View source for Kingston, Ontario

{{Short description|City in Ontario, Canada}}
{{redirect|Kingston, Canada|other places|List of places called Kingston#Canada}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=August 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Kingston
| official_name      = City of Kingston
| nickname           = "Limestone City"
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in Ontario|City]] ([[List of municipalities in Ontario#Single-tier municipalities|single-tier]])
| motto              = ''Antiquitate Civilitate Humanitate'' ([[Latin]])<br /><small>("A Civil And Creative Community with a Proud Past")</small>
| image_skyline      = Kingston Ontario Canada - Laslovarga (28).JPG
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = [[Kingston City Hall (Ontario)|Kingston City Hall]]
| image_flag         = Flag of Kingston, Ontario.svg
| image_shield       = Coat of arms of Kingston, Canada.svg
| image_blank_emblem = City of Kingston, Ontario logo.png
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| image_map          = 
| mapsize            = 
| map_caption        = 
| pushpin_map        = Canada Southern Ontario#Canada
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within southern Ontario##Location within Canada
| pushpin_mapsize    = 220
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = Canada
| subdivision_type1  = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Ontario]]
| leader_title       = [[List of mayors of Kingston, Ontario|Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Bryan Paterson]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Ottawa Valley election results: Mayoral Races |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/ottawa-valley-election-results-mayoral-races/ |publisher=CTV Ottawa |access-date=November 4, 2014 |date=October 28, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104063929/http://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/ottawa-valley-election-results-mayoral-races-1.2074419 |archive-date=November 4, 2014 }}</ref>
| leader_title1      = Governing Body
| leader_name1       = [[Kingston City Council]]
| leader_title2      = MP (Federal)
| leader_name2       = [[Mark Gerretsen]]&nbsp;([[Liberal Party of Canada|LPC]])
| leader_title3      = MPP (Provincial)
| leader_name3       = [[Ted Hsu]]&nbsp;([[Ontario Liberal Party|OLP]])<br />[[John Jordan (Canadian politician)|John Jordan]]&nbsp;([[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|PCPO]])
| established_title  = Established
| established_date   = 1673 (as Fort Cataraqui; later renamed [[Fort Frontenac]])
| established_title2 = Incorporated
| established_date2  = 1838 (as town); 1846 (as city)
| established_title3 = Amalgamated
| established_date3  = 1998 (with Kingston and Pittsburgh Townships)
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 
| area_land_km2      = 451.58
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_blank1_title  = [[Census geographic units of Canada#Census metropolitan areas|{{Abbr|CMA|Census metropolitan area}}]]
| area_blank1_km2    = 1919.17
| area_water_percent = 
| area_footnotes     = &nbsp;(2021)<ref name=2021census/>
| area_urban_km2     = 
| area_metro_km2     = 
| area_metro_footnotes = <ref name=2021census/>
| population_as_of   = 2021
| population_footnotes = <ref name=2021census/>
| population_total   = 132,485
| population_density_km2 = 293.4
| population_blank1_title = {{Abbr|CMA|Census metropolitan area}}
| population_blank1  = 172,546
| population_density_blank1_km2 = 89.9
| population_metro   = 
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_metro_footnotes = 
| population_urban   = 
| timezone           = [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset         = −05:00
| timezone_DST       = {{abbr|EDT|Eastern daylight time}}
| utc_offset_DST     = −04:00
| coordinates        = {{coord|44|13|50|N|76|28|52|W|region:CA-ON|notes=<ref>{{cite cgndb|FBUUF|Kingston}}</ref>|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m        = 93
| elevation_ft       = 305
| postal_code_type   = Postal code span
| postal_code        = K7K through K7P
| area_codes          = [[Area codes 613, 343, and 753|613, 343, 753]]
| blank_name_sec2    = GDP (Kingston {{Abbr|CMA|Census metropolitan area}})
| blank_info_sec2    = [[Canadian dollar|CA$]] 9.4 billion (2018)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=3610046801 |title=Table 36-10-0468-01 Gross domestic product (GDP) at basic prices, by census metropolitan area (CMA) (x 1,000,000) |date=January 27, 2017 |publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] |access-date=April 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122184338/https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=3610046801 |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| blank1_name_sec2   = GDP per capita (Kingston {{Abbr|CMA|Census metropolitan area}})
| blank1_info_sec2   = [[Canadian dollar|CA$]]54,022 (2016)
| website            = [http://www.cityofkingston.ca/ www.cityofkingston.ca]
}}

'''Kingston''' is a city in [[Ontario]], Canada, on the northeastern end of [[Lake Ontario]]. It is at the beginning of the [[St. Lawrence River]] and at the mouth of the [[Cataraqui River]], the south end of the [[Rideau Canal]]. Kingston is near the [[Thousand Islands]], a tourist region to the east, and the [[Prince Edward County, Ontario|Prince Edward County]] tourist region to the west. Kingston is nicknamed the "Limestone City" because it has many heritage buildings constructed using local [[limestone]].

Growing European exploration in the 17th century and the desire for the Europeans to establish a presence close to local Native occupants to control trade led to the founding of a [[New France|French]] [[trading post]] and military fort at a site known as "Cataraqui" (generally pronounced {{IPAc-en|k|æ|t|ə|'|ɹ|ɒ|k|w|eɪ}} {{respell|ka|tə|ROK|way}}) in 1673. The outpost, called Fort Cataraqui, and later [[Fort Frontenac]], became a focus for settlement. After the [[Conquest of New France]] (1759–1763), the site of Kingston was relinquished to the British.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Preston |editor1-first=Richard A. |title=Kingston before the War of 1812: A Collection of Documents (Ontario Series) |date=1959 |publisher=The Publications of the Champlain Society |page=37 |doi=10.3138/9781442618503 <!-- |isbn=978-1-4426-1850-3--> }}</ref> Cataraqui was renamed Kingston after the British took possession of the fort, and [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Loyalists]] began settling the region in the 1780s.

Kingston was named the first capital of the [[Province of Canada|United Province of Canada]] on February 10, 1841.<ref>Osborne 2011, p.&nbsp;81</ref> While its time as a capital city was short and ended in 1844, the community has remained an important military installation. The city is a regional centre of education and health care, being home to a major university, a large vocational college, and three major hospitals.

Kingston was the county seat of [[Frontenac County]] until 1998. Kingston is now a separate municipality from the County of Frontenac. Kingston is the largest municipality in southeastern Ontario and Ontario's [[List of census metropolitan areas and agglomerations in Canada|10th largest metropolitan area]]. [[John A. Macdonald]], the first [[Prime Minister of Canada|prime minister of Canada]], lived in Kingston.

==History==
{{For timeline|Timeline of Kingston, Ontario history}}
===Naming history and etymology===

Cataraqui, Kingston's original name, is a derivation of an [[Languages of Canada#Indigenous languages|Indigenous language]] name for the Kingston area. The word may mean "Great Meeting Place", "the place where one hides", "impregnable", "muddy river", "place of retreat", "clay bank rising out of the water", "where the rivers and lake meet", "rocks standing in water", or "place where the limestone (or clay) is".<ref>[http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/encyclopedia/Cataraqui-CanadianHistory.htm Quebec History – Cataraqui] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052924/http://faculty.marianopolis.edu/c.belanger/quebechistory/encyclopedia/Cataraqui-CanadianHistory.htm |date=March 4, 2016 }} Retrieved April 12, 2014</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cataraqui Archaeological Research Foundation – About |url=https://www.carf.info/about.html |access-date=August 15, 2023 |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816060537/https://www.carf.info/about.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://www.buildingstories.co/report.php?ListType=tour_data&ID=25&lang=fr Histoires de Bâtiment – Naval Historic Sites – Kingston] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413185554/http://www.buildingstories.co/report.php?ListType=tour_data&ID=25&lang=fr |date=April 13, 2014 }} Retrieved April 12, 2014</ref><ref>[http://canada.yodelout.com/kingston-ontario-settlement-and-early-days/ All About Canada, Kingston, Ontario-Settlement and Early Days] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413141204/http://canada.yodelout.com/kingston-ontario-settlement-and-early-days/ |date=April 13, 2014 }} Retrieved April 12, 2014</ref><ref name="Brown">{{cite book |last=Brown |first=Ron |year=2011 |title=Hidden Ontario: Secrets from Ontario's Past |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uXk3yUgj1yYC&pg=PA99 |location=Toronto |publisher=Dundurn |pages=98–100 |isbn=978-1554889556 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328004321/https://books.google.com/books?id=uXk3yUgj1yYC&pg=PA99 |archive-date=March 28, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thewhig.com/opinion/columnists/celebrating-lemoine-point-farm |title=Celebrating Lemoine Point Farm |last=Young |first=Susan |date=November 20, 2021 |publisher=The Kingston Whig-Standard |access-date=January 12, 2022 |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218140151/https://www.thewhig.com/opinion/columnists/celebrating-lemoine-point-farm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Indigenous People – City of Kingston |url=https://www.cityofkingston.ca/explore/culture-history/history/indigenous-people |access-date=July 4, 2023 |website=cityofkingston.ca |archive-date=July 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704052133/https://www.cityofkingston.ca/explore/culture-history/history/indigenous-people }}</ref>

Cataraqui was referred to as "the King's Town" or "King's Town" by 1787, in honour of King [[George III]]. The name was abbreviated to "Kingston" in 1788.<ref name=armstrong67>Armstrong 1973, p.&nbsp;67.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca/chronology.html |title=Chronology of the History of Kingston |publisher=Kingston Historical Society |access-date=June 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426085741/http://kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca/chronology.html |archive-date=April 26, 2012 }}</ref> Cataraqui today is an area around the intersection of [[Princess Street (Kingston, Ontario)|Princess Street]] and Sydenham Road, where the village of Cataraqui (formerly known as Waterloo) was located. Cataraqui is also the name of a municipal electoral district.

