Orleans

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Ottawa Neighbourhood Guide

Orléans

A vibrant east‑end community with riverside living and family‑friendly neighbourhoods

Orléans is one of Ottawa’s most established and diverse suburban regions, known for its strong bilingual community, excellent schools, abundant parks, and easy access to the Ottawa River. With a mix of mature neighbourhoods and newer developments, Orléans offers a balanced lifestyle that appeals to families, professionals, and long‑time residents who value convenience, community, and natural surroundings.

Housing in Orléans ranges from well‑established single‑family homes to modern townhomes, condominiums, and quiet residential pockets surrounded by green space. Residents enjoy quick access to shopping, recreation centres, transit, and major roadways — all while benefiting from the welcoming, community‑oriented atmosphere that defines the east end.

Where is Orléans?

Orléans is located in Ottawa’s east end, approximately 15 kilometres from downtown. It is bordered by the Ottawa River to the north, Cumberland Village and rural lands to the east, and Beacon Hill to the west.

For this neighbourhood guide, Orléans is described through two key MLS sub‑areas:

  • Orléans – Convent Glen & Area – A mature, centrally located neighbourhood known for its tree‑lined streets, established homes, excellent schools, and direct access to the Ottawa River pathways.
  • Orléans – Cumberland & Area – A mix of newer developments and semi‑rural pockets offering larger lots, modern housing, and a quieter, more spacious lifestyle while still being close to major amenities.

Why people love living in Orléans?

  • Strong bilingual community with deep Francophone roots and diverse cultural amenities
  • Varied housing options from mature homes in Convent Glen to newer builds in Cumberland
  • Excellent schools across English, French, public, and Catholic boards
  • Parks, river pathways, and recreation including access to the Ottawa River, Petrie Island, and extensive trail networks
  • Convenient shopping and services with major plazas, local businesses, and everyday amenities
  • Easy commuting via Highway 174, future LRT expansion, and quick access to downtown

Demographics

Orléans At a Glance

A snapshot of who calls Orléans home, based on the 2021 Census of Population. 1

Population

~146,000 residents

Median age

41.8 years

City of Ottawa: 40 years

Median Household Income

$ 114K – $ 130K

City of Ottawa: $ 102K

Age Mix

17.8% Children (0–14 years)
17.1% Seniors (65+ years)

City of Ottawa: 16.4% Children and 16.9% Seniors

Language

English: 43.5%, French: 2.8%, Bilingual: 52.9%

Amenities & Recreation

Life in Orléans

Orléans combines major shopping and recreation facilities with arts, cultural programming and access to the Ottawa River.

Shopping & Everyday Conveniences

  • Place d’Orléans — An enclosed shopping centre with national retailers, services and direct transit access.
  • Innes Road Shopping District — Grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies and major retailers.
  • Orléans Farmers’ Market — A seasonal Thursday market featuring local produce, food and handmade products.
  • Shenkman Arts Centre — Theatre, concerts, exhibitions, arts classes and bilingual programming.
  • Orléans Library — Bilingual children’s programs, study areas and a large French-language collection.

Outdoor & Recreational Highlights

  • Petrie Island — Beaches, nature trails, picnic areas, paddling and wildlife observation.
  • Ray Friel Recreation Complex — Indoor pools, ice rinks, fitness facilities and recreation programs.
  • Ottawa River Pathway — A multi-use route connecting Orléans with Petrie Island and communities farther west.
  • Millennium Park — Sports fields, playgrounds, a splash pad and open green space.

Education

Top Schools in Orléans

Elementary Schools

  • Chapel Hill Catholic Sep S
    Rating: 8.2
    Type: Catholic
    Grade: JK-6
  • St Clare Catholic
    Rating: 8.0
    Type: Catholic
    Grade: JK-6
  • É Élém C d'enseignement personnalisé La Source
    Rating: 7.5
    Type: Public
    Grade: JK-6

Middle Schools

  • Fallingbrook Community E.S. Rating: 7.5
    Type: Public
    Grade: JK-8
  • Dunning‑Foubert E.S.
    Rating: 5.0
    Type: Public
    Grade: JK-8
  • École secondaire publique Gisèle-Lalonde
    Rating: 7.3
    Type: Public
    Grade: 7-12

High Schools

  • École secondaire publique Gisèle-Lalonde
    Rating: 7.3
    Type: Public
    Grade: 7-12
  • ÉS C Collège catholique Mer Bleue
    Rating: 7.0
    Type: Catholic
    Grade: 7-12
  • Sir Wilfrid Laurier SS
    Rating: 6.6
    Type: Public
    Grade: 9-12

Real Estate

Orléans Real Estate

Share of all homes in Orléans (2021 Census): Detached 57% Townhomes & semis 34% Condos & apartments 9%

Below is a snapshot of the market in Orléans by property type. All figures are medians from homes sold in the last 12 months. 1

777

Detached
UNITS SOLD

SOLD PRICE

$ 770,000

TAXES

$ 5,175

BEDROOMS

4 bedrooms

DAYS ON MARKET

18 days

504

Townhouse
UNITS SOLD

SOLD PRICE

$ 589,700

TAXES

$ 3,943

BEDROOMS

3 bedrooms

DAYS ON MARKET

21 days

122

Condo
UNITS SOLD

SOLD PRICE

$ 361,500

TAXES

$ 2,633

BEDROOMS

2 bedrooms

DAYS ON MARKET

42 days

Lifestyle

Top Things To do In Orléans

  • Swim, paddle or explore the nature trails at Petrie Island.
  • Attend a concert, performance or exhibition at Shenkman Arts Centre.
  • Walk the short wooded trail to Princess Louise Falls.
  • Shop from local producers at the seasonal Orléans Farmers’ Market.
1 Sources: Demographic data from Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population, via City of Ottawa ward profiles and the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study. Market data based on recent OREB MLS® sales (periods of up to 12 months ending July 2026). Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Neighbourhood boundaries are approximate.

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