Is Ajax a good place to live?
Yes. Ajax is one of Durham Region’s best-value places for families who commute to Toronto. It pairs a long public Lake Ontario waterfront with a GO station on the Lakeshore East line, Highway 401 access across town and a very diverse, welcoming community. A typical detached home was about $929,000 in September 2026, well below the GTA-wide detached benchmark.
- Best for: young families, first-time detached buyers and commuters who want GO access without Pickering prices.
- Typical price (Sept 2026): $846,900 composite; detached $929,400; townhouse $617,000; condo $433,900 (TRREB MLS® HPI).
- Getting downtown: about 40–50 minutes from Ajax GO to Union Station on the Lakeshore East line.
- Neighbourhoods to know: Pickering Village, South Ajax and the waterfront, Central Ajax and North Ajax.
Updated October 2026 by the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage.
About Ajax, Ontario
Ajax began as a wartime munitions town in the 1940s and took its name from HMS Ajax, a Royal Navy cruiser; many streets are still named after the ship’s crew. It has since grown into one of the most diverse communities in Ontario.
Its biggest asset is the waterfront. About 7 km of Lake Ontario shoreline is public parkland, linked by the Waterfront Trail through Rotary Park, Paradise Park and Veterans Point Gardens.
Ajax also includes the historic Pickering Village, a heritage main street on Kingston Road that predates the town itself. North Ajax, built mostly since the 1990s, offers newer family subdivisions close to Highway 401 and 412.
| Fact | Ajax |
|---|---|
| Population (2021 Census) | 126,666 |
| Region | Durham Region |
| Area | About 67 km² |
| Benchmark price, all homes (Sept 2026) | $846,900 |
| Benchmark price, detached (Sept 2026) | $929,400 |
| GO station | Ajax GO (Lakeshore East) |
| Major highways | 401, 412 (to 407 East) |
| Hospital | Lakeridge Health Ajax Pickering |
📍 Ajax, Durham Region, Ontario
Ajax Neighbourhood Guide
Pickering Village
Despite its name, Pickering Village is part of Ajax. This historic village along Kingston Road has heritage homes, local shops and Pickering High School.
- Heritage main street on Kingston Road
- Pickering High School (in Ajax)
- Mature trees and older homes
- Close to Highway 401
South Ajax / Waterfront
South Ajax neighbourhoods sit close to the lake, with direct access to the Waterfront Trail, Rotary Park, Paradise Park and Veterans Point Gardens.
- Waterfront Trail and beaches
- Rotary Park and Paradise Park
- Close to Ajax GO
- Mature family streets
Central Ajax
Central Ajax around Harwood Avenue and Bayly Street is close to Ajax GO, the Ajax Community Centre, Lakeridge Health Ajax Pickering and major shopping.
- Walk or bus to Ajax GO
- Ajax Community Centre
- Lakeridge Health Ajax Pickering
- Shopping on Harwood Avenue
North Ajax
North Ajax, roughly north of Rossland Road, has newer subdivisions from the 1990s onward, with parks, schools and quick access to Highways 401 and 412.
- Newer family subdivisions
- Audley Recreation Centre
- J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate
- Highway 412 to the 407
| Neighbourhood | Best for | Typical housing | Price point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickering Village | character homes and a main street | Older detached, some towns | Mid |
| South Ajax / Waterfront | lake access and trails | 1970s–90s detached, semis, towns | Mid to upper |
| Central Ajax | GO commuters on a budget | Detached, semis, towns, condos | Mid |
| North Ajax | young families buying detached | Newer detached, semis, towns | Mid to upper |
Ajax Demographics
Who lives in Ajax?
Ajax attracts young families, first-time detached buyers moving east from Scarborough and Toronto, and newcomers to Canada. It is one of the most diverse towns in Ontario, with large South Asian, Black, Caribbean and Filipino communities.
Growth and housing demand
Growth is now mostly infill and mid-rise housing along Harwood Avenue, Kingston Road and near Ajax GO, plus the last subdivisions in north Ajax. Prices were down about 4% year over year in September 2026.
Schools in Ajax
Public and Catholic schools
Pickering High School
Public secondary · Pickering Village (Ajax)Confirm catchment with DDSBAjax High School
Public secondary · central AjaxConfirm catchment with DDSBJ. Clarke Richardson Collegiate
Public secondary · north AjaxConfirm catchment with DDSBNotre Dame Catholic Secondary School
Catholic secondary · AjaxConfirm catchment with DCDSBArchbishop Denis O’Connor Catholic High School
Catholic secondary · AjaxConfirm catchment with DCDSB| Board | System |
|---|---|
| Durham District School Board (DDSB) | English public |
| Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) | English Catholic |
| Conseil scolaire Viamonde | French public |
| Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir | French Catholic |
Colleges and universities nearby
Ontario Tech University and Durham College in Oshawa are about 20–25 minutes east, and Centennial College and the University of Toronto Scarborough are about 20–25 minutes west.
Transit and Getting Around Ajax
Ajax GO station
Lakeshore East trains run from Ajax GO to Union Station all day, with large parking lots and DRT bus connections.
Highways
Highway 401 runs through Ajax with several interchanges. Highway 412 links to the toll-free Highway 407 East.
Local buses
DRT routes connect neighbourhoods to Ajax GO, Pickering Town Centre and the rest of Durham, including PULSE rapid buses on Highway 2.
Approximate commute times from Ajax
| Destination | Typical time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Union Station (GO) | 40–50 min | Lakeshore East from Ajax GO |
| Downtown Toronto (drive) | 40–70 min | Highway 401 / DVP |
| Scarborough Town Centre | 20–30 min | Highway 401 |
| Pickering | 10–15 min | Highway 401 / Kingston Rd |
| Oshawa | 20–25 min | Highway 401 |
Things to Do and Local Amenities in Ajax
Parks & Waterfront
- Ajax Waterfront Trail
- Rotary Park
- Paradise Park
- Veterans Point Gardens
- Greenwood Conservation Area
Shopping
- Durham Centre
- Harwood Avenue shops
- Pickering Village shops
- Pickering Town Centre nearby
- Costco and big-box stores on Kingston Road
Recreation
- Ajax Community Centre
- Audley Recreation Centre
- McLean Community Centre
- Deer Creek Golf Club
- Ajax Downs
Community
- Ajax Public Library branches
- Lakeridge Health Ajax Pickering
- Ajax Home Week
- Diverse dining across town
- Pickering Village heritage events
Ajax Real Estate Market (September 2026)
| Property type | Benchmark price |
|---|---|
| Composite (all home types) | $846,900 |
| Detached | $929,400 |
| Semi-detached | $762,900 |
| Townhouse | $617,000 |
| Condo apartment | $433,900 |
| Year-over-year change (composite) | -4.14% |
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.
Waterfront streets in south Ajax and newer detached homes in north Ajax usually trade above the town benchmark. Older homes in Pickering Village and central Ajax are often the best value per square foot.
Townhouses and condos along Harwood Avenue and Kingston Road are the main entry point for first-time buyers, with GO and highway access close by.
Pros and cons of living in Ajax
Pros
- Long public Lake Ontario waterfront
- Ajax GO with all-day trains to Union
- Detached homes below the GTA average
- Very diverse, welcoming community
- Hospital and community centres in town
Cons
- Highway 401 traffic at rush hour
- Condo and rental supply is limited
- Newer areas are car-dependent
- Prices higher than Oshawa and Clarington
Buying or selling in Ajax? Here’s what our clients say
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“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.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Ajax
Yes. Ajax is a good place to live for families and commuters, with a long public waterfront, Ajax GO on the Lakeshore East line, Highway 401 access and a diverse community. The main trade-offs are rush-hour traffic and a car-dependent north end.
In September 2026, the MLS® Home Price Index benchmark for all home types in Ajax was $846,900. By type: detached $929,400, semi-detached $762,900, townhouse $617,000 and condo apartment $433,900 (TRREB).
Lakeshore East trains take about 40 to 50 minutes from Ajax GO to Union Station, with service all day in both directions.
North Ajax is popular for newer detached homes and schools, South Ajax for the waterfront and mature streets, and Central Ajax for GO access. Pickering Village suits buyers who want character homes.
Pickering Village is in Ajax. It is the historic village along Kingston Road that predates the town, and Pickering High School is located there.
Yes. Ajax has about 7 km of public Lake Ontario waterfront, including Rotary Park, Paradise Park and the Waterfront Trail. Swimming conditions vary, so check Durham Region beach advisories.
Usually, yes. In September 2026 the Ajax composite benchmark was $846,900, compared with $866,800 in Pickering. Detached homes show a bigger gap: $929,400 in Ajax versus $1,061,300 in Pickering.
Ajax is served by the Durham District School Board, the Durham Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire Viamonde and Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir. Always confirm catchments with the board before buying.
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.
