David Purchase

Neighborhood guide

Orleans neighborhood guide

East Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Published August 10, 2026 · by David Purchase

Orleans is Ottawa's largest and most established east-end suburb, offering a bilingual, family-oriented lifestyle with strong schools, extensive green space, and convenient transit connections to downtown.

See the full Orleans market report

Overview of Orleans

Orleans is a large, bilingual suburban community in east Ottawa with a 2021 census population of 126,207 residents. The community experienced significant growth of 21.8% between 2016 and 2021, reflecting its sustained appeal among families and professionals. With a median household income of $125,084 and an owner-occupied household share of 85.8%, Orleans presents a stable, well-established residential profile. Roughly 55.6% of residents speak French, giving the area a distinctly bilingual character unique among Ottawa suburbs.

  • Population (2021)

    126,207

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Population Growth (2016–2021)

    21.8%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Median Household Income

    $125,084

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • French Speakers Share

    55.6%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

Housing Market in Orleans

Orleans offers a range of housing options, with detached homes making up 55.6% of dwellings and row houses accounting for 31.1%. The average freehold house price stood at $727,049 in June 2026, while condos averaged $411,991 during the same period. Properties spent an average of 33 days on the market in 2026, and the median sale price across all property types was $654,000. A total of 183 homes sold in June 2026, with 160 freehold transactions and 23 condo sales.

  • Average Freehold House Price (June 2026)

    $727,049

  • Average Condo Price (June 2026)

    $411,991

  • Median Sale Price (2026)

    $654,000

  • Average Days on Market (2026)

    33 days

  • Total Home Sales (June 2026)

    183

Shopping, Recreation, and Culture

Orleans provides comprehensive shopping and entertainment options anchored by the Place d'Orléans shopping centre and big-box retailers including Costco, Home Depot, Walmart, Marshalls, Winners, and Landmark Cinemas along the Innes Road corridor. Recreation facilities such as the Ray Friel Recreation Complex, Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex, François Dupuis Recreation Centre, and Millennium Sports Park serve residents across the community. The Shenkman Arts Centre is a cultural hub housing the Gloucester Pottery School, Ottawa School of Art, and Ottawa School of Theatre, while Ottawa Public Library branches provide community learning spaces.

  • Major Shopping Centre

    Place d'Orléans

    allthingshome.ca

  • Key Recreation Facility

    Ray Friel Recreation Complex

    allthingshome.ca

  • Arts and Culture Venue

    Shenkman Arts Centre

    allthingshome.ca

Schools and Education

Orleans is served by all four Ontario publicly funded school systems, including the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Ottawa Catholic School Board, Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario, and Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est. Notable schools in the area include Cairine Wilson Secondary School, Cardinal Heights Public School, St. Peter High School, École secondaire catholique Béatrice-Desloges, Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School, and École élémentaire catholique Sainte-Kateri. Families seeking alternative education can also consider Orchardview Montessori School.

  • English Public Board

    Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB)

    en.wikipedia.org

  • English Catholic Board

    Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB)

    en.wikipedia.org

  • French Public Board

    Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario (CEPEO)

    en.wikipedia.org

  • French Catholic Board

    Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE)

    en.wikipedia.org

Lifestyle and Community Character

Orleans is a bilingual, family-friendly community defined by its abundant green space, access to the Ottawa Greenbelt, and river-adjacent recreation including cycling, hiking, and boating. The area maintains a suburban pace with established neighbourhoods and a strong commuter orientation. With an owner household share of 85.8% and a renter share of 14.2%, the community reflects a settled, residential character attractive to families putting down roots.

  • Owner Households

    85.8%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Renter Households

    14.2%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Detached Homes Share

    55.6%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

Getting Around Orleans

Orleans is connected to downtown Ottawa by Highway 174 and by OC Transpo's east LRT extension, with stations at Montréal, Jeanne d'Arc, Convent Glen, Place d'Orléans, and Trim. Key local routes include Innes Road, Tenth Line Road, and Jeanne d'Arc Boulevard, which provide access throughout the community. According to census data, 83.8% of commuters travel by car, truck, or van, while 9.0% use public transit.

  • Commute by Car/Truck/Van

    83.8%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Commute by Public Transit

    9.0%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Commute by Walking

    3.3%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Commute by Bicycle

    0.4%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

Frequently asked questions

What is the average home price in Orleans?

As of June 2026, the average freehold house price in Orleans was $727,049 and the average condo price was $411,991. The median sale price across all property types was $654,000 in 2026, with properties spending an average of 33 days on the market.

Is Orleans a good place for families?

Orleans is well suited for families, with access to all four publicly funded Ontario school systems, multiple recreation centres including Ray Friel Recreation Complex and François Dupuis Recreation Centre, and extensive green space along the Ottawa Greenbelt. The community has a median household income of $125,084 and an owner-occupied household share of 85.8%, reflecting a stable residential environment.

How do you commute from Orleans to downtown Ottawa?

Orleans is connected to downtown Ottawa via Highway 174 and the OC Transpo east LRT extension, with stations at Montréal, Jeanne d'Arc, Convent Glen, Place d'Orléans, and Trim. Census data shows 83.8% of Orleans residents commute by car, truck, or van, while 9.0% use public transit.

What types of housing are available in Orleans?

Orleans features a housing mix dominated by detached homes at 55.6% and row houses at 31.1% of dwellings, with smaller shares of semi-detached homes at 3.9%, low-rise apartments at 5.3%, and high-rise apartments at 1.2%. The average resale residential price across Ottawa was $635,300 as of May 2026, while Orleans specifically saw an average freehold price of $727,049 in June 2026.

What is the population of Orleans?

According to 2021 census data, Orleans had a population of 126,207 residents. The community experienced 21.8% population growth between 2016 and 2021, making it one of Ottawa's fastest-growing suburban areas.

Sources