Outaouais

A Territory that is formed by Québec’s longest river, which also gives the area its name and history.

Outaouais is a region of the North-Western side of the province of Quebec, Canada. It contains the Papineau region, the city of Gatineau, and the Val-des-Monts municipality. Outaouais is opposite Ottawa, the capital of Canada, on the northern side of the Ottawa River. It has a land area of 30,808.69 square kilometers.

In Outaouais, the wildness of nature and thriving city life coexist in perfect harmony. Enjoy a morning outdoor activity and an afternoon or evening of cultural exploration!

Reasons to Live in Outaouais

  • Great Economy

Public administration is a major component of the Outaouais region’s economy. A significant hub for high-tech is Outaouais. One of North America’s fastest growing economies in this industry. It is also notable for its excellence in the production and processing of wood, the vibrancy of its agriculture, the variety of its recreational tourism offerings, and the size of its language industry. Due to its advantageous location, the area provides quick and easy access to many major business centers.

Outaouais is the top city among all of Québec’s regions for the proportion of exporting businesses in the high-tech sector.

The city has a flourishing economy with many high paying jobs.

  • Canadian Museum of History

Located in Outaouais, the Canadian Museum of History is Canada’s most frequently visited, and arguably the nicest national museum in the country.

Even in Ontario, the museum’s striking architecture catches the eye of tourists and people passing by. It’s not difficult to do that, of course, given the museum is located facing Ottawa on the banks of the Ottawa River.

The interior of the museum is just as impressive, particularly the Grand Hall with its tall ceilings (necessary to display the large totem poles) and big windows providing views of Parliament Hill. The museum is so big that it also contains an IMAX giant-screen theatre and a children’s museum, where small kids may enjoy learning about cultural diversity.

  • Gatineau Park

It is the playground of the National Capital Region, within a short distance from the heart of Ottawa-Gatineau. The 361 km2 conservation park spreads its hills and valleys across the intersection of the Ottawa and Gatineau rivers.

This beautiful park provides access to one of the biggest trail networks in North America. You may go rock climbing, horseback riding, swimming, fishing, canoeing, camping, kayaking, and mountain biking (Camp Fortune offers an extreme version). Take a historical tour of Canada’s 10th prime minister’s home, the Mackenzie King Estate, throughout the summer.

Real Estate Statistics (Centris)

Single Family Home $420,000 (up 28% in the last 4 quarters)
Condo $290,000 (up 31% in the last 4 quarters)
Plex (2 to 5 units) $470,000 (up 28% in the last 4 quarters)

Education

Outaouais is home to many top rated elementary and high schools such as École Saint-Jean-De-Brébeuf, École Du Marais, École Secondaire D’Arcy McGee and Collège Nouvelles Frontières.

Cégep de l’Outaouais, Cégep Heritage College and Collège Universel – Campus Gatineau are all publicly funded colleges found in Outaouais. (Cegep)

The Université du Québec en Outaouais is a university campus located in Outaouais.

Outaouais – Quick Demographics

Age, Income & Family Types

Age

The average age in Outaouais is 40 years old. 30% of the population is aged between 45 to 64 years old. 26% is aged between 25 to 44 years old, making them the 2 largest age groups in Outaouais.

Income

The average household income in Outaouais is $81,808. 36% of the population in Outaouais have a household income less than $50,000. 23% of the population have a household income between $50,000 and $80,000.

Family Types

Couples without children at home make up 41% of the population while couples with children make up 40%. Single-parent families make up 19% in Outaouais.

Languages Spoken

78% of the population in Outaouais speak French while about 18% of the population speak English. Other languages heard in Outaouais make up only 4%.