Sign In Register

Kawartha Lakes, ON

Ontario · Peterborough Metro

Kawartha Lakes is a mid-size city in Ontario with a population of 79,247. Residents earn $82,000 per year, which is 9% above the national average.

Data updated June 2026

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
79,247 Population 68/sq mi density
$82,000 Median Income $48,560 per capita
$572,000 Home Value
$1,100 Median Rent 19.1% income on rent
43°F Avg Temperature 269 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$82,000 median income, 11.2% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.7 / 5.0
$572,000 home value, $1,100/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.9% bachelor's degree or higher

Discover Kawartha Lakes, ON

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
Use the tabs and dropdown menus below to navigate every data point we track for this city.

Full City Profile
Median Income $82,000
9% higher than US avg
Home Value $572,000
103% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.9%
71% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,100
5% lower than US avg
Unemployment 11.2%
211% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.2%
18% lower than US avg

How Kawartha Lakes Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population79,247
Median Age51.6 yrs
Density68/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

B
Median Income$82,000
Per Capita$48,560
Unemployment11.2%
Poverty10.2%
Commute35 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$572,000
Rent$1,100
Ownership82.8%
Housing Units32,710
Rent Burden19.1%

Crime

C+
Property3,500/100K
Burglary484/100K

Climate

Avg Temp43°F (6°C)
Rain37.0 in/yr
Sunny Days269/yr
Elevation876 ft (267 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.9%
High School+33.6%
Graduate+2.6%

Community

Commute35 min

Is Kawartha Lakes a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Kawartha Lakes receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Kawartha Lakes has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Kawartha Lakes is $82,000, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 11.2%, unemployment is notably high. 10.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Kawartha Lakes is $572,000, making it a premium housing market at 103% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,100 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the national average.

Education

9.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 33.6% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Kawartha Lakes has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. With 269 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.0 inches, including 14.5 inches of snow.

Kawartha Lakes has a population of 79,247 with a density of 68 people per square mile, spread across 1,171.3 square miles. The median age is 51.6 years, 33% older than the national median of 38.9. The gender split is 50.3% female and 49.7% male. The city is predominantly White (96.6%), with 2% Asian. English is the primary language spoken at home by 93.9% of residents.

Population

79,247
Total Population
68
People / sq mi
51.6yrs
Median Age
33% above US avg
1,171.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.7%
Female 50.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Kawartha Lakes vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only 93.9%
20% above US avg
Spanish 0.9%
93% below US avg
Other Languages 5.2%

Social Characteristics

Kawartha Lakes vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Kawartha Lakes is $82,000, which is 9% above the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $48,560 (above the $39,052 national figure). The average weekly wage is $934, 35% lower than the U.S. average. The unemployment rate is 11.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 10.2% of residents live below the poverty line, lower than the national rate of 12.4%. The area has 31 business establishments, including 14 restaurants. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes (longer than the 28-minute US average). 23.6% of workers work from home (above the 15.2% national rate).

Income: Kawartha Lakes vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$82,000
9% above US avg
Per Capita Income$48,560
Avg Weekly Wage$934

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment11.2%
211% above US avg
Poverty Rate10.2%
18% below US avg
Establishments (County)31

Business (County)

Restaurants14
Healthcare7
Retail4

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time34.8 min
Drive Alone88.5%
Public Transit0.7%
Work from Home23.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Kawartha Lakes is $572,000, 103% above the national median of $281,900. Monthly rent averages $1,100 (5% below the national average of $1,163). 82.8% of housing units are owner-occupied (above the 65.4% national rate). There are 32,710 total housing units in the city. 19.1% of renters spend 30% or more of their income on housing. The home price-to-income ratio is 7x, above the traditionally affordable threshold of 3-4x.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$572,000
103% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,100
5% below US avg
Rent Burden19.1%

Ownership & Property

Homeownership82.8%
Owner-Occupied82.8%
Renter-Occupied17.2%
Housing Units32,710

Property Tax

Property crime stands at 3,500 per 100,000, 79% above the U.S. average. This includes larceny/theft at 2,503, burglary at 484, vehicle theft at 505 per 100,000 residents. Overall, Kawartha Lakes receives a safety grade of C+.

Crime Rates: Kawartha Lakes vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Total Property3,500.0/100K
79% above US avg
Burglary483.9/100K
Theft2,503.4/100K
Vehicle Theft504.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
View full crime details →
Kawartha Lakes has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 269 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 37.0 inches. The area receives 14.5 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 876 feet.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average42.5°F
21% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days269 days/yr

Geography

Elevation876 ft (267 m)
Area1,171.3 sq mi (3,033.7 km²)
Population Density68/sq mi
Coordinates44.3597°N, 78.7422°W
TimezoneAmerica/Toronto

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.0"
3% below US avg
Snowfall 14.5"
Wettest Month (Nov) 3.70"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.28"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

16 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.8. Most recent: M2.6 on Mar 29, 2020.

Nov 26, 1999 14 km ESE of Centennial Scarborough, Canada M3.8 75 km
Dec 25, 1998 23 km SE of Cobourg, Canada M3.6 88 km
May 24, 2000 4 km ENE of Centennial Scarborough, Canada M3.1 68 km
May 8, 2018 14 km SSE of Ajax, Canada M3.0 71 km
Aug 4, 2004 30 km SSW of Cobourg, Canada M3.0 84 km
Nov 7, 2002 13 km SSW of Belleville, Canada M3.0 110 km
Jul 19, 2007 27 km S of Cobourg, Canada M3.0 84 km
Mar 28, 2005 16 km NW of Virgil, Canada M2.8 124 km
Mar 8, 2008 5 km ENE of Clarence Center, New York M2.7 149 km
Dec 21, 2009 10 km NNE of Olcott, New York M2.7 104 km
Mar 29, 2020 11 km N of Lyndonville, New York M2.6 108 km
Sep 20, 2009 20 km ESE of Oakville, Canada M2.6 122 km
Jul 11, 2017 11 km NNW of Barker, New York M2.5 104 km
Jul 29, 2012 17 km SSW of Parry Sound, Canada M2.5 141 km
May 17, 2010 19 km WNW of Gravenhurst, Canada M2.5 98 km
Feb 13, 2014 34 km N of Lyndonville, New York M2.5 85 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 16°F (-9°C) 3.1 in Coldest
February 17°F (-8°C) 2.3 in Driest
March 27°F (-3°C) 2.4 in
April 41°F (5°C) 2.8 in
May 53°F (12°C) 3.5 in
June 62°F (17°C) 3.4 in
July 67°F (20°C) 2.9 in Warmest
August 65°F (19°C) 3.4 in
September 58°F (14°C) 3.5 in
October 46°F (8°C) 3.2 in
November 35°F (2°C) 3.7 in Wettest
December 23°F (-5°C) 3.0 in

Kawartha Lakes has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 16°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.0 inches, with November being the wettest month (3.7") and February the driest (2.3").

View full weather details →
9.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 71% below the national average of 33.7%. 33.6% have completed high school. 2.6% hold a graduate or professional degree (below the 13.1% national rate). 7 healthcare facilities operate in the area. 88.5% of workers drive alone to work.

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.9%
71% below US avg
High School+33.6%
Graduate Degree+2.6%
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Area & Infrastructure

Population Density68/sq mi
Total Area1,171.3 sq mi

Services

Healthcare Facilities7
Restaurants14
Retail Stores4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute34.8 min
Drive Alone88.5%
Public Transit0.7%
Work from Home23.6%

Colleges & Universities in Kawartha Lakes

Institution Type Enrollment Acceptance In-State Tuition Out-of-State
Fleming College - Frost Campus - - - - -

Schools in Kawartha Lakes

9 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Parkview Public School - - - -
St. John Paul II Catholic Elementary School - - - -
Alexandra Public School - - - -
Queen Victoria Public School - - - -
Heritage Christian School - - - -
Mariposa Elementary School - - - -
Fenelon Township Public School - - - -
Central Senior School - - - -
Lindsay Collegiate and Vocational Institute - - - -
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Kawartha Lakes

