View source for Cochrane, Ontario

{{Infobox settlement
|name = Cochrane
|official_name = Town of Cochrane
|settlement_type = [[List of towns in Ontario|Town]] ([[List of municipalities in Ontario#Single-tier municipalities|single-tier]])
|image_skyline = Cochrane Ontario 2.JPG
|image_caption = Cochrane as seen across Lake Commando
|image_flag =
|flag_size = 120x100px
|image_shield =
|coordinates     = {{coord|49|04|14|N|81|01|14|W|region:CA-ON_source:http://www4.rncan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique/FARXW|display=inline,title}}
|shield_size = 120x100px
|pushpin_map = Ontario
|pushpin_mapsize = 
|pushpin_label_position = top
|established_title = Settled
|established_date = 1908
|established_title1 = Incorporated
|established_date1 = January 1, 1910
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = Canada
|subdivision_type1 = Province
|subdivision_name1 = [[Ontario]]
|subdivision_type2 = District
|subdivision_name2 = [[Cochrane District|Cochrane]]
|government_type        =
|leader_title           = Mayor
|leader_name            = Peter Politis
|leader_title1          = Governing Body
|leader_name1           = Cochrane Town Council
|leader_title2          = Federal riding
|leader_name2           = [[Kapuskasing—Timmins—Mushkegowuk]] ([[Gaétan Malette]],&nbsp;[[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]])
|leader_title3          = Prov. riding
|leader_name3           = [[Timiskaming—Cochrane (provincial electoral district)|Timiskaming—Cochrane]] ([[John Vanthof]],&nbsp;[[Ontario New Democratic Party|NDP]])
|leader_title4          =
|leader_name4           =
|area_footnotes = <ref name=SCref21>{{SCref |year=2021 |unit=csd |code={{#property:P3012}} |access-date=2024-09-30}}</ref>
|area_total_km2 =
|area_land_km2 = 537.90
|area_water_km2 =
|population_as_of = 2021
|population_footnotes = <ref name=SCref21/>
|population_total = 5390
|population_density_km2 = 10.0
|timezone = [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|area_code = [[Area codes 705 and 249|705]]{{force singular}}
|elevation_footnotes = <ref name="climate"/>
|elevation_m = 274.90
|website = {{Official URL}}
}}

'''Cochrane''' is a town in northeastern [[Ontario]], Canada. It is located east of [[Kapuskasing]], northeast of [[Timmins]], south of [[Moosonee]], and north of [[Iroquois Falls]]. It is about a one-hour drive from Timmins and Kapuskasing, the other two major population centres of the region. It is the seat of [[Cochrane District]]. The town's population is made up of about half anglophone and half francophone residents.

==History==
[[File:Main street, Cochrane (I0004026).jpg|thumb|left|Main street, circa 1925]]
Before Cochrane was founded, it was used as a summer camping ground by indigenous people, and a stopping place for fur traders travelling to [[Moose Factory, Ontario|Moose Factory]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Cochrane04.html|title=The Founding of Cochrane Historical Plaque|website=ontarioplaques.com|access-date=2017-01-16}}</ref>

In the early 20th century, the [[National Transcontinental Railway]] was built through the area, and in 1907, the place was selected as the junction point with the [[Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cochranetimespost.ca/2014/03/27/steaming-into-history|title=Steaming into history|date=2014-03-27|website=Cochrane Times Post|access-date=2017-01-16}}</ref> In November 1908, the lots were sold by auction and a [[railway town]] formed.<ref name="OHF">Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture and Communications</ref>

It was incorporated on January 1, 1910, and named after politician and merchant [[Francis Cochrane|Frank Cochrane]], a former mayor of [[Greater Sudbury|Sudbury]] and the Minister of Lands, Forests and Mines in the provincial government from 1905 to 1911, then Minister of Railways from 1911 to 1919.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/cochrane_francis_14E.html|title=Biography – COCHRANE, FRANCIS – Volume XIV (1911-1920) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography|access-date=2017-01-16}}</ref>

