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Located in northeastern Ontario, North Bay is a city of approximately 52,600 people, situated between Lake Nipissing and Trout Lake. Known as the Gateway to the North, the city serves as a regional centre for business, education, health care, and recreation.
North Bay combines urban amenities with access to lakes, forests, parks, and trails. Located at the crossroads of Highways 11 and 17, the city is connected to communities across Ontario by road, rail, and air.
Our history
The North Bay area is situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinabek Nation, including the peoples of Nipissing and Dokis First Nations. Indigenous peoples have lived in this region for thousands of years, establishing communities and using its interconnected lakes, rivers, and portage routes for travel, trade, fishing, hunting, and gathering.
Lake Nipissing and the surrounding waterways formed part of an important transportation network linking the Great Lakes and Ottawa River watersheds. These routes, including the historic La Vase Portages, were used by Indigenous peoples long before the arrival of European explorers and fur traders.
The Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850 recognized treaty relationships involving First Nations in the region, including Nipissing and Dokis First Nations. Indigenous peoples continue to contribute to the community's cultural, social, and economic life.
The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1882 marked a period of significant change and growth. North Bay was incorporated as a town in 1891 and became an important railway and commercial centre, supporting the forestry, mining, and resource industries of northeastern Ontario.
North Bay was incorporated as a city in 1925 and amalgamated with the townships of West Ferris and Widdifield in 1968. Today, the city continues to serve as a regional centre for transportation, commerce, education, and health care.
Read the City's Land Acknowledgement.
Location and climate
North Bay is approximately 125 kilometres east of Sudbury, 345 kilometres north of Toronto, and 357 kilometres northwest of Ottawa.
The city experiences four distinct seasons, with warm summers, colourful autumns, cold, snowy winters, and mild springs. Its natural surroundings provide year-round opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, cycling, swimming, skiing, and snowmobiling.
Population and demographics
According to the 2021 Census, North Bay had a population of 52,662.
The city's population included:
- People aged 0 to 14: 14.4%
- People aged 15 to 64: 63.9%
- People aged 65 and older: 21.7%
For more detailed information, visit Statistics Canada.
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