Dorchesterin Thames Centre, Ontario
The population grew 6% between 2016 and 2021. The town, home to 15,475 people, lies in Ontario.
Is Dorchester a good place to live?
Safety is its strong suit (A+). Dorchester grades A− overall and ranks #90 of 858 in Ontario. It comes out better than 83% of Canadian towns. Jobs and pay hold up well (A). Housing is expensive (C). Few people walk, cycle or take the bus to work (C+). Its other grades sit near the middle: B for schools and B for health.
Rents here are the metro area's average, shared by every town and neighbourhood in it. Health is graded on the health region's survey figures and life expectancy, with the distance to hospital giving the town its own spread.
How Dorchester grades
Each subject compares Dorchester 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 TownRatings grades Canadian towns →
What makes Dorchester stand out
The 3 things Dorchester does most differently from other towns.
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Dorchester.
Dorchester’s Violent Crime Severity Index, 19, runs below Ontario’s towns and Canadian towns
Violence accounts for 3.8 recorded crimes per 1,000 residents a year. Thefts, break-ins and damage came to 13.7 per 1,000 residents a year, lower than both Ontario’s towns (30.5) and Canadian towns (31.2).
Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year
| 2023–2025 | Dorchester | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Severity Index | 19 | 76 | 86 |
| Property crime per 1,000 | 13.7 | 30.5 | 31.2 |
| Violent crime | 3.8 | 10.5 | 12 |
Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average
Households in Dorchester have higher incomes than those in 94% of Canadian towns
On average, the journey to work lasts 25 min.
How working residents got to work · census 2021
| Census 2021 | Dorchester | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip | 25 min | 29 min | 26 min |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · These are May 2021 figures, gathered while COVID-19 kept many people home or out of work.
Hazard risk in Dorchester is lower than in 90% of Canadian towns
Radon topped the guideline in 1.8% of tested homes, below Ontario’s towns (4%) and Canadian towns (6.6%) alike. NRCan expects $0.020 of shaking damage a year per $1,000 of buildings in Dorchester, near the typical $0.030. No flood study for Dorchester is on the national inventory.
Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³
| Hazards | Dorchester | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radon tests above the guideline | 1.8% | 4% | 6.6% |
| Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year | $0.020 | $0.043 | $0.030 |
NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory
Most households in Dorchester own their home: 88%, more than in Ontario’s towns or across Canadian towns
Owners put the median home at $670,000, about level with Ontario’s towns ($695,000) and above Canadian towns ($406,000). Just over one in ten households spent 30% or more of their income on shelter, below both Ontario’s towns (22%) and Canadian towns (18%).
What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census
| Census 2021 | Dorchester | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households spending 30%+ on shelter | 11% | 22% | 18% |
| Households owning their home | 88% | 76% | 74% |
| Rent as a share of income | 18% | 22% | 20% |
| Median home value, 2021 | $670,000 | $695,000 | $406,000 |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · These are 2021 census values, as owners judged them, set against household income in 2020. · Area behind the rent as a share of income and monthly rent for a two-bedroom figures: the London metro area
Around Dorchester, 52% of adults call their health very good or excellent
Residents have 13 km to cover to reach a hospital, above Ontario’s towns (3.3 km) and Canadian towns (3.7 km) alike. The region’s 2022/2024 life expectancy is 81.9, with women at 84.2 and men at 79.6. Pharmacies are closer at hand, 4.6 km away on average and 1.3 of them within 3 km of a typical home.
Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised
| Health | Dorchester | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic conditions (average share) | 18% | 17% | 17% |
| Very good or excellent health | 52% | 51% | 52% |
| Life expectancy at birth | 81.9 | 82.8 | 81.5 |
| Smokers | 11% | 10% | 12% |
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2022/2024; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities · Health survey and life expectancy: one figure for all of the Middlesex-London Health Unit
Schools in Dorchester: 3 boards, side by side
Within 3 km of Dorchester are 10 elementary schools and 2 secondary schools, teaching 4,865 students. Only 2 of the 12 are Catholic, against 34% in Ontario. Also worth knowing: the 11 with results split, 2 in the upper two fifths in Ontario and 5 in the lower.
| School | Level | Students | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| John P Robarts Public School Bottom fifth in OntarioLargest elementary schoolElementary · Grades JK–8 | Elementary · Grades JK–8 | 625 | English public |
| Lord Dorchester Secondary School Fourth fifth in OntarioLargest secondary schoolSecondary · Grades 9–12 | Secondary · Grades 9–12 | 605 | English public |
Schools by system · Schools within 3 km
| Schools within 3 km | Dorchester | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| School boards | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Nearest elementary school | 3.3 km | 0.5 km | 0.5 km |
| Nearest secondary school | 3.6 km | 1.2 km | 1.2 km |
Provincial school lists and results, 2024-25
Dorchester gets fewer frosts than three in four Canadian towns
Summer highs average 26.6°C in July, about level with Ontario’s towns (26.7°C) and above Canadian towns (25.5°C). Gardeners get 165 frost-free days, from 3 May to 16 October. In January, overnight lows in Dorchester settle at −9.1°C. Snow peaks in January: 43 cm in a normal year.
Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Normals, 1991–2020 | Dorchester | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| January night low | −9.1°C | −9.1°C | −13.5°C |
| July afternoon high | 26.6°C | 26.7°C | 25.5°C |
| Days with frost a year | 139 | 139 | 159 |
| Precipitation a year | 962 mm | 902 mm | 883 mm |
Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (London)
Expect November days around 8°C in Dorchester, nights around freezing
At the extremes, July afternoons reach 27°C and January nights −9°C. December follows at 1°C by day and −5°C by night. Precipitation in November averages 88 mm. November usually brings some 13 cm of snow.
Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Season | High | Low | Rain and snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | 0°C | −8°C | 221 mm |
| Spring | 12°C | 2°C | 245 mm |
| Summer | 26°C | 14°C | 233 mm |
| Autumn | 15°C | 5°C | 263 mm |
ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (London); the forecast is on the Weather page
Turnout in Dorchester reached 47% in 2022, higher than in 89% of Ontario’s municipalities
In the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Dorchester belongs to Elgin—Middlesex—London; who holds it as MPP (Member of Provincial Parliament, at Queen’s Park in Toronto) isn’t on an open record, so no one is named.
| Turnout | Dorchester | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal election, 2022 | 47% | 31% | 31% |
Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada
Dorchester has two public libraries, Middlesex County Library - Dorchester and Middlesex County Library - Thorndale
Its libraries report as part of a wider system, so there are no figures for Dorchester in particular.
Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada
Dorchester has 0.6% protected land within 10 km
A provincial park, Trillium Woods Provincial Park, lies 14 km away. The 10 km around town hold 17 protected areas. The nearest national park is more than 100 km away. 2 mapped walking routes pass within 2 km, among them the Thames Valley Trail and St. Marys Loop.
Protected land · of the land within 10 km
| Outdoors | Dorchester | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protected land within 10 km | 0.6% | 2.3% | 2.3% |
| Public protected areas within 10 km | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches
Fewer of Dorchester’s people belong to a visible minority than in Ontario’s towns or Canadian towns: 2.7%
17% are under 15, above both Ontario’s towns (15%) and Canadian towns (16%). People 65 and over make up nearly a fifth of the town.
Ages · Share of residents in each age group, Census 2021
Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over
Women and men · all residents
49.5% of Dorchester’s residents are women
Of the 2021 count, 6,925 were women and 7,055 men (women across Canada: 50.9%).
| Dorchester | Ontario | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 17% | 15% | 16% |
| 15 to 64 | 64% | 65% | 64% |
| 65+ | 19% | 19% | 19% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 15% | 15% | 16% |
| Postsecondary qualification | 56% | 56% | 56% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; Ontario and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+
Everything we know about Dorchester
Jet Aircraft Museum and 6 more in and around Dorchester
The best-known places to visit in and around Dorchester come first; the full list is on the Attractions page.
Theme parkFanshawe Pioneer Village600 m outside town, to the westMuseumMuseumSecrets of Radar Museum2 km outside town, to the westTheme parkTheme parkEast Park3.1 km outside town, to the southwestMuseumMuseumCanadian Baseball Hall of Fame2.4 km outside town, to the northwestMuseumMuseumSt. Marys Museum2.8 km outside town, to the northwestPhotos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (1)
- Fanshawe Pioneer Village: Joanne and Matt, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Famous people from Dorchester
4 notable people were born in Dorchester.
Photo credits
Boone Jenner: Hugh Lee from Edmonton Alberta, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0
About Dorchester
Town in Ontario
TownRatings follows Statistics Canada’s map: Dorchester is one municipality in Ontario, figures and all.
Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.
- Population
- 15,475 (people, 2025 estimate)
- Province or territory
- Ontario
- Census division
- Middlesex
- Metro area
- London
- Census subdivision
- 3539027
Dorchester’s neighbours
The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Statistics Canada
| Town | People | km | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorchester | 15,475 | — | A− | C | A+ | B |
| Argyle | 28,109 | 8.5 | C | D | C+ | B+ |
| Jackson | 8,124 | 11 | B− | C | C+ | B+ |
| Hamilton Road | 15,283 | 11 | C+ | D | C+ | A− |
| Huron Heights | 20,890 | 12 | C+ | D− | C+ | B+ |
| East London | 10,972 | 12 | C | D− | C+ | A− |
| Glen Cairn | 16,119 | 13 | C | D | C+ | A− |
People: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. Distances: centre to centre.
Questions about Dorchester
Who are the people of Dorchester?
3% of residents belong to a visible minority, against 15% for the median of Canadian towns; 1% have an Indigenous identity and 9% are immigrants.
What kind of homes are in Dorchester?
Mostly 89% single-detached houses (the median of Canadian towns: 64%), with 0% of homes in buildings of five or more storeys. Households hold 2.7 people on average, and 18% have just one.
Has Dorchester grown?
It added people: 13,191 in 2016, 13,980 in 2021, 6% more, where the middle of Canadian towns grew 4.1%. Statistics Canada’s 2025 estimate is 15,475.
Is Dorchester a young town or an old one?
The median resident is 45.2 years old, against 45.2 for the median of Canadian towns. 17% are under 15 and 19% are 65 or over.
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).