Worst Neighborhoods in Ottawa You Should Know

The worst neighborhoods in Ottawa are Somerset, Rideau Vanier, Capital, Rideau Rockcliffe, Alta Vista, Beacon Hill – Cyrville, Kitchissippi, Gloucester – Southgate, Bay, and River.

This is because of their high crime rates, housing issues, and low average incomes, which make them high-risk areas.

Somerset

Reasons to Avoid

• Highest crime rate
• Housing issues
• Crowded

Somerset is Ottawa’s ward with the highest crime rate, covering the neighborhoods of Downtown Ottawa, Centretown, Lebreton Flats, and most of Centretown West. 

It’s also the smallest and yet most population-dense ward, with 44,850 people within an area of 6.5 km². In 2021, Somerset had the highest crime incidents at 15,496.3 crimes per 100,000 population. 

According to Statistics Canada, the average after-tax income of one-person households in Somerset only amounted to $43,331 as compared to the city average of $53,749.56. 

As the prices of housing rise, coupled with the below-average income of Somerset’s residents, the Ottawa council declared that it’s currently facing a housing crisis. 

Plus, controversies over low-income rental properties being demolished and converted to higher-rent dwellings have also risen in the area.

Rideau Vanier

Reasons to Avoid

• High crime rate
• Increasing housing issues

Rideau Vanier experiences the second most number of crimes in Ottawa after Somerset at 11,165.9 per 100,000 people. Its neighborhoods include ByWard Market, Lowertown, Sandy Hill, and Vanier.

Aside from the crime rate, it also faces a problem with homelessness due to 38.8% of Rideau-Vanier’s housing being considered unaffordable by Statistics Canada. In 2018, 1400 residents experienced homelessness, with 67% chronically without housing.

With 50,600 residents reportedly making only an average after-tax income of $39,289, it’s no wonder that rising housing prices have forced others to go without homes.

Capital 

Reasons to Avoid

• High crime rate
• Affordability & cost of living issues
• Unreliable public transport

Capital ward, while experiencing much less crime than Somerset and Rideau Vanier, still has the 3rd highest crime rate in Ottawa. With a population of 39,930, it sees an average of 4,413.5 crimes per 100,000 people.

It includes the neighborhoods of Old Ottawa East, Old Ottawa South, the Glebe, Heron Park, Carleton University, and Riverside. 

Statistics Canada revealed that the average after-tax income for single-person households is only $47,889, which is lower than the previously stated city average.

According to the Ottawa council, affordability and issues with the cost of living are just some of the most pressing issues here. Additionally, it has problems with public transit, and citizens are appealing for the lowering of taxes for small businesses.

Rideau Rockcliffe

Reasons to Avoid

• Housing issues
• High crime rate
• Rising living costs
• Issues with public transit

Rideau Rockcliffe covers the following neighborhoods: 

• New Edinburgh
• Manor Park 
• Rockcliffe Park 
• Wateridge Village
• Overbrook
• Lindenlea
• Viscount Alexander Park
• Carson Meadows
• Cardinal Glen
• Rockcliffe Mews
• Forbes
• Castle Heights 
• Part of Carson Grove

Of its population of 41,440, the average after-tax income in Rideau Rockcliffe is only $42,567, which is well below the city average. 

Aside from its crime stat of 4,241.5 crimes per 100,000 population, these neighborhoods are primarily concerned about rising living costs, specifically housing and public transit. 

Its lower-than-average household income is a big reason why the rising living costs may have played a part in this area’s crime rates and housing issues.

Alta Vista

Reasons to Avoid

• Gentrification
• High crime rate
• Unmaintained housing units

Alta Vista ward covers the neighborhoods of Eastway Gardens, Riverview, Alta Vista, Heron Gate, and Sheffield Glen. It has a population of 44,610 residents with an average after-tax income of $42,519, which is painfully below the city average.

That’s why the biggest problem it currently faces is affordable housing, specifically the maintenance of its housing units. It’s not surprising that this area sees 4,084 crimes per 100,000 people when its own residents are forced to take drastic measures.

Residents also experienced evictions from 2016 – 2018 to apparently make way for other forms of housing that stirred much backlash from the community.

