Carlington Area

History and Description

Carlington Area is bounded by Carling Avenue to the north, Kingston Avenue and Caldwell Avenue to the south, Fisher Avenue to the east, and Maitland to the west.  This neighborhood contains a small number of older homes that were built after WWII to accommodate returning veterans.  These homes were known as “war homes” or “veteran homes”.  Many of the street names (e.g., Admiral, Veteran, Marshall) reflect the military heritage of the area. [ click to view Carlington Area as identified in the University of Ottawa study - PDF format 833 KB ]

The People

As of the 2006 census, Carlington had 10106 residents. In 2001, the average income in Carlington was $25,114, which is well below the Ottawa average. Unemployment was 8.6%, and the percent of people below the Low Income cut-offs was 34.5%. Eight percent of the residents were in lone parent families.  The population was fairly educated, with 71% or residents completing high school, and 13% completing a bachelor’s degree. Twenty-nine percent of the population were immigrants, while 6% were recent immigrants (i.e., came to Canada within the last 5 years). Based on the above factors, the socio-economic level for Carlington is 5, which indicates that the Neighbourhood is among the least advantaged in Ottawa.

Housing

In 2001, this area had 4958 dwellings and the majority (67%) of residents owned their homes, while 33% rented.  Housing is unaffordable for some residents in Carlington: 34% of residents pay more than 30% of their income on shelter.  The percent of the dwellings that were reported to be in need of major repairs (12%), and the number of people per room (.44), a measure of crowding, were both well above the city average.

Civic Engagement and Responsibility

Carlington residents are not well engaged in the political process, with 40% of eligible voters participating in the last municipal election (Fall 2006); this is lower than the city average of 47%. Thirty eight percent (± 11.3% of the residents) felt a sense of belonging to their community.  The Neighbourhood has had some change in its residents, with 20% moving within the last year compared to the city average of 16%. In 2005, the property crime rate was 54 crimes per thousand people, a slightly lower rate than the city average of 58 per thousand people.  Personal crimes rates were higher than the city average of 24 per thousand, at 41 per thousand people.

CDF - NCLB progress at Carlington
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Updated community profile

Inventory of Assets and Resources

Community Assessment Survey

Community Action Plans

Evaluation Matrix

Minutes of Carlington Steering Committee

Progress Reviews/reports

Carlington has some religious organizations within its borders, with a ratio of .72 per thousand people.  Carlington has an active Community Association.  For more information you may visit their website: http://carlingtoncommunity.org/ or email them at president@carlingtoncommunity.org.

Area resources for health (note that all of these are up to date as of September 2007)

Food.  Carlington had better access to unhealthier food sources than to healthier food; the score on the “Healthy Food Access Index” (grocery stores, specialty stores) was below average, while the “Unhealthier Food Access Index” (fast food outlets, convenience stores) was average for Neighbourhoods across Ottawa.  

In terms of healthier food, Carlington has no grocery stores, and 1 specialty food store (.10 per thousand people). The closest four grocery stores and specialty stores are 1657.45 meters and 1191.67 meters, respectively, from the population weighted center.

In terms of opportunities to purchase unhealthier food, Carlington has 8 convenience stores (.79 per thousand people) and 4 fast food outlets, or .40 for every thousand people.  The closest four convenience stores are 280.42 meters away from the population center and the closest four fast food outlets are 261.41 meters.  Of some concern is the fact that both of Carlington’s two schools are within 500 meters (or easy walking distance) of a fast food outlet.

Carlington also has nine sit-down restaurants, or .89 per thousand people, and the average distance to the four closest restaurants is 301.87 meters from the population center.

Carlington Area Strengths and needs

The neighbourhod of Carlington has some strengths, including an active community association, and average access to recreation facilities.   It also has two schools within its borders, good access to the bike trails, and a good age and linguistic mix among its residents. However, residents have relatively poor access to healthy food, and the distance of almost 2 kilometers to the closest grocery store is likely to present difficulties to residents who lack reliable transportation.   Conversely, Carlington residents have high access to unhealthier food. The health of Carlington residents is cause for concern, as is the sense of belonging.   Particular attention might be paid to improving social cohesion, increasing access to healthier food, to decreasing the personal crime rate, and to reproductive health, physical activity rates, and preventative health care.

For detailed community profile go to this link.

 

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