Get to know Niagara
Looking for at-a-glance information to get to know Niagara? This collection of Regional Quick Facts is a perfect place to start. Begin with a quick scroll through key data highlights and then link through to more detailed reports for additional background.
Location
Location and Distance to Markets
Metropolitan Area | Distance | Population |
Toronto | 100 km | 5.9 million |
Detroit | 350 km | 4.3 million |
Columbus | 565 km | 2.1 million |
New York | 650 km | 20 million |
Philadelphia | 650 km | 6.1 million |
Boston | 775 km | 4.6 million |
Chicago | 830 km | 9.5 million |
Transportation Infrastructure
4 major highways
5 international border crossings into US
2 commercial vehicle border crossings
1 million truck crossings each year
3 international airports within 100km
Welland Canal and nearby access to Ontario's largest port
Business
Niagara Business Counts
2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
Businesses with Employees | 13,641 | 13,806 | 13,418 |
Businesses without Employees | 28,153 | 27,665 | 28,910 |
Total Businesses | 41,794 | 41,471 | 42,328 |
Business Size Range
Employees | Companies | % of total |
1-4 | 7,076 | 53 |
5-9 | 2,731 | 20 |
10-19 | 1,746 | 13 |
20-49 | 1,190 | 9 |
50-99 | 431 | 3 |
100-199 | 161 | 1 |
200-499 | 57 | 0 |
500+ | 26 | 0 |
Employment
Total Employed
2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
216,00 | 211,200 | 220,400 |
Top 45 Largest Employers (Full and Part Time)
Name | Municipality | Employees |
District School Board of Niagara | St Catharines | 6,160 |
Brock University | St Catharines | 5,632 |
Niagara Region | Thorold | 4,625 |
Niagara Health System | St Catharines | 4,130 |
Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort | Niagara Falls | 3,611 |
Niagara Catholic District School Board | Welland | 3,000 |
Niagara College Canada | Niagara on the Lake | 2,795 |
Four Points | Niagara Falls | 2,161 |
Canadian Niagara Hotels Inc. | Niagara Falls | 2,012 |
Hilton Hotels and Suites | Niagara Falls | 2,000 |
Andrew Peller Limited | Grimsby | 1,774 |
Outlet Collection at Niagara | Niagara on the Lake | 1,450 |
General Motors Canada | St Catharines | 1,445 |
Niagara Parks Commission | Niagara Falls | 1,274 |
City of Niagara Falls - City Hall | Niagara Falls | 1,210 |
Lais Hotel Properties Limited (Vintage Hotels) | Niagara on the Lake | 1,184 |
YMCA of Niagara Centre | Welland | 1,143 |
Government of Ontario (Garden City Tower) | St Catharines | 1,039 |
Employment Professionals Canada | Fort Erie | 978 |
Canadian Tire Financial Services | Welland | 963 |
City of St. Catharines | St Catharines | 961 |
Stanpac | West Lincoln | 865 |
HOCO | Niagara Falls | 840 |
Meridian Credit Union | St Catharines | 799 |
Canada Border Service Agency | Fort Erie | 773 |
Great Wolf Lodge | Niagara Falls | 756 |
ParaMed | Niagara on the Lake | 680 |
Sitel | St Catharines | 587 |
Shaw Festival Theatre | Niagara on the Lake | 573 |
Canada Post | St Catharines | 564 |
Rankin Construction Inc. | St Catharines | 550 |
White Oaks Resort | Niagara on the Lake | 523 |
Care Partners | St Catharines | 455 |
Hendriks Greenhouses | Lincoln | 440 |
Bethesda Community Services Inc. | Thorold | 438 |
Arterra Wines Canada | Niagara Falls | 434 |
Book Depot | Thorold | 425 |
Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre | St Catharines | 421 |
Royal LePage NRC Realty | St Catharines | 415 |
City of Welland | Welland | 414 |
Concentrix | Niagara Falls | 400 |
Tabor Manor (Mennonite Brethren Citizens Home) | St Catharines | 379 |
Town of Lincoln - Town Hall | Lincoln | 345 |
Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium | Fort Erie | 340 |
Family and Childrens Services Niagara | St Catharines | 314 |
Top 5 Sectors by Employment
Wholesale and retail trade | 28,900 |
Manufacturing | 26,000 |
Health care and social assistance | 25,300 |
Accommodation and food services | 15,900 |
Construction | 15,200 |
Top 5 Sectors by Employment Growth (2016-2021)
Manufacturing | 6,200 |
Educational services | 2,600 |
Professional, scientific and technical services | 2,500 |
Other services (except public administration) | 2,200 |
Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing | 2,000 |
Top 5 Sectors by Employment Growth Rate (2016-2021)
Manufacturing | 31% |
Professional, scientific and technical services | 31% |
Other services (except public administration) | 31% |
Finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing | 23% |
Educational services | 21% |