In this Neighbourhood Guide, you'll find out more about the people who live here as well as the schools, parks and recreation facilities, homes, and more.
A vibrant and multicultural neighbourhood with a historic charm and eclectic atmosphere.
Mostly condos and apartments, with older homes, spacious layouts, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
A diverse community of residents from 147 different ethnic origins, with a mix of families and young professionals.
The unique blend of Kensington Market's multiculturalism, Chinatown's ethnic charm, and proximity to downtown.
Kensington-Chinatown has a dynamic population, and is popular with people in their 20s, people in their 30s, people in their 40s, and people in their 50s. Kensington Market is a distinctive multicultural neighbourhood in Downtown Toronto. In November 2006, it was designated a National Historic Site of Canada. Most of the neighbourhood's eclectic shops, cafes, and other attractions are located along Augusta Ave. and neighbouring Nassau St., Baldwin St., and Kensington Ave. In addition to the Market, the neighbourhood features many Victorian homes. Chinatown is an ethnic enclave with a high concentration of ethnic Chinese residents and businesses extending along Dundas Street West and Spadina Avenue west of the centre of the city. Toronto's Chinatown first appeared during the 1890s.
People & Families in Kensington-Chinatown
Families with kids make up 18% of households in this neighbourhood, while couples without children make up 16% of households and 47% of households are one person living alone. People in this neighbourhood come from 147 different ethnic origins, and 52% are first-generation immigrants, while 25% are second-generation immigrants.
Neighbourhood Households
8,735
Neighbourhood Population
17,945
Household Size
- 1 person - 46%
- 2 persons - 29%
- 3 persons - 11%
- 4 persons - 6%
- 5 or more persons - 5%
Household Types
- One-person households - 46%
- Non-family households - 16%
- Families with children - 18%
- Couples without children - 16%
- Multiple families in household - 2%
Children Per Family
- 1 child - 31%
- 2 children - 16%
- 3 or more children - 7%
Broad Age Ranges
- 0 to 14 years - 7%
- 15 to 64 years - 77%
- 65 years and over - 15%
Most Common Ethnic Origins
- Chinese - 35%
- Canadian - 11%
- English - 11%
- Scottish - 10%
- Irish - 10%
Age of Primary Household Maintainer
- 15 to 24 years - 12%
- 25 to 34 years - 25%
- 35 to 44 years - 14%
- 45 to 54 years - 13%
- 55 to 64 years - 12%
- 65 to 74 years - 8%
- 75 to 84 years - 8%
- 85 years and over - 3%
Specific Age Groups
- 0 to 4 years - 2%
- 5 to 9 years - 2%
- 10 to 14 years - 1%
- 15 to 19 years - 4%
- 20 to 29 years - 29%
- 30 to 39 years - 16%
- 40 to 49 years - 10%
- 50 to 59 years - 10%
- 60 to 69 years - 7%
- over 70 years - 7%
Kensington-Chinatown Schools
This neighbourhood has great elementary schools, great secondary schools, elementary special programs, and secondary special programs. There are 10 public schools, 3 Catholic schools, 3 private schools, and 4 alternative/special schools serving this neighbourhood. The special programs offered at local schools include Montessori, Other Religions, Fine Arts, International Baccalaureate, Special Education School, French Immersion, All-Female, Vocational, and Gifted/Talented Program.
Public Schools
10
Catholic Schools
3
Private Schools
3
Public
Private
Alternative/Special
Having Fun in Kensington-Chinatown
Fun is easy to find at the many parks & rec facilities here. Parks in this neighbourhood feature playgrounds for kids, dog parks, and skating. There are 9 parks in Kensington-Chinatown, with 29 recreational facilities in total. The average number of facilities per park is 3.
Number of Parks
9
Number of Recreation Facilities
29
Recreation Facilities in Neighbourhood Parks
- Playgrounds - 6
- Dog Park - 1
- Pools - 3
- Rink - 1
- Volleyball Court - 1
- Ball Diamond - 1
- Community Centres - 2
- Splash Pads - 7
- Skateboard Park - 1
- Community Garden - 1
- Trails - 2
- Arts/Performance Facilities - 2
- Gym - 1
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Getting Around in Kensington-Chinatown
There are 80 transit stops in this neighbourhood. Rail stations include Queen's Park Station. In Kensington-Chinatown, there are a mix of transit and walk/bike commuters and most commute within the city.
Commute Destination for Residents
- Commute within the city - 92%
- Commute to another city - 7%
Commute Types
- Vehicle - 14%
- Transit - 27%
- Walk/bike - 56%
Commute Times of Residents
- 15 to 29 minutes - 37%
- 30 to 44 minutes - 21%
- 45 to 59 minutes - 7%
- 60 minutes and over - 8%
- Less than 15 minutes - 24%
Work and Education in Kensington-Chinatown
In this neighbourhood, 49% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher and 67% have any postsecondary education. The professional, scientific and technical services industry is the most common for residents.
Household Income
- Under $30,000 - 35%
- $30,000 to $39,999 - 8%
- $40,000 to $49,999 - 6%
- $50,000 to $59,999 - 7%
- $60,000 to $69,999 - 5%
- $70,000 to $79,999 - 4%
- $80,000 to $89,999 - 4%
- $90,000 to $99,999 - 3%
- $100,000 to $124,999 - 6%
- $125,000 to $149,999 - 3%
- $150,000 to $199,999 - 4%
- $200,000 and over - 4%
Most Common Occupations (Top 3)
- Sales and service occupations - 29%
- Business, finance and administration occupations - 16%
- Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services - 12%
Most Common Industries (Top 3)
- Professional, scientific and technical services - 14%
- Accommodation and food services - 14%
- Retail trade - 10%
Employment
- Employed - 57% of people over age 15 are employed
- Unemployed - 5% are unemployed
- Not in the labour force - 37% are retired, students, homemakers, etc.
Kensington-Chinatown Homes
In Kensington-Chinatown, there are mostly condos and apartments. This neighbourhood has a dynamic population, with 52% of households having moved within the past 5 years and 22% having moved within the past year. It has mostly older homes and is mostly renter-occupied.
Home Types
- Single-detached house - 0%
- Semi-detached house - 2%
- Duplex - 2%
- Row house - 6%
- Low-rise apartment/condo - 33%
- High-rise apartment/condo - 52%
Condominium Status
- Condominium - 30%
- Not condominium - 69%
Number of Bedrooms in Homes
- 1 bedroom - 41%
- 2 bedrooms - 28%
- 3 bedrooms - 11%
- No bedrooms - 5%
- 4 or more bedrooms - 11%
Period of Home Construction
- 1961 to 1980 - 28%
- 1981 to 1990 - 15%
- 1991 to 2000 - 8%
- 2001 to 2005 - 5%
- 2006 to 2010 - 4%
- 2011 to 2016 - 6%
- 1960 or before - 31%
Renters & Owners
- Owner - 29%
- Renter - 70%