Is Clarington a good place to live?
Clarington is one of the best-value places to buy a detached home in the GTA. The municipality includes Bowmanville, Courtice, Newcastle and Orono, plus rural hamlets, all with quick access to Highway 401 and toll-free Highways 418 and 407 East. In September 2026 the typical detached home was about $829,000, below the Durham Region benchmark, and the Lakeshore East GO line is planned to extend to Bowmanville.
- Best for: families who want a detached home for the money, commuters to Oshawa or Pickering, and buyers who want small-town or rural living.
- Typical price (Sept 2026): $738,900 composite; detached $829,300; townhouse $538,800; condo $445,900 (TRREB MLS® HPI).
- Getting downtown: about 75–95 minutes to Union via Oshawa GO today; the planned GO extension adds stations in Courtice and Bowmanville.
- Communities: Bowmanville, Courtice, Newcastle, Orono, and hamlets including Hampton, Enniskillen, Kendal, Tyrone and Solina.
Updated October 2026 by the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage.
About Clarington, Ontario
Clarington was formed in 1974 by combining the Town of Bowmanville, the Village of Newcastle and the Townships of Darlington and Clarke. Today it has four main urban communities: Bowmanville, Courtice, Newcastle and Orono.
Most of the municipality is farmland, forest and Oak Ridges Moraine countryside, with hamlets such as Hampton, Enniskillen, Kendal and Tyrone. Its south edge runs along Lake Ontario, from Darlington Provincial Park to the Port of Newcastle.
Clarington is a major energy hub: the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station is here, and Ontario Power Generation has moved its corporate headquarters to Clarington. The planned Lakeshore East GO extension would add new stations in Courtice and Bowmanville.
| Fact | Clarington |
|---|---|
| Population (2021 Census) | 101,427 |
| Region | Durham Region |
| Area | About 611 km² |
| Benchmark price, all homes (Sept 2026) | $738,900 |
| Benchmark price, detached (Sept 2026) | $829,300 |
| Communities | Bowmanville, Courtice, Newcastle, Orono |
| Highways | 401, 418, 407 East, 35/115 |
| GO | Planned Lakeshore East extension to Bowmanville |
| Hospital | Lakeridge Health Bowmanville |
📍 Clarington, Durham Region, Ontario
Clarington Neighbourhood Guide
Bowmanville
Bowmanville is Clarington’s largest community, with a historic King Street downtown, Lakeridge Health Bowmanville, newer subdivisions and a planned GO station.
- Historic downtown on King Street
- Lakeridge Health Bowmanville
- Planned Bowmanville GO station
- Wide range of newer subdivisions
Courtice
Courtice sits right next to Oshawa, with newer family subdivisions, quick access to the 401 and 418, and a planned GO station.
- Next to Oshawa amenities
- Highway 401 and 418 access
- Planned Courtice GO station
- Newer family subdivisions
Newcastle
Newcastle combines a historic village main street with newer subdivisions and the lakefront Port of Newcastle community and marina.
- Historic village main street
- Port of Newcastle and marina
- Highway 401 and 35/115 access
- Newer subdivisions
Orono
Orono is a small heritage village north of the 401, famous for the Orono Fair and surrounded by the Orono Crown Lands and countryside.
- Orono Fair
- Orono Crown Lands trails
- Heritage main street
- Rural properties nearby
Rural Clarington & hamlets
Hamlets like Hampton, Enniskillen, Kendal, Tyrone and Solina offer country properties on the Oak Ridges Moraine, many with acreage.
- Acreage and hobby farms
- Oak Ridges Moraine countryside
- Brimacombe ski hill near Kendal
- Quiet, rural setting
| Neighbourhood | Best for | Typical housing | Price point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowmanville | small-town downtown with services | Detached, semis, towns, some condos | Mid |
| Courtice | families near Oshawa | Detached, semis, towns | Mid |
| Newcastle | village living near the lake | Detached, towns, waterfront | Mid |
| Orono | small-village, rural lifestyle | Older detached, rural | Mid |
| Rural Clarington & hamlets | acreage and country living | Rural homes, farms, estates | Varies |
Clarington Demographics
Who lives in Clarington?
Clarington attracts families moving east from Toronto, Pickering and Ajax for more space, local workers in energy, health care and construction, and retirees in communities like Wilmot Creek near Newcastle.
Growth and housing demand
Clarington is one of Durham Region’s fastest-growing municipalities, with new subdivisions in Bowmanville, Courtice and Newcastle and planned growth around future GO stations. Prices were down about 5% year over year in September 2026.
Schools in Clarington
Public and Catholic schools
Clarington Central Secondary School
Public secondary · BowmanvilleConfirm catchment with KPRDSBBowmanville High School
Public secondary · BowmanvilleConfirm catchment with KPRDSBCourtice Secondary School
Public secondary · CourticeConfirm catchment with KPRDSBClarke High School
Public secondary · NewcastleConfirm catchment with KPRDSBHoly Trinity Catholic Secondary School
Catholic secondary · CourticeConfirm catchment with PVNCCDSBSt. Stephen Catholic Secondary School
Catholic secondary · BowmanvilleConfirm catchment with PVNCCDSB| Board | System |
|---|---|
| Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) | English public |
| Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic DSB (PVNCCDSB) | English Catholic |
| Conseil scolaire Viamonde | French public |
| Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir | French Catholic |
Colleges and universities nearby
Ontario Tech University and Durham College in north Oshawa are about 15–25 minutes away. Trent University’s Durham campus is also in Oshawa.
