Blackburn Hamlet
A planned suburban community of about 8,255 people, edged by Greenbelt lands in Ottawa's east end.
Blackburn Hamlet is a suburban community in the east end of Ottawa, in Ward 2 (Orléans West-Innes) per City of Ottawa ward data, October 2026. Population: 8,255 (2021).
Updated · Facts on this page link to their sources
About Blackburn Hamlet
Blackburn Hamlet is a suburban community in the east end of Ottawa, in Ward 2 (Orléans West-Innes) per City of Ottawa ward data, October 2026. The 2021 census counted 8,255 residents in 3,230 private dwellings, with a median age of 42.8 (2021 census, via the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study). Single-detached houses make up 43.8% of dwellings and row houses 40.1%, and 76.0% of households own their home. Most homes were built in the 1960s and 1970s, and the first residents moved in in 1967.
Boundaries
Ottawa Neighbourhood Study area: Blackburn Hamlet. ons-sqo.ca ons-sqo.ca
Homes
In the 2021 census, 43.8% of Blackburn Hamlet dwellings were single-detached houses and 40.1% were row houses, with 3.8% semi-detached. Apartments in buildings of five or more storeys made up 9.1%, and apartments in buildings under five storeys another 2.4%. About 76.0% of households owned and 24.0% rented, with an average household size of 2.5 (2021 census, via the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study). ons-sqo.ca
- Population of 8,255 in 2021 (2021 census, via the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study)
- Single-detached houses (43.8%) and row houses (40.1%) make up most dwellings (2021)
- 76.0% owner households and 24.0% renter households (2021)
- Surrounded by NCC Greenbelt lands, per Wikipedia
- Tree canopy coverage of 34.9% in 2024
- 15.6% of residents speak French most often at home (2021)
Community
How Blackburn Hamlet came to be
- 1803
The earliest settlers arrived in the area between 1803 and 1811, mostly of English or Irish descent. The area was first called 'Green's Creek' after Robert Green, who operated a sawmill on the creek. en.wikipedia.org
- 1850
Richard Dagg donated the land for the first school in Blackburn. The area was later called 'Daggsville'. en.wikipedia.org
- 1858
Joshua Bradley settled in Blackburn. en.wikipedia.org
- 1876
A post office was secured through the efforts of William Bradley and Robert Blackburn, and the area became known as 'Blackburn'. en.wikipedia.org
- 1915
The first school burned down, and a second school was built on the Kemp property. en.wikipedia.org
- 1958
The government gave the National Capital Commission authority to establish a Greenbelt. Landowner Michael Budd and Costain Estates Ltd were key players in creating and building the community, which was renamed 'Blackburn Hamlet'. en.wikipedia.org
- 1967
The first residents moved in to the new community. Most homes were built in the 1960s and 1970s. en.wikipedia.org
- 2001
Blackburn Hamlet became part of the amalgamated city of Ottawa; before that it was in the city of Gloucester. en.wikipedia.org
Local names worth knowing
- Robert Blackburn
Reeve in 1864 and later Member of Parliament for Russell; the community took its name from him. en.wikipedia.org
- Agnes Purdy
Settled with her husband William on Lot 9 across from St Mary the Virgin Anglican Church on Navan Road. She was a church fundraiser and a school board secretary for 20 years. en.wikipedia.org
- Michael Budd
Landowner who, with Costain Estates Ltd, was a key player in creating and building the community. en.wikipedia.org
- Bob MacQuarrie
Gloucester councillor from 1958 to 1966 who showed council and the NCC that services could be installed in the Hamlet. He served as Deputy Reeve and Reeve from 1969 to 1978 and as MPP from 1981 to 1985. en.wikipedia.org
- Joshua Bradley
Settled in Blackburn in 1858; his son William Bradley helped secure the post office. en.wikipedia.org
Around Blackburn Hamlet
Walking rings at 5, 10 and 15 minutes from the neighbourhood centre.
Schools
6 nearbyEmily Carr Middle School
OCDSB2681 ch. Innes Rdmaps.ottawa.ca ocdsb.ca
90 m1 min walkGood Shepherd Catholic School
OCSB101 ch. Bearbrook Rdmaps.ottawa.ca ocsb.ca
210 m3 min walkSainte-Marie Catholic Elementary School
CECCE2599 ch. Innes Rdmaps.ottawa.ca ecolecatholique.ca
390 m5 min walkGlen Ogilvie Public School
OCDSB46 prom. Centre Park Drmaps.ottawa.ca ocdsb.ca
550 m7 min walkLouis-Riel Public High School
CÉPEO1655 ch. Bearbrook Rdmaps.ottawa.ca cepeo.on.ca
970 m12 min walkNorman Johnston Secondary Alternate Program
OCDSB2401 crois. Cleroux Crmaps.ottawa.ca ocdsb.ca
1.2 km14 min walk
Straight-line distances from the Blackburn Hamlet centre. Living near a school does not guarantee a place: confirm the designated school for an address with each board. All schools and board locators.
