Pickering is a welcoming, safe community, ideal for raising a family or starting and growing a business. The City provides an unprecedented quality of life, has the highest diversity rate in Durham, and continues to attract residents and businesses from all over the world.

Situated along the western edge of Durham Region, Pickering borders the City of Toronto, Markham, and Rouge National Park, as well as touches the lakefront of Lake Ontario. With an emerging new downtown and exciting opportunities for growth in the northern areas of the city, Pickering is saturated with natural beauty and small-town charm, alongside modern amenities and conveniences.

Pickering has direct access to major highways, an educated and skilled labour force, exceptional infrastructure for business, prime employment lands and a supportive municipal government.

There are a number of development projects, big and small, happening in Pickering. Significant infrastructure development is taking place in the downtown core, along with major capital projects affecting roads, street lighting, traffic signals and parks throughout the City's neighbourhoods.

Development is well underway for the Seaton Community, as one of the largest combined residential, employment and commercial developments in Canadian history. Seaton is designed to develop a complete community, offering a range of housing types, employment lands and land densities.

Stay connected with development activity happening in your City. Choose Pickering as your community to work, live, learn, and play.

View our Development Application Notices

View our Current Development Proposals page for information about development applications.

Discover the Top 10 Reasons to Invest in Pickering today.

 Quality of Life

Home to over 100,000 residents and 36,000 jobs the City is in the midst of a transformation from a suburban community to a sustainable city. A high quality of life, concern for the environment, and vibrant economy help explain why Pickering is the right community to start a business and raise a family.

Pickering is your place to learn and play. The City takes great pride in its award-winning public library and high quality education, healthcare, housing and recreational opportunities. From children's programs to youth and seniors' centres, we are committed to providing our residents with the highest quality services and working toward a healthier, happier and safer community for all to enjoy.

Pickering is a community made up of creative minds and a vibrant arts and cultural scene. The City celebrates its local talent through a number of festivals, performances and gallery exhibitions throughout the year, making it a destination spot for visitors as well as a great place to live.

Residents and visitors can enjoy our largest entertainment hub, Durham Live, which currently houses a Casino Resort and future film studio, amphitheater, hotel and much more! Check out our Cultural Directory and Tourism section for more information.

Pickering's residents are passionate and proud of their community and work with the City to keep it clean and safe for businesses, families and future generations.

 Demographic & Statistics
As the eastern gateway to the GTA, Pickering is strategically located where Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet. By 2040, our population is expected to grow from 100,000 to 155,000 residents. An integrated transportation network of high capacity roads, rail, public transit and air provide time and money saving access to major markets across North America and beyond.

Pickering's diverse businesses range from world-class industrial to professional services and retail. Business costs are among the lowest in the GTA and are globally very competitive. Draw from a labour force of nearly 4 million across the Greater Toronto area, many of whom are highly skilled professionals from many fields.

For an intimate snapshot of each of our neighbourhoods and how we compare to others in Durham Region, check out Durham's Health Neighbourhoods demographic tool.

 Labour Force
Pickering businesses have access to a large GTA-wide labour pool, with over 4.1 million employees. The labour force is diverse, innovative, highly skilled and educated. More than 56% of Pickering residents over 15 years of age have completed a post-secondary degree or diploma. Pickering is also located within Canada's largest market of over 6 million individuals. 

 

 

Pickering

Durham Region

In the Labour Force

51,835

352,750

Employed

47,690

324,375

Unemployed

4,145

28,380

Source: StatsCanada 2016
 Fast Facts
Population

2021 - 100,000
2040 - 155,000

Location

Immediately east of the City of Toronto, Pickering has integrated infrastructure for business, and excellent transportation connections. The City has direct access to two major highways: (Highway 401 and Highway 407), a direct commuter rail link to Toronto, 2 commercial train lines, and is within 30 minutes of 4 different airports, and 2 ½ hours of 5 separate United States border crossing points.

Land Area

Total Area - 23,159 hectares (55,974 acres)

Business Sectors

Advanced Manufacturing, Agri-Business, Innovative Technology (IT), and Energy, Environment and Engineering (EN3).

Number of Businesses

2,800+

Major Employers

Public Sector

MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation) - 538
Ontario Power Generation – 3,895
City of Pickering - 750

Private Sector

Aspect Retail Logistics - 670
Noranco Manufacturing Ltd. - 185
Rogers Communication – 750
Signature Aluminum Canada Inc. - 225
Trench Ltd. – 300
Yorkville Sound – 240
Kubota Canada Ltd. – 200
Pickering Casino Resort - 600

Transportation

Highways - #401, #407 ETR, #7 and #2 (Kingston Road).

An enclosed pedestrian bridge spanning Highway 401, linking the GO Station to Pickering's downtown.

Rail - CNR, CPR & GO Transit

Air - Pearson International Airport, Oshawa Municipal Airport, Buttonville Airport.

Energy

Electricity - Ontario Power Generation and Elexicon Energy
Gas - Enbridge Gas Distribution

Labour Force

3.8 million people reside within 50 km (30 miles) of Pickering. 46% of Pickering residents aged 24-64 years have post-secondary degree or diploma.

Land

Seaton Community in Central Pickering, 800 acres of employment lands fronting Highway 407 ETR, allowing for up to 30,000 new jobs.

Education

Public - 19 schools
Separate - 8 schools
Durham College
Ontario Tech University

Hospital
Ajax-Pickering Lakeridge Health Hospital

Jerry Coughlan Health and Wellness Centre

Cultural & Recreation

View the City of Pickering Community Profile

Invest Pickering 2024-2025 Community Profile

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