Community Profile

Home to over 100,000 residents and 36,000 jobs the City is in the midst of a transformation from a suburban community to a sustainable city. A high quality of life, concern for the environment, and vibrant economy help explain why Pickering is the right community to start a business and raise a family.

Pickering is your place to learn and play. The City takes great pride in its award-winning public library and high quality education, healthcare, housing and recreational opportunities. From children's programs to youth and seniors' centres, we are committed to providing our residents with the highest quality services and working toward a healthier, happier and safer community for all to enjoy.

Pickering is a community made up of creative minds and a vibrant arts and cultural scene. The City celebrates its local talent through a number of festivals, performances and gallery exhibitions throughout the year, making it a destination spot for visitors as well as a great place to live.

Residents and visitors can enjoy our largest entertainment hub, Durham Live, which currently houses a Casino Resort and hotel but will soon be home to much more! Check out our Tourism section for more information.

Pickering's residents are passionate and proud of their community and work with the City to keep it clean and safe for businesses, families and future generations.

As the eastern gateway to the GTA, Pickering is strategically located where Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet. By 2040, our population is expected to grow from 100,000 to 155,000 residents. An integrated transportation network of high capacity roads, rail, public transit and air provide time and money saving access to major markets across North America and beyond.
Pickering's diverse businesses range from world-class industrial to professional services and retail. Business costs are among the lowest in the GTA and are globally very competitive. Draw from a labour force of nearly 4 million across the Greater Toronto area, many of whom are highly skilled professionals from many fields.

For an intimate snapshot of each of our neighbourhoods and how we compare to others in Durham Region, check out Durham's Health Neighbourhoods demographic tool.

Pickering businesses have access to a large GTA-wide labour pool, with over 4.1 million employees. The labour force is diverse, innovative, highly skilled and educated. More than 56% of Pickering residents over 15 years of age have completed a post-secondary degree or diploma. Pickering is also located within Canada's largest market of over 6 million individuals.

Source: StatsCanada 2016

Population
2021 - 100,000
2040 - 155,000

Location

Immediately east of the City of Toronto, Pickering has integrated infrastructure for business, and excellent transportation connections. The City has direct access to two major highways: (Highway 401 and Highway 407), a direct commuter rail link to Toronto, 2 commercial train lines, and is within 30 minutes of 4 different airports, and 2 ½ hours of 5 separate United States border crossing points.

Land Area

Total Area - 23,159 hectares (55,974 acres)

Business Sectors

Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Business, Innovative Technology (IT), and Energy, Environment and Engineering (EN3).

Number of Businesses

2,800+

Major Employers

Public Sector

MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) - 538
Ontario Power Generation – 3,895
City of Pickering - 750

Private Sector

Aspect Retail Logistics - 670
Noranco Manufacturing Ltd. - 185
Rogers Communication – 750
Signature Aluminum Canada Inc. - 225
Trench Ltd. – 300
Yorkville Sound – 240
Kubota Canada Ltd. – 200
Pickering Casino Resort - 600

Transportation

Highways - #401, #407 ETR, #7 and #2 (Kingston Road).

An enclosed pedestrian bridge spanning Highway 401, linking the GO Station to Pickering's downtown.

Rail - CNR, CPR & GO Transit

Air - Pearson International Airport, Oshawa Municipal Airport, Buttonville Airport.

Energy

Electricity - Ontario Power Generation and Elexicon Energy
Gas - Enbridge Gas Distribution

Labour Force

3.8 million people reside within 50 km (30 miles) of Pickering. 46% of Pickering residents aged 24-64 years have post-secondary degree or diploma.

Land

Seaton Community in Central Pickering, 800 acres of employment lands fronting Highway 407 ETR, allowing for up to 30,000 new jobs.

Education

Public - 19 schools
Separate - 8 schools
Durham College
Ontario Tech University

Hospital
Ajax-Pickering Lakeridge Health Hospital
Jerry Coughlan Health and Wellness Centre

Cultural & Recreation

• Recreation Complex - 1/4 million sf facility
• Pickering Museum Village - 19th Century Living History Museum
• Full-service Library - 3 locations
• The Shops at Pickering City Centre with over 200 stores
• Community & Neighbourhood - parks, sports fields, conservation areas, Millennium Waterfront Park, concerts, hiking trails, marinas, yacht club, sailing & 2 beaches