Peterborough, ON

Ontario

Peterborough is a mid-size city in Ontario with a population of 83,651. Residents earn $71,500 per year, which is 5% below the national average.

2.2 /5.0
C Fair
83,651 Population 3,346/sq mi density
$71,500 Median Income $44,520 per capita
$500,000 Home Value
$1,110 Median Rent 25.7% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
76 Violent Crime/100K 56 property/100K
C
Overall
2.2 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$71,500 median income, 14.7% unemployment
C+
Affordability
2.7 / 5.0
$500,000 home value, $1,110/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
76 violent crimes/100K (80% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $71,500
5% lower than US avg
Home Value $500,000
77% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 76/100K
80% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.8%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,110
5% lower than US avg
Unemployment 14.7%
308% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.8%
3% higher than US avg

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

People

Population83,651
Median Age43.2 yrs
Density3,346/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

C+
Median Income$71,500
Per Capita$44,520
Unemployment14.7%
Poverty12.8%
Commute22 min

Housing

C+
Home Value$500,000
Rent$1,110
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units35,980
Rent Burden25.7%

Crime

F
Violent76/100K
Property56/100K

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
Rain36.4 in/yr
Elevation617 ft (188 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.8%
High School+30.8%
Graduate+5.8%

Community

Commute22 min

Is Peterborough a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Peterborough receives an overall livability score of 2.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include low crime rates. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment. Peterborough has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Peterborough is $71,500, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 14.7%, unemployment is notably high. 12.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Peterborough is $500,000, making it a premium housing market at 77% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,110 per month. The price-to-income ratio of 7x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Peterborough is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 76 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 56 per 100,000, 97% below the national average.

Education

15.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 30.8% have completed high school.

Climate & Weather

Peterborough experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.4 inches, including 59.9 inches of snow.

Peterborough has a population of 83,651 with a density of 3,346 people per square mile. The median age is 43.2 years, 11% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.6%), with 1.4% Black, 6% Asian.

Population

83,651
Total Population
2021 Census
3,346
People / sq mi
43.2yrs
Median Age
11% above US avg
25.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.2%
Female 52.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Peterborough vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.3%
15% above US avg
Spanish1.0%
92% below US avg
Other Languages8.7%

Social Characteristics

Peterborough vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Peterborough is $71,500, which is 5% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 14.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Peterborough vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$71,500
5% below US avg
Per Capita Income$44,520

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment14.7%
308% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.8%
3% above US avg

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.2 min
Drive Alone76.8%
Public Transit3.7%
Work from Home26.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Peterborough is $500,000, 77% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,110 (5% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$500,000
77% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,110
5% below US avg
Rent Burden25.7%

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied59.4%
Renter-Occupied40.6%
Housing Units35,980

Property Tax

Peterborough has a violent crime rate of 76 per 100,000 residents, 80% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 56 per 100,000 (97% below US avg).

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent76.2/100K
80% below US avg

Property Crime

Total Property55.9/100K
97% below US avg

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Peterborough has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.4 inches.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average46.8°F
13% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.4 inches
4% below US avg
Snowfall59.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

Geography

Elevation617 ft (188 m)
Area25.0 sq mi (64.8 km²)
Population Density3,346/sq mi
Coordinates44.3001°N, 78.3162°W
TimezoneAmerica/Toronto
15.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg).

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.8%
53% below US avg
High School+30.8%
Graduate Degree+5.8%
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

Population Density3,346/sq mi
Total Area25.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Safety & Disasters

F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.2 min
Drive Alone76.8%
Public Transit3.7%
Work from Home26.3%

Nearby Cities

Otonabee-South Monaghan, ON 7,087 pop · 6.4 mi Lakefield, ON 2,753 pop · 9.5 mi Cavan Monaghan, ON 10,016 pop · 10.7 mi Selwyn, ON 18,653 pop · 11.4 mi Curve Lake First Nation 35, ON 1,244 pop · 11.5 mi Omemee, ON 1,323 pop · 12.0 mi Millbrook, ON 1,695 pop · 12.3 mi Douro-Dummer, ON 7,632 pop · 14.7 mi Asphodel-Norwood, ON 4,658 pop · 15.3 mi Norwood, ON 1,380 pop · 17.5 mi Alnwick/Haldimand, ON 7,473 pop · 19.3 mi Port Hope, ON 17,294 pop · 20.0 mi Bobcaygeon, ON 3,576 pop · 20.3 mi Lindsay, ON 20,354 pop · 20.9 mi
Compare Peterborough with another city: