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Thunder Bay, ON

Name: Thunder Bay, ON
Rating: 2.6

Population: 111,499

Key findings

Thunder Bay has a Livability Score of 73_/100, which is considered excellent
Thunder Bay crime rates are 66% higher than the Ontario average
Cost of living in Thunder Bay is 32% lower than the Ontario average
Thunder Bay real estate prices are 70% lower than the Ontario average
Rental prices in Thunder Bay are 51% lower than the Ontario average

Best Places to Live in and Around Thunder Bay

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Compare Thunder Bay, ON Livability

What do the locals think about Thunder Bay?

63%Family friendly 50%Public transit is accessible 50%Walkable to grocery stores 13%Yards are well-kept 63%Lots of parks 25%Walkable to restaurants 50%Friendly neighbors 38%Safe at night 63%Pet friendly 38%Streets have sidewalks 63%A quiet area 38%Sense of community

Based on 8 votes from AreaVibes users. See all Thunder Bay poll results.

Thunder Bay Real estate & Rental prices

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Thunder Bay Demographics

Population111,499 Median Age44.3 Have Kids (under 18)38%

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Thunder Bay, ON

Situated on the banks of Lake Superior in northwestern Ontario, the modern city of Thunder Bay is built around two places extremely important to Canadian history: Fort William, the hub of the Canadian Fur Trade and Port Arthur, the westernmost frontier of the Great Lakes navigation route. The modern city takes its name from the “Thunder Bay” located on the northern shore of Lake Superior and today is a tranquil city with diverse neighborhoods that is proud of its deep roots in Canada’s history.

Finding a great place to live is almost as important as the home or rental that you choose to live. In northern Thunder Bay, you’ll find a quiet community neighbourhood called Current River. It has amazing access to the lake and recreational trails perfect for family time. There are also high-rise Thunder Bay apartments that can be found with excellent views of the lake and the Sleeping Giant. The Sleeping Giant is a formation of mesas and sills which looks like a giant sleeping on its back! There are great schools in the area which include both public and Catholic schools. The library is also close by car. In terms of shopping there are a few conveniences stores in the area. But, you’ll have to jump in your car to County Fair Plaza or Downtown North to make any major shopping trips.

Quality of homes and rentals tend to vary sharply by Thunder Bay’s areas and neighborhoods. As the original town of Thunder Bay developed from the City Centers of Fort William and Port Arthur, it is these downtown areas that have the oldest buildings and significantly lower prices. Neighborhoods in Port Arthur generally have higher quality housing options and tend to be more spacious while located in residential communities. Larger housing projects, which are the newest and most expensive - tend to be located in the suburban areas of Thunder Bay.

In past years, Thunder Bay has struggled with higher than average crime rates. However, over the last five years, crime rates have come down by nearly 30%. It is still important to do your research as some neighbourhoods still struggle with high crime.

In addition to the numerous historic sites located both in Port William and Forth Arthur, immerse yourself in Thunder Bay’s history with an evening stroll through the bay areas. You’ll be able to see remnants of the city’s architectural past and admire stunning views of Lake Superior.

Top Rated Schools in Thunder Bay

Name	Grades	Students	Proficiency
St Francis Catholic Elementary School	JK - 6	175	86%
St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Elementary School	JK - 6	235	83%
Ogden Community Public School	JK - 8	180	81%
École catholique Franco-Supérieur	JK - 6	300	81%
St Ann Catholic Elementary School	JK - 6	195	80%
École secondaire catholique de La Vérendrye	9 - 12	130	79%
St Paul Catholic Elementary School	JK - 6	150	76%
Westmount Public School	JK - 8	325	76%