Photo: Laslovarga · CC BY-SA 3.0Hamilton has a smaller share of its working-age people in jobs than 76% of Canadian towns
Joblessness at the 2021 census: 12% of Hamilton’s labour force; the middle of Canadian towns is 9.9%. The average trip to work from Hamilton is 28.3 minutes; 8.5% of commuters spend an hour or more getting there. Before tax, the typical household in Hamilton brought in $85,600 in 2020, next to $85,900 for the middle of Canadian towns.
Work in Hamilton, in a few figures
Fewer people in work than most towns
68% of people aged 15 to 64 had a job at the 2021 census, against 73% in the middle of Canadian towns; counting everyone 15 and over, retirees included, it was 54%. In work ↓
Unemployment near the middle
Census day in 2021 put 12% out of work (9.9% in the middle of Canadian towns), and the area’s monthly survey gave 7.6% in October 2026. Unemployment ↓
Written from the data on this page: Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census, its commuting tables, Employment Insurance and the Labour Force Survey.
The measures behind a Jobs & income Grade for Hamilton
Employment of 15-to-64s, median household income, unemployment and the average commute: those four census figures, set against Canadian towns of 2,500 people or more, will make the grade.
68% of working-age people in Hamilton have jobs
Of the 106 other places of 2,500 people or more in the Hamilton census division, 55 have a smaller share of 15-to-64s in work.
By October 2026, the Labour Force Survey had 61% of the wider area’s adults in work. Add those looking for a job to those with one, and 62% of residents 15 and over were in the labour force. Counting retirees, 54% of everyone aged 15 and over was working. May 2021, when the census was taken, was a pandemic spring; unemployment has come down since, as the Labour Force Survey records.
Statistics Canada, 2021 Census: people in work of any age over residents aged 15 to 64, and the census unemployment rate (15 and over); the 25-to-54 rate is Statistics Canada’s own (98-10-0485). The Labour Force Survey and business counts are context, not grade inputs.
Hamilton is quieter on a working day than at night
70% of residents who commute work inside the municipality, the same as in the middle of Canadian towns.
People with no fixed workplace are in neither count.
30% of Hamilton’s residents in work leave it to work; Burlington takes the most
- Burlington5,265
- Caledonia4,400
- Brantford3,200
- Grimsby2,475
- St. Catharines2,105
- Smithville1,580
- Oakville1,405
- Mississauga1,370
- Beamsville1,310
- Toronto1,175
- Burlington17,420
- Oakville5,625
- Mississauga5,065
- Toronto4,295
- Brantford2,380
- Milton1,730
- Cambridge1,400
- Brampton1,085
- Caledonia1,000
- Guelph920
Coming the other way, Burlington sends the most (5,265).
Statistics Canada, 2021 Census (98-10-0459): commuting flows between municipalities (census subdivisions), rounded to 5; linked names have their own pages.
How Hamilton’s household incomes compare
Before tax, 2020: lower than in 51% of Canadian towns.
Of the 106 other places of 2,500 or more in the Hamilton census division, 60 have a higher median. Against the middle of Ontario’s towns ($91,600), Hamilton’s median is 7% below. CERB and the other emergency payments of 2020 are counted in these incomes, which lifted the lower ones that year.
Statistics Canada, 2021 Census: median total income of households in 2020, before tax (a neighbourhood’s estimated from its dissemination areas’ income groups).
Household incomes across Hamilton: $47K to $148K
Median household income in each of Hamilton’s 106 neighbourhoods: the highest is 3.1 times the lowest. The share of 15-to-64s in work runs from 49% in Beasley to 83% in Freelton.
