Rocklandin Clarence-Rockland, Ontario
With 30,375 residents, it is a town in Ontario. It belongs to the Ottawa - Gatineau (Ontario part / partie de l'Ontario) metropolitan area.
Is Rockland a good place to live?
A town of contrasts. Police record less crime here than in most towns (A). The drawback is cost of living (C−). Put together, the subjects come to a B overall, ranking #439 of 858 in Ontario. It comes out better than 55% of Canadian towns. Its other grades sit near the middle: B− for jobs & income and B for walkability.
Rents here are the metro area's average, shared by every town and neighbourhood in it. Safety is the police detachment's figure, shared with the towns and countryside around 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.
What makes Rockland stand out
The 3 things Rockland does most differently from other towns.
How Rockland grades
Each subject compares Rockland 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 →
Clarence-Rockland Museum and 14 more in and around Rockland
Sights in Rockland and close by, ordered by how widely each is known.
MuseumClarence-Rockland Museumin town
MuseumHumanics Sanctuary and Sculpture Park2.5 km outside town, to the southwest
ZooPapanack Park Zoo2.6 km outside town, to the northeast
MuseumCumberland Township Heritage Museum4.4 km outside town, to the westArt galleryArt galleryStudio Art Plusin townNational parkNational park · SépaqPlaisance National Park4.5 km outside town, to the northeastPhotos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (4)
- Clarence-Rockland Museum: Safyrr, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Humanics Sanctuary and Sculpture Park: Dmitri Lytov, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Papanack Park Zoo: Ber'Zophus, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Cumberland Township Heritage Museum: Fdesjardins, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Rockland.
The police who cover Rockland record less serious crime than Ontario’s towns or Canadian towns: a Crime Severity Index of 38
Its police area recorded 7.5 violent incidents per 1,000 residents a year, lower than both Ontario’s towns (10.5) and Canadian towns (12). Property crime in the area its police cover: 13.4 per 1,000 people a year.
Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year
| 2023–2025 | Rockland | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crime per 1,000 | 13.4 | 30.5 | 31.2 |
| Crime Severity Index | 38 | 56 | 67 |
| Violent Crime Severity Index | 57 | 76 | 86 |
| Violent crime | 7.5 | 10.5 | 12 |
Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average · Not measured by town: Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000 (the Russell County (Rockland) detachment area)
Measured against local pay, Rockland costs more to live in than four in five Canadian towns
The median home value was $452,000, lower than Ontario’s towns ($695,000) yet higher than Canadian towns ($406,000). 14% of households spent 30% or more of their income on shelter, lower than both Ontario’s towns (22%) and Canadian towns (18%). For rent as a share of income and monthly rent for a two-bedroom, the only official count covers all of the Ottawa-Gatineau metro area, Rockland included.
What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census
| Census 2021 | Rockland | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households spending 30%+ on shelter | 14% | 22% | 18% |
| Households owning their home | 82% | 76% | 74% |
| Median home value, 2021 | $452,000 | $695,000 | $406,000 |
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.
Around Rockland, 13 schools of 20 teach in French
Of its 14 tested schools, 3 sit in the top two fifths in Ontario and 4 in the bottom two. Families can pick among four systems here: English or French, public or Catholic. Taken together, Rockland and its 3 km edge hold 15 elementary schools and 5 secondary schools for 5,495 students.
| School | Level | Students | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| École élémentaire catholique Sainte-Trinité FrenchLargest elementary schoolElementary · Grades JK–6 | Elementary · Grades JK–6 | 730 | French Catholic |
| École secondaire catholique L'Escale FrenchLargest secondary schoolSecondary · Grades 9–12 | Secondary · Grades 9–12 | 645 | French Catholic |
| École élémentaire publique Carrefour Jeunesse FrenchTeaches in FrenchElementary · Grades JK–8 | Elementary · Grades JK–8 | 435 | French public |
Schools by system · Schools within 3 km
| Schools within 3 km | Rockland | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| School boards | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| Nearest secondary school | 4.1 km | 1.2 km | 1.2 km |
| Nearest elementary school | 2.8 km | 0.5 km | 0.5 km |
Provincial school lists and results, 2024-25
Rockland has colder winters than Ontario’s towns or Canadian towns: January lows of −16.5°C
Snow totals 232 cm over the year, above Ontario’s towns (146 cm) and Canadian towns (141 cm) alike. Frost usually lifts by 26 May and returns around 22 September: 119 days without it. For the wettest month, look to June: 97 mm on average. Also worth knowing: a normal January brings 59 cm of snow, the most of any month.
Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Normals, 1991–2020 | Rockland | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowfall a year | 232 cm | 146 cm | 141 cm |
| January night low | −16.5°C | −9.1°C | −13.5°C |
| Days with frost a year | 179 | 139 | 159 |
| July afternoon high | 26.2°C | 26.7°C | 25.5°C |
Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Angers)
Very good or excellent health for 49% of adults in Rockland’s health region
Area-wide: health survey and life expectancy, counted over the The Eastern Ontario Health Unit
The region has more smokers than Ontario, 14% of adults to 11%. Life expectancy at birth in the region is 81.0 years, about level with Canadian towns (81.5) and below Ontario’s towns (82.8). For Rockland itself the measure is access, and it lags: 15 km to the nearest hospital, where 3.7 km is typical.
Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised
| Health | Rockland | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smokers | 14% | 10% | 12% |
| Chronic conditions (average share) | 19% | 17% | 17% |
| Life expectancy at birth | 81.0 | 82.8 | 81.5 |
| Very good or excellent health | 49% | 51% | 52% |
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2022/2024; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities
A flood study covers Rockland: 7 on the national inventory, the newest from South Nation Conservation
In Health Canada’s survey, 6.1% of homes tested in Rockland’s area exceeded 200 Bq/m³, close to the typical 6.6%. The expected yearly loss to earthquakes is $0.16 for each $1,000 of buildings, above Ontario’s towns ($0.043) and Canadian towns ($0.030) alike.
Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³
| Hazards | Rockland | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year | $0.16 | $0.043 | $0.030 |
| Radon tests above the guideline | 6.1% | 4% | 6.6% |
NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory
35 public protected areas lie within 10 km of Rockland
For a national park, Thousand Islands National Park is 96 km away. Plaisance National Park (Québec) is the closest provincial park, at 0.2 km. Out to 10 km from the town’s edge, 5.2% of the land is protected; 2.3% is typical for a Canadian town. 2 beaches are mapped within 5 km, none with a name.
Protected land · of the land within 10 km
| Outdoors | Rockland | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public protected areas within 10 km | 35 | 4 | 4 |
| Protected land within 10 km | 5.2% | 2.3% | 2.3% |
Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches
In Rockland, November normally means 5°C afternoons and −4°C nights
Snow is normal by November, about 21 cm over the month. November normally sees 74 mm of precipitation. Looking ahead to December, expect highs near −2°C and lows near −11°C. Over the year, July is warmest at 26°C by day and January coldest at −17°C by night.
Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Season | High | Low | Rain and snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | −4°C | −14°C | 192 mm |
| Spring | 11°C | −1°C | 222 mm |
| Summer | 25°C | 12°C | 264 mm |
| Autumn | 13°C | 2°C | 251 mm |
ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Angers); the forecast is on the Weather page
More of Rockland voted in 2022 than in most of Ontario: 45%, ahead of 84% of municipalities
Locally, Rockland is governed as part of Clarence-Rockland, a city.
| Turnout | Rockland | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal election, 2022 | 45% | 31% | 31% |
Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada
More visits per person served than three in four Ontario’s town libraries: Clarence-Rockland Public Library counts 4.7
Clarence-Rockland Public Library has 2 branches for the 26,505 people it serves.
Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada
Commuters in Rockland travel further than in Ontario’s towns or Canadian towns, 33 min on average
The car took 92% of commuters, above both Ontario’s towns (88%) and Canadian towns (89%).
How working residents got to work · census 2021
| Census 2021 | Rockland | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip | 33 min | 29 min | 26 min |
| Car or van | 92% | 88% | 89% |
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.
Fewer of Rockland’s people belong to a visible minority than in Ontario’s towns or Canadian towns: 7.3%
Children under 15 make up 18%, higher than both Ontario’s towns (15%) and Canadian towns (16%). First Nations, Métis and Inuit people make up 5.2% of residents, higher than both Ontario’s towns (1.6%) and Canadian towns (2.8%).
Ages · Share of residents in each age group, Census 2021
Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over
Women and men · all residents
50.7% of Rockland’s residents are women
Census 2021 put women at 13,445 and men at 13,060; women are 50.9% of Canada.
| Rockland | Ontario | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 18% | 15% | 16% |
| 15 to 64 | 64% | 65% | 64% |
| 65+ | 19% | 19% | 19% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 15% | 15% | 16% |
| Postsecondary qualification | 54% | 56% | 56% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; Ontario and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+
Everything we know about Rockland
Famous people from Rockland
16 notable people were born in Rockland.
Photo credits
Jacques Martin: Michael Miller, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Serge Payer: TheAHL, CC BY 2.0 · Huguette Labelle: World Economic Forum from Cologny, Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Maxime Filion: Makelevi, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gabrielle Goulet: Bull-Doser, Public domain · Sammy Godin: Unknown author, Public domain
Rockland’s neighbours
The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Statistics Canada
| Town | People | km | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockland | 30,375 | — | B | C− | A | C |
| Thurso Quebec | 3,439 | 7.7 | C− | C | B− | B |
| Lochaber-Partie-Ouest Quebec | 1,016 | 12 | — | B− | B− | B |
| Cumberland | 6,139 | 14 | A | C+ | A+ | A |
| Plaisance Quebec | 1,191 | 14 | — | C+ | B− | B |
| Vallée-de-la-Lièvre Quebec | 15,388 | 15 | C | C− | B− | B+ |
| L'Ange-Gardien Quebec | 7,068 | 17 | A | B+ | A+ | B |
People: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. Distances: centre to centre.
Questions about Rockland
Do people in Rockland speak French?
68% of residents can hold a conversation in both English and French, against 8% for the median of Canadian towns; 6.6% speak French but not English.
Has Rockland grown?
It grew from 24,512 people in 2016 to 26,505 in 2021, up 8.1%; the median of Canadian towns grew 4.1%. StatCan’s 2025 estimate is 30,375.
Who are the people of Rockland?
At the 2021 census, 6% were immigrants and 7% belonged to a visible minority (Canadian towns’ median: 15%). 5% identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.
What kind of homes are in Rockland?
75% of homes are single-detached houses, against 64% for the median of Canadian towns, and 1% are in apartment buildings of five storeys or more. A household averages 2.6 people; 21% are one person living alone.
About Rockland
Town in Ontario
For Rockland, TownRatings uses Statistics Canada’s census-subdivision boundary in Ontario, and every figure on its pages covers that whole area.
Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.
- Population
- 30,375 (people, 2025 estimate)
- Province or territory
- Ontario
- Census division
- Prescott and Russell
- Metro area
- Ottawa - Gatineau (Ontario part / partie de l'Ontario)
- Census subdivision
- 3502036
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).