===Early Indigenous habitation===

[[Archaeology|Archaeological]] evidence suggests people lived in the Kingston region as early as the [[Archaic period (North America)|Archaic period]] (about 9,000–3,000 years ago).<ref>[http://www.pecounty.on.ca/pdf/MicrosoftWord-ArchaeologyintheCounty.pdf ''Archaeology in the County – Traces of the First People in Prehistoric Prince Edward County''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309045303/http://pecounty.on.ca/pdf/MicrosoftWord-ArchaeologyintheCounty.pdf |date=March 9, 2013 }} Retrieved March 4, 2015</ref><ref>[http://www.ontarioarchaeology.on.ca/summary/archaic.htm ''The Archaic Period''. Ontario Archaeological Society] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116051400/http://www.ontarioarchaeology.on.ca/summary/archaic.htm |date=November 16, 2012 }} Retrieved March 4, 2015</ref> Evidence of [[Woodland period#Late Woodland period (500–1000 CE)|Late Woodland Period]] (about 500–1000 AD) early [[Iroquois]] occupation also exists.<ref>[http://www.ontarioarchaeology.on.ca/summary/latew.htm ''Late Woodland Period''. Ontario Archaeological Society] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130914014127/http://www.ontarioarchaeology.on.ca/summary/latew.htm |date=September 14, 2013 }} Retrieved March 4, 2015</ref> The first more permanent encampments by [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous people]] in the Kingston area began about 900 AD.<ref name="belleisland">[http://www.carf.info/kingston-past/kingston-archaeology/belle-island Kingston Archaeology – Belle Island] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227214305/http://www.carf.info/kingston-past/kingston-archaeology/belle-island |date=February 27, 2015 }} Retrieved February 27, 2015</ref> The group that first occupied the area before the arrival of the French was probably the [[Wyandot people]] (Hurons), who were later displaced by Iroquoian groups.<ref name="belleisland"/>

At the time the French arrived in the Kingston area, Five Nations Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) had settled along the north shore of [[Lake Ontario]].<ref>Adams 1986, p.&nbsp;6</ref> Although the area around the south end of the [[Cataraqui River]] was often visited by Iroquois and other groups, Iroquois settlement at this location only began after the French established their outpost.<ref>Adams 1986, pp. 5, 9</ref> By 1700, the [[Iroquois settlement of the north shore of Lake Ontario|north shore Iroquois]] had moved south, and the area once occupied by the Iroquois (which includes Kingston) became occupied by the [[Mississaugas]], a subtribe of the [[Anishinaabe]], who had moved south from the [[Lake Huron]] and [[Lake Simcoe]] regions.<ref>Osborne 2011, pp. 13, 19</ref>

===French settlement and Fort Frontenac===
European commercial and military influence and activities centred on the [[North American fur trade|fur trade]] developed and increased in North America in the 17th century. [[Fur trade|Fur trappers]] and traders were spreading out from their centres of operation in New France. French explorer [[Samuel de Champlain]] visited the Kingston area in 1615.<ref name="kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca">{{cite web |url=http://www.kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca/chronology.html |title=Kingston Historical Society Chronology of the History of Kingston |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426085741/http://kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca/chronology.html |archive-date=April 26, 2012 }}</ref>
[[File:Fort Frontenac 1759.jpg|thumb|"View of Frontenac or Cataracoui in 1759". Watercolour map depicting Fort Frontenac.]]
To establish a presence on Lake Ontario for the purpose of controlling the fur trade with local indigenous people, [[Louis de Buade de Frontenac]], [[Governor of New France]], established Fort Cataraqui, later to be called Fort Frontenac, at a location known as Cataraqui in 1673.<ref name="kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca"/> The fort served as a trading post and military base, and gradually attracted indigenous and European settlement. In 1674, [[René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle]] was appointed commandant of the fort. From this base, de La Salle explored west and south as far as the [[Gulf of Mexico]].<ref name="kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca"/> The fort was rebuilt several times and experienced periods of abandonment. The Iroquois siege of 1688 led to many deaths, after which the French destroyed the fort, but would rebuild it. The British destroyed the fort during the [[Battle of Fort Frontenac]] ([[Seven Years' War]]) in 1758 and its ruins remained abandoned until the British took possession and partially reconstructed it in 1783. The fort was renamed Tête-de-Pont Barracks in 1787. It was turned over to the [[Canadian Armed Forces|Canadian military]] in 1870–71 and is still being used by the military. It was renamed Fort Frontenac in 1939.<ref>[http://www.forces.gc.ca/assets/FORCES_Internet/docs/en/training-establishments/ff-history-cacsc-eng.pdf A History of Fort Frontenac] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806141428/http://forces.gc.ca/assets/FORCES_Internet/docs/en/training-establishments/ff-history-cacsc-eng.pdf |date=August 6, 2014 }} Retrieved December 8, 2017</ref> Partially reconstructed parts of the original fort can be seen today at the western end of the [[La Salle Causeway]].

===Loyalist settlement===

In 1783, [[Frederick Haldimand]], governor of the [[Province of Quebec (1763–1791)|Province of Quebec]] directed Major [[Samuel Holland (surveyor)|Samuel Holland]], Surveyor-General of Quebec, to lay out a settlement for displaced [[British Empire|British]] colonists, or [[Loyalist (American Revolution)|Loyalists]], who were fleeing north because of the [[American Revolutionary War]] and "minutely examine the situation and site of the Post formerly occupied by the French, and the land and country adjacent". Haldimand had originally considered the site as a possible location to settle loyal [[Mohawk people|Mohawks]].<ref name="Osborne18">Osborne 2011, p.&nbsp;18</ref> The survey would also determine whether Cataraqui was suitable as a navy base since nearby [[Carleton Island]] on which a British navy base was located had been ceded to the Americans after the war. Holland's report about the old French post mentioned "every part surpassed the favorable idea I had formed of it", that it had "advantageous Situations" and that "the harbour is in every respect Good and most conveniently situated to command Lake Ontario".<ref name="Osborne18"/> Major [[John Ross (British Army officer, died 1809)|John Ross]], commanding officer of the [[King's Royal Regiment of New York]] at [[Fort Oswego|Oswego]] partly rebuilt Fort Frontenac in 1783. As commander, he played a significant role in establishing the Cataraqui settlement.
[[File:View of Cataraqui 1785.jpg|thumb|right|A Southeast View of Cataraqui, by James Peachey, August 1785]]

To facilitate settlement, the [[The Crown|British Crown]] entered into an agreement with the [[Mississaugas]] in October 1783 to purchase land east of the [[Bay of Quinte]]. Known as the [[Crawford Purchase]], this agreement enabled settlement for much of the eastern section of the north shore of Lake Ontario.<ref>Osborne 2011, pp. 19–21</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac44.html |title=The Crawford Purchase |website=Ontario's Historical Plaques |access-date=December 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219001019/http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac44.html |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> With the completion of the Mississauga agreement, settlement could proceed, although the planning of the layout of the townsite had not waited for the completion of the negotiations. The area was surveyed, and the survey report mentioned the area was deemed to have productive lands, abundant resources, a good harbour and an existing townsite. These requirements were considered ideal to settle the Loyalists.<ref>Osborne 2011, p.&nbsp;22</ref> Three kinds of refugee Loyalists would settle at Cataraqui: 'associated' or 'incorporated' Loyalists who were organized into companies under militia officers, provincial colonial regiments and their dependants, and unincorporated Loyalists who came to Canada independently.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Preston |editor1-first=Richard A. |title=Kingston before the War of 1812: A Collection of Documents (Ontario Series) |date=1959 |publisher=The Publications of the Champlain Society |page=49 |doi=10.3138/9781442618503 <!-- |isbn=978-1-4426-1850-3--> }}</ref>

Many Loyalist refugees had at first settled on Carleton Island, and operated businesses there. When the Island was ceded to the United States after the Revolutionary War, these Loyalists, along with their businesses, relocated to Cataraqui.

Notable Loyalists who settled in the Cataraqui area include [[Molly Brant]] (the sister of Six Nations leader [[Joseph Brant]]); businessman and political figure [[Richard Cartwright (Loyalist)|Richard Cartwright]]; [[John Stuart (priest)|John Stuart]], a clergyman, missionary and educator who arrived in 1785; and militia captain [[Johan Jost Herkimer]]. The first name given to the settlement by the Loyalists was King's Town, which would eventually develop into the current appellation.<ref name="Brown"/> The first child born in King's Town was John Godfrey Lloyd, son of a discharged [[Hessian (soldier)|Hessian soldier]] from [[Herkimer County, New York]], Johan Gottlieb Lloyd, and his wife Mary Klein. Klein was one of six daughters of John Cline, who was killed during the British-supported Seneca raids in the [[Mohawk Valley]], New York, in May 1780.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Currier |first1=Betty Robbins |last2=Gillette |first2=Beverly Rathbun |title=East End, West End: Our Town |date=1991 |publisher=Canal Side Publishers |location=Frankfort, NY |page=38 }}</ref> Klein was brought to Carleton Island with Molly Brant, and arrived in Cataraqui in 1783, before the influx of Loyalist settlers in 1784.

A group of Loyalists from New York State, led by Captain [[Michael Grass]] who arrived in 1784 after sailing from New York City and up the [[St. Lawrence River]], established a camp south of Fort Frontenac at Mississauga Point.<ref>Osborne 2011, p.&nbsp;23</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac17.html |title=Loyalist Landing at Cataracoui 1784 |website=Ontario's Historical Plaques |access-date=December 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219001031/http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac17.html |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The first high school (grammar school) in what later became the province of Ontario was established in Kingston in 1792 by Loyalist priest John Stuart, which evolved into [[Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute]].