The settlement was devastated by fire in 1910, 1911, and [[Matheson Fire|1916]], but was rebuilt each time and became a transportation hub for northern Ontario.<ref name="OHF" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cochraneontario.com/content/art-museums-and-historical-sites-0|title=Art, Museums and Historical Sites {{!}} Town of Cochrane|website=www.cochraneontario.com|access-date=2017-01-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118033025/http://www.cochraneontario.com/content/art-museums-and-historical-sites-0|archive-date=2017-01-18|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After the [[Reesor Siding Strike of 1963]], Cochrane was the site of the trial for 20 [[Reesor, Ontario|Reesor Siding]] farmers charged with the killing of 3 union employees.

In 1969, the Town of Cochrane annexed part of the surrounding Township of Glackmeyer,<ref name=census1971>{{cite journal |title=1971 Census of Canada - Population Census Subdivisions (Historical) |journal=Catalogue 92-702 Vol I, Part 1 (Bulletin 1.1-2) |date=July 1973 |pages=76, 139 |publisher=Statistics Canada}}</ref> and in 2000, it amalgamated with the surrounding townships of Glackmeyer and Lamarche to create a newly expanded Town of Cochrane.<ref name=restruct>{{cite web |title=Municipal restructuring activity summary table - Dataset - Ontario Data Catalogue |url=https://data.ontario.ca/dataset/municipal-restructuring-activity-summary-table |website=data.ontario.ca |publisher=Government of Ontario |access-date=1 November 2025}}</ref>

==Geography==
===Climate===

Cochrane has a [[subarctic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Dfc]]) with very cold winters and warm summers. [[Diurnal temperature variation]] is moderately high throughout the year. Annual snowfall is heavy, averaging 117 inches (297&nbsp;cm). Precipitation peaks during early fall. Winter typically lasts from the end of October to well into April.

Until 1977, [[Timmins]] was used as the source for all weather readings attributed to Cochrane except for exceptional extremes, due to the overall similar climate due to proximity and topography.  However, in December 1977, Cochrane temperature readings began to be taken from downtown after a noticeable difference in temperature was recorded two years prior in January 1976. However, to this day, if Cochrane's weather equipment fails at any time, the Timmins temperature readings are used due to the overall similarity.

