← David Purchase

Neighborhood guide

Blackburn Hamlet neighborhood guide

East Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Published August 17, 2026 · by David Purchase

Blackburn Hamlet is a greenbelt-surrounded suburban community in east Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, offering walkable local amenities, strong schools in four language streams, extensive trail access, and a deeply rooted volunteer-driven neighbourhood culture.

See the full Blackburn Hamlet market report

Overview of Blackburn Hamlet

Blackburn Hamlet is a well-established suburban neighbourhood in east Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, uniquely surrounded by National Capital Commission Greenbelt lands. The community is home to a population of 8,173 residents and is often referred to locally as simply Blackburn or The Hamlet. With a median household income of $107,156 and an owner-household share of 76.1%, the neighbourhood reflects a stable, family-oriented residential base. Nearly half of residents speak French, giving the community a notably bilingual character.

  • Population (2021 Census)

    8,173

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Median Household Income

    $107,156

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • French Speakers Share

    48.4%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Owner Households Share

    76.1%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

Housing Market in Blackburn Hamlet

Blackburn Hamlet features a housing stock dominated by detached homes and row houses, with detached dwellings accounting for 44.8% and row houses making up 39.2% of the dwelling mix. The median sold price in the neighbourhood reached $484,950 in May 2026, with properties spending an average of 18 days on market. Across the broader Ottawa market, the MLS HPI composite benchmark price stood at $634,000 in July 2026, while single-family benchmark prices reached $725,000 and townhouse benchmarks sat at $542,500.

  • Median Sold Price (May 2026)

    $484,950

  • Average Days on Market (May 2026)

    18 days

  • MLS HPI Composite Benchmark Price (July 2026)

    $634,000

    creastats.crea.ca

  • MLS HPI Benchmark Price Single-Family (July 2026)

    $725,000

    creastats.crea.ca

  • MLS HPI Benchmark Price Townhouse (July 2026)

    $542,500

    creastats.crea.ca

  • Dwelling Mix: Detached

    44.8%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Dwelling Mix: Row House

    39.2%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

Shopping, Services, and Local Amenities

Blackburn Hamlet provides a concentrated commercial area with grocery, medical, dental, pharmacy, banking, restaurant, and convenience services within walking distance of most homes. The neighbourhood also includes a pub, several restaurants, dry cleaners, service stations, seniors residences, and daycare options. The Blackburn Hamlet Library at Glen Park Drive serves as the local branch of the Ottawa Public Library and doubles as a venue for community art exhibitions.

  • Walkable Services

    Grocery, medical, dental, pharmacy, banks, restaurants, and more

    blackburnhamlet.ca

  • Library

    Blackburn Hamlet Library (Ottawa Public Library branch)

    blackburnhamlet.ca

Schools Serving Blackburn Hamlet

Blackburn Hamlet is served by schools across all four Ontario language streams, including English public, English Catholic, French public, and French Catholic boards. English public options include Glen Ogilvie Public School and Emily Carr Middle School, located in the heart of Blackburn Hamlet, along with Norman Johnston Alternative School. English Catholic families are served by Good Shepherd School, while French-language options include École secondaire publique Louis-Riel and École élémentaire catholique Sainte-Marie, as well as the Blackburn Hamlet Preschool for early learners.

  • English Public Elementary

    Glen Ogilvie Public School

    en.wikipedia.org

  • English Public Middle School

    Emily Carr Middle School

    emilycarrms.ocdsb.ca

  • English Catholic Elementary

    Good Shepherd School

    en.wikipedia.org

  • French Public High School

    École secondaire publique Louis-Riel

    en.wikipedia.org

  • French Catholic Elementary

    École élémentaire catholique Sainte-Marie

    en.wikipedia.org

Lifestyle and Community Culture

Blackburn Hamlet is defined by a strong volunteer-driven community culture with signature events throughout the year. The annual Blackburn FunFair on the first weekend of June features a parade, concerts, fireworks, a fun run, and a dog show, while the Garden Tour invites neighbours to explore local gardens each July. Winter brings Hockey Day in the Hamlet at the Norman Johnson outdoor rink, and the Blackburn Community Hall hosts regular indoor programming including games days and open mic nights. The surrounding NCC Greenbelt lands offer extensive hiking and cross-country skiing trails directly accessible from the neighbourhood perimeter.