===War of 1812, and development===

During the [[War of 1812]], Kingston (with a population of 2,250)<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uXk3yUgj1yYC&q=Kingston,+ontario&pg=PA99 |title=Hidden Ontario: Secrets from Ontario's Past |first=Terry |last=Boyle |date=May 30, 2011 |publisher=Dundurn |isbn=9781459700291 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328004321/https://books.google.com/books?id=uXk3yUgj1yYC&pg=PA99&dq=Kingston,+ontario&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiBna2wxr7TAhVL7YMKHfRMD744HhDoAQg3MAQ#v=onepage&q=Kingston,+ontario&f=false |archive-date=March 28, 2018 }}</ref> was a major military centre. It was the base for the Lake Ontario division of the [[Royal Navy|British naval fleet]] on the [[Great Lakes]], which engaged in a vigorous [[arms race]] with the American fleet based at [[Sackets Harbor, New York|Sackets Harbor]], New York for control of Lake Ontario. The [[Provincial Marine]] quickly placed ships into service and troops were brought in. A Royal Naval detachment built warships in order to control Lake Ontario.<ref name="kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca"/> Fortifications and other defensive structures were built. The first [[Fort Henry National Historic Site|Fort Henry]] was built during this time to protect the dockyards in Navy Bay.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=http://ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac63.html |title=Fort Henry Historical Plaque |website=ontarioplaques.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426063516/http://ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac63.html |archive-date=April 26, 2017 }}</ref> This fort was replaced by a more extensive fort on Point Henry in 1813.<ref>Mika 1987, p.&nbsp;68.</ref><ref name="kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca"/> The present limestone citadel, constructed between 1832 and 1836, was intended to defend the recently completed [[Rideau Canal]] (opened in 1832) at the Lake Ontario end as well as the harbour and the naval dockyard.<ref>[http://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/Resources-and-Learning/Online-Plaque-Guide/Plaque-information.aspx?searchtext=113 Ontario Heritage Plaque – Fort Henry] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924030737/http://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/Resources-and-Learning/Online-Plaque-Guide/Plaque-information.aspx?searchtext=113 |date=September 24, 2015 }} Retrieved September 2, 2015</ref> In 1843, the advanced battery overlooking the lake to the south was completed when the [[casemate]]d commissariat stores and magazines were built. Fort Henry was garrisoned by British until 1871. It was restored starting in 1936 and is a popular tourist attraction, now part of a [[World Heritage Site]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
[[File:DSC00382 - Practice Drills (7614861976).jpg|thumb|left|[[Fort Henry Guard]] practice drill, Fort Henry]]
Kingston's location at the Rideau Canal entrance to Lake Ontario made it the primary military and economic centre of [[Upper Canada]] after canal construction was completed in 1832. It was incorporated as a town in 1838; the first [[List of mayors of Kingston, Ontario|mayor of Kingston]] was [[Thomas Kirkpatrick (Canadian politician)|Thomas Kirkpatrick]].<ref name="kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca"/> Kingston had the largest population of any centre in Upper Canada until the 1840s. Kingston was incorporated as a city in 1846.

Kingston became an important port as businesses relating to [[transshipment]], or forwarding, grew. Since Kingston was at the junction of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, commodities shipped along the lake from the west such as wheat, flour, meat, and [[potash]] were unloaded and stored at Kingston to await transfer to vessels that could navigate the risky St. Lawrence. With the completion of the Rideau Canal, cargoes could be transported in a safer fashion since the St. Lawrence River route could be bypassed. The canal was a popular route for transporting lumber.<ref>Osborne 2011, pp. 150–154</ref>

[[Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School|Regiopolis College]] (for training priests) was incorporated in March 1837, and in 1866 the college was given full degree-granting powers, although these were rarely used and the college closed in 1869.<ref name="kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca"/> The building became the [[Hotel Dieu Hospital (Kingston, Ontario)|Hotel Dieu Hospital]] in 1892. The college reopened at another location in 1896.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac11.html |title=Regiopolis College |access-date=December 18, 2018 |website=Ontario's Historical Plaques |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219044033/http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac11.html |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Queen's University at Kingston|Queen's University]], originally Queen's College,<ref name="kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca"/> one of the first liberal arts universities, first held classes in March 1842; established by the Presbyterian Church, it later became a national institution.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac34.html |title=Queen's University |access-date=December 18, 2018 |website=Ontario's Historical Plaques |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219000849/http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac34.html |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Royal Military College of Canada]] (RMC) was founded in 1876.

[[Kingston Penitentiary]], Canada's first large federal penitentiary, was established in 1835 and operated until 2013. Several more prisons would be established in later years in the greater Kingston area, including the federal [[Prison for Women (Kingston, Ontario)|Prison for Women]] (1930, closed in the 1990s), [[Millhaven Institution]], [[Collins Bay Institution]], Frontenac (which amalgamated with Collins Bay in 2013),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |title=Collins Bay Institution |date=February 11, 2013 |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/correctional-service/corporate/facilities-security/institutional-profiles/ontario/collins-bay-institution.html |access-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115191709/https://www.canada.ca/en/correctional-service/corporate/facilities-security/institutional-profiles/ontario/collins-bay-institution.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and Joyceville Institution.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/correctional-service/corporate/facilities-security/institutional-profiles/ontario/joyceville-institution.html |title=Joyceville |date=February 11, 2013 |access-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115191709/https://www.canada.ca/en/correctional-service/corporate/facilities-security/institutional-profiles/ontario/joyceville-institution.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the [[Upper Canada Rebellion]], 1837–38, much of the local militia was posted in Kingston, under Lieutenant-colonel [[Richard Henry Bonnycastle]] who completed construction of the new Fort Henry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BONNYCASTLE, Sir RICHARD HENRY |url=https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/bonnycastle_richard_henry_7E.html |access-date=January 15, 2025 |website=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115202031/https://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/bonnycastle_richard_henry_7E.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===As Canada's first capital===
[[Charles Poulett Thomson, 1st Baron Sydenham|Lord Sydenham]], the [[Governor General of Canada]] chose Kingston as the first capital of the united [[Province of Canada|Canadas]], and it served in that role from 1841 to 1844. The first meeting of the [[Parliament of the Province of Canada]] on June 13, 1841, was held on the site of what is now [[Kingston General Hospital]]. The city was considered too small and lacking in amenities, however, and its location near the border made it vulnerable to American attack. Consequently, the capital was moved to [[Montreal]] in 1844,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac48.html |title=Legislature of the Province of Canada 1841–1844 |access-date=December 18, 2018 |website=Ontario's Historical Plaques |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219001155/http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac48.html |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> and it alternated between [[Quebec City]] and [[Toronto]] from 1849 until [[Ottawa]], then a small lumber village known as [[Bytown]], was selected as the permanent capital by [[Queen Victoria]]. Subsequently, Kingston's growth slowed considerably and its national importance declined.

In 1846, with a population of 6,123, Kingston was incorporated as a city, with [[John Counter]] as the first mayor.<ref name="kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca"/> By that time, there were stone buildings, both residential and commercial. The [[Kingston City Hall (Ontario)|market house]] was particularly noteworthy as "the finest and most substantial building in Canada" which contained many offices, government offices, space for church services, the post office, the City Hall (completed in 1844)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac55.html |title=Kingston City Hall Historical Plaque |website=ontarioplaques.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426063656/http://ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac55.html |archive-date=April 26, 2017 }}</ref> and more. Five weekly newspapers were being published. Fort Henry and the marine barracks took up a great deal of space. Kingston Penitentiary had about 400 inmates. (The prison opened in 1835, with a structure intended to reform the inmates, not merely to hold or punish them.)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac60.html |title=Kingston Penitentiary |access-date=December 18, 2018 |website=Ontario's Historical Plaques |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219044000/http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac60.html |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Industry included a steam grist mill, three foundries, two shipbuilders, ship repairers and five wagon makers; tradesmen of many types also worked here. All freight was shipped by boat or barges and ten steamboats per day were running to and from the town. Five schools for ladies and two for boys were operating, and the town had four bank agency offices. There were ten churches or chapels and the recently opened [[Hotel Dieu Hospital (Kingston, Ontario)|Hotel Dieu hospital]] was operated by sisters with the [[Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph]] as a charity.<ref>{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Wm. H. |date=1846 |title=Smith's Canadian Gazetteer – Statistical and General Information Respecting All Parts of The Upper Province, or Canada West |url=https://archive.org/details/smithscanadianga00smit |location=Toronto |publisher=H. & W. ROWSELL |pages=[https://archive.org/details/smithscanadianga00smit/page/91 91]–93 |access-date=May 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403155457/https://archive.org/details/smithscanadianga00smit |archive-date=April 3, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Both Hotel Dieu and Kingston General Hospital (KGH) cared for victims of the typhus epidemic of 1847.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stoneskingston.ca/francophone-history/hotel-dieu-and-soeurs-de-la-providence/ |title=Hotel Dieu and the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph – STONES |website=stoneskingston.ca |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425115420/http://www.stoneskingston.ca/francophone-history/hotel-dieu-and-soeurs-de-la-providence/ |archive-date=April 25, 2017 }}</ref> The KGH site held the remains of 1,400 Irish immigrants who had died in Kingston in [[Pest house|fever sheds]] along the waterfront, during the [[1847 North American typhus epidemic]], while fleeing the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Great Famine]]. They were buried in a common grave. The remains were re-interred at the city's St. Mary's Cemetery in 1966.<ref name=ontarioplaque2>{{cite web |title=The Typhus Epidemic 1847 |url=http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques_DEF/Plaque_Frontenac22.html |work=Ontario's Historical Plaques |publisher=Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario |access-date=January 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019183147/http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques_DEF/Plaque_Frontenac22.html |archive-date=October 19, 2013 }}</ref> In 1995, KGH was designated a [[National Historic Sites of Canada|National Historic Site of Canada]], because it is "the oldest public hospital in Canada still in operation with most of its buildings intact and thus effectively illustrates the evolution of health care in Canada in the 19th and 20th centuries".<ref>{{cite web |title=Kingston General Hospital National Historic Site of Canada |url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/rech-srch/clic-click.aspx?/cgi-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=0&page_id=3401&query=kingston%20hospital&hiword=HOSPITA%20HOSPITALBASED%20HOSPITALI%20HOSPITALITY%20HOSPITALIZED%20HOSPITALS%20KINGSTONBASED%20KINGSTONS%20hospital%20kingston |work=Parks Canada |publisher=Government of Canada |access-date=February 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701035932/http://www.pc.gc.ca/rech-srch/clic-click.aspx?%2Fcgi-bin%2FMsmGo.exe%3Fgrab_id=0&page_id=3401&query=kingston%20hospital&hiword=HOSPITA%20HOSPITALBASED%20HOSPITALI%20HOSPITALITY%20HOSPITALIZED%20HOSPITALS%20KINGSTONBASED%20KINGSTONS%20hospital%20kingston |archive-date=July 1, 2013 }}</ref>

In 1848, the Kingston Gas Light Company began operation. (Gas lamps would be used until 1947.) By that time, the town was connected to the outside world by telegraph cables.<ref name="kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca"/>

The [[Grand Trunk Railway]] arrived in Kingston in 1856, providing service to Toronto in the west, and to Montreal in the east. Its Kingston station was {{cvt|2|mi|order=flip}} north of downtown. Kingston became an important rail centre, for both passengers and cargo, due to difficulty travelling by ship through the rapids-and-shoal-filled river.

By 1869, the population had increased to 15,000, and there were four banks. There were two ship building yards.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/provinceontario00mcevgoog#page/n290/mode/2up |title=The Province of Ontario Gazetteer and Directory |publisher=Robertson & Cook |date=1869 |page=243<!-- |isbn=9780665094125--> |access-date=December 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306134022/http://www.archive.org/stream/provinceontario00mcevgoog#page/n290/mode/2up |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Kingston was the home of Canada's first Prime Minister, [[John A. Macdonald]]. He won his first election to [[Kingston City Council]] in 1843, and would later represent the city for nearly 50 years at the national level, both before and after [[Confederation]] in 1867. One of his residences in Kingston, [[Bellevue House]], is now a popular [[National Historic Sites of Canada|National Historic Site of Canada]] open to the public, and depicting the house as it would have been in the 1840s when he lived there.