Beacon Hill – Cyrville

Reasons to Avoid

• Very limited affordable housing
• High crime rate

Beacon Hill – Cyrville is located at the city’s east end and comprises the communities of Cyrville, Rothwell Heights, Beacon Hill, and Pineview. It’s made up of 33,960 residents who make an average after-tax income of $47,345.

Although it’s not as low as some of the other neighborhoods, making less than the city’s average income only worsens the area’s current housing issues. 27% of its residents are reportedly spending more than 30% of their income on housing alone. 

Even worse, there are only two affordable housing units within this area. It also has a crime total of 3,670 per 100,000 residents. 

Kitchissippi

Reasons to Avoid

• High crime rate
• Gentrification
• High housing costs

Located west of downtown Ottawa, Kitchissippi is made up of the following neighborhoods:

• Champlain Park
• Civic Hospital
• Hampton Park
• Highland Park
• Hintonburg
• Island Park
• McKellar Heights
• McKellar Park
• Mechanicsville
• Westboro Beach
• Westboro
• Wellington Village
• Wellington Street West

While the average increase of residential housing in Ottawa is around 3.5%, Kitchissipi, unfortunately, has the highest increase in the city at 7.35%. This marks a significant tax increase for current homeowners and also a substantial increase in housing costs.

With a population of 47,330, making only less than the city average of $48,070, affordable housing became one of the biggest problems this area faces. 

Alongside its crime stat of 3345 crimes per 100,000 people, the growing crime scene is one of Kitchissipi’s issues.

What’s more, the expansion of city infrastructure alongside gentrification in the area has certainly only worsened housing costs for current residents.

Gloucester – Southgate

Reasons to Avoid

• High crime
• Rising violent crime rates
• Questionable public safety

Gloucester Southgate is located at the city’s south end and is comprised of the following neighborhoods:

• Gloucester Glen, east of the Rideau River 
• Most of the Ottawa International Airport
• CFSU Uplands
• Blossom Park
• Greenboro
• Hunt Club Park
• Portions of Heron Gate south of Walkley Road
• Ottawa South/Hawthorne Industrial Park 
• Rural areas west of Anderson Road 
• North of Leitrim

Its approximately 47,520 residents make an average after-tax income of $59,785, which is the highest out of all the neighborhoods included. However, crime is a big problem here as it sees 3259 crimes per 100,000 population. 

The rate of crime in this area actually increased by 15.4% in 2021 compared to 2020. Violent crime, in particular, rose by 13.4%. Right now, it’s primarily focusing on the reduction of crime and harassment along with the improvement of public safety. 

Bay

Reasons to Avoid

• High crime rate
• Unreliable public transit
• Expensive housing costs

Bay ward encompasses much of the western portion of the old city of Ottawa and covers the following neighborhoods:

• Bayshore
• Woodroffe North
• Michele Heights
• Glabar Park
• Lincoln Heights
• Britannia
• Crystal Beach

It’s been described as a community that houses a diverse population with approximately 46,140 residents and 21,690 households calling it home. It sees 3157 crimes per 100,000 people.  

With its residents making an average after-tax income of only $45,142, housing costs are also a problem residents face. Additionally, unreliable public transit is one of the issues they have to deal with.

River

Reasons to Avoid

• Overcrowding
• High crime rate

River ward is located along the south-central portion of Ottawa, and its neighborhoods are comprised of the following: 

• Carlington
• Central Park
• Carleton Heights
• Mooney’s Bay
• Riverside Park
• Hunt Club/Uplands

It has a population of approximately 49,400 residents, but as more and more people move to River ward, overcrowding has become one of its main problems. This issue only worsens as homes are being built as quickly as developers can make them. 

There simply aren’t enough schools to go around with the sudden population boom.

That’s why students from here sometimes have to enroll at schools kilometers away from their homes. 

If you’re thinking of moving here with school-age children, it’s not really advisable at this point in time.

According to Statistics Canada, residents have an average after-tax income of $42,908, which is lower than the city average. Additionally, it has the 10th highest crime rate in Ottawa at 3013 crimes per 100,000 people.