Economic

The total employed labour force in Waterloo Region grew by 11 per cent between 2001 and 2006, outpacing the nine per cent growth in population of the same period. This means that 257,655 people, or 68 per cent of the total regional population over the age of 15, were working.

Another 14,880 people, or four per cent of the over-15 age group, were unemployed. Another 108,460 people, or 28 per cent, were not in the labour force, meaning they were not working and not looking for work.

Full-time employment (more than 30 hours a week) declined by 14 per cent between 2001 and 2006; part-time employment jumped by 112 per cent.

The 2006 Census found Waterloo Region has a relatively young workforce: the median age for workers was 39.5 years, the lowest of anywhere in Ontario.

Employed Labour Force, Region of Waterloo, 1996-2006

	1996	2006	Growth 10 Years
Waterloo Region	203,545	257,655	27%
Cambridge	48,925	64,110	31%
Kitchener	88,705	110,145	24%
Waterloo	40,815	53,180	30%
North Dumfries	4,135	5,215	26%
Wellesley	4,355	4,960	14%
Wilmot	7,135	9,355	31%
Woolwich	9,475	10,685	13%

Source; Statistics Canada, Census 1996 and 2006

For more information on employment in Waterloo Region, please refer to the 2006 Census Bulletins or visit our regional economic development partner, Canada's Technology Triangle.

Building Activity

Agriculture

For more statistics on agriculture, please visit the Statistics Canada website.

Other Findings

Manufacturing provided 60,375 jobs, a drop of 3.2 per cent from 2001.
Retailing was the second-largest employment sector, accounting for 30,000 jobs.
The Utilities sector grew the fastest, with 50 per cent growth since 2001. However, it remains a small category with just 1,380 jobs.

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