David Purchase

David Purchase, Sales Representative — eXp Realty, Brokerage

Neighborhood guide

Orleans neighborhood guide

East Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Published September 7, 2026

Authored by David Purchase, Sales Representative

Orleans is a large, bilingual suburban community in east Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, offering families extensive parks and trails, strong school coverage across four public school boards, convenient transit connections to downtown Ottawa, and a well-rounded mix of housing anchored by detached homes and row houses.

See the full Orleans market report

Overview of Orleans

Orleans is a major suburban community in the east end of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, with a 2021 census population of 126,207 and strong population growth of 21.8% between 2016 and 2021. The community is notably bilingual, with 55.6% of residents speaking French, and has a high homeownership rate of 85.8%. Detached homes make up 55.6% of the housing stock, followed by row houses at 31.1%, giving Orleans a distinctly family-oriented suburban character. Median household income stands at $125,084, reflecting a solidly middle- to upper-middle-income community.

  • Population (2021)

    126,207

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Population Growth (2016–2021)

    21.8%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • French Speakers Share

    55.6%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Median Household Income

    $125,084

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

Shopping, Arts, and Local Amenities

Orleans is anchored by Place d'Orléans, a large regional shopping centre, and the nearby Centrum Boulevard commercial and civic district. The Shenkman Arts Centre, located at 245 Centrum Boulevard, serves as the primary arts and culture hub for Orleans and the broader east Ottawa community, offering bilingual programming in English and French. Residents also have access to the Orleans branch of the Ottawa Public Library, part of the city-wide Ottawa Public Library system.

  • Major Shopping Centre

    Place d'Orléans

    en.wikipedia.org

  • Arts Venue

    Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Blvd

    shenkmanarts.ca

  • Library

    Orleans branch, Ottawa Public Library

    en.wikipedia.org

Schools in Orleans

Orleans is served by four public school boards, providing English and French instruction in both public and Catholic systems. English public secondary schools include Cairine Wilson Secondary School and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School, both operated by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. English Catholic high schools such as St. Matthew High School, St. Peter Catholic High School, and Garneau Catholic High School are run by the Ottawa Catholic School Board. French-language options include École secondaire catholique Béatrice-Desloges and Collège catholique Mer Bleue under CECCE, as well as École secondaire publique Gisèle-Lalonde under CEPEO, along with numerous elementary schools across all four boards.

  • English Public Secondary

    Cairine Wilson SS, Sir Wilfrid Laurier SS (OCDSB)

    ocdsb.ca

  • English Catholic Secondary

    St. Matthew HS, St. Peter Catholic HS, Garneau Catholic HS (OCSB)

    en.wikipedia.org

  • French Catholic Secondary

    Béatrice-Desloges, Collège catholique Mer Bleue (CECCE)

    en.wikipedia.org

  • French Public Secondary

    Gisèle-Lalonde (CEPEO)

    en.wikipedia.org

Parks, Trails, and Lifestyle

Orleans offers residents a strong outdoor-recreation culture with numerous neighbourhood parks, including Fountainhead Park, Bradley Ridge Park, Tulip Tree Park, Patrick Dugas Park, Goldfinch Park, and Eden Park. The community provides access to major trail systems such as the Prescott-Russell Trail, Cardinal Creek Trail, and the Lakeridge Trail loop in the Avalon neighbourhood, as well as proximity to Mer Bleue Bog and extensive cycling paths. Municipal planning for the East Urban Community in the southeast portion of Orleans emphasizes a complete-neighbourhood design with mixed-use development and active transportation infrastructure.

  • Detached Homes Share

    55.6%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Row Houses Share

    31.1%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

  • Owner Households Share

    85.8%

    www12.statcan.gc.ca

Transit and Getting Around

Orleans is connected to downtown Ottawa by OC Transpo bus routes feeding into Blair station, the eastern terminus of O-Train Line 1, with key stations including Place d'Orléans, Chapel Hill, Convent Glen, Millennium, and Trim. The O-Train Line 1 East extension is planned to bring light rail directly to Orleans-area stations such as Place d'Orléans, Trim, and Jeanne d'Arc, with park-and-ride facilities at each. The 2021 census shows 83.8% of commuters travel by car, truck, or van, while 9.0% use public transit and 3.3% walk to work.

  • 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 July 2026, the average sale price across all property types in Orleans is $632,200. Single-family detached homes average $720,000, townhouses average $550,700, and condos average $384,500.

What schools are available in Orleans?

Orleans is served by four school boards offering instruction in English and French. English public high schools include Cairine Wilson Secondary School and Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School under the OCDSB. English Catholic secondary schools include St. Matthew High School, St. Peter Catholic High School, and Garneau Catholic High School under the OCSB. French-language secondary schools include École secondaire catholique Béatrice-Desloges and Collège catholique Mer Bleue under CECCE, and École secondaire publique Gisèle-Lalonde under CEPEO. Numerous elementary schools across all four boards also serve the community.

How do residents commute from Orleans to downtown Ottawa?

Most Orleans commuters drive, with 83.8% travelling by car, truck, or van according to the 2021 census. Public transit is used by 9.0% of commuters, typically via OC Transpo bus routes connecting to Blair station and O-Train Line 1 into the downtown core. The planned Line 1 East extension will bring light rail directly to Orleans-area stations including Place d'Orléans, Trim, and Jeanne d'Arc.

Is Orleans a bilingual community?

Yes, Orleans is strongly bilingual. According to the 2021 census, 55.6% of residents speak French. The community has both English and French schools across four school boards, and cultural facilities like the Shenkman Arts Centre offer programming in both official languages.

What parks and outdoor activities are available in Orleans?

Orleans has numerous neighbourhood parks including Fountainhead Park, Bradley Ridge Park, Tulip Tree Park, Patrick Dugas Park, Goldfinch Park, and Eden Park. Residents also enjoy access to the Prescott-Russell Trail, Cardinal Creek Trail, and the Lakeridge Trail in the Avalon neighbourhood, as well as proximity to Mer Bleue Bog and cycling paths throughout the area.

What is the homeownership rate in Orleans?

According to the 2021 census, 85.8% of households in Orleans are owner-occupied, while 14.2% are renter households. Average monthly shelter costs are $1,653 for owners and $1,762 for renters.

Sources