Rockland at a Glance
Rockland is the primary urban centre within the City of Clarence-Rockland, Ontario, situated east of Ottawa and home to a vibrant bilingual population. The community recorded a population of 14,269 in the 2021 census, reflecting strong growth of 12.1% from 2016 to 2021. With a median household income of $100,065 and a French speakers share of 72.4%, Rockland blends suburban convenience with a distinctive francophone-anglophone cultural character.
Housing in Rockland
Rockland is predominantly a community of homeowners, with 75.2% of households owning their homes and 24.9% renting. Detached houses make up 63.5% of the dwelling stock, followed by low-rise apartments at 15.7% and row houses at 9.6%. Semi-detached homes account for 5.3% of dwellings and duplex apartments for 4.6%, giving buyers and renters a range of housing types to consider.
Owner households share
75.2%
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Renter households share
24.9%
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Detached dwellings share
63.5%
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Low-rise apartment share
15.7%
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Row house share
9.6%
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Amenities and Recreation
Rockland centres much of its community life around Parc Simon on Du Parc Avenue, a major park and festival venue maintained by the City of Clarence-Rockland. The Cultural and Recreational Complex, which includes a YMCA component, is located nearby on Du Parc Avenue and provides indoor fitness and programming. The Chamberland Centre on Laurier Street serves as a youth hub, and the Optimiste Performance Hall hosts live entertainment and cultural events.
Major park
Parc Simon / Simon Park, Du Parc Avenue
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Recreation complex
Cultural and Recreational Complex (YMCA), Du Parc Avenue
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Performance venue
Optimiste Performance Hall, Du Parc Avenue
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Schools Serving Rockland
Rockland offers English and French schooling across public and Catholic systems, reflecting the community's bilingual character. Francophone Catholic families are served by Ecole elementaire catholique Sainte-Trinite for elementary grades and Ecole secondaire catholique L'Escale for high school, both operated by the Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l'Est ontarien. English-language options include Rockland Public School and Rockland District High School in the public system, along with St. Patrick Catholic Elementary School and nearby St. Francis Xavier Catholic High School in Hammond for Catholic families. Ecole Carrefour Jeunesse provides francophone public elementary education.
Francophone Catholic elementary
Ecole elementaire catholique Sainte-Trinite
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Francophone Catholic secondary
Ecole secondaire catholique L'Escale
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English public secondary
Rockland District High School
English Catholic elementary
St. Patrick Catholic Elementary School
Lifestyle and Community Character
Rockland hosts the annual Clarence-Rockland Festival at Parc Simon, a multi-day summer celebration that includes Canada Day festivities, live entertainment, family activities, local vendors, and fireworks. The city's event calendar also features seasonal community markets and home games of the Rockland Nationals hockey team, contributing to a strong local identity. With 72.4% of residents identifying as French speakers, the community maintains a deeply bilingual culture visible in everyday life, signage, and public programming.
Getting Around Rockland
Rockland is a car-oriented community where 90.4% of commuters travel by car, truck, or van according to the 2021 census. Public transit accounts for 2.1% of commute trips, while 4.1% of residents walk and 0.3% cycle. The City of Clarence-Rockland maintains a Transportation Master Plan that documents the transportation infrastructure and services serving Rockland and surrounding areas.
Car, truck, van commute share
90.4%
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Public transit commute share
2.1%
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Walked commute share
4.1%
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Bicycle commute share
0.3%
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