{{Weather box
|location = Cochrane
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 7.2
|Feb record high C = 11.7
|Mar record high C = 20.0
|Apr record high C = 30.0
|May record high C = 33.9
|Jun record high C = 36.7
|Jul record high C = 37.2
|Aug record high C = 36.1
|Sep record high C = 35.0
|Oct record high C = 28.9
|Nov record high C = 20.0
|Dec record high C = 13.0
|year record high C = 37.2
|Jan high C = -12.1
|Feb high C = -8.9
|Mar high C = -1.9
|Apr high C = 7.4
|May high C = 16.4
|Jun high C = 21.1
|Jul high C = 24.0
|Aug high C = 22.3
|Sep high C = 15.5
|Oct high C = 8.2
|Nov high C = -0.4
|Dec high C = -9.4
|year high C = 6.9
|Jan mean C = −18.4
|Feb mean C = −15.8
|Mar mean C = -8.9
|Apr mean C = 0.7
|May mean C = 9.2
|Jun mean C = 13.8
|Jul mean C = 16.8
|Aug mean C = 15.5
|Sep mean C = 9.9
|Oct mean C = 3.6
|Nov mean C = -4.5
|Dec mean C = −15.0
|year mean C = 0.6
|Jan low C = -24.7
|Feb low C = -22.7
|Mar low C = -15.9
|Apr low C = -6.0
|May low C = 2.0
|Jun low C = 6.4
|Jul low C = 9.5
|Aug low C = 8.6
|Sep low C = 4.3
|Oct low C = -1.0
|Nov low C = -8.5
|Dec low C = -20.5
|year low C = -5.7
|Jan record low C = -47.0
|Feb record low C = -45.6
|Mar record low C = -41.7
|Apr record low C = -31.1
|May record low C = -13.9
|Jun record low C = -6.7
|Jul record low C = -3.0
|Aug record low C = -2.8
|Sep record low C = -7.8
|Oct record low C = -16.0
|Nov record low C = -38.3
|Dec record low C = -45.6
|year record low C = -47.0
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 72.3
|Feb precipitation mm = 42.4
|Mar precipitation mm = 58.3
|Apr precipitation mm = 44.6
|May precipitation mm = 73.2
|Jun precipitation mm = 91.1
|Jul precipitation mm = 90.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 87.9
|Sep precipitation mm = 109.0
|Oct precipitation mm = 77.8
|Nov precipitation mm = 64.0
|Dec precipitation mm = 69.3
|year precipitation mm = 880.0
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 0.7
|Feb rain mm = 1.3
|Mar rain mm = 9.7
|Apr rain mm = 26.3
|May rain mm = 69.8
|Jun rain mm = 90.5
|Jul rain mm = 90.1
|Aug rain mm = 87.9
|Sep rain mm = 108.1
|Oct rain mm = 69.6
|Nov rain mm = 25.1
|Dec rain mm = 4.1
|year rain mm = 583.2
|snow colour = green
|Jan snow cm = 71.6
|Feb snow cm = 41.1
|Mar snow cm = 48.6
|Apr snow cm = 18.4
|May snow cm = 3.5
|Jun snow cm = 0.6
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Sep snow cm = 0.9
|Oct snow cm = 8.2
|Nov snow cm = 38.9
|Dec snow cm = 65.1
|year snow cm = 296.8
|source 1 = [[Environment Canada]]<ref name="climate">Environment Canada — [http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?stnID=4142&lang=e&dCode=0&province=ONT&provBut=&month1=0&month2=12 Canadian Climate Normals 1971-2000] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130101040858/http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?stnID=4142&lang=e&dCode=0&province=ONT&provBut=&month1=0&month2=12 |date=2013-01-01 }}, accessed 24 July 2012</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}

== Demographics ==
In the [[2021 Canadian census|2021 Census of Population]] conducted by [[Statistics Canada]], Cochrane had a population of {{val|5390|fmt=commas}} living in {{val|2316|fmt=commas}} of its {{val|2540|fmt=commas}} total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:5390-5321}}|5321|1}} from its 2016 population of {{val|5321|fmt=commas}}. With a land area of {{convert|537.9|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|5390|537.9|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name=SCref21/>

In the 2011 Census, Cochrane had a population of 5,340, a 2.7% decrease from the 2006 Census (5,487), which was itself a 3.6 percent decrease from the 2001 Census.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/as-sa/fogs-spg/Facts-csd-eng.cfm?LANG=Eng&GK=CSD&GC=3556042|title=Census subdivision of Cochrane, T (Ontario) - Census Subdivisions - Focus on Geography Series - Census 2011|last=Canada|first=Government of Canada, Statistics|website=www12.statcan.gc.ca|date=8 February 2012|access-date=2017-01-16}}</ref> Like many northern Ontario communities, the population decline is due to lack of employment.
{{Canada census
 |location = Cochrane
 |2021_population=5,390 | 2021_pop_delta=+1.3  | 2021_land_area=537.90 | 2021_pop_density=10.0
 |2021_median_age=43.6 | 2021_median_age_m=43.6 | 2021_median_age_f=43.6
 |2021_total_pvt_dwell=2,540 |2021_occ_pvt_dwell=2,316 |2021_mean_hh_income=75,500 
 |2021_geocode=2021A00053556042 | 2021_access_date=2023-10-19
 |2016_population=5,321 | 2016_pop_delta=-0.4 | 2016_land_area=539.12 | 2016_pop_density=9.9
 |2016_median_age=43.7 | 2016_median_age_m=43.4 | 2016_median_age_f=44.0
 |2016_total_pvt_dwell=2,510 | 2016_mean_hh_income=65,654 | 2016_access_date=2019-06-11
 |2011_population=5,340 | 2011_pop_delta=-2.7 | 2011_land_area=539.02 | 2011_pop_density=9.9
 |2011_median_age= | 2011_median_age_m= | 2011_median_age_f=
 |2011_total_pvt_dwell=2,407 | 2011_mean_hh_income= | 2011_access_date=2012-02-17
 |2006_population=5,487 | 2006_pop_delta=-3.6 | 2006_land_area=538.76 | 2006_pop_density=10.2
 |2006_median_age=41.1 | 2006_median_age_m=40.5 | 2006_median_age_f=41.5
 |2006_total_pvt_dwell=2,492 | 2006_mean_hh_income=48,286 | 2006_access_date=2012-02-17
 |2001_population=5,690 | 2001_pop_delta=-4.5 | 2001_land_area=538.74 | 2001_pop_density=10.6
 |2001_median_age=37.9 | 2001_median_age_m=37.4 | 2001_median_age_f=38.6
 |2001_total_pvt_dwell=2,586 | 2001_mean_hh_income=41,890 | 2001_access_date=2012-02-17
}}
[[File:Cochrane ON.jpg|thumb|right|District courthouse and town hall]]