In the early hours of April 18, 1840, a dock fire, fanned by high winds, spread to a warehouse containing between 70 and 100 kegs of gunpowder. The resulting explosion spread the fire throughout the city's downtown area, destroying a large number of buildings, including the old city hall. To prevent similar incidents from occurring in future, the city began building with limestone or brick. This rebuilding phase was referred to as "the Limestone Revolution" and earned the city the nickname "The Limestone City".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thewhig.com/2010/02/11/fire-and-gunpowder-explosions-demolished-kingstons-waterfront |title=Fire and gunpowder explosions demolished Kingston's waterfront |newspaper=Kingston Whig-Standard |date=February 8, 2010 |archive-date=January 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103072604/http://www.thewhig.com/2010/02/11/fire-and-gunpowder-explosions-demolished-kingstons-waterfront |access-date=December 18, 2018 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.kingstonpublicmarket.ca/about/history Kingston Public Market History] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619042910/http://www.kingstonpublicmarket.ca/about/history |date=June 19, 2015 }} Retrieved October 8, 2015</ref><ref>Osborne 2011, p.&nbsp;99</ref>

===20th century===

The [[Canadian Locomotive Company]] was in the early 20th century the largest locomotive works in the [[British Empire]] and the Davis [[Tanning (leather)|Tannery]] was at one time the largest tannery in the British Empire. The tannery operated for a century and was closed in 1973.<ref>[http://www.kingstonregion.com/news-story/4170055-city-receives-grant-to-complete-brownfield-study-of-davis-tannery-lands/ ''City receives grant to complete Brownfield study of Davis Tannery lands'']. Kingstonregion.com. October 23, 2013. Retrieved September 22, 2015{{dead link|fix-attempted=yes|date=December 2018 }}</ref> Other manufacturing companies included the Marine Railway Company, which built steamboats; the Victoria Iron Works, which produced iron in bars from scrap; several breweries; a distillery; and two soap and candle manufacturers.<ref>Mika 1987, p.&nbsp;124</ref> (By the start of the 21st century, most heavy industry would leave the city and their former sites would be gradually rehabilitated and redeveloped.)
[[File:Market Square and City Hall, Kingston, Ont (NYPL b12647398-63085).tiff|thumb|Market Square, early 20th century]]

A telephone system began operation in Kingston in 1881; at that time the population was 14,091. Electricity was not available in Kingston until 1888.

Kingston grew moderately through the 20th century through a series of annexations of lands in adjacent Kingston Township, including a 1952 annexation of some {{cvt|5500|acre|km2}}<ref name="kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca"/> which encompassed areas west to the [[Little Cataraqui Creek]] (including the village of [[Portsmouth, Kingston|Portsmouth]]), where a number of large residential subdivisions were built in the late 1950s and early '60s.

Kingston's economy gradually evolved from an industrial to an institutional base after World War II. [[Queen's University at Kingston|Queen's University]] grew from about 2,000 students in the 1940s to its present size of over 28,000 students, more than 90 per cent of whom are from outside the Kingston area. The Kingston campus of [[St. Lawrence College, Ontario|St. Lawrence College]] was established in 1969, and the college has 6,700 full-time students. The [[Royal Military College of Canada]] was founded in 1876, and has about 1,000 students. Kingston is a regional health care centre, anchored by [[Kingston General Hospital]] and the medical school at Queen's. The city's economy is also dominated by post-secondary education, military institutions, and prison installations.

Municipal governance had been a topic of discussion since the mid-1970s due to financial imbalance between the city and the surrounding [[Township (Canada)|townships]], which now had large residential areas and a population approaching that of the city proper. On January 1, 1998, the city was amalgamated with Kingston Township and [[Pittsburgh Township]] to form the new City of Kingston. The city's boundaries now encompass large rural areas north of [[Ontario Highway 401|Highway 401]] and east of the Cataraqui River.

===21st century===
The [[La Salle Causeway]], includes a [[Bascule bridge|bascule lift bridge]], that spans the Cataraqui River was demolished by the Government of Canada after an engineering error during refit work in 2024 which led to its collapse. The bridge has temporarily been replaced by a modular bridge.<ref name="dt1">{{cite news |last1=Taekema |first1=Dan |title=Temporary bridge for Kingston's LaSalle Causeway expected by September |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/temporary-bridge-lasalle-causeway-coming-inseptember-1.7269288 |work=CBC News |date=July 19, 2024 |archive-date=October 3, 2024 |access-date=October 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241003105741/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/temporary-bridge-lasalle-causeway-coming-inseptember-1.7269288 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="dt2">{{cite news |last1=Taekema |first1=Dan |title=Engineer's report finds removal of supports caused Kingston causeway bridge to buckle |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/lasalle-causeway-failure-analysis-removal-of-lacing-deviation-from-work-procedure-1.7324766 |work=CBC News |date=October 2, 2024 }}</ref>

==Military history==

[[File:Three Martellos in Kingston Ontario.jpg|thumb|Line of defence: three [[Martello tower]]s ([[Shoal Tower]], [[Fort Frederick (Kingston, Ontario)|Fort Frederick]], [[Cathcart Tower]]). A fourth tower, [[Murney Tower]], is southwest of this location.]]
Kingston, being strategically located at the head of the St. Lawrence River and at the mouth of the Cataraqui River near the border with the United States, has been a site of military importance since Fort Frontenac was built in 1673. The French and, later, the British established military garrisons. The [[War of 1812]] led to the bolstering of military troops, the servicing of ships, and the building of new fortifications to defend the town and the [[Kingston Royal Naval Dockyard|Naval Dockyard]]. Forts were constructed on Point Henry and at [[Point Frederick (Kingston, Ontario)|Point Frederick]]. A picket wall, or [[stockade]], incorporating five [[blockhouse]]s was built to the west of the town, and [[Artillery battery|batteries]] were constructed.<ref>Osborne 2011, p.&nbsp;50</ref><ref>Mika 1987, p.&nbsp;44</ref> In November 1812 American naval forces attacked the British sloop [[HMS Royal George (1809)|Royal George]] in Kingston harbour but the ship took refuge in the harbour and the American forces withdrew.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Lennox14.html |website=Ontario's Historical Plaques |title=The Escape of the Royal George |access-date=December 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209044411/http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Lennox14.html |archive-date=December 9, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Several defensive fortifications were constructed in the late 1840s because of tensions with the United States. These include Fort Henry, four [[Martello tower]]s ([[Cathcart Tower]], [[Shoal Tower]], [[Murney Tower]], and [[Fort Frederick (Kingston, Ontario)|Fort Frederick]]), and the [[Kingston City Hall (Ontario)#Market Battery|Market Battery]]. Military ships were built at the Naval Dockyard at [[Point Frederick (Kingston, Ontario)|Point Frederick]] from 1788 to 1853. The peninsula near the entrance of the later Royal Military College of Canada was the headquarters of the Royal Navy in between 1813 and 1853. (Fort Frederick, built in 1812–13, was also on this peninsula.)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac33.html |title=Point Frederick Buildings |access-date=December 18, 2018 |website=Ontario's Historical Plaques |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219044540/http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac33.html |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Kingston City Hall & Market Battery.jpg|thumb|left|Kingston City Hall and the Market Battery, 1857]]
After the British army withdrew from most locations in Canada in 1870–71, two batteries of garrison artillery were formed by the Dominion Government; the "A" Battery was in Kingston at Fort Henry and Tête du Pont Barracks (Fort Frontenac). (The other battery was in Quebec City)<ref name="kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca"/> The batteries were also schools of gunnery. Designated as the ''Regiment of Canadian Artillery'', the regular component evolved into the [[Royal Canadian Horse Artillery]]. Most of its battery remained housed at Tête du Pont Barracks until 1939.<ref>[http://www.militaryheritage.com/rcha.htm The Victorian Soldier – History and Uniform of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, 1871 to 1970] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926231531/http://www.militaryheritage.com/rcha.htm |date=September 26, 2011 }} Retrieved September 10, 2011</ref>

Following the withdrawal of British forces from Canada in 1870–71, the federal government recognized the need for an officer training college in Canada. In 1874, during the administration of [[Alexander Mackenzie (politician)|Alexander Mackenzie]], enabling legislation was passed. Located on Point Frederick, the site of the former Royal Naval Dockyard,

Before a formal college was established in 1876, there were proposals for military colleges in Canada. Staffed by British Regulars, students underwent a military course in 1865 at the School of Military Instruction in Kingston. The school enabled officers of militia or candidates for commission or promotion in the militia to learn military duties, drill and discipline, to command a company at Battalion Drill, to Drill a Company at Company Drill, the internal economy of a Company and the duties of a Company's Officer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~theislands/photos6/ansonkeillmilcert.jpg |title=RootsWeb.com Home Page |website=freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407162844/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~theislands/photos6/ansonkeillmilcert.jpg |archive-date=April 7, 2016 |access-date=June 7, 2016 }}</ref> The school was retained at [[Canadian Confederation|Confederation]], in 1867.<ref>Richard Preston 'Canada's RMC: A History of the Royal Military College of Canada' published by the RMC Club by U of Toronto Press.</ref>
[[File:Fort Henry Kingston Ontario 1.jpg|thumb|Fort Henry, 2015]]
The withdrawal of imperial troops required a Canadian location for the training of military officers. Because of Kingston's military tradition and the fact several military buildings already existed at the old naval dockyard, Point Frederick was chosen as the location for Canada's first military college, the [[Royal Military College of Canada]] (RMC). The facility, called simply The Military College until 1878, opened on Point Frederick with 18 students in 1876<ref name="kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca"/> under the first Commandant, [[Lieutenant-colonel (Canada)|Lieutenant-colonel]] [[Edward Osborne Hewett]], of the [[Royal Engineers]], providing cadets with academic and military training. In 1959, it became the first military college in the Commonwealth with the right to confer University degrees.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac29.html |title=The Royal Military College of Canada |access-date=December 18, 2018 |website=Ontario's Historical Plaques |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219044255/http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques/Plaque_Frontenac29.html |archive-date=December 19, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Located east of Kingston's downtown, the army's Camp Barriefield, now McNaughton Barracks, was constructed at the beginning of the [[First World War]] and expanded during the [[Second World War]]. Camp Barriefield was named in honour of Rear-Admiral [[Robert Barrie]] (May 5, 1774 – June 7, 1841), a British naval officer noted for his service in the War of 1812. It was later named McNaughton Barracks after [[Andrew McNaughton|Andrew George Latta McNaughton]], a former [[Minister of National Defence (Canada)|Minister of National Defence]]. Nearby Vimy Barracks was established in 1937 for the [[Royal Canadian Corps of Signals]] (later the Royal Canadian School of Signals). Vimy and McNaughton Barracks house the Canadian Forces School of [[Communications and Electronics Branch|Communications and Electronics]] (CFSCE), the [[Canadian Armed Forces]]' military communications training centre and several other units. McNaughton Barracks and Vimy Barracks make up most of [[CFB Kingston]] (Canadian Forces Base Kingston). Major military facilities supported by CFB Kingston include Fort Frontenac, on the site of the original fort, and the Royal Military College of Canada.
[[File:CFB Kingston.JPG|thumb|left|Main gate, CFB Kingston]]
The [[Princess of Wales' Own Regiment]] has been a fixture in the City of Kingston since 1863.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Short History of the POWR: The Princess of Wales' Own Regiment: A Glimpse at 150 years, 1863–2013 |url=http://pwor.ca/standing-orders/The%20Short%20History.pdf |access-date=May 11, 2018 |date=December 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512043940/http://pwor.ca/standing-orders/The%20Short%20History.pdf |archive-date=May 12, 2018 }}</ref> The PWOR operates as a [[Primary Reserve]] Regiment, its members drawn from the Kingston and area community.