  • Signature Event

    Blackburn FunFair (first weekend of June)

    blackburnhamlet.ca

  • Community Hall

    Blackburn Community Hall, 190 Glen Park Drive

    blackburnhamlet.ca

  • Greenbelt Setting

    Surrounded by NCC Greenbelt lands

    en.wikipedia.org

Getting Around Blackburn Hamlet

Blackburn Hamlet is primarily a car-oriented community, with 78.4% of commuters travelling by car, truck, or van according to the 2021 Census. OC Transpo bus routes connect the neighbourhood to St-Laurent Station and Blair Station, both of which provide access to the O-Train Line 1 toward downtown Ottawa. Route 24 runs between St-Laurent Station and Blackburn Arena, while Route 28 and the newer Route 226 provide additional service along Innes Road, Bearbrook Road, and internal Blackburn Hamlet streets. Public transit accounts for 13.2% of commute trips and walking accounts for 5.6%.

  • Commute Mode: Car/Truck/Van

    78.4%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Commute Mode: Public Transit

    13.2%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Commute Mode: Walked

    5.6%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Key Bus Route

    Route 24 (St-Laurent Station to Blackburn Arena)

    octranspo.com

Frequently asked questions

What is the median home price in Blackburn Hamlet?

The median sold price in Blackburn Hamlet was $484,950 in May 2026. Over the January to June 2026 period, median sale prices ranged from $427,500 to $844,000 depending on property type. The average days on market was 18 days in May 2026.

What schools are available in Blackburn Hamlet?

Blackburn Hamlet is served by schools in all four Ontario language streams. English public schools include Glen Ogilvie Public School, Emily Carr Middle School, and Norman Johnston Alternative School. Good Shepherd School serves English Catholic families, while École secondaire publique Louis-Riel and École élémentaire catholique Sainte-Marie provide French-language education. The Blackburn Hamlet Preschool offers early learning options.

How do residents of Blackburn Hamlet commute to downtown Ottawa?

Most residents drive, with 78.4% of commuters using a car, truck, or van. Public transit serves 13.2% of commuters through OC Transpo bus routes connecting Blackburn Hamlet to St-Laurent Station and Blair Station on the O-Train Line 1. Key routes include Route 24 to St-Laurent Station, Route 28 to Blair Station, and the newer Route 226.

What is the population and income profile of Blackburn Hamlet?

According to the 2021 Census, Blackburn Hamlet had a population of 8,173 with a population change of 0.1% from 2016 to 2021. The median household income was $107,156, and 76.1% of households were owner-occupied while 24.0% were renter-occupied.

What recreational facilities and community events does Blackburn Hamlet offer?

Blackburn Hamlet features the Hornet's Nest sports complex with outdoor soccer fields and the Super Dome indoor facility, as well as Blackburn Arena for skating and hockey. The neighbourhood hosts the annual Blackburn FunFair in June, a Garden Tour in July, and Hockey Day in the Hamlet in January. The community is also surrounded by NCC Greenbelt lands providing extensive hiking and cross-country skiing trails.

What is the housing market like in the broader Ottawa area?

In July 2026, the Ottawa real estate board reported 1,325 residential sales with an average sale price of $683,308 and a median sale price of $635,000. The MLS HPI composite benchmark price was $634,000, with single-family homes benchmarked at $725,000, townhouses at $542,500, and apartments at $385,500. The market had 3.5 months of inventory and a sale-to-list price ratio of 97.8%.

Sources