| Neighbourhood | People | Household income | In work, 15–64 | Average trip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheldon | 25,488 | $103,900 | 70% | 27.4 min |
| Waterdown | 23,858 | $135,500 | 79% | 29.6 min |
| Binbrook | 22,497 | $120,500 | 74% | 32.2 min |
| Durand | 13,338 | $49,000 | 65% | 29.1 min |
| Lynden | 10,442 | $113,900 | 81% | 27.9 min |
| Vincent | 10,011 | $87,000 | 66% | 30.5 min |
| Sulphur Springs | 9,404 | $146,000 | 79% | 25.7 min |
| Strathcona | 9,348 | $62,800 | 68% | 27.3 min |
| Corktown | 8,952 | $51,900 | 63% | 30.3 min |
| Mountview | 7,752 | $91,100 | 69% | 26.2 min |
| Landsdale | 7,681 | $56,700 | 58% | 29.9 min |
| Fruitland | 7,653 | $112,900 | 70% | 30.3 min |
| Gibson | 7,581 | $55,400 | 50% | 30.4 min |
| Colborne | 7,447 | $121,000 | 77% | 27.3 min |
| Carlisle | 7,161 | $148,000 | 77% | 31.1 min |
| Raleigh | 7,113 | $73,800 | 66% | 26.6 min |
| Riverdale West | 6,804 | $58,400 | 54% | 26.5 min |
| Industrial | 6,690 | $120,800 | 76% | 28.2 min |
| Barnstown | 6,603 | $119,000 | 63% | 26.2 min |
| Stipeley | 6,572 | $67,600 | 63% | 31.7 min |
| Corman | 6,566 | $69,700 | 64% | 26.3 min |
| Battlefield | 6,531 | $62,300 | 69% | 27.1 min |
| Valley Park | 6,394 | $117,900 | 73% | 28.3 min |
| Mcquesten West | 6,349 | $58,100 | 57% | 28.6 min |
| Beasley | 6,338 | $47,400 | 49% | 29.7 min |
| Turnball | 6,312 | $126,400 | 77% | 27.7 min |
| Highland | 6,306 | $123,800 | 69% | 26.4 min |
| Delta East | 6,186 | $96,500 | 73% | 27.8 min |
| Crown Point West | 6,132 | $71,600 | 64% | 28.5 min |
| Central Business Dis | 6,127 | $65,300 | 64% | 27.2 min |
| Rolston | 6,124 | $78,400 | 61% | 26.8 min |
| Lawfield | 6,021 | $78,100 | 64% | 26.8 min |
| Homeside | 6,011 | $72,700 | 63% | 27.8 min |
| Kirkendall North | 5,864 | $78,600 | 74% | 27.4 min |
| Lampman | 5,663 | $128,700 | 65% | 30.2 min |
| Garner | 5,456 | $139,800 | 75% | 25.4 min |
| Gourley | 5,271 | $117,100 | 67% | 24.8 min |
| Crown Point East | 5,215 | $67,600 | 62% | 29.5 min |
| Rushdale | 5,154 | $116,500 | 67% | 27 min |
| Huntington | 5,024 | $82,300 | 64% | 27.1 min |
| Falkirk East | 4,961 | $123,200 | 74% | 26.9 min |
| Westdale South | 4,931 | $72,500 | 62% | 25.8 min |
| York Road | 4,931 | $108,600 | 80% | 25.9 min |
| North End East | 4,816 | $73,300 | 62% | 29.8 min |
| Horning | 4,587 | $120,600 | 75% | 27.8 min |
| Albion | 4,585 | $103,400 | 70% | 29.5 min |
| Gurnett | 4,582 | $108,200 | 69% | 28.5 min |
| Red Hill | 4,540 | $76,700 | 65% | 27.4 min |
| Felker | 4,534 | $119,600 | 70% | 30.2 min |
| Eastmount | 4,496 | $77,900 | 65% | 26.9 min |
| Highway Valley | 4,469 | $109,900 | 64% | 28.3 min |
| Bartonville | 4,311 | $71,300 | 66% | 26.9 min |
| Bruleville | 4,310 | $71,300 | 62% | 26.6 min |
| Templemead | 4,188 | $105,700 | 68% | 26.8 min |
| Spring Valley | 4,175 | $141,700 | 79% | 25.3 min |
| Balfour | 4,171 | $80,400 | 66% | 27.5 min |
| Inch Park | 4,065 | $88,800 | 75% | 27.9 min |
| Centremount | 4,053 | $82,500 | 71% | 28.8 min |
| Oakes | 4,048 | $142,900 | 67% | 28.5 min |
| Kentley | 4,007 | $54,200 | 61% | 27 min |
| Stinson | 3,969 | $55,000 | 60% | 30.9 min |