During the First World War, the [[21st Battalion (Eastern Ontario), CEF|21st Battalion]] was formed and saw action in France in 1915 resulting in 18 battle honours including their role in the [[Battle of Vimy Ridge]]. The [[Royal Canadian Horse Artillery]] also fought in Europe with the [[2nd Canadian Division]], taking part in 13 major battles. [[Fort Henry National Historic Site|Fort Henry]] became an [[internment]] camp for enemy aliens from August 1914 to November 1917.<ref name="kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca"/>

During the Second World War the [[Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders]] (SD&G), mobilized in June 1940. During fighting, troops that had formed in Kingston received recognition from the government for their achievements. Fort Henry was again an internment camp (Camp 31) from September 1939 to December 1943.<ref>{{cite web |title=Internment Camps in Canada during the First and Second World Wars |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/the-public/005-1142.27-e.html |publisher=Library and Archives Canada |access-date=September 5, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905213052/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/the-public/005-1142.27-e.html |archive-date=September 5, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="kingstonhistoricalsociety.ca"/> A military aerodrome, [[RCAF Station Kingston]], was constructed to the west of Kingston to support flying training as part of the [[British Commonwealth Air Training Plan]].

==Heritage sites==
Kingston is known for its historic properties, as reflected in the city's motto of "where history and innovation thrive". Including [[World Heritage Site]]s, National Historic Sites, Provincially Significant sites, municipally designated heritage properties, and listed or non-designated heritage properties, the city has 1,211 properties listed in the heritage register it maintains pursuant to the ''[[Ontario Heritage Act]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Heritage Properties Register |url=https://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/heritage-conservation |work=Official site |publisher=City of Kingston |access-date=March 4, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324114346/https://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/heritage-conservation |archive-date=March 24, 2015 }}</ref>

In 2007, the [[Rideau Canal]], along with the fortifications at Kingston, was designated a World Heritage Site,<ref>{{cite web |title=Rideau Canal |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1221 |work=World Heritage Centre |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=September 8, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906172404/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1221 |archive-date=September 6, 2011 }}</ref> one of only 15 such sites in Canada.<ref>{{cite web |title=Canada |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ca |work=World Heritage Centre |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=September 8, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903154708/https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/ca |archive-date=September 3, 2011 }}</ref>

There are 21 [[List of National Historic Sites of Canada in Kingston, Ontario|National Historic Sites of Canada]] in Kingston.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/results-resultats_eng.aspx?p=1&m=10&ctl00$Main$PageSearch1$txtKeyword=&desCheck=NHS&c=Kingston&ctl00$Main$PageSearch1$ddlProvince=100058&dey=&ctl00$Main$PageSearch1$ddlCustodian= |title=Parks Canada – DFHD – Search Results |website=pc.gc.ca |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328004321/http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/dfhd/results-resultats_eng.aspx?p=1&m=10&ctl00$Main$PageSearch1$txtKeyword=&desCheck=NHS&c=Kingston&ctl00$Main$PageSearch1$ddlProvince=100058&dey=&ctl00$Main$PageSearch1$ddlCustodian= |archive-date=March 28, 2018 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|title = Historical populations
|type = Canada
|align = Right
|width = 
|state = 
|shading = 
|percentages = 
|footnote = 
|[[1871 Canadian census|1871]]|12,407
|[[1881 Canadian census|1881]]|14,091
|[[1981 Canadian census|1891]]|19,263
|[[1901 Canadian census|1901]]|17,961
|[[1911 Canadian census|1911]]|18,874
|[[1921 Canadian census|1921]]|21,753
|[[1931 Canadian census|1931]]|23,439
|[[1941 Canadian census|1941]]|30,126
|[[1951 Canadian census|1951]]|33,459
|[[1956 Canadian census|1956]]|48,618
|[[1961 Canadian census|1961]]|53,526
|[[1966 Canadian census|1966]]|59,004
|[[1971 Canadian census|1971]]|59,047
|[[1976 Canadian census|1976]]|56,032
|[[1981 Canadian census|1981]]|52,616
|[[1986 Canadian census|1986]]|55,050
|[[1991 Canadian census|1991]]|56,597
|[[1996 Canadian census|1996]]|55,947
|[[2001 Canadian census|2001]]|114,195
|[[2006 Canadian census|2006]]|117,207
|[[2011 Canadian census|2011]]|123,363
|[[2016 Canadian census|2016]]|123,798
|[[2021 Canadian census|2021]]|132,485
|source=[[Statistics Canada]]<br><ref name=2021census/><ref name="2016census"/><ref name="2011census"/><ref name="2006census"/<ref name="2006census"/><ref name="2001census"/>}}

{{See also|List of neighbourhoods in Kingston, Ontario}}
In the [[2021 Canadian census|2021 census]] conducted by [[Statistics Canada]], Kingston had a population of 132,485 living in 57,836 of its 63,095 total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:132485-123798}}|123798|1}} from its 2016 population of 123,798. With a land area of {{cvt|451.58|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|132485|451.58|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name=2021census>{{cite web |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Kingston&DGUIDlist=2021A00053510010,2021S0503521&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1,4&HEADERlist=0 |title=Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population - Profile table - Kingston, City (CY) Ontario [Census subdivision] & Kingston Ontario [Census metropolitan area] |publisher=[[Statistics Canada]] |date=August 2, 2024 |access-date=August 26, 2025 }}</ref>

At the [[Census geographic units of Canada#Census metropolitan areas|census metropolitan area]] (CMA) level in the 2021 census, the Kingston CMA had a population of 172,546 living in 73,506 of its 80,955 total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:172546-161175}}|161175|1}} from its 2016 population of 161,175. With a land area of {{cvt|1919.17|km2}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|172546|1919.17|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name=2021census/>

=== Ethnicity ===
In 2021, 82.4 per cent of Kingston residents were [[European Canadians|white / European]], 13.4 per cent were [[Visible minority|visible minorities]] and 4.2 per cent were [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous]]. The largest visible minority groups were [[South Asian Canadians|South Asian]] (3.4 per cent), [[Chinese Canadians|Chinese]] (2.4 per cent), [[Black Canadians|Black]] (2.0 per cent), [[Arab Canadians|Arab]] (1.2 per cent), and [[Latin American Canadians|Latin American]] (1.0 per cent).<ref name=2021census/>

