Merrickvillein Merrickville-Wolford, Ontario
This town in Ontario has a population of 3,411. It is part of Leeds and Grenville, a census division.
Is Merrickville a good place to live?
The picture is mixed. Its weakest is schools (C−). Merrickville grades B− overall and ranks #557 of 858 in Ontario. Set against the rest, it does better than 47% of Canadian towns. Cost of living is weaker too (C). It also trails on hazard risk (D). Crime is low (A). Its remaining grades are unremarkable: B− for health, B− for jobs & income and B for walkability.
This town's rent is the 2021 census rent scaled to 2025 by its province's ratio of surveyed to census rents: no rental survey covers it, so its Cost Grade is less sure. 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 Merrickville grades
Each subject compares Merrickville 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 Merrickville stand out
The 3 things Merrickville does most differently from other towns.
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Merrickville.
Merrickville’s grade for hazard risk: a D
The expected yearly loss to earthquakes is $0.10 for each $1,000 of buildings, higher than both Ontario’s towns ($0.043) and Canadian towns ($0.030). More homes than usual carry radon here, 19% over the guideline where the typical town has 6.6%. Flood mapping exists: 7 studies, most recently by Rideau Valley Conservation Authority.
Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³
| Hazards | Merrickville | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radon tests above the guideline | 19% | 4% | 6.6% |
| Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year | $0.10 | $0.043 | $0.030 |
NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory
Violent crime weighs less on Merrickville than on Ontario’s towns or Canadian towns: a violent severity index of 36
Per 1,000 residents, 5.8 violent crimes are recorded each year. Property crime ran at 14.8 incidents per 1,000 residents a year, below both Ontario’s towns (30.5) and Canadian towns (31.2).
Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year
| 2023–2025 | Merrickville | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crime per 1,000 | 14.8 | 30.5 | 31.2 |
| Violent Crime Severity Index | 36 | 76 | 86 |
| Violent crime | 5.8 | 10.5 | 12 |
Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average
In the lower two fifths in Ontario: 4 of the 7 schools around Merrickville with results
From the middle of town, the first elementary school is 5.1 km off, above Ontario’s towns (0.5 km) and Canadian towns (0.5 km) alike. Over three years, results rose at 5 of its 7 tested schools. Catholic schools make up 5 of 9, above the 34% in Ontario. No single board runs them all: there are 3.
| School | Level | Students | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Francis de Sales Separate School CatholicLargest elementary schoolElementary · Grades JK–6 | Elementary · Grades JK–6 | 430 | English Catholic |
| Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute Bottom fifth in OntarioLargest secondary schoolSecondary · Grades 9–12 | Secondary · Grades 9–12 | 700 | English public |
| École élémentaire catholique Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys FrenchTeaches in FrenchElementary · Grades JK–8 | Elementary · Grades JK–8 | 85 | French Catholic |
Schools by system · Schools within 3 km
| Schools within 3 km | Merrickville | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest secondary school | 12 km | 1.2 km | 1.2 km |
| Nearest elementary school | 5.1 km | 0.5 km | 0.5 km |
| School boards | 3 | 4 | 3 |
Provincial school lists and results, 2024-25
Most households in Merrickville own their home: 86%, more than in Ontario’s towns and across Canadian towns
A year’s rent came to 18% of the median household income, below both Ontario’s towns (22%) and Canadian towns (20%). 17% of 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 | Merrickville | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households owning their home | 86% | 76% | 74% |
| Rent as a share of income | 18% | 22% | 20% |
| Households spending 30%+ on shelter | 17% | 22% | 18% |
| Median home value, 2021 | $448,000 | $695,000 | $406,000 |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · Values come from owners at the 2021 census and incomes from 2020, so they predate the later rise in rates.
Visible minorities make up less of Merrickville than of Ontario’s towns or Canadian towns: 1.7%
Both official languages: 19% of residents, higher than both Ontario’s towns (6.7%) and Canadian towns (7.5%). First Nations, Métis and Inuit people make up 3.5% of residents, above Ontario’s towns (1.6%) and Canadian towns (2.8%) alike.
Ages · Share of residents in each age group, Census 2021
Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over
Women and men · all residents
53.0% of Merrickville’s residents are women
Women numbered 1,660 and men 1,470 in 2021, next to a 50.9% share of women for Canada.
| Merrickville | Ontario | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 12% | 15% | 16% |
| 15 to 64 | 58% | 65% | 64% |
| 65+ | 30% | 19% | 19% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 12% | 15% | 16% |
| Postsecondary qualification | 60% | 56% | 56% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; Ontario and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+
January lows in Merrickville: −14.0°C, against −9.1°C in Ontario’s towns and −13.5°C in Canadian towns
Most of the snow comes in January, about 50 cm. July afternoons reach 26.8°C on average, close to Ontario’s towns (26.7°C) and above Canadian towns (25.5°C). Rain and snow peak in July, at 98 mm.
Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Normals, 1991–2020 | Merrickville | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowfall a year | 180 cm | 146 cm | 141 cm |
| January night low | −14.0°C | −9.1°C | −13.5°C |
| July afternoon high | 26.8°C | 26.7°C | 25.5°C |
| Days with frost a year | 157 | 139 | 159 |
Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Kemptville)
What November brings in Merrickville: −2°C at night, 6°C by day
A typical November adds 11 cm of snow. Looking ahead to December, expect highs near −1°C and lows near −9°C. Expect about 79 mm of rain and snow over November. Hour-by-hour figures come from ECCC’s Smiths Falls forecast, on the Weather page.
Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Season | High | Low | Rain and snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | −3°C | −12°C | 194 mm |
| Spring | 11°C | 0°C | 222 mm |
| Summer | 26°C | 14°C | 255 mm |
| Autumn | 14°C | 4°C | 254 mm |
ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Kemptville); the forecast is on the Weather page
53% of Merrickville voters cast a ballot in 2022, more than in 95% of Ontario municipalities
Merrickville sends one MPP (Member of Provincial Parliament, at Queen’s Park in Toronto) to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, though no open record we can reuse gives the name.
| Turnout | Merrickville | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal election, 2022 | 53% | 31% | 31% |
Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada
More loans per person served than 88% of Ontario’s town libraries: Merrickville Public Library lends 6.8
Merrickville Public Library serves 3,135 people from a single building.
Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada
Around Merrickville, 51% of adults call their health very good or excellent
Statistics Canada puts the region’s life expectancy at 81.2, women 83.3 and men 79.2 (2022/2024). Smoking is commoner than in the province: 14% of adults, against 11% for Ontario. The three chronic conditions the survey tracks average 18% of adults, about level with both Ontario’s towns (17%) and Canadian towns (17%). For Merrickville itself the measure is access, and it lags: 5.4 km to the nearest hospital, where 3.7 km is typical. For health survey and life expectancy, the only official count covers all of the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, Merrickville included.
Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised
| Health | Merrickville | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smokers | 14% | 10% | 12% |
| Life expectancy at birth | 81.2 | 82.8 | 81.5 |
| Chronic conditions (average share) | 18% | 17% | 17% |
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2022/2024; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities
The The Great Trail (Eastern Ontario) passes Merrickville
2 beaches are mapped within 5 km, the nearest Merrickville Public Beach. A provincial park, Brockville Long Swamp Fen Provincial Park, lies 9.9 km away. The nearest national park is Thousand Islands National Park, 24 km away. 12 areas within 10 km are protected for nature.
Protected land · of the land within 10 km
| Outdoors | Merrickville | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public protected areas within 10 km | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Protected land within 10 km | 2.9% | 2.3% | 2.3% |
Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches
Trips to work from Merrickville take longer than from Ontario’s towns or Canadian towns: 35 min on average
90% of commuters drove, about level with both Ontario’s towns (88%) and Canadian towns (89%).
How working residents got to work · census 2021
| Census 2021 | Merrickville | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip | 35 min | 29 min | 26 min |
| Car or van | 90% | 88% | 89% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · Counted in May 2021, under pandemic rules: fewer commutes and more people between jobs than in a normal year.
The registers list 2 historic places in Merrickville, one at the top
Go back to 1832 and you reach Merrickville Blockhouse, the oldest of them. Counted by designation, there are a Recognized Federal Heritage Building. Older housing, built before 1961, accounts for just over a third of homes, higher than both Ontario’s towns (22%) and Canadian towns (18%).
Historic places by designation · inside the town
Among them
| Heritage | Merrickville | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homes built before 1961 | 35% | 22% | 18% |
Canadian Register of Historic Places, Directory of Federal Heritage Designations, Québec’s Répertoire du patrimoine culturel, Wikidata; Census 2021 homes by period
Everything we know about Merrickville
Merrickville Blockhouse and 6 more in and around Merrickville
Sights in Merrickville and close by, ordered by how widely each is known.
FortMerrickville Blockhousein town
MuseumSmiths Falls Railway Station (Canadian Northern)2.3 km outside town, to the westAttractionAttractionBlitzen Estate Christmas Tree Farm4.4 km outside town, to the southwestHistoric siteHistoric siteDefensible Lockmaster's House1.4 km outside town, to the westMuseumMuseumHeritage House Museum200 m outside town, to the westArt galleryArt galleryOrganic Conceptions1.4 km outside town, to the westPhotos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (2)
- Merrickville Blockhouse: Kenn Chaplin from Toronto, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Smiths Falls Railway Station (Canadian Northern): Bruce Fingerhood from Springfield, Oregon, US, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Famous people from around Merrickville
No notable person born in Merrickville is on our list; these were born in the towns around it.
Photo credits
Don McKenney: TCG Topps Gum Cards, Public domain · Francis Theodore Frost: Unknown author, Public domain
About Merrickville
Town in Ontario
Every figure TownRatings gives for Merrickville covers the municipality as Statistics Canada maps it, one census subdivision in Ontario.
Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.
- Population
- 3,411 (people, 2025 estimate)
- Province or territory
- Ontario
- Census division
- Leeds and Grenville
- Census subdivision
- 3507052
Merrickville’s neighbours
The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Statistics Canada
| Town | People | km | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrickville | 3,411 | — | B− | C | A | B− |
| Montague | 4,414 | 12 | C | C− | A+ | B− |
| Smiths Falls | 11,093 | 12 | D− | D | C− | B |
People: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. Distances: centre to centre.
Questions about Merrickville
Who are the people of Merrickville?
At the 2021 census, 8% were immigrants and 2% belonged to a visible minority (Canadian towns’ median: 15%). 4% identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.
What kind of homes are in Merrickville?
Mostly 90% single-detached houses (the median of Canadian towns: 64%), with 0% of homes in buildings of five or more storeys. Households hold 2.3 people on average, and 25% have just one.
Is Merrickville a young town or an old one?
54.4 is the median age, 45.2 the median among Canadian towns; 30% of residents are 65 or over and 12% under 15.
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).