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 than the Province of Ontario.

Population*
214,000

Labour Force
117,708

Participation Rate
68.71%

Unemployment Rate
6.62%

Source: Environics Analytics, 2020 Estimates, *Population source: Town of Oakville, 2021

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

20,090 (11.73%)

Business, finance and administration

21,643 (12.63%)

Sciences

12,187 (7.11%)

Health

7,016 (4.10%

Social science, education, government and religion

13,967 (8.15%)

Art, culture, recreation and sport

4,669 (2.73%)

Sales and service

23,991 (14.01%)

Trades, transport and operators

8,001 (4.67%)

Primary industries (natural resources, agriculture and related)

1,248 (0.73%)

Manufacturing and utilities

2,811 (1.64%)

Source: Environics Analytics, 2020 Estimates

Industry Data

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

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

342 (0.20%)

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

385 (0.23%)

Utilities

763 (0.45%)

Construction

5,487 (3.20%)

Manufacturing

9,105 (5.32%)

Wholesale trade

6,530 (3.81%)

Retail trade

12,721 (7.43%)

Transportation and warehousing

4,278 (2.50%)

Information and cultural industries

3,517 (2.05%)

Finance and insurance

11,832 (6.91%)

Real estate, rental and leasing

3,450 (2.01%)

Professional, scientific and technical services

14,750 (8.61%)

Management of companies and enterprises

544 (0.32%)

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

4,220 (2.46%)

Educational services

8,876 (5.18%)

Health care and social assistance

10,087 (5.89%)

Arts, entertainment and recreation

2,510 (1.47%)

Accommodation and food services

7,051 (4.12%)

Other services (except Public Administration)

3,931 (2.29%)

Public administration

4,787 (2.79%)

Source: Environics Analytics, 2020 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, June 2020. 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, 2020 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 2020 average household income is estimated at $192,562.04, with the provincial average at $111,866.84. Almost 65 per cent of Oakville households earn an annual income of more than $100,000.

$0 to $19,999

Oakville: 2.13%

Ontario: 4.36%

$20,000 to $39,999

Oakville: 9.90%

Ontario: 16.64%

$40,000 to $59,999

Oakville: 8.35%

Ontario: 13.53%

$60,000 to $79,999

Oakville: 7.96%

Ontario: 12.13%

$80,000 to $99,999

Oakville: 7.76%

Ontario: 10.71%

$100,000 to $124,999

Oakville: 9.09%

Ontario: 10.85%

$125,000 to $149,999

Oakville: 8.57%

Ontario: 8.54%

$150,000 to $199,999

Oakville: 12.90%

Ontario: 10.13%

$200,000 to $299,999

Oakville: 15.17%

Ontario: 7.89%

$300,000 Or Over

Oakville: 18.18%

Ontario: 5.23%

Source: Environics Analytics, 2020 Estimates, Current year $ (2020)

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

3.46%

High school certificate or equivalent

16.17%

Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma

3.22%

College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma

20.27%

University certificate or diploma below bachelor level

2.29%

Bachelor's degree

35.52%

University certificate, diploma or degree above bachelor level

19.06%

Source: Environics Analytics, 2020 Estimates

Languages

While English is the most common language, over 70,000 Oakville residents identify different languages as their mother tongue. The most common include Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish, Urdu and Portuguese.

Source: Environics Analytics, 2020 Estimates