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
Source Statistics Canada, Canadian Business Counts, 2021

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
Source Statistics Canada, Canadian Business Counts, 2021

Employment

Total Employed

2019 2020 2021
216,00 211,200 220,400
Source Statistics Canada Table: 14-10-0385-01

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
Source Niagara Employment Inventory, 2019

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
Source Statistics Canada Table: 14-10-0384-01

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
Source Statistics Canada Table: 14-10-0384-01

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%
Source Statistics Canada Table: 14-10-0384-01