Norfolk County’s commute profile reflects a practical advantage that many communities aim for: a large share of residents can reach work quickly, while others still have access to jobs farther afield.
Using the latest available commute-time data from the Statistics Canada Census (2021), the distribution shows how the county balances local opportunity with regional connectivity, creating flexibility for working residents across different roles and industries.
Commute-Time Distribution in Norfolk County
For most commuters, travel times are comfortably short. Out of 23,745 employed residents with a reported commute, 7,600 people (32.0%) travel less than 15 minutes, and 7,720 (32.5%) commute 15 to 29 minutes. In other words, 64.5% of Norfolk County commuters get to work in under half an hour.
Mid-length commutes remain common as well, with 4,490 people (18.9%) traveling 30 to 44 minutes. Longer trips are a smaller share of the total: 1,815 people (7.6%) commute 45 to 59 minutes, and 2,120 (8.9%) travel 60 minutes or more.
Compared with the broader Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula economic region, Norfolk County’s pattern is similar in shape, with a slightly different emphasis at the long end. Region-wide, 31.4% of commuters travel under 15 minutes and 36.1% travel 15 to 29 minutes, based on 497,695 commuters. For very long commutes, the region sits at 7.8% traveling 60 minutes or more, compared with Norfolk County’s 8.9%. That difference is modest, but it reinforces the idea that Norfolk County combines strong local access with a meaningful set of residents who choose or need to travel farther for work.
What Commute Patterns Say About the Local Labour Market
This mix points to a labour market that offers both convenience and options. The large share of sub-30-minute commutes suggests many jobs are close to home, supporting day-to-day quality of life and reducing travel friction for working residents.
At the same time, the presence of longer commutes signals that Norfolk County is not isolated from the wider regional economy. Some residents are clearly linking into opportunities beyond the county, which can broaden household options even when certain roles are not available locally.
The data does not explain why individuals commute shorter or longer distances, and it does not show how these patterns may have shifted over time. It simply provides a clear snapshot of Norfolk County’s commute-time distribution in 2021. Even so, the picture is encouraging: most commuters spend less time traveling each day, while the county still maintains strong connections to employment centres across the region.
Source: Statistics Canada. 2023. (table). Census Profile. 2021 Census of Population. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 98-316-X2021001. Ottawa. Released November 15, 2023.