{{Historical populations
|title       = {{Nowrap|Historical census populations –}} Cochrane, Ontario
|align       = none
|cols        = 3
|percentages = 
|footnote    = Population counts are not adjusted for boundary changes and merger.
|source      = Statistics Canada<ref>[[Canada 1996 Census|1996]], [[Canada 2001 Census|2001]], [[Canada 2006 Census|2006]] census</ref><ref name=census1971/>
| 1921 |2655
| 1931 |3963
| 1941 |2844
| 1951 |3401
| 1956 |3695
| 1961 |4521
| 1966 |4775
| 1971 |4965
| 1976 |4990
| 1981 |4848
| 1986 |4662
| 1991 |4585
| 1996 |4443
| 2001 |5690
| 2006 |5487
| 2011 |5340
| 2016 |5321
| 2021 |5390
}}

Mother tongue (2021):<ref name="SCref21" />
* English as first language: 59.3%
* French as first language: 32.9%
* English and French as first language: 4.3%
* Other as first language: 2.6%

==Economy==
The main industries in Cochrane are transportation, railway, tourism, and forestry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cochraneontario.com/content/did-you-know-0|title=Did You Know {{!}} Town of Cochrane|website=www.cochraneontario.com|access-date=2017-01-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118033823/http://www.cochraneontario.com/content/did-you-know-0|archive-date=2017-01-18|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Marginal farming also exists around Cochrane. Though the soil is considered to be of good quality, the growing season is too short to have substantial crop production.

==Attractions==
=== Polar bears ===
The town contains many references to polar bears. Its mascot is a large polar bear statue known as Chimo, erected in the early 1970s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.timminspress.com/2016/01/08/town-fundraising-to-replace-crumbling-chimo|title=Town fundraising to replace crumbling Chimo|last=Moore|first=Sarah|date=2016-01-08|website=Timmins Press|access-date=2017-01-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118032527/http://www.timminspress.com/2016/01/08/town-fundraising-to-replace-crumbling-chimo|archive-date=2017-01-18|url-status=dead}}</ref>

There are also live polar bears at the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat, which opened in the summer of 2004. Polar bears from the [[Toronto Zoo]] were relocated to Cochrane while a new pavilion was being constructed. Those two polar bears were returned to the Toronto Zoo in the summer of 2009.<ref name="test">[http://torontozoo.ca/AnimalsOffDisplay.asp Toronto Zoo - Animals Off Display] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226222720/http://www.torontozoo.ca/AnimalsOffDisplay.asp |date=2007-12-26 }}</ref> In late May 2012, a new bear arrived at the Polar Bear Habitat, Ganuk. Also in 2012, a second bear, Inukshuk, was brought from the Toronto Zoo to The Polar Bear Habitat as a part-time resident. After successfully breeding 5 times in both the Toronto and Quebec Zoos, Inukshuk is now a permanent resident in Cochrane. In 2016 the habitat gained a third bear named Henry who came all the way from Sea World on the Gold Coast in Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polarbearhabitat.ca/bears|title=When Are The Bears Being Fed - Polar Bear Habitat|date=31 July 2017|website=polarbearhabitat.ca|access-date=19 April 2018|archive-date=14 December 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141214070922/http://www.polarbearhabitat.ca/bears|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Cochrane Heritage Village ===
Located on the grounds of the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat, the Cochrane Heritage Village has multiple replica buildings housing historic settings, which reflect life in Cochrane in the early 1900's. The railway station has a set up to view a video of a history of the Town of Cochrane as well as artifacts and photos representing railroad history. There are train rides available in a small motor train. There is a historic butcher shop, doctor’s office, a shoe repair shop, blacksmith shop and hardware store. Other buildings include a homestead house, barn, a one room schoolhouse  and a trapper’s cabin. There is a sit in restaurant for fast foods and snacks.  The Heritage Village is open year round and often has costumed hosts.

