David Purchase

David Purchase, Sales Representative — eXp Realty, Brokerage

Neighborhood guide

Blackburn Hamlet neighborhood guide

East Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Published September 7, 2026

Authored by David Purchase, Sales Representative

Blackburn Hamlet is a well-established, family-oriented suburban community in East Ottawa offering bilingual schools, walkable local amenities, and a strong tradition of volunteer-driven neighbourhood events.

See the full Blackburn Hamlet market report

Blackburn Hamlet at a Glance

Blackburn Hamlet is a mature suburban neighbourhood in East Ottawa with a population of 8,173 as recorded in the 2021 census. The community is notably bilingual, with 48.4% of residents reporting knowledge of French, and it enjoys a median household income of $107,156. Homeownership is prevalent, with 76.1% of households owning their dwelling, while detached houses and row houses together make up the vast majority of housing stock. The neighbourhood is anchored by local shopping plazas, multiple schools in four language streams, and a community hall that hosts events year-round.

  • 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 Overview

Blackburn Hamlet offers a range of housing types, with detached homes making up 44.8% of dwellings and row houses accounting for 39.2% according to census data. The neighbourhood's median sold price reached $484,950 in May 2026, while properties spent an average of 18 days on market during the same period. Across the broader Ottawa market, the MLS Home Price Index composite benchmark price stood at $634,000 in July 2026, with single-family benchmark prices at $725,000, townhouse benchmarks at $542,500, and apartment benchmarks at $385,500. The Ottawa market recorded 3.5 months of inventory and a sale-to-list price ratio of 97.8% in July 2026.

  • 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

  • Sale-to-List Price Ratio (July 2026)

    97.8%

    oreb.ca

  • Months of Inventory (July 2026)

    3.5 months

    oreb.ca

Shopping, Services, and Local Amenities

Blackburn Hamlet is served by the Blackburn Shoppes, a community shopping centre located at Innes Road and Bearbrook Road, as well as the Common Shopping Plaza on Glen Park Drive. The Blackburn Hamlet Branch of the Ottawa Public Library is conveniently situated in the Common Shopping Plaza, providing programs and resources for residents. The neighbourhood also features the Blackburn Community Centre and Arena on Glen Park Drive, which serves as a gathering place for community events and recreation.

  • Blackburn Shoppes

    Community shopping centre at Innes Road and Bearbrook Road

  • Blackburn Hamlet Library Branch

    199 Glen Park Drive, in Common Shopping Plaza

    about.biblioottawalibrary.ca

  • Blackburn Community Centre

    190 Glen Park Drive

    blackburnhamlet.ca

Schools and Education

Blackburn Hamlet provides families with schools in all four of Ottawa's school board systems, covering English public, English Catholic, French public, and French Catholic streams. English public options include Glen Ogilvie Public School at the elementary level and Emily Carr Middle School for grades six through eight, while Good Shepherd Catholic School serves the English Catholic elementary population. French-language education is represented by École secondaire publique Louis-Riel, a French public high school located on Bearbrook Drive, and École élémentaire catholique Sainte-Marie, a French Catholic elementary school. The neighbourhood also offers early-learning options through Blackburn Hamlet Preschool.

  • Glen Ogilvie Public School

    English public elementary

    en.wikipedia.org

  • Emily Carr Middle School

    English public, grades 6-8

    emilycarrms.ocdsb.ca

  • Good Shepherd Catholic School

    English Catholic elementary

    en.wikipedia.org

  • École secondaire publique Louis-Riel

    French public high school

    en.wikipedia.org

  • École élémentaire catholique Sainte-Marie

    French Catholic elementary

    en.wikipedia.org

Lifestyle, Parks, and Community Events

Blackburn Hamlet is known for its strong community spirit, driven largely by the Blackburn Community Association which organizes numerous annual events. Highlights include the Blackburn FUNFAIR held the first weekend of June, the Blackburn Winter Carnival on the Family Day long weekend at the community hall and Norman Johnston Rink, and the Cancer Chase 5K Walk/Run. The neighbourhood features green spaces such as Hornet's Nest Park and the Louis-Riel Dome, a large air-supported indoor recreation facility located at École secondaire publique Louis-Riel. Santa's Pancake Breakfast in December and community clean-up events further reflect the family-friendly, volunteer-driven character of the area.

  • Blackburn FUNFAIR

    Annual community fair, first weekend of June

    blackburnhamlet.ca

  • Blackburn Winter Carnival

    Family Day long weekend at community hall and Norman Johnston Rink

    blackburnhamlet.ca

  • Louis-Riel Dome

    Air-supported indoor recreation facility at École secondaire publique Louis-Riel

    blackburnhamlet.ca

Getting Around

Blackburn Hamlet is primarily a car-oriented community, with 78.4% of commuters driving according to the 2021 census, while 13.2% use public transit. OC Transpo Route 24 is the primary local bus route serving the neighbourhood, connecting residents along Innes Road, Bearbrook Road, Eastpark Drive, and Westpark Drive to St-Laurent Transit Station, a major bus and light rail hub providing access to the O-Train Confederation Line. Walking accounts for 5.6% of commute trips, consistent with a neighbourhood where most daily amenities are within a short walk from home.

  • Car/Truck/Van Commute Share

    78.4%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Public Transit Commute Share

    13.2%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Walk Commute Share

    5.6%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Primary Bus Route

    OC Transpo Route 24 to St-Laurent Station

    en.wikipedia.org

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, with properties averaging 18 days on market. For broader context, the Ottawa-wide MLS Home Price Index composite benchmark price was $634,000 in July 2026.

What schools are available in Blackburn Hamlet?

Blackburn Hamlet has schools across all four Ottawa school board systems. English public options include Glen Ogilvie Public School and Emily Carr Middle School. Good Shepherd Catholic School serves the English Catholic stream. French-language families can attend École secondaire publique Louis-Riel or École élémentaire catholique Sainte-Marie. Blackburn Hamlet Preschool offers early-learning programming.

How do residents commute from Blackburn Hamlet?

According to the 2021 census, 78.4% of Blackburn Hamlet commuters travel by car, truck, or van, while 13.2% use public transit and 5.6% walk. OC Transpo Route 24 connects the neighbourhood to St-Laurent Transit Station, where riders can transfer to the O-Train Confederation Line for access to downtown Ottawa.

What amenities and shopping options are in Blackburn Hamlet?

Blackburn Hamlet features the Blackburn Shoppes at Innes Road and Bearbrook Road and the Common Shopping Plaza on Glen Park Drive, which houses the Ottawa Public Library's Blackburn Hamlet branch. The neighbourhood also includes the Blackburn Community Centre and Arena, grocery stores, restaurants, medical offices, and other daily services.

What is the population and demographic profile of Blackburn Hamlet?

Blackburn Hamlet had a population of 8,173 in the 2021 census, with population growth of 0.1% from 2016 to 2021. The median household income was $107,156, and 48.4% of residents reported knowledge of French. The housing stock is predominantly detached houses at 44.8% and row houses at 39.2%, with 76.1% of households owning their home.

What community events take place in Blackburn Hamlet?

The Blackburn Community Association organizes several annual events including the Blackburn FUNFAIR in early June, the Winter Carnival on the Family Day long weekend, the Cancer Chase 5K Walk/Run, and Santa's Pancake Breakfast in December. These events are centred around the Blackburn Community Hall on Glen Park Drive and the Norman Johnston Rink.

Sources