Transit and Getting Around Clarington
GO extension to Bowmanville
The planned extension of Lakeshore East from Oshawa would add stations at Courtice and Bowmanville. Today, GO buses and a short drive connect to Oshawa GO.
Highways
Highway 401 runs through Clarington, and toll-free Highway 418 connects it to Highway 407 East, giving a fast route west to York Region.
Local buses
DRT routes connect Bowmanville, Courtice and Newcastle to Oshawa and the GO network.
Approximate commute times from Clarington
| Destination | Typical time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Union Station (GO) | 75–95 min | Drive to Oshawa GO + Lakeshore East |
| Downtown Toronto (drive) | 60–90 min | Highway 401 |
| Oshawa | 10–20 min | Highway 401 / 2 |
| Ontario Tech / Durham College | 15–25 min | Highway 418 / 407 |
| Pearson Airport | 60–80 min | Highway 407 |
Things to Do and Local Amenities in Clarington
Parks & Nature
- Darlington Provincial Park
- Bowmanville Valley trails
- Orono Crown Lands
- Port Darlington waterfront
- Oak Ridges Moraine trails
Shopping
- Downtown Bowmanville
- Newcastle village shops
- Courtice and Bowmanville retail centres
- Oshawa Centre nearby
- Local farms and markets
Recreation
- Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex
- Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
- Brimacombe ski hill
- Newcastle Recreation Centre
- Golf courses
Culture & Events
- Orono Fair
- Jungle Cat World
- Visual Arts Centre of Clarington
- Maplefest in Bowmanville
- Clarington Public Library branches
Clarington Real Estate Market (September 2026)
| Property type | Benchmark price |
|---|---|
| Composite (all home types) | $738,900 |
| Detached | $829,300 |
| Semi-detached | $645,700 |
| Townhouse | $538,800 |
| Condo apartment | $445,900 |
| Year-over-year change (composite) | -5.23% |
Source: TRREB MLS® Home Price Index, September 2026. Benchmark prices describe a typical home, not an average sale price. Ask us for current sold data on any street.
Courtice and west Bowmanville tend to command higher prices because they are closest to Oshawa and the 418. Newcastle and Orono often offer more home or land for the money.
Prices for rural and acreage properties vary widely, so we recommend reviewing recent comparable sales for any specific property.
Pros and cons of living in Clarington
Pros
- Detached homes below the Durham average
- Toll-free Highways 418 and 407 East
- Planned GO stations in Courtice and Bowmanville
- Lake Ontario shoreline and countryside
- Small-town downtowns and festivals
Cons
- Long commute to downtown Toronto today
- Very car-dependent
- GO extension timing not yet final
- Some services concentrated in Bowmanville
Buying or selling in Clarington? Here’s what our clients say
5-star Google reviews“As a first time homebuyer, I was so pleased with the service that was provided to us by Desemal. She was very friendly and knowledgeable about the entire process. Des was very patient with us and was very understanding about our concerns as she guided us through everything. … It took a while but in the end we found our dream home at the right price.”
“Awesome Team. I like the fact they take the time to explain important things about real estate, I have never felt rushed when choosing and viewing a property.”
“It is a pleasure working with Damali and Desemal of Thomas Team. They are very professional and tenacious in the services they provide for their clients. Another satisfied client, highly recommend for your real estate needs!”
Frequently Asked Questions About Clarington
Yes. Clarington is a good place to live for families who want more space for the money, with four distinct communities, Lake Ontario shoreline, countryside and fast highway access. The main trade-off is a long commute to downtown Toronto until the GO extension opens.
In September 2026, the MLS® Home Price Index benchmark for all home types in Clarington was $738,900. By type: detached $829,300, semi-detached $645,700, townhouse $538,800 and condo apartment $445,900 (TRREB).
Clarington includes Bowmanville, Courtice, Newcastle and Orono, plus rural hamlets such as Hampton, Enniskillen, Kendal, Tyrone and Solina.
Yes. Bowmanville is the largest community in the Municipality of Clarington, along with Courtice, Newcastle and Orono.
Yes, a Lakeshore East GO extension from Oshawa to Bowmanville is planned, with new stations including Courtice and Bowmanville. Check Metrolinx for the latest timeline.
Yes. Highway 418 and the provincially owned Highway 407 East are toll-free, giving Clarington residents a fast route to York Region and northern Toronto.
About 60 to 90 minutes by car to downtown Toronto via the 401, or about 75 to 95 minutes by driving to Oshawa GO and taking the Lakeshore East train.
In September 2026, Clarington’s detached benchmark ($829,300) was in a similar range to the Durham average ($883,700). Clarington typically offers newer homes and more land, while Oshawa offers more transit and urban amenities.
Last updated October 2026. Written by Damali Thomas and Desemal Thomas, Realtors, and Jermaine Whyte, Mortgage Agent Level 2, at the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage. Data: Statistics Canada 2021 Census; TRREB MLS® HPI; Metrolinx; local school boards.
