Living in the Blackburn Hamlet area: questions, answered
Answers to 39 questions people ask about living in and buying in the Blackburn Hamlet area: neighbourhoods, schools, the O-Train, prices, walkability, parks and shops. Each answer comes first, then the detail, the sources and the date it is current to.
Updated · Facts on this page link to their sources
- Neighbourhoods 11
- Schools 3
- Commute & O-Train 6
- Prices & market 4
- Walkability & errands 2
- Parks & outdoors 7
- Shops & dining 1
- History 3
- Who it suits 2
Neighbourhoods
11Where 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
Do more people rent or own in Blackburn Hamlet?
More households own than rent in Blackburn Hamlet. In the 2021 census, 76.0% were owner households and 24.0% were renter households.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca
Which city ward is Blackburn Hamlet in?
Blackburn Hamlet is in Ward 2 (Orléans West-Innes), per City of Ottawa ward data, October 2026. The councillor is Laura Dudas.
As of 2026-10 · maps.ottawa.ca ottawa.ca
What is the nearest hospital to Blackburn Hamlet?
The nearest hospital in City of Ottawa data is Montfort Hospital, about 6.0 km from Blackburn Hamlet in a straight line.
As of 2026-10 · maps.ottawa.ca
Is Blackburn Hamlet French-speaking?
Blackburn Hamlet is mostly not French-speaking at home, but a sizeable share is. In the 2021 census, 15.6% of residents had French as the language most spoken at home (via the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study).
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca maps.ottawa.ca
What is Blackburn Hamlet like?
Blackburn Hamlet is a suburban community in Ottawa's east end with 8,255 residents (2021 census) and a median age of 42.8. Single-detached and row houses make up most homes, and Greenbelt lands surround the community.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca en.wikipedia.org
Is there a library in Blackburn Hamlet?
Yes. The Ottawa Public Library Blackburn Hamlet Branch is about 0.5 km from the centre of the neighbourhood in a straight line.
As of 2026-10 · maps.ottawa.ca
What is the age profile of Blackburn Hamlet?
Blackburn Hamlet's median age was 42.8 in the 2021 census. Children aged 0 to 14 were 18.3% of residents and seniors aged 65 and over were 20.9%.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca
How many people live in Blackburn Hamlet?
The 2021 census counted 8,255 people in Blackburn Hamlet, living in 3,230 private dwellings (via the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study). The average household size was 2.5.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca
Is there a community association in Blackburn Hamlet?
Yes. The Blackburn Community Association (BCA) is a volunteer group that runs community events, promotes local businesses and manages the Blackburn Community Hall, according to Wikipedia.
As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org
Is there a community health centre near Blackburn Hamlet?
According to the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study, 0.0% of Blackburn Hamlet residents live within a 15-minute walk of a community health centre. The nearest hospital in City of Ottawa data is Montfort Hospital, about 6.0 km away in a straight line.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca maps.ottawa.ca
Schools
3What 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
Commute & O-Train
6How 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
Is Blackburn Hamlet on the O-Train?
No O-Train station is inside Blackburn Hamlet. The nearest, Montréal station, is about 2.4 km away in a straight line and is listed as under construction, with a 2026 opening for the Line 1 east extension per OC Transpo.
As of 2026-10 · wikidata.org octranspo.com
What is the nearest O-Train station to Blackburn Hamlet?
The nearest station is Montréal station, about 2.4 km from Blackburn Hamlet in a straight line, listed as under construction for the Line 1 east extension. The nearest open station is Blair on Line 1, about 3.5 km away in a straight line.
As of 2026-10 · wikidata.org wikidata.org
How do people in Blackburn Hamlet get to work?
In the 2021 census, 78.3% of Blackburn Hamlet workers aged 15 and over commuted by car, truck or van, 12.9% by public transit, 5.6% on foot and 0.7% by bike. Separately, 42.8% worked at home.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca
How many transit stops are near Blackburn Hamlet homes?
The Ottawa Neighbourhood Study reports an average of 10.1 transit stops within a 600 m walk of residents in Blackburn Hamlet. In the 2021 census, 12.9% of workers commuted by public transit.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca
Do people in Blackburn Hamlet work from home?
In the 2021 census, 42.8% of Blackburn Hamlet workers aged 15 and over worked at home (via the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study).
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca
Prices & market
4What are homes like in Blackburn Hamlet?
In Blackburn Hamlet, 43.8% of dwellings are single-detached houses and 40.1% are row houses (2021 census, via the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study). Most homes were built in the 1960s and 1970s, per Wikipedia.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca en.wikipedia.org
How much do homes cost in Blackburn Hamlet?
The 2021 census median owner-estimated value of owned dwellings in Blackburn Hamlet was $552,000. For the whole city, OREB reports a September 2026 single-family benchmark price of $705,100 and an average sale price of $685,640 for all homes.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca oreb.ca
What is the Ottawa housing market doing right now?
