TL;DR
- London grew 10% between 2016 and 2021, from 383,822 to 422,324 people, the fastest growth of any city in Ontario.
- Expect four real seasons: January averages about -6.3°C with roughly 200 cm of snow a year, and July averages about 26°C.
- Healthcare, education and advanced manufacturing anchor the economy, so the city doesn't depend on one employer.
- London is about 200 km from Toronto on Highway 401, with its own housing market and lower living costs.
London, Ontario grew faster than any other city in the province between 2016 and 2021. Its population rose 10%, from 383,822 to 422,324, according to Statistics Canada's 2021 census, the fourth-fastest growth of any city in Canada. If you're thinking about joining them, here's what the official numbers say about life here.
How big is London, Ontario?
London had 422,324 people in the 2021 census, spread across 420.5 square kilometres, or about 1,004 people per square kilometre. The wider London census metropolitan area, which takes in St. Thomas, Middlesex Centre, Strathroy-Caradoc and several other municipalities, reached 543,551 people, also up 10% from 2016. Whichever number you use, London is a growing city.
What is the weather like in London, Ontario?
London has four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy: January averages around -6.3°C, and a typical season brings about 200 cm of snow (Environment Canada climate normals). Summers are warm and humid, with July averaging around 26°C.
Summer thunderstorms, and the odd tornado, are part of life in southwestern Ontario, and winter brings the snowstorms you'd expect from that snowfall total. The climate is close to Kitchener-Waterloo or Guelph, so it's worth planning for if you're coming from somewhere milder.
What are the main industries and employers in London?
Healthcare, education and advanced manufacturing anchor London's economy, with financial services and digital media growing alongside them. St. Joseph's Health Care London and Nestlé Canada are among the major employers, together with Western University, Fanshawe College and a large regional hospital network. That mix is a big part of why London's growth has held up. No single employer carries the city.
How far is London from Toronto, and how do people get around?
London is about 200 km from Toronto on Highway 401, which runs right through the city. That's close enough for the odd trip, and far enough that London has its own housing market and cost of living. Lake Huron's beaches at Grand Bend and Lake Erie's at Port Stanley are popular weekend drives.
Inside the city, the Thames Valley Parkway and more than 200 parks give London one of the larger urban trail networks in Ontario. If walking and green space matter to you, that's a real point in its favour.
How do you choose a neighbourhood in London?
Start with the kind of home and street you want, since London varies a lot from one area to the next. There are century homes in Old South and Wortley Village, Victorian streets in Old North beside Western, a historic arts district in Old East Village, and newer subdivisions across the north and south ends.
The full neighbourhood guide covers every area this site covers, and you can browse current listings by area.
Thinking about the move and want a straight answer about a specific area, school or commute? Reach out to Justin, a Real Estate Broker with Sutton Group Chapman Realty Inc., Brokerage, based in London.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of London, Ontario?
The latest official figure is 422,324, from Statistics Canada's 2021 census, up 10% from 383,822 in 2016. That was the fastest growth of any city in Ontario and the fourth-fastest in Canada. The wider London census metropolitan area reached 543,551.
Is London, Ontario cold in the winter?
Yes. London has cold, snowy winters, with January averaging around -6.3°C and roughly 200 cm of snow in a typical season. Summers are warm and humid, averaging around 26°C in July.
How far is London, Ontario from Toronto?
About 200 km on Highway 401. That's close enough for a day trip, and far enough that London has its own housing market and economy rather than working as a Toronto suburb.
What industries drive London, Ontario's economy?
Healthcare, education and advanced manufacturing are the core, with major employers like St. Joseph's Health Care London and Nestlé Canada, a large post-secondary sector (Western University and Fanshawe College), and growing financial services and digital media businesses.
What smaller towns are near London, Ontario?
Strathroy, Komoka/Kilworth, Dorchester, Mount Brydges, Thorndale and Delaware all sit just outside London, within a short commute, and offer a more small-town feel than the city.
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Justin Skrypnyk
Real Estate Broker | Sutton Group Chapman Realty Inc., Brokerage
Justin Skrypnyk is a Real Estate Broker serving every corner of London, Ontario. He writes to help buyers and sellers make well-informed decisions, without the sales pitch.