{| class="wikitable"
!Ethnic and cultural origins (2021)
!Population
!per cent
|-
|[[Irish Canadians|Irish]]
|33,410
|25.9
|-
|[[English Canadians|English]]
|32,920
|25.5
|-
|[[Scottish Canadians|Scottish]]
|28,430
|20.0
|-
|Canadian
|20,990
|16.3
|-
|[[French Canadians|French]] n.o.s
|14,315
|11.1
|-
|[[German Canadians|German]]
|12,210
|9.5
|-
|[[White people|Caucasian]] (White) n.o.s+
[[European Canadians|European]] n.o.s
|6,675
|5.2
|-
|[[British Canadians|British Isles]] n.o.s
|6,535
|5.1
|-
|[[Dutch Canadians|Dutch]]
|6,395
|5.0
|-
|[[Italian Canadians|Italian]]
|4,630
|3.6
|-
|[[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] (North American Indian) n.o.s.+
[[Indigenous peoples in Canada|North American Indigenous]], n.o.s.
|3,825
|3.0
|-
|[[Polish Canadians|Polish]]
|3,550
|2.7
|-
|[[Chinese Canadians|Chinese]]
|3,155
|2.4
|-
|[[Welsh Canadians|Welsh]]
|3,025
|2.3
|-
| colspan="3" |Note: a person may report more than one ethnic origin.
|}
{| class="wikitable collapsible sortable"
|+ [[Panethnicity|Panethnic]] groups in the City of Kingston (2001–2021)
! rowspan="2" |[[Panethnicity|Panethnic]]<br>group
! colspan="2" |2021<ref name=2021census/>
! colspan="2" |2016<ref name="2016census">{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2021 |title=Census Profile, 2016 Census |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3510010&Geo2=CD&Code2=3510&SearchText=Kingston&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1&type=0 |access-date=January 14, 2023 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |archive-date=October 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018200300/http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3510010&Geo2=CD&Code2=3510&Data=Count&SearchText=kingston&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2011<ref name="2011census">{{Cite web |date=November 27, 2015 |title=NHS Profile |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3510010&Data=Count&SearchText=Kingston&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |access-date=January 14, 2023 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |archive-date=January 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125145715/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3510010&Data=Count&SearchText=Kingston&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2006<ref name="2006census">{{Cite web |date=August 20, 2019 |title=2006 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3510010&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Kingston&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=January 14, 2023 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |archive-date=February 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206081339/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3510010&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Kingston&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2001<ref name="2001census">{{Cite web |date=July 2, 2019 |title=2001 Community Profiles |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3510010&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Kingston&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |access-date=January 14, 2023 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |archive-date=January 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125145719/https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3510010&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Kingston&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
![[Population|{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}]]
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
!{{abbr|Pop.|Population}}
!{{Abbr|%|percentage}}
|-
| [[European Canadians|European]]{{efn|Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.|name="euro"}}
| 106,315
| {{Percentage | 106315 | 129115 | 2 }}
| 104,340
| {{Percentage | 104340 | 120215 | 2 }}
| 106,660
| {{Percentage | 106660 | 118930 | 2 }}
| 103,540
| {{Percentage | 103540 | 114050 | 2 }}
| 103,030
| {{Percentage | 103030 | 111085 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Indigenous]]
| 5,470
| {{Percentage | 5470 | 129115 | 2 }}
| 4,220
| {{Percentage | 4220 | 120215 | 2 }}
| 3,485
| {{Percentage | 3485 | 118930 | 2 }}
| 2,360
| {{Percentage | 2360 | 114050 | 2 }}
| 1,765
| {{Percentage | 1765 | 111085 | 2 }}
|-
| [[South Asian Canadians|South Asian]]
| 4,430
| {{Percentage | 4430 | 129115 | 2 }}
| 2,395
| {{Percentage | 2395 | 120215 | 2 }}
| 1,995
| {{Percentage | 1995 | 118930 | 2 }}
| 1,720
| {{Percentage | 1720 | 114050 | 2 }}
| 1,430
| {{Percentage | 1430 | 111085 | 2 }}
|-
| [[East Asian Canadians|East Asian]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.|name="EastAsian"}}
| 3,990
| {{Percentage | 3990 | 129115 | 2 }}
| 3,250
| {{Percentage | 3250 | 120215 | 2 }}
| 2,505
| {{Percentage | 2505 | 118930 | 2 }}
| 2,920
| {{Percentage | 2920 | 114050 | 2 }}
| 2,035
| {{Percentage | 2035 | 111085 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Black Canadians|African]]
| 2,600
| {{Percentage | 2600 | 129115 | 2 }}
| 1,750
| {{Percentage | 1750 | 120215 | 2 }}
| 1,105
| {{Percentage | 1105 | 118930 | 2 }}
| 1,030
| {{Percentage | 1030 | 114050 | 2 }}
| 685
| {{Percentage | 685 | 111085 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Middle Eastern Canadians|Middle Eastern]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.|name="MiddleEastern"}}
| 2,300
| {{Percentage | 2300 | 129115 | 2 }}
| 1,480
| {{Percentage | 1480 | 120215 | 2 }}
| 1,065
| {{Percentage | 1065 | 118930 | 2 }}
| 645
| {{Percentage | 645 | 114050 | 2 }}
| 530
| {{Percentage | 530 | 111085 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Southeast Asian Canadians|Southeast Asian]]{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.|name="SoutheastAsian"}}
| 1,860
| {{Percentage | 1860 | 129115 | 2 }}
| 1,300
| {{Percentage | 1300 | 120215 | 2 }}
| 1,035
| {{Percentage | 1035 | 118930 | 2 }}
| 755
| {{Percentage | 755 | 114050 | 2 }}
| 755
| {{Percentage | 755 | 111085 | 2 }}
|-
| [[Latin American Canadians|Latin American]]
| 1,270
| {{Percentage | 1270 | 129115 | 2 }}
| 885
| {{Percentage | 885 | 120215 | 2 }}
| 805
| {{Percentage | 805 | 118930 | 2 }}
| 710
| {{Percentage | 710 | 114050 | 2 }}
| 595
| {{Percentage | 595 | 111085 | 2 }}
|-
| Other{{efn|Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, {{abbr|n.i.e.|not included elsewhere}}" and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.|name="Other"}}
| 875
| {{Percentage | 875 | 129115 | 2 }}
| 590
| {{Percentage | 590 | 120215 | 2 }}
| 280
| {{Percentage | 280 | 118930 | 2 }}
| 360
| {{Percentage | 360 | 114050 | 2 }}
| 265
| {{Percentage | 265 | 111085 | 2 }}
|-
! Total responses
! 129,115
! {{Percentage | 129115 | 132485 | 2 }}
! 120,215
! {{Percentage | 120215 | 123798 | 2 }}
! 118,930
! {{Percentage | 118930 | 123363 | 2 }}
! 114,050
! {{Percentage | 114050 | 117207 | 2 }}
! 111,085
! {{Percentage | 111085 | 114195 | 2 }}
|-
! Total population
! 132,485
! {{Percentage | 132485 | 132485 | 2 }}
! 123,798
! {{Percentage | 123798 | 123798 | 2 }}
! 123,363
! {{Percentage | 123363 | 123363 | 2 }}
! 117,207
! {{Percentage | 117207 | 117207 | 2 }}
! 114,195
! {{Percentage | 114195 | 114195 | 2 }}
|}
* Note: Totals greater than 100 per cent due to multiple origin responses.

===Mother tongue===
[[2021 Canadian census]]: English – 82.86%, French – 3.12%, Mandarin – 1.25%, Portuguese – 1.12%, Arabic – 0.94%, Punjabi – 1.2%.

===Religion===
[[File:Sydenham Street Methodist Church, Kingston, Canada 1910.jpg|thumb|[[Sydenham Street Methodist Church]] in 1910. It was built in 1852 and later expanded.]]
In 2021, 65,490 Kingston residents, or about half of the population, were members of Christian groups; the largest were Roman Catholics, who numbered 30,385 (23.5 per cent), the [[United Church of Canada]] (8,575 or 6.6 per cent), and the [[Anglican Church of Canada]] (8,600 or 6.7 per cent).

The Presbyterian Church was particularly influential in the 19th-century development of Kingston post-secondary education. The church was a founder and financial supporter of Queen's University until 1912 when it was agreed the university should become a secular institution.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of the University |url=http://www.queensu.ca/calendars/artsci/History_of_the_University.html |work=website |publisher=Queen's University |access-date=February 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718135143/http://www.queensu.ca/calendars/artsci/History_of_the_University.html |archive-date=July 18, 2014 }}</ref> [[John A. Macdonald]] was also a member of [[St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (Kingston, Ontario)|St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church]] in Kingston.

The religious history of the city can still be seen in the monumental stone churches throughout the downtown core, some of which now serve as community<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 1, 2020 |title=The Spire |url=https://www.thespirekingston.org/ |access-date=September 1, 2020 |archive-date=October 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020222632/https://www.thespirekingston.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and co-working spaces.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 1, 2020 |title=Sanctuary Co-Working Space |url=https://www.sanctuarycoworking.ca/ |access-date=September 1, 2020 |archive-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918203605/https://www.sanctuarycoworking.ca/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Newer churches in the city, like Reunion Kingston,<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 1, 2020 |title=Reunion Kingstion |url=https://www.reunionkingston.com/ |access-date=September 1, 2020 |archive-date=June 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611213352/https://www.reunionkingston.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> tend to seek rental options rather than build new physical spaces.

Groups other than Christians and the non-religious include Muslims (3,375 or 2.6 per cent), Hindus (1,670 or 1.3 per cent), and Jews (875 or 0.7 per cent).<ref name="2011 NHS Religion">{{cite web |url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3510010&Data=Count&SearchText=kingston&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=Religion&B1=All&Custom=&amp;TABID=1 |title=National Household Survey (NHS) Profile, 2011 |publisher=Statistics Canada |date=May 10, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073606/http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3510010&Data=Count&SearchText=kingston&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=Religion&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref>

55,355 people, or 42.9 per cent of the population, identified as non-religious.

==Government==
=== Municipal ===
For its municipal government, the city is divided into 12 wards; each elects one councillor. All voters in the city cast ballots [[List of mayors of Kingston, Ontario|for the mayor]], currently [[Bryan Paterson]], an economics professor at the Royal Military College of Canada. Paterson was re-elected in the [[2022 Ontario municipal elections]] for the 2022–2026 term.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cityofkingston.ca/city-hall/city-council/mayor-and-council |title=Mayor & Councillors – City of Kingston |website=cityofkingston.ca |access-date=April 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410083341/https://www.cityofkingston.ca/city-hall/city-council/mayor-and-council |archive-date=April 10, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Election Results |url=https://www.cityofkingston.ca/city-hall/elections/results |publisher=City of Kingston |access-date=December 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913230758/https://www.cityofkingston.ca/city-hall/elections/results |archive-date=September 13, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The councillors elected for the same term were:
{{Div col}}
* Gary Oosterhof – Countryside District (acclaimed)
* Paul Chaves – Loyalist-Cataraqui District
* Lisa Osanic – Collins-Bayridge District
* Wendy Stephen – Lakeside District
* Don Amos – Portsmouth District
* Jamshed (Jimmy) Hassan – Trillium District
* Brandon Tozzo – Kingscourt-Rideau District
* Jeff McLaren – Meadowbrook-Strathcona District
* Vincent Cinanni – Williamsville District
* Conny Glenn – Sydenham District
* Gregory Ridge – King's Town District
* Ryan Boehme – Pittsburgh District
{{Div col end}}

A referendum held as part of the 2018 municipal on adoption of [[ranked voting]] received support from a majority of respondents (62.9%).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Report 18-384 |url=https://www.cityofkingston.ca/documents/10180/30671807/City-Council_Meeting-24-2018_Report-18-384_2018-Municipal-Election-Results-of-Referendum-Question-and-Potential-Next-Steps.pdf/67581acd-85a5-4a07-b936-a741a5fce123 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926144310/https://www.cityofkingston.ca/documents/10180/30671807/City-Council_Meeting-24-2018_Report-18-384_2018-Municipal-Election-Results-of-Referendum-Question-and-Potential-Next-Steps.pdf/67581acd-85a5-4a07-b936-a741a5fce123 |archive-date=September 26, 2019 |access-date=October 5, 2020}}</ref> While the municipality began work towards implement ranked voting for the 2022 election,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ranked Choice |url=https://www.cityofkingston.ca/city-hall/elections/ranked-ballots |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007002226/https://www.cityofkingston.ca/city-hall/elections/ranked-ballots |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |website=City of Kingston}}</ref> city councils in Ontario were banned from using ranked choice ballots by the ''[[Supporting Ontario's Recovery and Municipal Elections Act, 2020]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Supporting Ontario's Recovery and Municipal Elections Act, 2020 |url=https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-1/bill-218 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519171751/https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-1/bill-218 |archive-date=May 19, 2023 |access-date=May 19, 2023}}</ref>

=== Provincial ===
{|class="wikitable" style="float:right; width:400; font-size:90%; margin-left:1em;"
|+Kingston federal election results<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=rep/off/44gedata&document=bypro&lang=e |title=Official Voting Results Raw Data (poll by poll results in Kingston) |date=April 7, 2022 |publisher=Elections Canada |access-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-date=March 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305223518/https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=rep/off/44gedata&document=bypro&lang=e |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" scope="col" | Year
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[New Democratic Party|New Democratic]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Green Party of Canada|Green]]
|-
| rowspan="2" style="width: 0.25em; background-color: {{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal}}|
! [[2021 Canadian federal election|2021]]
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal|background}} | ''41%''
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"| ''28,490''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Conservative|background}} | 24%
| style="text-align:right; background:#6495ED;"| ''17,137''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|NDP|background}} | 29%
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''20,416''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Green|background}} | 2%
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''1,729''
|-
! [[2019 Canadian federal election|2019]]
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal|background}} | ''45%''
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"| ''32,033''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Conservative|background}} | 20%
| style="text-align:right; background:#6495ED;"| ''14,488''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|NDP|background}} | 23%
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''16,414''
| {{Canadian party colour|CA|Green|background}} | 9%
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''6,223''
|-
|}

{|class="wikitable" style="float:right; width:400; font-size:90%; margin-left:1em;"
|+Kingston provincial election results<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.elections.on.ca/en/resource-centre/elections-results.html |title=Official Voting Results by polling station (poll by poll results in Kingston) |publisher=Election Ontario |access-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-date=December 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228175029/https://www.elections.on.ca/content/dam/NGW/sitecontent/2018/results/officialresults-yellowbook/votescastbycandidate/pdf/Valid |url-status=live }}</ref>
! colspan="2" scope="col" | Year
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario|PC]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Ontario New Democratic Party|New Democratic]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Ontario Liberal Party|Liberal]]
! colspan="2" scope="col" | [[Green Party of Ontario|Green]]
|-
| style="width: 0.25em; background-color: {{Canadian party colour|ON|Liberal}}|
! [[2025 Ontario general election|2025]]
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|PC|background}} | 22%
| style="text-align:right; background:#9999FF;"| ''12,022''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|NDP|background}} | 12%
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''6,663''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Liberal|background}} | ''62%''
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"|''33,288''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Green|background}} | 2%
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''1,195''
|-
| style="width: 0.25em; background-color: {{Canadian party colour|ON|Liberal}}|
! [[2022 Ontario general election|2022]]
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|PC|background}} | 26%
| style="text-align:right; background:#9999FF;"| ''13,002''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|NDP|background}} | 31%
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''15,675''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Liberal|background}} | ''36%''
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"|''18,499''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Green|background}} | 3%
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''1,769''
|-
| style="width: 0.25em; background-color: {{Canadian party colour|ON|NDP}}|
! [[2018 Ontario general election|2018]]
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|PC|background}} | 27%
| style="text-align:right; background:#9999FF;"| ''15,687''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|NDP|background}} | ''39%''
| style="text-align:right; background:#F4A460;"| ''22,867''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Liberal|background}} | 27%
| style="text-align:right; background:#EA6D6A;"|''15,605''
| {{Canadian party colour|ON|Green|background}} | 6%
| style="text-align:right; background:#99C955;"| ''3,801''
|-
|}

In provincial elections, the city consists of one riding, [[Kingston and the Islands (provincial electoral district)|Kingston and the Islands]], formed after the [[Electoral district (Canada)#Boundary adjustment for provincial and territorial electoral districts|1999 redistribution]], incorporating half of the former [[Frontenac—Addington (provincial electoral district)|Frontenac-Addington]] and most of the former Kingston and the Islands riding.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/elections/ontariovotes2014/ridings/view/riding-036 |title=CBC.ca Ontario Votes 2014 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302023803/http://www.cbc.ca/elections/ontariovotes2014/ridings/view/riding-036 |archive-date=March 2, 2016 }}</ref>
{| border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;"
! colspan=2 style="width: 130px"|Party
! style="width: 170px"| Member of Provincial Parliament
! style="width: 80px"| From
! style="width: 80px"| To
! style="width: 120px"| Riding
|-
{{Canadian party colour|ON|Liberal|row}}
|[[Ontario Liberal Party|Liberal]]
|[[Ted Hsu]]
|June 2, 2022
|present
|[[Kingston and the Islands (provincial electoral district)|Kingston and the Islands]]
|}

=== Federal ===
Kingston is part of two federal ridings. Most of the city is in [[Kingston and the Islands (federal electoral district)|Kingston and the Islands]], created in 1966 from [[Kingston (federal electoral district)|Kingston]] and parts of [[Hastings—Frontenac—Lennox and Addington]] and [[Prince Edward—Lennox (federal electoral district)|Prince Edward—Lennox]]. A small portion north of [[Ontario Highway 401|Highway 401]] is in [[Lanark—Frontenac]], which was created by the [[2012 Canadian federal electoral redistribution]] and was legally defined in the 2013 representation order. It came into effect upon the call of the [[2015 Canadian federal election|42nd Canadian federal election]] on October 19, 2015.<ref name=timeline>{{Citation |url=http://www.redecoupage-federal-redistribution.ca/content.asp?section=info&document=index&dir=overview&lang=e |title=Timeline for the Redistribution of Federal Electoral Districts |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418222609/http://redecoupage-federal-redistribution.ca/content.asp?section=info&document=index&dir=overview&lang=e |archive-date=April 18, 2017 }}</ref>
{| border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse;"
! colspan=2 style="width: 130px"|Party
! style="width: 170px"| Members of Parliament
! style="width: 80px"| From
! style="width: 80px"| To
! style="width: 120px"| Riding
|-
{{Canadian party colour|CA|Liberal|row-name}}
|[[Mark Gerretsen]]
|October 19, 2015
|present
|[[Kingston and the Islands (federal electoral district)|Kingston and the Islands]]
{{Canadian party colour|CA|Conservative|row-name}}
|[[Scott Reid (politician)|Scott Reid]]
|October 21, 2019
|present
|[[Lanark—Frontenac]]

|}

==Economy==
Kingston's economy relies heavily on public sector institutions and establishments. The most important sectors are related to [[Healthcare in Canada|health care]], higher education ([[Queen's University at Kingston|Queen's University]], the [[Royal Military College of Canada]], and [[St. Lawrence College, Ontario|St. Lawrence College]]), government (including the military and correctional services), [[tourism in Canada|tourism]] and [[Culture of Canada|culture]]. Manufacturing, and [[research and development]] play a smaller role than in the past. The private sector accounts for half of Kingston's employment.<ref name="employment">[http://business.kingstoncanada.com/en/statistics/majoremployers.asp Kingston Major Employers] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304010936/http://business.kingstoncanada.com/en/statistics/majoremployers.asp |date=March 4, 2015 }} Retrieved: March 15, 2015</ref> One of Kingston's major industrial employers of the 20th century, the Canadian Locomotive Company, closed in 1969, and the former [[Alcan]] and [[DuPont]] operations employ far fewer people than in the past. But due to the city's central location between Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Syracuse, NY a trucking and logistics warehousing industry has developed.

According to the Kingston Economic Development Corporation, the major employers in Kingston as of October 2023 were:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.investkingston.ca/majoremployers/ |title=Major Employers |publisher=Kingston Economic Development Commission |access-date=November 8, 2023 |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211150054/https://www.investkingston.ca/majoremployers/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Div col}}
* [[Queen's University at Kingston|Queen's University]], 9,352
* [[CFB Kingston|Canadian Forces Base Kingston]], 8,500
* Kingston Health Sciences Centre, 5,953
* [[Limestone District School Board]], 3,400
* [[Correctional Service of Canada]], 2,500
* [[Providence Care]], 1,700
* City of Kingston, 1,550
* [[St. Lawrence College, Ontario|St. Lawrence College]], 875
* [[Invista|Invista Canada]], 700
* [[Empire Life|Empire Life Insurance]], 674
* [[Ministry of Health (Ontario)|Ontario Ministry of Health]], 530
* J. E. Agnew Food Services (operates several [[Tim Hortons]] stores), 450
* [[Calian|Calian Technologies]], 363
* [[Novelis]] (formerly [[Alcan]]), 285
* [[Tim Hortons]] Distribution Centre, 280
* Commissionaires Canada, 255
* Cancoil Thermal Corporation, 200
* [[Assurant]], 180
* Canada Royal Milk, 165
* Haakon Industries, 160
* [[DuPont]], 150
* [[Frulact]], 95
* Kingston Process Metallurgy, 90
* [[Coca-Cola]] Bottling, 85
* [[MetalCraft Marine]], 70
* [[PepsiCo]] Beverages Canada, 45
{{div col end}}

===Tourism===
According to [[Statistics Canada]], the tourism industry in Kingston represents a vital part of the city's economy. In 2004, over 3,500 jobs were contributed to Kingston's economy due to the tourism industry. The tourism industry has been at a healthy growth rate and has become one of the most performing sectors of Kingston. Unique opportunities are presented for this industry in this time of shifting travel trends and the baby boomer generation. The success of Kingston's tourism industry is heavily dependent on information about travellers; however, data availability still remains a challenge.<ref name="kingstoncanada">{{cite web |last=Fritsche |first=Alexander |title=Kingston's Tourism Industry |url=http://www.kingstoncanada.com/en/makeaconnection/resources/Reports-TourismIndustry_AlexFritsche.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100928082111/http://kingstoncanada.com/en/makeaconnection/resources/Reports-TourismIndustry_AlexFritsche.pdf |archive-date=September 28, 2010 |access-date=May 1, 2011 |work=May 21, 2008 |publisher=KingstonCanada.com }}</ref>

Kingston has launched several tourism campaigns including Downtown Kingston! and Yellow Door. The city launched a campaign to attract more traffic to downtown Kingston. The campaign's mission statement promises, "to promote downtown Kingston as the vibrant and healthy commercial, retail, residential, and entertainment centre of our region, attracting more people to live, shop, work and gather".<ref>Downtown Kingston! Business Improvement Area, [http://www.downtownkingston.ca/dbia/about-us.htm "About Us"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102143115/http://downtownkingston.ca/dbia/about-us.htm|date=November 2, 2014}}, "Downtown Kingston!"</ref> The downtown area of Kingston is known as the central business district, and is the gathering place for various events including the Kingston Buskers Rendezvous, FebFest, the 1000 Islands Poker Run and The Limestone City Blues Festival.

