Labour Force

Explore the latest labour force, demographic, business, and industry data to learn more about Oakville’s economy.

Labour Force Activity

Oakville has higher rates of participation and employment and a lower unemployment rate than the Province of Ontario.

Population*
211,000

Labour Force
109,920

Participation Rate
63.87%

Unemployment Rate
6.37%

Source: Environics Analytics, 2019 Estimates, *Population source: Town of Oakville

Occupation Data

Oakville has a high percentage of residents with occupations in management; business, finance and administration; and sciences. Occupations highlighted in green are of a higher percentage in Oakville than the Province of Ontario.

Management

10.97%

Business, finance and administration

11.77%

Sciences

6.48%

Health

3.78%

Social science, education, government and religion

7.50%

Art, culture, recreation and sport

2.53%

Sales and service

13.11%

Trades, transport and operators

4.35%

Primary industries (natural resources, agriculture and related)

0.68%

Manufacturing and utilities

1.54%

Source: Environics Analytics, 2019 Estimates

Industry Data

Oakville has a high percentage of residents working in the industries of professional, scientific, and technical services, finance and insurance. Industry categories highlighted in green are of a higher percentage in Oakville than in the Province of Ontario.

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

0.29%

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

0.33%

Utilities

0.66%

Construction

4.95%

Manufacturing

7.85%

Wholesale trade

5.68%

Retail trade

11.00%

Transportation and warehousing

3.66%

Information and cultural industries

3.10%

Finance and insurance

10.24%

Real estate, rental and leasing

2.96%

Professional, scientific and technical services

12.89%

Management of companies and enterprises

0.50%

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

3.67%

Educational services

7.71%

Health care and social assistance

8.90%

Arts, entertainment and recreation

2.16%

Accommodation and food services

5.99%

Other services (except Public Administration)

3.46%

Public administration

4.00%

Source: Environics Analytics, 2019 Estimate

Businesses by # of Employees

Small businesses are an important part of Oakville’s economy, with 64 per cent of local businesses having between one and four employees.

Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Business Patterns, July 2019. Establishments with at least one employee.

Demographics

Population

Oakville is a family-oriented community, which is reflected in our population data. Oakville has a higher percentage of residents aged 5 to 24, and 40 to 59 than the Province of Ontario.

Source: Environics Analytics, 2019 Estimates

Household Income

Oakville is an affluent community, with higher than average household incomes when compared to the Province of Ontario, as highlighted in green below.

Oakville's 2019 average household income is estimated at $188,997.05, with the provincial average at $109,660.18. Almost 60 per cent of Oakville households earn an annual income of more than $100,000.

$0 to $19,999

Oakville: 4.86%

Ontario: 7.36%

$20,000 to $39,999

Oakville: 9.25%

Ontario: 15.14%

$40,000 to $59,999

Oakville: 9.34%

Ontario: 14.11%

$60,000 to $79,999

Oakville: 8.99%

Ontario: 12.84%

$80,000 to $99,999

Oakville: 8.68%

Ontario: 11.17%

$100,000 to $124,999

Oakville: 9.78%

Ontario: 10.98%

$125,000 to $149,999

Oakville: 8.58%

Ontario: 8.23%

$150,000 to $199,999

Oakville: 13.32%

Ontario: 9.60%

$200,000 to $299,999

Oakville: 13.70%

Ontario: 6.70%

$300,000 Or Over

Oakville: 13.51%

Ontario: 3.88%

Source: Environics Analytics, 2019 Estimates, Current year $ (2019)

Educational Attainment

A significant amount of Oakville’s population is highly educated, with an outstanding 80 per cent of residents aged 25 to 64 having attained a post-secondary education. Education levels highlighted in green are higher than provincial averages.

No certificate, diploma or degree

3.67%

High school certificate or equivalent

16.20%

Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma

3.28%

College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma

20.16%

University certificate or diploma below bachelor level

2.46%

Bachelor's degree

34.98%

University certificate, diploma or degree above bachelor level

19.25%

Source: Environics Analytics, 2019 Estimates

Languages

While English is the most common language, over 65,000 Oakville residents identify different languages as their mother tongue. The most common include Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish, Urdu, Portuguese, and Polish.

Source: Environics Analytics, 2019 Estimates