3 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality
CBC Radio One - Peterborough, ON (MP3 stream) features, news MP3 128 kbps
CIUX-FM "Hits 105.5" Uxbridge, ON adult contemporary AAC+ 49 kbps
CJWV Oldies 96.7 FM oldies AAC+ 31 kbps

Museums in Kawartha Lakes

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
Boyd Heritage Museam
Horseless Carriage Museum
Maryboro Lodge Museum
Olde Gaol Museum
Scugog Shores Museum

Libraries in Kawartha Lakes

NameAddressStaffAnnual VisitsCirculationCollectionPrograms
Kawartha Lakes Library - Oakwood Branch0.0
Kawartha Lakes Public Library - Bethany Branch0.0
Kawartha Lakes Public Library - Bobcaygeon Branch0.0
Kawartha Lakes Public Library - Dunsford Branch0.0
Kawartha Lakes Public Library - Fenelon Falls Branch0.0
Kawartha Lakes Public Library - Lindsay Branch0.0
Kawartha Lakes Public Library - Little Britain Branch0.0
Kawartha Lakes Public Library - Omemee Branch0.0
Kawartha Lakes Public Library - Woodville Branch0.0

Cafes in Kawartha Lakes

6 cafes within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Boiling Over's
Joyce's Place
Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons

Clinics in Kawartha Lakes

1 clinics within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

LXUS

Dentists in Kawartha Lakes

3 dentists within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Dentistry on Kent
Lindsay Square Dental
My Dental Care

Gas Stations in Kawartha Lakes

6 gas stations within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Canadian Tire
Esso
Esso
Mobil
Petro-Canada
Ultramar

Banks in Kawartha Lakes

4 banks within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

CIBC
Kawartha Credit Union
RBC Royal Bank
Scotiabank

Shopping Malls in Kawartha Lakes

1 shopping malls within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Lindsay Square

Gyms in Kawartha Lakes

1 gyms within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Planet Fitness

Golf Courses in Kawartha Lakes

1 golf courses within city radius - OpenStreetMap data

Oliver's Nest Golf Club

Breweries in Kawartha Lakes

NameTypeAddressPhoneWebsite
Fenelon Falls Brewing Co.
Old Dog Brewing Company

Ski Resorts Near Kawartha Lakes

3 ski resorts within range.

Resort Slopes (km) Lifts Peak (m) Price Season Night Park
Earl Bales Park Ski and Snowboard Centre 0.0 - - $0 - - -
ROC 0.0 - - $0 - - -
Kawartha Nordic 0.0 - - $0 - - -

Airports Near Kawartha Lakes

50 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Billy Bishop Toronto City AirportYTZMedium Airport
Muskoka AirportYQAMedium Airport
Oshawa Executive AirportYOOMedium Airport
Peterborough Regional AirportYPQMedium Airport
Baldwin Airport-Small Airport
Baldwin West Aerodrome-Small Airport
Beaverton Airport-Small Airport
Beaverton North-Small Airport
Bethany / Whitetail Valley Farm Airfield-Small Airport
Blackstock / Martyn-Small Airport
Bobcaygeon / Chesher Lakehurst Airport-Small Airport
Bracebridge (Stone Wall Farm) Airport-Small Airport
Bracebridge (Tinks) Airport-Small Airport
Bracebridge West Aerodrome-Small Airport
Brechin / Ronan Aircraft Airfield-Small Airport
Brechin / Skywagon City Airfield-Small Airport
Brougham High Perspective Hang Glider Port-Small Airport
Cameron/Arbour Airfield-Small Airport
Cooper Falls Airstrip-Small Airport
Dave Carlaw Strip-Small Airport
Dillon Field-Small Airport
Dimkovski Airpark-Small Airport
Douro Airfield-Small Airport
Dunsford Airport-Small Airport
Elizabethville Airstrip-Small Airport
Elmhirst's Resort Airport-Small Airport
Foxden Farms-Small Airport
Greenbank-Uxbridge-Port Perry Airfield-Small Airport
Hampton-Small Airport
Hampton / Morawetz Field-Small Airport
Hoskin Airport-Small Airport
Kawartha Lakes Municipal Airport-Small Airport
Kirkfield / Balsam Lake Airfield-Small Airport
Lorneville Airstrip-Small Airport
Newtonville / Steeves Field-Small Airport
Omemee Airport-Small Airport
Orillia-RAMA Regional Airport-Small Airport
Orono / Hawkefield Aerodrome-Small Airport
Orono Field-Small Airport
Palestine Airport-Small Airport
Pine Point Airfield-Small Airport
Port Hope (Millson Field)-Small Airport
Port Hope (Peter's Field) Airport-Small Airport
PR Ajax Airfield-Small Airport
Rollick Airpark-Small Airport
Sandford Field-Small Airport
Seagrave / North Port Airfield-Small Airport
Severn Bridge Airport-Small Airport
Stone Airport-Small Airport
Stouffville Airport-Small Airport

