A current city-commissioned report forecasts Ottawa’s inhabitants climbing to roughly 1.7 million residents by 2051. The projection estimates development from 1.15 million in 2024 to 1.68 million in 2051, including about 530,000 individuals or almost 20,000 new residents yearly on common.
Drivers of Inhabitants Development
Immigration drives many of the inflow, adopted by migration from different provinces and inside Ontario. Pure development—births minus deaths—performs a minor position as a result of an getting old inhabitants and decrease fertility charges in comparison with historic developments.
Ottawa’s inhabitants stood at 774,000 within the 2001 census and surpassed a million in 2019. Officers count on it to greater than double over the following 50 years. These forecasts draw from provincial inhabitants projections and assist obligatory official plan updates each 5 years, informing housing, infrastructure, and providers planning.
The report anticipates an increase in seniors in the course of the 2030s and 2040s, but youthful newcomers and working-age households keep a balanced age construction relative to different Ontario areas. Latest pure development averages 1,500 yearly, under the historic 3,500 common, with future will increase nonetheless lagging behind previous ranges.
Housing Demand Surge
Households in Ottawa are projected to extend from 434,000 in 2024 to just about 692,000 by 2051. Migration-fueled growth calls for a various housing combine and job alternatives, emphasizing planning for diverse demographics.
Housing preferences shift by age: residents aged 15-34 favor flats, these of their 40s want rowhouses, single-detached, semi-detached houses, or duplexes, whereas wants for these over 60 development again towards flats as demand for bigger houses declines.
Jason Burrgraaf of the Ottawa Residence Builders Affiliation questions assumptions about seniors downsizing. “A smaller dwelling could also be simpler to take care of and find close to facilities like docs, however expectations that individuals will accomplish that haven’t matched actuality,” he states. He highlights an current scarcity, noting town might take up one other 40,000 houses for its present inhabitants.
Employment Growth
Jobs in Ottawa are set to develop by 325,000, reaching almost a million by 2051. Projections consider participation charges, unemployment, out-of-city employment, and inbound commutes.
A joint assembly of the planning and housing and agriculture and rural affairs committees accredited these projections. Metropolis council will decide ultimate adoption to form development methods and official plan revisions.

