According to new research from Point2Homes, solo renters now make up over half of Canada’s one-person households, slightly outnumbering solo homeowners. Lone renters are especially prevalent in major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa, while in Montréal, the trend is surging with solo renters accounting for 74 per cent of solo households.

Point2Home’s research draws on the most recent available data from StatCan, comparing trends over a five year period. The research focuses on one-person households across various age groups and markets. As per the findings, 4.4 million Canadians lived alone in 2021 — twice what it was in 1991. Ontario and Québec each counted over 1.3 million one-person households, reflecting a nationwide trend spanning many of the country’s larger cities.

As the renting lifestyle continues to rise in popularity in Canada, representing 33.4 per cent of all households, lone renters now make up 50.4 per cent of one-person households — the highest percentage Canada has ever seen.

Notably, the trend is being spearheaded by renters aged 65 and older. Whether it’s downsizing, seeking less responsibility in their golden years, or simply adapting to life changes, the most significant proportion of solo renters are aging Canadians, with smaller cities like Halton Hills and Caledon proving popular among this age group.

Meanwhile, millennials aged 25 to 34, who were once seen as the face of solo renters in Canada, represent just 18.5 per cent of the market, nearly equaled by renters aged 55 to 64. In major university hubs such as Waterloo, ON, young renters under 24 make up over 20 per cent of the city’s one-renter households — the highest share in Canada.

For the full study featuring age breakdowns and interactive graphics, click here: https://www.point2homes.com/news/research/seniors-one-third-of-canada-solo-renters.html.