| Lisgar | 3,945 | $86,700 | 68% | 27.1 min |
| Ainslie Wood West | 3,917 | $56,900 | 70% | 28.8 min |
| Stoney Creek | 3,828 | $63,400 | 69% | 26.3 min |
| Guernsey | 3,808 | $107,900 | 66% | 28 min |
| Eleanor | 3,805 | $118,600 | 66% | 27 min |
| Berrisfield | 3,773 | $86,200 | 67% | 27.1 min |
| Golf Course | 3,741 | $128,600 | 75% | 25.3 min |
| Industrial Sector A and Keith | 3,723 | $68,300 | 59% | 28 min |
| Central | 3,698 | $56,300 | 61% | 27.4 min |
| Fifty Point | 3,690 | $139,200 | 75% | 31.7 min |
| Parkview West | 3,686 | $89,200 | 64% | 28.1 min |
| Quinndale | 3,621 | $87,000 | 67% | 24.6 min |
| Burkholme | 3,580 | $75,700 | 69% | 25.9 min |
| Fessenden | 3,551 | $87,800 | 70% | 26.3 min |
| Hampton Heights | 3,498 | $71,800 | 62% | 28.1 min |
| Glenview West | 3,431 | $77,200 | 72% | 27 min |
| Riverdale East | 3,416 | $86,900 | 71% | 25.7 min |
| Greeningdon | 3,296 | $68,800 | 57% | 29.5 min |
| Hill Park | 3,262 | $78,800 | 63% | 28.8 min |
| Normanhurst | 3,260 | $77,800 | 71% | 28.2 min |
| St. Clair | 3,201 | $68,000 | 67% | 32 min |
| Gilbert | 3,181 | $88,100 | 60% | 26.3 min |
| Blakeley | 3,151 | $55,700 | 58% | 29.3 min |
| Lakeshore | 3,127 | $79,800 | 77% | 29.9 min |
| Ainslie Wood East | 3,112 | $58,300 | 60% | 31.8 min |
| Rosedale | 3,070 | $96,600 | 73% | 26 min |
| Kirkendall South | 3,033 | $139,400 | 75% | 24.4 min |
| Poplar Park | 3,031 | $100,000 | 70% | 26.2 min |
| Buchanan | 3,006 | $107,300 | 68% | 26.2 min |
| Trillium | 2,967 | $116,700 | 74% | 29.1 min |
| Gilkson | 2,963 | $95,600 | 71% | 27.9 min |
| Carpenter | 2,941 | $121,600 | 63% | 27 min |
| Butler | 2,922 | $97,700 | 66% | 25.9 min |
| Shaver | 2,882 | $123,400 | 73% | 28 min |
| Crerar | 2,877 | $92,500 | 67% | 31 min |
| Leeming | 2,849 | $142,300 | 79% | 26.1 min |
| Westcliffe East | 2,832 | $108,700 | 75% | 24.8 min |
| Jerome | 2,820 | $114,100 | 63% | 23.6 min |
| Marritt | 2,759 | $135,700 | 74% | 27.3 min |
| Freelton | 2,724 | $129,200 | 83% | 27.4 min |
| Trinity | 2,708 | $115,000 | 77% | 29.4 min |
| Eastdale | 2,703 | $95,300 | 74% | 24.9 min |
| Westmeria | 2,646 | $113,400 | 79% | 27 min |
| Macassa | 2,584 | $72,100 | 75% | 28.7 min |
| Sherwood | 2,567 | $82,700 | 68% | 26 min |
Statistics Canada, 2021 Census: each neighbourhood summed from its dissemination areas; incomes are 2020’s.
13% of commuters from Hamilton go without a car
25% of everyone in work worked at home on census day, against 21% in the middle of Canadian towns. Transit takes 7.4% of commuters, above the 3.5% in the middle of Canadian towns. Fewer drive than in the middle of Ontario’s towns: 85% against 88%.
Statistics Canada, 2021 Census: main mode of commuting; average durations by mode from table 98-10-0458 (whole municipalities only).
The length of the trip to work in Hamilton
Trips under 15 minutes: 25%, fewer than the 31% in the middle of Ontario’s towns. Timed exactly, the average is 25.3 minutes (Statistics Canada).
Statistics Canada, 2021 Census: commuting duration in five bands; our average uses each band’s middle (75 minutes for an hour or more), so it runs about two minutes above Statistics Canada’s own.