Parks & places
10 nearbyBearbrook Outdoor Pool
Outdoor pool (full pool)
60 m1 min walkSplash pad, Bearbrook Park and Pool
Splash pad (summer only)
99 Bearbrook Road, Gloucestermaps.ottawa.ca ottawa.ca
70 m1 min walkBearbrook Park and Pool
Active Recreation park
99 Bearbrook Road, Gloucestermaps.ottawa.ca
80 m1 min walkOutdoor rink, Bearbrook Park and Pool
Outdoor rink (winter, weather permitting)
99 Bearbrook Rd.maps.ottawa.ca ottawa.ca
110 m1 min walkHarold Diceman Park
Active Recreation park
30 Diceman Crescent, Gloucestermaps.ottawa.ca
300 m4 min walkIsaiah Scharfe Park
Active Recreation park
41 Bearbrook Road, Gloucestermaps.ottawa.ca
360 m4 min walkAgnes Purdy Park
Active Recreation park
9 Southpark Drive, Gloucestermaps.ottawa.ca
460 m6 min walkOttawa Public Library Blackburn Hamlet Branch
Public Library
199 Glen Park Drmaps.ottawa.ca biblioottawalibrary.ca
480 m6 min walkLois Kemp Arena
Arena
200 Glen Park Drmaps.ottawa.ca ottawa.ca
490 m6 min walkJoshua Bradley Park
Active Recreation park
64 Centrepark Drive, Gloucestermaps.ottawa.ca
520 m7 min walk
Shops & dining
4 nearbyQueen's Pharmacy
Pharmacy
110 Bearbrook Roadopenstreetmap.org
360 m5 min walkShoppers Drug Mart
Pharmacy
2638 Innes Roadopenstreetmap.org
420 m5 min walkMetro
Supermarket
2636 Innes Roadopenstreetmap.org
440 m6 min walkPharmaChoice
Pharmacy
Innes Roadopenstreetmap.org
510 m6 min walk
Getting around
TransitO-Train
Montréal station is about 2.4 km away in a straight line (under construction; 2026 (Line 1 east extension, per OC Transpo)).
O-Train
Blair station is about 3.5 km away in a straight line (open; Line 1).
Downtown
Parliament Hill is about 10.8 km away in a straight line.
For sale in Blackburn Hamlet
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Neighbouring areas
Quick answers
Short answers first; each links to the full answer and its sources.
Is Blackburn Hamlet a good place to live?
Blackburn Hamlet is a suburban east-end Ottawa community of 8,255 people (2021 census) with nearby schools, parks and Greenbelt trails. Most homes are single-detached or row houses, and most workers commute by car. Whether it suits you depends on priorities such as space, commute and access to transit.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca en.wikipedia.org
Where is Blackburn Hamlet in Ottawa?
Blackburn Hamlet is a suburban community in the east end of Ottawa, Ontario, in Ward 2 (Orléans West-Innes) per City of Ottawa ward data, October 2026. It is surrounded by NCC Greenbelt lands and was part of the city of Gloucester before the 2001 amalgamation.
As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org maps.ottawa.ca
How far is Blackburn Hamlet from downtown Ottawa?
Blackburn Hamlet is about 10.8 km from Parliament Hill in a straight line (as the crow flies). Actual travel distance and time depend on the route and mode.
As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org
What schools serve Blackburn Hamlet?
Schools near Blackburn Hamlet include Glen Ogilvie Public School and Emily Carr Middle School (OCDSB), Good Shepherd Catholic School (OCSB), Sainte-Marie Catholic Elementary School (CECCE) and Louis-Riel Public High School (CÉPEO). Families must confirm catchments with each board's school locator.
As of 2026-10 · maps.ottawa.ca maps.ottawa.ca
Are there French-language schools in Blackburn Hamlet?
Yes. Sainte-Marie Catholic Elementary School (CECCE) is about 0.4 to 0.6 km from the centre of Blackburn Hamlet in a straight line, and Louis-Riel Public High School (CÉPEO) is about 1 km away. Le Prélude Public Elementary School (CÉPEO) is about 2.5 km away.
As of 2026-10 · maps.ottawa.ca maps.ottawa.ca
Which high schools are near Blackburn Hamlet?
Louis-Riel Public High School (CÉPEO, French-language) is the nearest secondary school in City of Ottawa data, about 1 km from Blackburn Hamlet in a straight line. The Norman Johnston Secondary Alternate Program (OCDSB) is also about 1 km away.
As of 2026-10 · maps.ottawa.ca maps.ottawa.ca