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 diverse community with a mix of modern and traditional architecture.
Newer homes, mostly owner-occupied, with various home types including single-detached houses and apartments.
A diverse community of families, students, and professionals from different ethnic backgrounds.
Great schools, parks with playgrounds, and sports facilities.
This neighbourhood has a dynamic population, and is popular with families with kids under 5, families with kids aged 5 to 9, people in their 20s, people in their 30s, and people in their 40s. Watson is a mixed-use neighbourhood containing the University of Guelph main campus, parkland, rural areas, residential pockets, and commercial/industrial areas. U of G's open, friendly campus is characterized by green lawns and a blend of modern and traditional architecture. The 330-hectare site features Victorian turrets, modern concrete, glass and steel, hand-hewn century limestone, brick walkways, landscaped plazas, and a 165-hectare Arboretum.
People & Families in Watson
Families with kids make up 44% of households in Watson, while couples without children make up 22% of households and 24% of households are one person living alone. People in Watson come from 57 different ethnic origins, and 22% are first-generation immigrants, while 20% are second-generation immigrants.
Neighbourhood Households
895
Neighbourhood Population
2,480
Household Size
- 1 person - 24%
- 2 persons - 29%
- 3 persons - 17%
- 4 persons - 18%
- 5 or more persons - 10%
Household Types
- One-person households - 24%
- Non-family households - 7%
- Families with children - 44%
- Couples without children - 22%
- Multiple families in household - 2%
Children Per Family
- 1 child - 24%
- 2 children - 32%
- 3 or more children - 11%
Broad Age Ranges
- 0 to 14 years - 21%
- 15 to 64 years - 70%
- 65 years and over - 8%
Most Common Ethnic Origins
- Canadian - 32%
- English - 28%
- Scottish - 18%
- Irish - 17%
- German - 13%
Age of Primary Household Maintainer
- 15 to 24 years - 10%
- 25 to 34 years - 20%
- 35 to 44 years - 25%
- 45 to 54 years - 17%
- 55 to 64 years - 15%
- 65 to 74 years - 9%
- 75 to 84 years - 3%
- 85 years and over - 1%
Specific Age Groups
- 0 to 4 years - 7%
- 5 to 9 years - 7%
- 10 to 14 years - 6%
- 15 to 19 years - 7%
- 20 to 29 years - 18%
- 30 to 39 years - 16%
- 40 to 49 years - 13%
- 50 to 59 years - 9%
- 60 to 69 years - 5%
- over 70 years - 4%
Watson Schools
Watson has great elementary schools, great secondary schools, elementary special programs, and secondary special programs. There are 10 public schools and 10 Catholic schools serving Watson. The special programs offered at local schools include French Immersion, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate.
Public Schools
10
Catholic Schools
10
Public
Having Fun in Watson
Fun is easy to find at the many parks & rec facilities here. Parks in this neighbourhood feature sports parks. There are 5 parks in Watson, with 19 recreational facilities in total. The average number of facilities per park is 3.
Number of Parks
5
Number of Recreation Facilities
19
Recreation Facilities in Neighbourhood Parks
- Tennis Courts - 2
- Volleyball Court - 1
- Basketball Courts - 2
- Ball Diamonds - 4
- Sports Field - 1
- Track - 1
- Community Centre - 1
- Golf Course - 1
- Stadium - 1
- Trails - 2
- Fitness/Weight Room - 1
- Gyms - 2
As part of our mission to help you with home affordability, we are actively searching for special offers from Canada's best mortgage providers. Watch this space!
Getting Around in Watson
There are 79 transit stops in this neighbourhood. Rail stations include Guelph. In Watson, there are mostly vehicle commuters and most commute within the city.
Commute Destination for Residents
- Commute within the city - 64%
- Commute to another city - 36%
Commute Types
- Vehicle - 79%
- Transit - 7%
- Walk/bike - 9%
Commute Times of Residents
- 15 to 29 minutes - 37%
- 30 to 44 minutes - 13%
- 45 to 59 minutes - 9%
- 60 minutes and over - 12%
- Less than 15 minutes - 28%
Work and Education in Watson
In this neighbourhood, 38% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher and 77% have any postsecondary education. The manufacturing industry is the most common for residents.
Household Income
- Under $30,000 - 13%
- $30,000 to $39,999 - 5%
- $40,000 to $49,999 - 6%
- $50,000 to $59,999 - 7%
- $60,000 to $69,999 - 5%
- $70,000 to $79,999 - 5%
- $80,000 to $89,999 - 5%
- $90,000 to $99,999 - 5%
- $100,000 to $124,999 - 13%
- $125,000 to $149,999 - 10%
- $150,000 to $199,999 - 10%
- $200,000 and over - 6%
Most Common Occupations (Top 3)
- Sales and service occupations - 21%
- Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services - 19%
- Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations - 12%
Most Common Industries (Top 3)
- Manufacturing - 15%
- Educational services - 14%
- Health care and social assistance - 10%
Employment
- Employed - 72% of people over age 15 are employed
- Unemployed - 4% are unemployed
- Not in the labour force - 23% are retired, students, homemakers, etc.
Watson Homes
In this neighbourhood, there are a mix of home types. Watson has a dynamic population, with 55% of households having moved within the past 5 years and 14% having moved within the past year. It has mostly newer homes and is mostly owner-occupied.
Home Types
- Single-detached house - 50%
- Semi-detached house - 9%
- Duplex - 6%
- Row house - 2%
- Low-rise apartment/condo - 30%
- High-rise apartment/condo - 0%
Condominium Status
- Condominium - 11%
- Not condominium - 88%
Number of Bedrooms in Homes
- 1 bedroom - 17%
- 2 bedrooms - 16%
- 3 bedrooms - 35%
- No bedrooms - 0%
- 4 or more bedrooms - 30%
Period of Home Construction
- 1961 to 1980 - 8%
- 1981 to 1990 - 4%
- 1991 to 2000 - 6%
- 2001 to 2005 - 22%
- 2006 to 2010 - 27%
- 2011 to 2016 - 16%
- 1960 or before - 13%
Renters & Owners
- Owner - 68%
- Renter - 32%