Having been an Aboriginal Territory for thousands of years before British colonial settlers migrated into the area, Pickering was officially incorporated in 2000 and is named after Pickering in North Yorkshire.
A primarily residential community, with a growing and widely multicultural population, Pickering has become increasingly attractive to young families looking to put down roots.
Living in Pickering offers residents the opportunity to enjoy the charm of a small town via their close-knit community, all while enjoying the benefits of being in close proximity to Toronto.
Pickering has much to offer as a predominantly suburban community only a stone’s throw from the city, including an abundance of natural green space, an impressive recreation and arts scene, housing affordability and local employment opportunities, as well as excellent local schooling and healthcare.
Pickering, by the numbers
- Population: 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Pickering had a population of 99,186 - according to Wikipedia population forecasting, the population is expected to reach 190,000 residents by 2031
- Location: Pickering is a city located in Southern Ontario, immediately east of Toronto in the Durham Region
- Size: Pickering has a land density of 231.1 km2
An abundance of natural green space in Pickering
Pickering offers over 220 hectares of open space and park lands, including over 85 parks. There are also many options for sports fields and trails, as well as 4 conservation areas.
The four conservation areas in Pickering, maintained by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority include:
There are also several creeks in Pickering, including Amberlea, Dunbarton, the Petticoat, Pine, Ganatsekiagon and Duffins Creeks.
One of the biggest outdoor draws in this lush natural community is its 7.6 km stretch of Lake Ontario waterfront, where 5 km is accessible to the public and 2.7 km is designated as beach grounds.
Image Credit: Flickr
Rouge National Urban Park is another spectacular natural setting for residents and visitors to explore. Picturesque valleys lead to meadows, farmlands and vast woodland settings in one of the “largest parks in an urban area in North America”.
Check out Pickering’s official Parks and Facilities Database for more information and a comprehensive listing of local parks.
An impressive recreation and arts scene in Pickering
Recreational options in Pickering are plentiful, including seasonal offerings in aquatics, fitness and leisure.
The city also prioritizes the health and well- being of its senior residents. June is Senior’s Month in Pickering, but activities and resources for the senior community are abundant year-round, and these residents are encouraged to check out the local Facebook page to stay informed and connect with other senior adults in the community.
For a full listing of local activities available for Pickering residents of all ages and interests, please see the city’s official Activity Guide. Parents can also find everything they need on local summer camps and program registrations in Pickering here.
A tightly-knit community, Pickerings’ residents share a widespread common interest when it comes to the arts. With several cultural and arts events and festivals held annually, Pickering has become a well known haven for not only artists themselves, but those who appreciate the positive impact and contribution of having a thriving arts scene in their community.
Arts Unleashed is a local program targeted at the youth community in Pickering, offering kids a chance to nurture and develop their love of the arts via this program.
Check out this link for more information and the official calendar for community events and festivals in Pickering.
Housing affordability and plenty of local employment opportunities in Pickering
Image Credit: WikiCommons
Relative to other areas of the GTA, Pickering maintains its spot as one of the more affordable regions for housing. While restrictions in the northern areas of the city may have slowed residential growth in those pockets, the city has been noted as one of two Durham regions locales earmarked to receive more development allowances as urban growth centres over coming years.
Have a look through our local listings or contact us today for more information on what’s available in this thriving community.
When it comes to employment, Pickering commuters appreciate the ease of access to Toronto, but it’s important to note that local employment opportunities are also plentiful in Pickering. The city’s largest employer is the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.
Some of the large scale companies that call Pickering home include: Canadian Headquarters for Purdue Pharma, Yorkville Sound, Hubbell Canada, PSB Speakers-Lenbrook and Search Engine People - as well as a local Profit 500 company.
Check out the city’s official Employment page for more information.
Schools, transportation and healthcare in Pickering
The Durham District School Board is responsible for overseeing schooling in the public sectors in Pickering, and you can find a full listing of these local schools here.
For local private school options, parents can find a comprehensive listing via OurKids.net.
A few of these top-rated private schools include:
- Blaisdale Montessori School - NS to 8 coed, one of 7 campuses in Pickering, Ajax, Oshawa and Bowmanville
- Crawford Adventist Academy - JK to 12 coed and boasts a 98% acceptance rate to the University of their first choice for their graduates
- Montessori Learning Centre of Pickering - NS to 9 coed, non denominational, inclusive school
- Ècole Montessori - NS to 6 coed, French private school fostering a bilingual education
For parents curious about private school options, there is an annual Private School Expo event held in September and October. You can find more information about this event, including ticket details here.
Transportation
Transportation in the City of Pickering is made easy for commuters via several local options and via Durham Region Transit. You can access local bus schedules and maps here.
Check out Rocketman, a free local Canadian-built transit app designed to make getting around even easier in Pickering, giving users real-time alerts and tracking of local busses or GO trains.
Healthcare
The wellbeing and good health of residents is vital in Pickering, with an abundance of health care facilities in the immediate and surrounding Durham location.
You can find a listing of local hospitals via the official Region of Durham Health and Wellness page.
For a comprehensive listing of Durham’s extensive healthcare facilities, including oral/dental clinics, immunization clinics, mental health facilities and more, please access the general Health and Wellness page.
You can access the Durham Region Public Health Events Calendar here.
Conclusion
Curious to know more about the thriving community of Pickering?
CONTACT US today for more information on this and the many other communities Royal LePage Connect Realty serves.
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Pickering Office
950 Merritton Road
Pickering, Ontario, L1V 1B1
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Fax: (905) 420-5455
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