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Employment inventory and statistics

Every year, we conduct an in-person survey of local employers across the region. The results help build a reliable picture of Niagara's employment landscape — tracking where jobs are located, what industries are growing, and how our workforce is evolving.

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Participate in the 2026 Employment Survey

Closed for 2026

Our representatives visit business across Niagara from May to August 2026.

2025 Employment inventory results

146,879

Jobs located

13,728

Businesses visited

97,132

Full-time jobs

49,747

Part-time jobs

Status of inventory records

Completed 91%
Partially completed 8%
Not started 1%

Top five employment sectors captured in Niagara

About the survey

Employment inventories are considered a best practice in GTA communities and are part of Niagara's strategy to improve its global competitiveness.

Results contribute to a comprehensive understanding of Niagara's employment landscape, providing reliable data on employment numbers, types of jobs and industry locations that inform Regional planning and economic development decisions.

Information collected from businesses

  • Physical business location
  • Business owner information
  • Business activity and industry
  • Employee counts (full-time and part-time)
  • Seasonal worker information

Open data

Anonymous employment inventory data is available for download, reuse and redistribution through Niagara's open data initiative.

Visit Niagara Open Data

Business services

Niagara Region and its partners offer a range of services to help businesses start, grow and innovate.

Economic development activities and opportunities at the regional level are supported by the Niagara Region Economic Development division.

Niagara Region Economic Development
Economic Development supports the growth and competitiveness of Niagara's regional economy. The division provides:

  • Business expansion and site selection support
  • Administration of development incentives
  • Regional research and information
  • Trade, import and export support
  • Investor assistance
  • Help with regionally significant economic development projects

Local economic development offices support economic and business development activities in their respective local municipalities. Services include business retention and expansion; support for site selection, investors and development incentives; and local business and economic information

Municipalities in Niagara without economic development offices (Thorold, Wainfleet, Pelham and West Lincoln) are supported by Niagara Region Economic Development.

These services support business start-up and small businesses in Niagara. Services include young entrepreneur programs, how-to guides and training, funding support, market research, consultation, business referrals, and networking events.

The following offices serve businesses that are developing, or looking to develop and innovate solutions.

Innovate Niagara
Provides support for businesses producing innovative products and services, including:

  • Business advisory support and training
  • Networking opportunities
  • Tools and resources
  • Business funding support
  • Specialty programs for innovative businesses and business incubation opportunities

Niagara College Research and Innovation
Niagara College Research and Innovation is the applied research arm of Niagara College. They provide services and support for:

  • Applied research and development
  • Knowledge transfer
  • Prototype development
  • Technology evaluation
  • Access to industry-specific innovation centres, including in advanced manufacturing, agriculture and environment, and food and wine
  • Project funding

Goodman Group - Brock University
Goodman Group is the business services arm of Brock University providing:

  • Business consulting
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Venture development services
  • Executive development services
  • Service learning (student-based business services) to companies

Venture Niagara
Provides business financing, business plan assistance, and community economic development services and programming.

Business Development Bank of Canada
Provides business financing, advisory support, and venture capital opportunities.