# 26 Housing Age Statistics for Ontario and the GTA (2026)

26 cited housing age stats: 49.2% of Ontario households live in pre-1981 homes, and 12.7% of the oldest need major repairs vs 0.9% of the newest.

_Source: https://www.prohousemaintenance.com/blog/housing-age-statistics/_

- **Author:** [Pro House Maintenance Editorial Team](https://www.prohousemaintenance.com/about/)
- **Published:** 2026-11-04

Cited Census data on how old Ontario and GTA homes are, how repair needs climb with age, and the old wiring and lead pipes found in older houses.

**Almost half of Ontario households (49.2%) lived in homes built in 1980 or earlier in 2021**, according to [Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101) Census data. Older homes are far more likely to need major repairs, and many still hide wiring and pipes that modern codes no longer allow. The 26 statistics below cover how old Ontario and GTA homes are, how repair needs rise with age, and what systems to check. If you are planning a [basement renovation](https://www.prohousemaintenance.com/services/basement-renovation/) or a larger project in an older house, start with the numbers.

Province and metro figures come from the 2021 Census (Statistics Canada Table 98-10-0241-01), which counts private households. City figures come from the experimental Canadian Housing Statistics Program estimates for 2024 (Table 46-10-0101-01), which count dwellings. Statistics Canada says those counts may differ from other sources, so the two sets are not directly comparable. We also cite the Electrical Safety Authority, the City of Toronto and the National Association of Home Builders. All sources were checked on November 4, 2026.

## Key Takeaways

- **49.2% of Ontario households live in homes built in 1980 or earlier** ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).
- **Homes built from 1971 to 1980 are the largest group**, at 14.8% of Ontario households ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).
- **12.7% of households in Ontario homes from 1920 or earlier need major repairs**, compared with 0.9% in homes built from 2016 to 2021 ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).
- **Pre-1981 homes account for 75.3% of Ontario households needing major repairs** ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).
- **27.8% of Hamilton-area households live in homes built before 1961**, the highest share among the metro areas we checked ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).
- **Toronto still has just under 16,000 City-owned lead water service pipes** ([City of Toronto](https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/tap-water-in-toronto/lead-drinking-water/)).

## How old are homes in Ontario?

Most Ontario homes are decades old. In 2021, about half of the province's 5.4 million households lived in homes built before 1981, and nearly a quarter lived in homes built before 1961. Homes from the 1970s make up the largest single group. New construction adds only a small share of the stock each year.

### 1\. 49.2% of households live in homes built before 1981

Of Ontario's 5,415,420 households in 2021, 2,666,370 (49.2%) lived in homes built in 1980 or earlier ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).

### 2\. The 1970s are the largest building decade

Homes built from 1971 to 1980 housed 799,085 Ontario households, or 14.8%, the largest share of any period in the Census table ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)). Many of these homes are now about 50 years old.

### 3\. 22.6% live in homes built before 1961

In 2021, 1,223,665 Ontario households, or 22.6%, lived in homes built in 1960 or earlier ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).

### 4\. 6.5% live in homes from 1920 or earlier

Some 350,145 Ontario households, or 6.5%, lived in homes built in 1920 or earlier. Another 254,130 (4.7%) lived in homes built from 1921 to 1945 ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).

### 5\. Only 12.7% live in homes built from 2011 to 2021

Homes built in the decade to 2021 housed 686,745 Ontario households, or 12.7%. Just 362,650 households (6.7%) lived in homes built from 2016 to 2021 ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).

### 6\. 3.1% of Ontario dwellings were built in 2021 or later

Of 6,192,535 Ontario dwellings in the 2024 estimates, 193,315 (3.1%) were built from 2021 on ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=4610010101)). Statistics Canada released these figures on March 31, 2026 ([The Daily](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/260331/dq260331k-eng.htm)).

49.2%

Ontario households in pre-1981 homes (2021)

14.8%

in homes built 1971 to 1980, the largest group

6.7%

in homes built 2016 to 2021

_Chart: Ontario households by period of construction (2021, %)._

Source: [Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0241-01, 2021 Census](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101). Shares are grouped from the table's construction periods.

## How old are homes in the GTA and nearby cities?

Age varies a lot across the region. Hamilton has the oldest housing of the metro areas we checked, while the Toronto, Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo and Oshawa areas sit lower. Inside the City of Toronto, though, older homes dominate. Newer suburbs such as Brampton were mostly built after 2000.

### 7\. Toronto area: 18.2% of households in pre-1961 homes

In the Toronto census metropolitan area, 409,295 of 2,247,405 households (18.2%) lived in homes built before 1961 in 2021. Another 24.4% lived in homes built from 1961 to 1980 ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).

### 8\. Hamilton area: 27.8%, the oldest stock we checked

In the Hamilton metro area, 85,030 of 305,450 households (27.8%) lived in homes built before 1961, and 57.0% lived in homes built before 1981 ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).

### 9\. Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo 18.1%, Oshawa 16.0%

The share of households in pre-1961 homes was 18.1% in the Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo metro area and 16.0% in the Oshawa metro area in 2021 ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).

### 10\. City of Toronto: 40.8% of dwellings built in 1960 or earlier

Of 1,297,240 dwellings in the City of Toronto in the 2024 estimates, 529,095 (40.8%) were built in 1960 or earlier ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=4610010101)). This dwelling count comes from a different program than the Census household figures above.

### 11\. City of Toronto: 2.9% built since 2021

Just 36,980 of the City of Toronto's dwellings (2.9%) were built from 2021 on, the 2024 estimates show ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=4610010101)).

### 12\. Mississauga: 39.5% built from 1971 to 1990

Of 256,900 dwellings in Mississauga, 101,370 (39.5%) were built from 1971 to 1990. Only 18,220 (7.1%) were built in 2011 or later ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=4610010101)).

### 13\. Brampton: 36.1% built from 2001 to 2015

Brampton has much newer housing. Of its 192,985 dwellings, 69,665 (36.1%) were built from 2001 to 2015, and only 8.0% were built in 1960 or earlier ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=4610010101)).

### 14\. Barrie area: 32.0% built from 1991 to 2005

In the Barrie metro area, 28,085 of 87,690 dwellings (32.0%) were built from 1991 to 2005, the 2024 estimates show ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=4610010101)).

_Chart: Households in homes built before 1961, by metro area (2021, %)._

Source: [Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0241-01, 2021 Census](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101). Metro areas are census metropolitan areas.

## How does home age affect repair needs?

Repair needs climb steadily with age. Statistics Canada counts a home as needing major repairs when residents report problems such as defective plumbing or wiring, or structural repairs to walls, floors or ceilings. In Ontario, households in the oldest homes are about 14 times as likely to report this as households in the newest.

### 15\. 5.6% of Ontario households need major repairs

In 2021, 305,010 Ontario households, or 5.6%, said their home needed major repairs. The rate for all of Canada was 6.0% ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).

### 16\. 12.7% of the oldest homes vs 0.9% of the newest

Among Ontario households in homes built in 1920 or earlier, 12.7% needed major repairs. For homes built from 2016 to 2021, the rate was 0.9% ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).

### 17\. The rate falls with every decade

The major repair rate in Ontario was 10.8% for homes built from 1921 to 1945, 8.8% for 1946 to 1960, 8.0% for the 1960s, 6.5% for the 1970s and 4.6% for the 1980s ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).

### 18\. Pre-1981 homes hold 75.3% of the repair need

Of the 305,010 Ontario households needing major repairs, 229,800 (75.3%) lived in homes built before 1981, and 126,505 (41.5%) lived in homes built before 1961 ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).

### 19\. Owners: 4.6% overall, 11.7% in the oldest homes

Among Ontario homeowners, 4.6% reported a need for major repairs in 2021. For owners in homes built in 1920 or earlier, the rate was 11.7% ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).

### 20\. Toronto area: 10.7% of the oldest homes need major repairs

In the Toronto metro area, 5.1% of households needed major repairs in 2021. The rate was 10.7% for homes built in 1920 or earlier and 1.0% for homes built from 2016 to 2021 ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).

### 21\. Hamilton area: 12.9% of the oldest homes

In the Hamilton metro area, 5.9% of households needed major repairs, and the rate for homes built in 1920 or earlier was 12.9%. Across Canada, the rate for homes from 1920 or earlier was 13.9% ([Statistics Canada](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101)).

_Chart: Ontario households needing major repairs, by period of construction (2021, %)._

Source: [Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0241-01, 2021 Census](https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810024101). Rates for 1991 to 2021 combine the table's five-year periods.

## What old wiring and pipes are found in older homes?

Two problems come up often in older Ontario homes: knob and tube wiring and lead water pipes. Both date the house. Knob and tube wiring was used until the 1940s, and lead service pipes appear in Toronto homes built before the mid-1950s. That lines up with the 22.6% of Ontario households in pre-1961 homes.

### 22\. Knob and tube wiring dates from the early 1900s to the 1940s

The Electrical Safety Authority says knob and tube "was used in homes in the early 1900s to 1940s and is no longer used." It also says "many insurers will not provide or renew coverage on homes with this type of wiring" ([ESA](https://esasafe.com/home-renovation-buying-and-selling/knob-and-tube/)).

### 23\. Lead pipes in Toronto homes built before the mid-1950s

The City of Toronto says lead can be found in water service pipes in homes built before the mid-1950s, and in solder used to join pipes before 1990 ([City of Toronto](https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/tap-water-in-toronto/lead-drinking-water/)).

### 24\. Just under 16,000 City-owned lead pipes remain

Toronto has about 437,000 residential water customers. The City estimates that just under 16,000 City-owned lead water service pipes remain, and it offers free lead testing ([City of Toronto](https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/tap-water-in-toronto/lead-drinking-water/)).

### 25\. About 3,000 service pipes replaced each year

Each year, the City of Toronto replaces about 3,000 substandard water service pipes during planned road, sewer and watermain work. Homeowners are responsible for the private part of the pipe, from the property line into the home ([City of Toronto](https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/water-environment/tap-water-in-toronto/lead-drinking-water/capital-water-service-replacement-program/)).

## How does Ontario compare with the United States?

US homes are aging too. The National Association of Home Builders reports that the median owner-occupied American home was 42 years old in 2024. That is a similar picture to Ontario, where about half of households live in homes built before 1981.

### 26\. US median home age: 42 years

The median age of owner-occupied US homes rose to 42 years in 2024, up from 31 in 2005, based on American Community Survey data. NAHB says almost half of owner-occupied homes, about 47%, were built before 1980 ([NAHB, Eye On Housing](https://eyeonhousing.org/2026/03/almost-half-of-the-owner-occupied-homes-built-before-1980-2/)).

## What this means for homeowners

- **Expect more repairs in older homes.** In Ontario, 10.3% of households in pre-1961 homes need major repairs, about 10 times the rate for homes built from 2011 to 2021. Our [home repair statistics](https://www.prohousemaintenance.com/blog/home-repair-statistics/) cover what those repairs cost.
- **Check the wiring before you renovate.** If your home was built before the 1950s, ask an electrician about knob and tube wiring. Our [electrical safety statistics](https://www.prohousemaintenance.com/blog/electrical-safety-statistics/) explain the risks.
- **Test for lead.** Toronto homes built before the mid-1950s may have lead service pipes, and the City tests water for free. Our [plumbing statistics](https://www.prohousemaintenance.com/blog/plumbing-statistics/) cover pipe repair and replacement.
- **Plan for surprises.** Older homes can also hide asbestos. Read our [asbestos statistics](https://www.prohousemaintenance.com/blog/asbestos-statistics/) before you open walls.
- Pro House Maintenance is free for homeowners and matches you with local pros who passed WSIB, insurance, reference and background checks. Compare the [best general contractors in Toronto](https://www.prohousemaintenance.com/best/general-contractors/toronto/) or [request free written quotes](https://www.prohousemaintenance.com/contact/) for your project.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How old are most homes in Ontario?

About half are more than 40 years old. In the 2021 Census, 49.2% of Ontario households lived in homes built in 1980 or earlier, Statistics Canada data show. The single largest group, 14.8% of households, lived in homes built from 1971 to 1980. Only 12.7% lived in homes built from 2011 to 2021.

### Do older homes need more repairs?

Yes, by a wide margin. In Ontario, 12.7% of households in homes built in 1920 or earlier said their home needed major repairs in 2021, compared with 0.9% of households in homes built from 2016 to 2021. The rate drops with every decade of construction. Across all Ontario homes, it was 5.6%.

### Which GTA area has the oldest homes?

Of the metro areas we checked, Hamilton has the oldest stock. In 2021, 27.8% of Hamilton-area households lived in homes built before 1961, compared with 18.2% in the Toronto area, 18.1% in Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo and 16.0% in Oshawa. Within the City of Toronto, 40.8% of dwellings were built in 1960 or earlier, a separate 2024 estimate shows.

### Does my older home have knob and tube wiring or lead pipes?

It might. The Electrical Safety Authority says knob and tube wiring was used in homes from the early 1900s to the 1940s, and many insurers will not cover homes that still have it. The City of Toronto says homes built before the mid-1950s may have lead water service pipes. Toronto offers free lead testing.

### How much repair work should I expect in an older home?

Budget for more. Households in pre-1981 Ontario homes made up 75.3% of all households reporting a need for major repairs in 2021, though those homes held 49.2% of households. A licensed contractor can inspect wiring, plumbing and structure before you renovate. Pro House Maintenance can match you with vetted local pros for free.

## Keep exploring

Ready to move from research to a real quote? [See basement renovation costs and get a quote](https://www.prohousemaintenance.com/services/basement-renovation/). Basement Renovation projects typically run $15,000–$45,000 per project, and every estimate is free and fixed-price.

Related guides and reports from our editorial team:

- [23 Home Repair Statistics for Canadian Homeowners (2026)](https://www.prohousemaintenance.com/blog/home-repair-statistics/): How many Canadian homes need major repairs, Ontario and Toronto rates, mould and pest risk in homes needing repairs, and what Canadians spend on upkeep.
- [Electrical Safety & Home Wiring Statistics (2026)](https://www.prohousemaintenance.com/blog/electrical-safety-statistics/): Home electrical fires, panel and wiring repair costs, aging electrical systems, and why licensed work matters.
- [24 Asbestos Statistics for Ontario Home Renovations (2026)](https://www.prohousemaintenance.com/blog/asbestos-statistics/): How many Canadians are exposed to asbestos, where it hides in older homes, how many cancers it causes in Ontario and the rules for renovation work on it.

_Quote form: this page has a form to request free quotes from local pros. Open https://www.prohousemaintenance.com/blog/housing-age-statistics/ to use it._

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