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.
Latitude: 44.9037° North
Longitude: 76.0216° West
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.)
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
| Families in Private Households | 725 |
| Couple Family Households | 1,120 |
| Lone-parent Households | 555 |
| One-person Households | 1,465 |
| Other Households | 205 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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:
Memorial Community Centre
Seniors Activity Building
Smiths Falls Youth Arena
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. |
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.
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%
| 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% |
| 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