=== Cochrane Classic Vintage Riders Snowmobile Museum ===
Also located on the grounds of the Polar Bear Habitat, is the Cochrane Classic Vintage Riders Snowmobile Museum. This museum is the second largest snowmobile museum in Canada, but the largest that is open to the public. This exhibit is open year round, and attracts sledders from across the province and out of province as well.

=== Cochrane Public Library ===
[[File:Cochrane Public Library building.jpg|thumb|Cochrane Public Library in September 2025]]
The Cochrane Public Library was established in 1917 and houses a large collection of books, DVDs, puzzles, video games, and other material. It offers tourists snowshoes and skis for lending in the winter and a safe place to enjoy. Downstairs there is an Art Gallery as well as a book saleroom.  Coffee is available for purchase. The library houses the town's archives, which is a wealth of local history.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

==Sports==
===Ice hockey===
Cochrane residents traditionally place hockey highly among their cultural values and native French and English speakers use the sport as a common ground to connect on.

The town of Cochrane built and maintains the Tim Horton's Event Centre, which opened in 2006 and seats a capacity of over 800. Numerous construction delays hindered its official opening. The Tim Horton Museum is also situated in the facility and contains hockey memorabilia.

From 2014 to 2023, the arena was home to the [[Cochrane Crunch]], a [[Canadian Junior Hockey League|Canadian Jr. A]] hockey team. The Crunch played in the [[Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League|NOJHL]], and in 2014/15 captured their first Eastern Division Championship. With an average attendance of 466, the small town placed third in the league. In the 2017/2018 season, the team became the East division champions and later going on to become league champions, who would go on to compete for the [[Dudley Hewitt Cup]]. The team and the town of Cochrane successfully won their bid to host the Dudley Hewitt Cup in 2019.

==Transportation==
[[Image:Cochrane Ontario.jpg|thumb|Cochrane railway station]]

===Roads===
Cochrane is situated along [[Ontario Highway 11]]. The town is close to the northern end of the road system in the area. The last roads in this part of Ontario end about halfway between Cochrane and Moosonee at [[Otter Rapids, Ontario|Otter Rapids]].

===Railway===
The [[Cochrane railway station]] is operated by the [[Ontario Northland Railway]] and serves as the southern terminus of the ''[[Polar Bear Express]]'' which operates five days per week to and from [[Moosonee, Ontario|Moosonee]].

===Airport===
The town is served by the [[Cochrane Aerodrome]], but has no scheduled flights.

==See also==
{{Portal|Ontario}}
* [[List of francophone communities in Ontario]]
* [[List of towns in Ontario]]
* [[List of population centres in Ontario]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{official website|http://www.cochraneontario.com}}

{{Geographic location
| Center = Cochrane
| East = [[Unorganized North Cochrane District|Unorganized North Cochrane]]
| North = [[Unorganized North Cochrane District|Unorganized North Cochrane]]
| West = [[Unorganized North Cochrane District|Unorganized North Cochrane]]
| South = [[Unorganized North Cochrane District|Unorganized North Cochrane]]
}}
{{Cochrane District}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cochrane, Ontario| ]]
[[Category:Single-tier municipalities in Ontario]]
[[Category:Towns in Ontario]]
[[Category:1910 establishments in Ontario]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1910]]