5 Storeys 985

Education Levels (2011 Census)

No Certificate, Diploma, or Degree 2,020
High School Diploma or equivalent 2,250
Postsecondary Certificate, Diploma, or Degree 2485
University Certificate, Diploma, or Degree 670

Educational Institutions

Elementary Schools
Calvary Christian Academy (Private)
Chimo Elementary School
Duncan J. Schoular School
École catholique Sainte-Marguerite Bourgeoys (French; in Merrickville)
St. James The Greater Catholic Elementary School
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Elementary School

Secondary Schools
Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute
St. John Catholic High School
St. Luke Catholic High School (alternative ed.)

Post-Secondary/Continuing Education
T.R. Leger School of Adult Alternative & Continuing Education

Close proximity to:

Recreational facilities

Memorial Community Centre
Seniors Activity Building
Smiths Falls Youth Arena

Proximity

Smiths Falls is located at the junction of local Highways 15 and 29, and County Road 43, which provide good access to major 400-series freeways (401, 416, and 417).

Smiths Falls is located roughly an hour’s drive from larger cities such as Kingston and Ottawa, and roughly three hours’ drive from Toronto and Montreal. Smiths Falls is also about a one hour drive from the United States border, and is located within a one-day drive of 50 million people.

Approximate Distances to Major Market Areas:

City KM Miles Driving time
Ottawa 78 48 60 min.
Montreal 244 152 2 ½ hrs
Toronto 350 217 3 hrs 20 min.
Mississauga 371 231 3 hrs 30 min.
Hamilton 417 259 4 hrs
Kitchener/Waterloo 442 275 4 hrs 15 min.
Buffalo, NY 467 290 4 hrs 30 min.
London 528 328 5 hrs
New York, NY 634 394 6 hrs 10 min.
Philadelphia, PA 645 401 6 hrs 10 min.
Boston, MA 670 416 6 hrs 45 min.
Detroit, MI 708 440 6 hrs 35 min.

Transportation

VIA Rail provides daily passenger service to and from Ottawa and Kingston.

Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway freight trains also pass directly through Smiths Falls.

The Russ Beach Smiths Falls Montague Airport, located just outside Smiths Falls, can accommodate small passenger jets and air delivery services.

Smiths Falls is also located within reasonable distance of many major airports:

Within 35 minutes of the St. Lawrence River, Smiths Falls also provides convenient access to border crossings and dock facilities at the Port of the Prescott.

Life in Smiths Falls

Average Earnings: $30,776
Median House Price: $219,200
Median Commute: 12.5 minutes

Total population in the labour force: 4,080
Participation rate: 48%
Unemployment rate: 9%

Largest Industries

Industry 2015 Jobs % Change (2011-2015)
Full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places 519 11%
Elementary and secondary schools 360 4%
Grocery stores 331 21%
Building equipment contractors 330 7%
Provincial public administration 248 -12%
Department stores 247 -11%
Converted paper product manufacturing 245 -15%
General medical and surgical hospitals 236 -15%
Automobile dealers 231 17%
Residential building construction 180 2%

Growth and Decline of Industries

Industry 2011 Jobs 2015 Jobs Change in Jobs (2011-2015) % Change
Grocery stores 331 399 68 21%
Out-patient care centre 135 189 54 40%
Full-service restaurants and limited-service eating places 467 519 52 11%
Automobile dealers 231 270 39 17%
Office furniture (including fixtures) manufacturing 74 98 24 33%
Building equipment contractors 330 353 23 7%
Health and personal care stores 143 164 21 14%
Cement and concrete product manufacturing 77 95 18 23%
Rail transportation 149 165 16 11%
Specialty food stores 67 82 15 23%

Most Competitive Industries