Aerial Photograph of Ajax Waterfront - Discover The Town Of Ajax (0m50s)

AjaxOntario

With 141,111 residents, it is a town in Ontario. It belongs to the Toronto metropolitan area.

6 places within 19 kmMap →

Photo: The Town of Ajax · CC BY 3.0

Population

141,111

people, 2025 estimate

Median age

38.4

years · Ontario’s towns: 46.8

Postsecondary

58%

of residents 15 and over hold a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree · Canadian towns: 56%

Walk, cycle, transit

11%

walk, cycle or take transit to work · Canadian towns: 8%

TownGrade

B⁺

#792 of 2,556

Is Ajax a good place to live?

Much to like here, and you pay for it. Overall, Ajax earns a B+: better than 67% of Canadian towns, and #273 of 858 in Ontario. Fewer journeys need a car (A). Prices are high against local incomes (D).

Rents here are the metro area's average, shared by every town and neighbourhood in it. Safety is the regional police service's figure, shared with its other towns. Health is graded on the health region's survey figures and life expectancy, with the distance to hospital giving the town its own spread.

StrongestAWalkability AHazard risk A⁻SchoolsWeakestDCost of living

What makes Ajax stand out

The 3 things Ajax does most differently from other towns.

Picked automatically from the data

Immigrants

Who lives here

42% are immigrants

Canadian towns centre on 6%

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

Median household income, 2020

Income

$119,000 median household income

Before tax, against $81,000 for the median of Canadian towns

Statistics Canada, Census 2021: household income in 2020.

Home value ÷ household income

Housing

7.2 times household income

The middle of Canadian towns: 4.7 times

Median owner’s estimate $850,000, Census 2021; income for 2020.

How Ajax grades

Each subject compares Ajax with Canadian towns of 2,500 or more, ordered by how far it is from the middle. Towns in other countries are graded separately.

How grading works

WalkabilityAmong the best of the towns comparedAOpen →Cost of livingBased on what homes cost against what households earnDOpen →Hazard riskNatural hazards pose little risk hereAOpen →SchoolsBased on how pupils do in exams and testsA⁻Open →SafetyBased on crimes reported per residentA⁻Open →Jobs & incomeIncomes and work trail most townsCOpen →HealthAhead of most towns comparedBOpen →

How TownRatings grades Canadian towns →

The data

Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Ajax.

HousingCost of living D

Measured against local pay, Ajax costs more to live in than 88% of Canadian towns

The rent as a share of income and monthly rent for a two-bedroom numbers here cover the Toronto metro area

84% of households own their home. Shelter took 30% or more of income for a quarter of households, higher than both Ontario’s towns (22%) and Canadian towns (18%).

$850,000median home value, 2021DCost of living Grade

What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census

Ajax$850,000

Ontario$695,000

Canadian towns$406,000

Census 2021	Ajax	Ontario	Canada
Households spending 30%+ on shelter	25%	22%	18%
Households owning their home	84%	76%	74%

$2,045

monthly rent for a two-bedroom

$2,140

median monthly shelter cost for owners, 2021

Full pageAjax’s cost of living pageOpen the full Cost of living page

Cost of living7.2 times household income · The median owner’s estimate, $850,000, against the median household income Renting$2,045 a month · A two-bedroom apartment, CMHC’s survey Owners and renters84% own their home

Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · The 2021 census asked owners what their home was worth; those values, and 2020 incomes, are what this compares.

Natural hazardsHazard risk A

Few places are as safe from hazards as Ajax: it beats 85% of Canadian towns

For earthquakes Ajax is middling, $0.042 a year per $1,000 against $0.030 for the typical town. Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority has mapped the flood hazard here, one of 4 studies on the national inventory.

Lowwildfire bandAHazard risk Grade

Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³

Ajax0%

Ontario’s towns4%

Canadian towns6.6%

Hazards	Ajax	Ontario	Canada
Radon tests above the guideline	0%	4%	6.6%
Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year	$0.042	$0.043	$0.030

Low

wildfire band

6.7 km

to the nearest land burned since 1986

flood studies on the national inventory

Full pageAjax’s flood & hazards pageOpen the full Flood & hazards page

WildfireLow wildfire band · No land burned within 25 km since 1986 Flood4 flood studies on record Earthquakes$0.042 a year per $1,000 · Canadian towns: $0.030 Radon0% of tests above the guideline Be readyAlerts, FireSmart and radon tests

NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory

SchoolsSchools A⁻

Ajax’s schools belong to 4 boards that cover the same streets

The largest is J Clarke Richardson Collegiate Institute, with 2,010 students. The 60 with results split, 23 in the upper two fifths in Ontario and 19 in the lower. Within 3 km of Ajax are 58 elementary schools and 9 secondary schools, teaching 35,990 students.

67schools within 3 kmA⁻Schools Grade

School	Level	Students	System
Viola Desmond Public School Fourth fifth in OntarioLargest elementary schoolElementary · Grades JK–8	Elementary · Grades JK–8	880	English public
J Clarke Richardson Collegiate Institute Middle fifth in OntarioLargest secondary schoolSecondary · Grades 9–12	Secondary · Grades 9–12	2,010	English public
ÉÉC Notre-Dame-de-la-Jeunesse-Ajax FrenchTeaches in FrenchElementary · Grades JK–6	Elementary · Grades JK–6	220	French Catholic
Donald A Wilson Secondary School Top fifth in OntarioResults in the top fifth in OntarioSecondary · Grades 9–12	Secondary · Grades 9–12	1,275	English public

See all 67 schools →

Schools by system · Schools within 3 km

English public44

English Catholic19

French public3

French Catholic1

Schools within 3 km	Ajax	Ontario	Canada
School boards	4	4	3

35,990

students at the schools within 3 km, 2024-25

1 km

to the nearest secondary school

Full pageAjax’s schools pageOpen the full Schools page

The boards4 school boards · Durham DSB Every school67 schools within 3 km · 58 elementary schools and 9 secondary schools Results23 of 60 in the top two fifths · of the schools with results, placed against every school in Ontario Language4 of 67 teach in French · 10% of schools in Ontario Questions“What schools are there in Ajax?”

Provincial school lists and results, 2024-25

SafetySafety A⁻

Ajax gets an A− for safety

Area-wide: Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000, counted over the Durham Region (Oshawa/Whitby/Ajax) service area

Across the area its police cover, the Crime Severity Index averaged 46 over 2023–25, below Ontario’s towns (56) and Canadian towns (67) alike. Thefts, break-ins and damage add up to 20.4 per 1,000 residents a year where it is policed. Violent crime in the area its police cover: 7.9 per 1,000 people a year.

46Crime Severity Index

Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year

202347

202447

202543

2023–2025	Ajax	Ontario	Canada
Property crime per 1,000	20.4	30.5	31.2
Crime Severity Index	46	56	67
Violent crime	7.9	10.5	12
Violent Crime Severity Index	61	76	86

non-violent Crime Severity Index

42%

of incidents cleared, 2023–25

Full pageAjax’s safety reportOpen the full Safety report

Safety46 Crime Severity Index · The index weighs each crime Ajax’s police recorded by how serious it is.Questions“Is Ajax safe?”

Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average

Work & commuteJobs & income C

Commuters in Ajax travel further than in Ontario’s towns or Canadian towns, 35 min on average

87% of commuters drove to work at the census.

11%walk, cycle or take transit

How working residents got to work · census 2021

Car or van87%

Public transit8%

Walk3%

Bicycle0%

Census 2021	Ajax	Ontario	Canada
Average trip	35 min	29 min	26 min
Car or van	87%	88%	89%

$119,000

median household income, 2020

33%

worked from home, May 2021

27%

of commuters work inside the municipality

Full pageAjax’s work & commute pageOpen the full Work & commute page

Unemployment13% unemployed · Of the labour force · Canadian towns: 9.9%Getting to work11% walk, cycle or take transit Where people commute to12,090 commuters · The biggest flow out: to Toronto

Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · The 2021 census was taken in May 2021, during COVID-19 restrictions: more people than usual worked from home or were off work.

HealthHealth B

Very good or excellent health for 50% of adults in Ajax’s health region

People in the region live to 82.6 on average: 84.7 for women and 80.5 for men in 2022/2024. The town’s own part is the trip to care: residents of Ajax live 3.2 km from a hospital on average, close to the typical town’s 3.7 km. For everyday care, the nearest pharmacy is 0.9 km away on average (7.6 within 3 km). For health survey and life expectancy, the only official count covers all of the Durham Regional Health Unit, Ajax included.

50%very good or excellent healthBHealth Grade

Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised

Ajax50%

Ontario’s towns51%

Canadian towns52%

Health	Ajax	Ontario	Canada
Chronic conditions (average share)	19%	17%	17%
Very good or excellent health	50%	51%	52%
Life expectancy at birth	82.6	82.8	81.5
Smokers	11%	10%	12%

82.6

years of life expectancy, 2022/2024

11%

of adults smoke, age-standardised

0.9 km

from homes to a pharmacy, on average

Full pageAjax’s health pageOpen the full Health page

Health survey50% very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised Getting care3.2 km to a hospital · A pharmacy 0.9 km away on average The wider areaLife expectancy: women 84.7, men 80.5 Conditions and habits19% with chronic conditions · adults, age-standardised

Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2022/2024; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities

Who lives here

More of Ajax belongs to a visible minority than Ontario’s towns or Canadian towns: 65%

Children under 15 make up nearly a fifth of residents. People 65 and over make up 13% of the town, below Ontario’s towns (19%) and Canadian towns (19%) alike.

38.4median age

AjaxOntarioCanada

OntarioCanada

Ages · Share of residents in each age group, Census 2021

19%

Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over

No certificate, diploma or degree14%

Postsecondary qualification58%

Women and men · all residents

Women make up 51.3% of Ajax

In 2021 there were 65,020 women to 61,645 men; Canada as a whole is 50.9% women.

Who lives in Ajax
	Ajax	Ontario	Canada
Under 15	19%	15%	16%
15 to 64	68%	65%	64%
65+	13%	19%	19%
No certificate, diploma or degree	14%	15%	16%
Postsecondary qualification	58%	56%	56%

Full pageAjax’s Who lives here pageOpen the full Who lives here page

Immigrants42% are immigrants · 65% belong to a visible minority Ages38.4 median age · 13% are 65 or over Households39,490 households · 3.2 people per household English and French8% speak both · 0.1% speak French but not English

Statistics Canada, Census 2021; Ontario and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+

Climate

Frost comes to Ajax less often than to 84% of Canadian towns

Winter lows average −8.9°C in January, near Ontario’s towns (−9.1°C) and higher than Canadian towns (−13.5°C). The frost-free season runs from 30 April to 15 October, 167 days. Snow peaks in January: 34 cm in a normal year. June is the wettest month, with 94 mm of rain and snow on average.

25.7°CJuly afternoons

Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

Winter0.3°C

Spring10.9°C

Summer24.4°C

Autumn14.0°C

Normals, 1991–2020	Ajax	Ontario	Canada
Snowfall a year	102 cm	146 cm	141 cm
Days with frost a year	130	139	159
January night low	−8.9°C	−9.1°C	−13.5°C
July afternoon high	25.7°C	26.7°C	25.5°C

102 cm

of snow a year

130

days with frost a year

167

frost-free days, 30 Apr to 15 Oct

115

days with precipitation a year

Full pageAjax’s climate pageOpen the full Climate page

The yearJuly highs 25.7°C, January lows −8.9°C Rain and snow906 mm a year · Canadian towns: 883 mm Snow102 cm of snow a year Weather station14 km to the station · Oshawa

Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Oshawa)

Outdoors

Within 6.9 km of Ajax: Rouge National Urban Park

One mapped walking route passes within 2 km: the Seaton Hiking Trail. The nearest provincial park, Darlington Provincial Park, is 15 km away. Count 31 protected areas within 10 km of town. Parks and reserves take up 4.9% of the ground within 10 km, higher than both Ontario’s towns (2.3%) and Canadian towns (2.3%).

4.9%of the land within 10 km protected

Protected land · of the land within 10 km

Ajax4.9%

Ontario’s towns2.3%

Canadian towns2.3%

Outdoors	Ajax	Ontario	Canada
Public protected areas within 10 km	15	4	4
Protected land within 10 km	4.9%	2.3%	2.3%

6.9 km

to Rouge National Urban Park

15 km

to Darlington Provincial Park

beaches within 5 km

public protected areas within 10 km

Full pageAjax’s outdoors pageOpen the full Outdoors page

Protected landof the land within 10 km Protected areas31 protected areas within 10 km · Rouge National Urban Park National & provincial parks6.9 km to a national park · Rouge National Urban Park Footpaths & routes1 named route · Seaton Hiking Trail

Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches

Weather

Ajax in November: highs near 8°C, lows near freezing

A normal December brings highs of 2°C, lows of −5°C. Expect about 73 mm of rain and snow over November. July brings the warmest days, 26°C; January the coldest nights, −9°C. The forecast on the Weather page is ECCC’s for Pickering.

8°Ca normal November afternoon

Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

November8°C

December2°C

January−1°C

February0°C

Season	High	Low	Rain and snow
Winter	0°C	−7°C	196 mm
Spring	11°C	2°C	226 mm
Summer	24°C	15°C	254 mm
Autumn	14°C	6°C	231 mm

0°C

a normal November night

73 mm

of rain and snow in a normal November

Full pageAjax’s weather pageOpen the full Weather page

Next 24 hoursTemperature and chance of rain, hour by hour The week aheadECCC’s days ahead, beside the normals The yearWarmest July, coldest January

ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Oshawa); the forecast is on the Weather page

Town hall

Ajax has one council seat for every 20,160 residents, more than 96% of municipalities in Ontario

The federal seat carries the town’s name: Ajax is its own riding (a federal electoral district, which elects one MP), held by Jennifer McKelvie of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Turnout	Ajax	Ontario	Canada
Municipal election, 2022	22%	31%	31%

Full pageAjax’s town hall & politics pageOpen the full Town hall & politics page

council seats7

Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada

Library & civic lifeCivic life grade C⁺

Ajax Public Library draws 6.4 visits per person served, ahead of 93% of Ontario’s town libraries

Ajax Public Library has 4 branches for the 126,666 people it serves.

Full pageAjax’s library & civic life pageOpen the full Library & civic life page

Places to belong0.9 charities per 1,000 residents

Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada

Nearby attractions

Station Gallery and 3 more in and around Ajax

A first look at Ajax’s museums, historic sites and days out, and a few just outside town.

All attractions →

MuseumMuseumStation Gallery3.3 km outside town, to the east MuseumMuseumPickering Museum Village1.9 km outside town, to the northwest Art galleryArt galleryThe Travelling Stage3.7 km outside town, to the northeast GardenGardenXeriscape Garden3.5 km outside town, to the southwest

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Ajax

15pages on Ajax

The big questions

SafetyA⁻Crime Severity Index 46 Housing & costDHomes 7.2 × income Property pricesSchoolsA⁻67 schools within 3 km HealthBLife expectancy 82.6 in its region Work & commuteC58% of adults in work Natural hazardsAWildfire band: low

Out and about

Outdoors4.9% of the land within 10 km protected AttractionsClimateJuly afternoons around 26°C WeatherECCC’s forecast, beside the normals

The story

Who lives hereMedian age 38.4 HistoryTown hallFamous people

Famous people from Ajax

44 notable people were born in Ajax.

See all 44 →

Nichelle PrinceCanadian soccer player · born 1995

Corey SevierCanadian actor · born 1984

Steve JoczCanadian drummer · born 1981

Munro ChambersCanadian actor · born 1990

Tara WatchornIce hockey player · born 1990

Mike KostkaCanadian ice hockey player · born 1985

Photo credits

Nichelle Prince: Hameltion, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Corey Sevier: Canadian Film Centre / Mark Sullivan, CC BY 2.0 · Steve Jocz: Jonas MF from Arrecife, Canarias, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Munro Chambers: Vervegirl Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Tara Watchorn: _becaro_, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Mike Kostka: Michael Miller, CC BY-SA 3.0

Ajax’s neighbours

The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Statistics Canada

PickeringWhitbyWest RougeCentennial ScarboroughHighland CreekOshawaAjax

How the neighbours grade

Town	People	km	Overall	Cost	Safety	Health
Ajax	141,111	—	B⁺	D	A⁻	B
Pickering	118,378	6.6	B⁺	D	A⁻	B
Whitby	162,413	8.5	B⁺	C	A⁻	B
West Rouge	20,915	12	B	D	A⁻	A⁻
Centennial Scarborough	13,453	13	A⁻	C⁻	A	A⁻
Highland Creek	12,678	14	B	D	B⁺	A
Oshawa	213,592	15	B⁻	D⁻	A⁻	B⁺

People: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. Distances: centre to centre.

Questions about Ajax

Has Ajax grown?

It added people: 119,677 in 2016, 126,666 in 2021, 5.8% more, where the middle of Canadian towns grew 4.1%. Statistics Canada’s 2025 estimate is 141,111.

How old are the people of Ajax?

Its median age is 38.4, where Canadian towns sit at 45.2.

What kind of homes are in Ajax?

Single-detached houses make up 65% of the homes here, where Canadian towns sit at 64%; 7% are in high-rise apartments. 14% of households are one person, and the average is 3.2.

About Ajax

Town in Ontario

Statistics Canada treats Ajax as a single census subdivision in Ontario, and TownRatings keeps to that line.

Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.

Population: 141,111 (people, 2025 estimate)
Province or territory: Ontario
Census division: Durham
Metro area: Toronto
Census subdivision: 3518005

Sources: Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2021 · population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155) and 2021 census boundaries · Uniform Crime Reporting Survey 2023–25 (35-10-0026, 35-10-0183 to 35-10-0190) · CMHC rents as published by Statistics Canada (34-10-0133) · grades by TownRatings. Under the Statistics Canada Open Licence.

Adapted from Statistics Canada (Census of Population 2021, population estimates 2025, 2021 census boundaries) under the Statistics Canada Open Licence; this does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada. Neighbourhood names in some cities © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).