Post Offices in Kawartha Lakes

3 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Canada Post
Canada Post
Canada Post

Churches & Religious Organizations in Kawartha Lakes

10 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
Calvary Pentecostal Church
Cambray United Church
Cambridge Street Baptist Church
Cambridge Street United Church
Cameron Community Church
Fairview Baptist Church
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
Lindsay Christian Reformed Church
St. Andrews Presbyterian Church
The Salvation Army Lindsay

Explore Near Kawartha Lakes

UFO Sightings
5
Reported UFO sightings from the National UFO Reporting Center database
View all →

Download Full City Report

Get a comprehensive, print-ready PDF with all data for Kawartha Lakes.

Get Report

Frequently Asked Questions About Kawartha Lakes

What is the population of Kawartha Lakes?

Kawartha Lakes has a population of 79,247 residents and is located in Ontario. The population density is 68 people per square mile, spread across 1,171.3 square miles. The median age of residents is 51.6 years, which is older than the national median of 38.9 years. The population is 50.3% female and 49.7% male.

Is Kawartha Lakes expensive to live in?

The median household income is $82,000, 9% above the national average of $75,149. The median home value is $572,000 (103% above the U.S. median). Renters pay a median of $1,100 per month. The home price-to-income ratio is 7x, which means housing is a stretch relative to local earnings.

Is Kawartha Lakes safe?

Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,500 per 100,000 (above the national average). Overall, Kawartha Lakes receives a safety grade of C+ based on combined crime data.

What is the weather like in Kawartha Lakes?

Kawartha Lakes has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winter temperatures average 16°F in January, while summers reach an average of 67°F in July. The area receives 269 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 37.0 inches, with 14.5 inches of snow.

How is the job market in Kawartha Lakes?

The job market in Kawartha Lakes faces challenges, with unemployment at 11.2% / significantly above the national rate of 3.6%. The average weekly wage is $934. There are 31 business establishments in the area, including 14 restaurants and food service locations. The average commute time is 35 minutes, and 23.6% of workers work from home.

How much does housing cost in Kawartha Lakes?

The median home value in Kawartha Lakes is $572,000. For renters, the median monthly rent is $1,100. The homeownership rate is 82.8%.

How are the schools in Kawartha Lakes?

9.9% of adults in Kawartha Lakes hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 33.7%. 33.6% have completed high school. 2.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.

What is transportation like in Kawartha Lakes?

The average commute in Kawartha Lakes is 35 minutes, longer than the national average of 28 minutes. 88.5% of workers drive alone to work, and 23.6% work from home.

What are the demographics of Kawartha Lakes?

The racial and ethnic makeup of Kawartha Lakes is 96.6% White, 0.8% Black or African American, 2% Asian. 93.9% of residents speak only English at home.

Nearby Cities

Compare Kawartha Lakes with another city: