Relocation Guide
Major Employers in
Durham Region
What employers anchor Durham Region's economy? Healthcare, energy, public administration, education and advanced manufacturing all play major roles, with Lakeridge Health now counted as the region's largest employer and Ontario Power Generation close behind. This guide profiles the region's major employers and what their presence means for buyers and renters.
By Keith Williams & Lisa C. Follows, Brokers, Willows Realty Group
Sector by Sector
Healthcare
Lakeridge Health
Lakeridge Health is the regional hospital network, with sites in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Bowmanville and Port Perry. DurhamRegion.com reported in February 2023 that Lakeridge Health was set to surpass Ontario Power Generation as Durham's largest employer.
Source: DurhamRegion.com, February 2023.
Explore OshawaOntario Shores
The Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences is located in Whitby, adding a specialized health employer to Durham's hospital network.
Explore WhitbySector by Sector
Energy
Ontario Power Generation (OPG) was Durham's largest employer in the Region's last full business count, with about 6,000 employees as of August 2015. OPG operates the Darlington nuclear generating station in Clarington and the Pickering nuclear station, and Durham is often described as Ontario's clean-energy capital.
Source: Regional Municipality of Durham business count, August 2015 data.
Explore ClaringtonOntario's clean-energy capital
With two nuclear generating stations in Durham, the Darlington station in Clarington and the Pickering station, OPG anchors a clean-energy sector that is deeply woven into the region's identity and workforce.
Sector by Sector
Public sector and education
Education
Durham College and Ontario Tech University are both in Oshawa, making the city the region's post-secondary hub alongside its public school system.
Source: Region of Durham, City of Oshawa community profile.
Explore OshawaGovernment offices
The Ontario Ministry of Finance and the Canada Revenue Agency both have major Oshawa offices, giving the city a strong public administration base.
Source: Region of Durham, City of Oshawa community profile.
School board and the Region
The Durham District School Board (about 5,874 employees) and the Regional Municipality of Durham itself (about 5,635 employees) are among the largest employers according to the same 2015 Regional count, with schools, transit, waste services, housing and roads across every community.
Source: Regional Municipality of Durham business count, August 2015 data.
Sector by Sector
Advanced manufacturing
General Motors' Oshawa complex has anchored the region's automotive sector for decades. The 2015 Regional count listed about 4,000 GM employees, making the complex one of Durham's single largest workplaces at that time.
Source: Regional Municipality of Durham business count, August 2015 data.
Explore OshawaA note on these numbers
The employee counts on this page come from the Regional Municipality of Durham business count, August 2015 data. They are historical figures from the Region's last full business count, not current headcounts, and the region's workforce has shifted since then.
For Buyers & Renters
What this means if you're moving here
A mix of public and private employers gives Durham Region a more balanced economy than many commuting suburbs. Healthcare, energy, education and government jobs tend to be steady employers, which supports consistent demand for homes and rentals near the main employment hubs in Oshawa, Whitby and Clarington.
For buyers and renters, that stability matters in two ways. First, it means local jobs close to home: you do not have to commute to Toronto to build a career here. Second, a diversified base means the housing market is not driven by a single employer, giving you more confidence in the long-term value of the community you choose.
If you are weighing where to live, start with the communities closest to the sectors you work in, then compare prices in our market snapshot. And if your commute still points west, our guide to commuting to Toronto from Durham Region covers the GO Transit and driving options. New to the region? Our guide to moving from Toronto to Durham Region walks through the practical steps of the move east, and the cost of living comparison breaks down the Durham versus Toronto numbers.
Oshawa
The hub for healthcare, education, government offices and the GM complex.
Whitby
Home to Ontario Shores, a Lakeridge Health site and the regional headquarters.
Clarington
Closest community to the Darlington nuclear generating station.
Port Perry
Small-town living with a Lakeridge Health site on Main Street.
Looking for the whole picture? Pair this guide with our relocation guide for the full view of communities, commutes, schools and home prices across Durham Region.
Talk through your move with us
Whether you are moving for a job, a sector, or a change of pace, we can help you find the Durham community that fits your work and your life.
Call today to talk about your next move! Call Lisa or Keith at 905-985-9898.