In September 2026, OREB reported 1,010 homes sold citywide, down 6.6% from September 2025, with a median of 27 days on market. Active listings were 4,813, up 7.9% from a year earlier.
As of 2026-10 · oreb.ca
Are there apartment buildings in Blackburn Hamlet?
Some. In the 2021 census, 9.1% of Blackburn Hamlet dwellings were apartments in buildings of five or more storeys and 2.4% were in buildings under five storeys.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca
Walkability & errands
2Is Blackburn Hamlet walkable?
The Ottawa Neighbourhood Study reports an average Walk Score of 33 for Blackburn Hamlet, and a Bike Score of 51. A Metro supermarket, a library and a rec centre are each within about 0.6 km in a straight line.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca openstreetmap.org
Is Blackburn Hamlet good for cycling?
The Ottawa Neighbourhood Study reports an average Bike Score of 51 for Blackburn Hamlet. In the 2021 census, 0.7% of workers commuted by bike.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca en.wikipedia.org
Parks & outdoors
7What parks and trails are in Blackburn Hamlet?
City of Ottawa data lists 12 parks in and around Blackburn Hamlet, including Tauvette Park, Woodlot, Blackburn Park, Bearbrook Park and Pool, and Harold Diceman Park. Wikipedia says surrounding Greenbelt and RCMP lands provide over 250 km of hiking and cross-country ski trails.
As of 2026-10 · maps.ottawa.ca maps.ottawa.ca
Are there ice rinks in Blackburn Hamlet?
Yes. City of Ottawa data counts three rinks in the Blackburn Hamlet area, and lists Lois Kemp Arena about 0.5 km away in a straight line. Wikipedia says Blackburn Arena opens three ice rinks in winter for hockey and public skating.
As of 2026-10 · maps.ottawa.ca en.wikipedia.org
Is there a pool in Blackburn Hamlet?
City of Ottawa data lists Bearbrook Park and Pool, about 0.1 km from the centre of Blackburn Hamlet in a straight line.
As of 2026-10 · maps.ottawa.ca
What recreation centres are in Blackburn Hamlet?
City of Ottawa data lists Lois Kemp Arena and Blackburn Community Hall, each about 0.5 to 0.6 km from the centre of Blackburn Hamlet in a straight line. According to Wikipedia, the Blackburn Community Association manages the Community Hall.
As of 2026-10 · maps.ottawa.ca maps.ottawa.ca
How much tree canopy does Blackburn Hamlet have?
Tree canopy covered 34.9% of Blackburn Hamlet in 2024, according to the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca
What winter activities are in Blackburn Hamlet?
According to Wikipedia, Blackburn Arena opens three ice rinks in winter for hockey and public skating, and the Green's Creek toboggan hill next to the Hamlet opens with the snowfall and is maintained by the City of Ottawa. The surrounding Greenbelt lands also offer cross-country ski trails.
As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org
Is Blackburn Hamlet near the Greenbelt?
Yes. According to Wikipedia, Blackburn Hamlet is one of only two suburban areas in Ottawa (the other is Bells Corners) surrounded by NCC Greenbelt lands, along with lands owned by the RCMP. These lands provide over 250 km of hiking and cross-country skiing trails.
As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org
Shops & dining
1Where do people in Blackburn Hamlet buy groceries?
The nearest supermarket in our data is a Metro, about 0.4 km from the centre of Blackburn Hamlet in a straight line. No other supermarket is listed for the neighbourhood.
As of 2026-10 · openstreetmap.org
History
3What is the history of Blackburn Hamlet?
Settlers arrived in the area between 1803 and 1811, and a post office in 1876 gave the area the name Blackburn. After the NCC was authorized to create a Greenbelt in 1958, the planned community of Blackburn Hamlet was built, with the first residents moving in in 1967.
As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org
Where did Blackburn Hamlet get its name?
The community took its name from Robert Blackburn, a reeve in 1864 and later Member of Parliament for Russell. A post office secured in 1876 led to the area being known as 'Blackburn', and it was renamed 'Blackburn Hamlet' when the planned community was built.
As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org
When were homes in Blackburn Hamlet built?
Most homes in Blackburn Hamlet were built in the 1960s and 1970s, according to Wikipedia. The first residents moved in in 1967, after the NCC was authorized to create a Greenbelt in 1958.
As of 2026-10 · en.wikipedia.org
Who it suits
2Is 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
Is Blackburn Hamlet good for families?
In the 2021 census, 18.3% of Blackburn Hamlet residents were aged 0 to 14 and the average household size was 2.5. Several elementary and secondary schools, parks, an arena and a library are within about 1 km in a straight line.
As of 2026-10 · ons-sqo.ca maps.ottawa.ca