38% more people are on EI in the Hamilton census division than in 2019
For each 100 residents of working age in the division, about 4.1 are on EI. Compared with a year earlier, the count in August 2026 rose by 1%. The highest month was January 2021: 30,560 people, 3.3 times the 2019 level.
Statistics Canada, Employment Insurance beneficiaries by census division (14-10-0323): all income benefits, not seasonally adjusted. EI counts are context, not part of any grade.
People receiving Employment Insurance each month, as a share of the 2019 average (100). Figures for EI beneficiaries are published for the Hamilton census division as a whole, not for Hamilton alone.
Neighbouring places to Hamilton, compared
| Place | In work, 15–64 | Unemployment | Household income | Average trip | Jobs | Walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | 68% | 12% | $86K | 28.3 min | — | — |
| Inch Park 0.4 km | 75% | 11% | $89K | 27.9 min | B− | A+ |
| Eastmount 0.6 km | 65% | 14% | $78K | 26.9 min | C− | A+ |
| Hill Park 1 km | 63% | 11% | $79K | 28.8 min | D | A+ |
| Burkholme 1.1 km | 69% | 15% | $76K | 25.9 min | C− | A |
| Centremount 1.4 km | 71% | 13% | $83K | 28.8 min | C | A+ |
| St. Clair 1.5 km | 67% | 10% | $68K | 32 min | D− | A+ |
The people of each place: the share in work, unemployment, household income and the average commute, with both grades once they come.
What this data can and can’t tell you
What each figure measures for Hamilton, where it comes from, and what it leaves out.
- Trip times. The census asks how long the trip to work usually takes, in bands; our average uses each band’s middle, so it runs a little above Statistics Canada’s timed average.
- Where people commute. Counts of workers with a fixed workplace, by where they live and where they work, both taken as whole municipalities; the jobs figure takes everyone who works here, wherever home is.
- Employment Insurance. How many people in the census division drew Employment Insurance each month; it moves with layoffs and hiring, yet people who don’t qualify are absent from it.
- The Labour Force Survey. Statistics Canada surveys households every month; the results come out for metro areas and economic regions, never for single towns, and keep the rate current after 2021.
- In work. We divide the number of employed residents by the number aged 15 to 64. Workers past 64 still count on top, because the 2021 Census crosses work with age only for whole municipalities; in return, a retirement town’s pensioners don’t drag the rate down.
- Unemployment. A census-day figure: people without a job who were looking, divided by all those working or looking, ages 15 and up.
- Household income. Half of households had more than this before tax in 2020, half less, counting every source of income. For a neighbourhood we estimate the median from the income brackets of its dissemination areas.
- Which towns we compare. Medians over towns and neighbourhoods of at least 2,500 residents. Whole cities would swamp them and reserves sit outside the rankings, so neither is in.
Questions about work in Hamilton
What is the average household income in Hamilton?
Before tax, half the households in Hamilton had more than $85,600 in 2020; the middle of Canadian towns is $85,900.
How do people in Hamilton get to work?
85% of commuters go by car, 7.4% take public transit, 4.6% walk and 0.7% cycle. On census day 25% of everyone in work stayed home to work.
How long is the commute from Hamilton?
On average 28.3 minutes; 25% take under 15 minutes and 8.5% take an hour or longer.
Where do people in Hamilton work?
70% work in Hamilton itself; of those who leave, the most go to Burlington (17,420), then Oakville (5,625).
How many jobs are there in Hamilton?
About 145,330 people had their usual place of work in Hamilton at the 2021 census, 0.9 for each working resident with a fixed workplace. Statistics Canada counted 16,723 businesses with employees in June 2026.
What is the unemployment rate in Hamilton?
At the 2021 census 12% of the labour force had no job and was looking (9.9% in the middle of Canadian towns). The latest monthly survey, for the Hamilton metro area, gives 7.6% in October 2026.
Sources: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population (Census Profile) · Statistics Canada, tables 98-10-0458 and 98-10-0459 (commuting) · Statistics Canada, table 14-10-0323 (EI beneficiaries) · Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey (14-10-0459, 14-10-0462) · Statistics Canada, Canadian Business Counts (33-10-1176). 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).