Alternatively, Yellow Door promotes tourism to the entire city. The goal of the campaign is to increase the consumer's exposure to Kingston tourism, while remaining financially reasonable.<ref name="kingstonherald.com">Dick Mathison, [http://kingstonherald.com/release/yellow-door-award-2010312493 "Yellow Door Campaign Receives Tourism Advertising Award"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129074543/http://kingstonherald.com/release/yellow-door-award-2010312493|date=November 29, 2014}}, ''Kingston Herald'', November 26, 2013</ref> A yellow door was used as a metaphor for Kingston – and the good times people have – and used street workers to gather potential tourists from nearby Toronto and Ottawa. "Yellow Door" promotes interest by offering potential tourists a trip to Kingston. In 2013, Yellow Door received the Tourism Advertising Award of Excellence for the marketing and promotion of an Ontario tourism product.<ref name="kingstonherald.com" />

===Attractions===
[[Tripadvisor]] users rate the following among the best attractions in and near the city: [[Kingston Penitentiary#Correctional Service of Canada Museum|Canada's Penitentiary Museum]], Fort Henry ([[Fort Henry National Historic Site]]), [[Wolfe Island]] (via ferry), [[Bellevue House]] National Historic Site, [[Kingston City Hall (Ontario)|City Hall]] and the downtown waterfront nearby.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Top 10 Things to Do in Kingston 2017 – TripAdvisor |url=https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g154992-Activities-Kingston_Ontario.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428234140/https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attractions-g154992-Activities-Kingston_Ontario.html |archive-date=April 28, 2017 }}</ref> Ontario Travel's recommendations include cruising the [[Thousand Islands]], [[The Grand Theatre (Kingston, Ontario)|The Grand Theatre]] and [[Slush Puppie Place]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Things To Do in Kingston |url=https://www.ontariotravel.net/en/explore/south-eastern-ontario/Kingston |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212182441/https://www.ontariotravel.net/en/explore/south-eastern-ontario/kingston |archive-date=February 12, 2017 |website=ontariotravel.net }}</ref>

==Coat of arms==
{{Infobox COA wide
|image = [[File:Coat of arms of Kingston, Canada.svg|200px]]
|crest = Rising above [[Variation of the field#Variations of lines|barry wavy]] of three Argent [[Azure (heraldry)|Azure]] and Argent a rock [[Tincture (heraldry)#Proper|proper]] thereon a beaver [[Attitude (heraldry)#Statant|statant]] Or;
|escutcheon = [[Gules]] a [[Martello tower]] Argent upon barry wavy of five [[Argent]] and Azure in chief three [[Eastern crown]]s Or;
|supporters = [[Dexter and sinister|Dexter]] a griffin sinister a lion [[Or (heraldry)|Or]] each gorged with a collar of maple leaves Gules;
|motto = 'Antiquitate Civilitate Humanitate'<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gg.ca/en/heraldry/public-register/project/871 |title=Corporation of the City of Kingston |publisher=Canadian Heraldic Authority |access-date=January 16, 2023 |archive-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031172509/https://www.gg.ca/en/heraldry/public-register/project/871 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

== Transportation ==
[[File:Kingston, Coat of Arms.jpg|thumb|Coat of Arms]]
[[Ontario Highway 401|Highway 401]] is the principal access route into Kingston and runs across the northern section of the urbanized portion of the city. The first sections of the highway in the Kingston area were opened in 1958, although it was not fully completed for another ten years. In addition to the 401, the [[Waaban Crossing]] and the [[La Salle Causeway]] are bridge crossings of the [[Cataraqui River]]. [[Ontario Highway 15|Highway 15]] is an alternative route between Kingston and the [[National Capital Region (Canada)|Ottawa region]]. From the south, [[Interstate 81]] connects with Highway 401 at the [[Thousand Islands Border Crossing]] east of Kingston.

=== Ferry service ===
Regular ferry service, using the [[MV Wolfe Islander III|MV ''Wolfe Islander III'']] operated by the [[Ministry of Transportation (Ontario)|Ontario Ministry of Transportation]]. sails between downtown Kingston and [[Wolfe Island]]. Seasonal ferry service from [[Cape Vincent, New York]], via Wolfe Island, into downtown Kingston is an alternate route to and from the United States. There are also tourist ferries departing downtown Kingston regularly, although with greater frequency in the summer months.

=== Via Rail ===
[[File:Grand Trunk Railway clock in Kingston train station.jpg|thumb|Antique railway clock from the [[Grand Trunk Railway]] in the railway station in Kingston]]

[[Via Rail]]'s [[Quebec City–Windsor Corridor (Via Rail)|Corridor]] service connects [[Kingston station (Ontario)|Kingston station]] along the main line between [[Windsor, Ontario|Windsor]], Ontario and Quebec City, and to [[Ottawa]]. Its current station was built in 1974, relocated from the original station site {{Cvt|2|km}} further east. Kingston is a regular stop on train services operating between Toronto and Ottawa and between Toronto and Montreal.

=== Airport ===
On June 30, 2020, [[Air Canada]] announced its intention to cease operations at [[Kingston Norman Rogers Airport]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-air-canada-cutting-30-domestic-routes-closing-operations-at-eight/ |title=Air Canada cancels 30 domestic routes, closes 8 stations at regional airports |work=The Globe and Mail |date=June 30, 2020 |access-date=June 30, 2020 |archive-date=July 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701020617/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-air-canada-cutting-30-domestic-routes-closing-operations-at-eight/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Air Canada said the timing of the suspensions and shutdowns will be governed by requirements for regulatory notice.

In March 2022, [[Pascan Aviation]] started regular passenger service between Kingston and [[Montréal–Trudeau International Airport]]. However, Pascan Aviation has announced that they will be "pausing" their service from Kingston Airport starting in January 2023 for an undetermined amount of time, which means that the city will be without any passenger air service for the time being.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Airline pauses service to Kingston amid customer service issues – Kingston |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9318854/airline-pauses-service-kingston-customer-service-issues/ |access-date=December 19, 2022 |website=Global News |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219194002/https://globalnews.ca/news/9318854/airline-pauses-service-kingston-customer-service-issues/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Intercity buses ===
[[Megabus (North America)|Megabus]] ([[Coach Canada]]) provides frequent service from their [[Kingston Bus Terminal]] and [[Queen's University at Kingston|Queen's University]] to a range of destinations in Ontario and Quebec. Passengers can book direct buses to [[Toronto]]'s [[Union Station Bus Terminal]], [[Toronto Pearson International Airport|Toronto Pearson Airport]], Toronto-[[Yorkdale Bus Terminal|Yorkdale]], Montreal, [[Ottawa]], [[Mississauga]], [[Brockville]], [[Cornwall, Ontario|Cornwall]], [[Kirkland, Quebec|Kirkland]], and [[Whitby]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bus Stops |url=https://ca.megabus.com/stops |access-date=December 19, 2022 |website=ca.megabus.com |archive-date=May 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523161240/https://ca.megabus.com/stops |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2021, [[Rider Express]] began to serve Kingston along its Toronto-Ottawa Route<ref>{{Cite web |title=Toronto Ottawa Bus Route |url=https://riderexpress.ticpoi.com/public/routes/toronto---ottawa |access-date=April 26, 2023 |website=riderexpress.ticpoi.com |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426073829/https://riderexpress.ticpoi.com/public/routes/toronto---ottawa |url-status=live }}</ref> providing Kingston with direct bus service to Toronto, Ottawa, [[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]], and [[Belleville, Ontario|Belleville]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 14, 2021 |title=Rider Express To Start in Ontario |url=https://riderexpress.ca/2021/05/rider-express-to-start-in-quebec-ontario/ |access-date=December 19, 2022 |website=Rider Express }}</ref> Passengers depart and arrive at the Rider Express's Kingston Bus Stop located at 1185 Division St. at [[Esso]] Gas Station by the [[McDonald's]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rider Express Scheduled Intercity Bus Service Across Canada |url=https://riderexpress.ticpoi.com/ |access-date=December 19, 2022 |website=Rider Express |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203052602/https://riderexpress.ticpoi.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2022, [[FlixBus]] began to serve Kingston along its Windsor-Ottawa Route. This provides passengers bus services from Kingston to Toronto, Ottawa, [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], [[London, Ontario|London]], [[Windsor, Ontario|Windsor]], Scarborough, [[Whitby, Ontario|Whitby]]–[[Oshawa]], and [[Chatham-Kent]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canada: Discover all Cities you can visit with FlixBus |url=https://www.flixbus.ca/bus/canada |access-date=December 19, 2022 |website=flixbus.ca }}</ref> Passengers depart and arrive at Flixbus's Kingston Bus Stop located at 275 Wellington Street in downtown Kingston.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bus from and to Kingston, ON |url=https://www.flixbus.ca/bus/kingston-on#stops-location |access-date=December 19, 2022 |website=flixbus.ca |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219214151/https://www.flixbus.ca/bus/kingston-on#stops-location |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2022, Red Arrow bus company included Kingston on a route between Toronto and Ottawa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kingston |url=https://www.redarrow.ca/destinations/kingston/ |access-date=January 7, 2023 |website=Red Arrow |archive-date=January 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107054948/https://www.redarrow.ca/destinations/kingston/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Routes |url=https://www.redarrow.ca/routes/ |access-date=January 7, 2023 |website=Red Arrow |archive-date=December 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222140153/https://www.redarrow.ca/routes/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Shuttle Kingston was reported in 2013 to connect to [[Watertown, New York|Watertown]] and [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/04/new_kingston_to_syracuse_shutt.html |title=New Kingston to Syracuse shuttle targets shoppers, air travelers |date=April 10, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817124911/http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2013/04/new_kingston_to_syracuse_shutt.html |archive-date=August 17, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thewhig.com/2013/04/03/shuttling-off-to-syracuse |title=Shuttling off to Syracuse |website=The Kingston Whig-Standard |access-date=May 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512222636/http://www.thewhig.com/2013/04/03/shuttling-off-to-syracuse |archive-date=May 12, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Public transportation ===
[[Kingston Transit]] is the organization that handles the local public transportation system within Kingston. The organization runs over 20 bus routes throughout Kingston with additional routes being added on a seasonal basis to support the needs of the student population in Kingston. The organization charges a standard fare of $3.25 for riders over the age of 15 and provides free service to those under the age of 15.

Kingston Access Services provides accessible municipal bus service to residents who cannot use Kingston Transit due to disability.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/transit/about/accessible-transit |title=Accessible Transit Services |publisher=City of Kingston |access-date=July 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402120942/https://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/transit/about/accessible-transit |archive-date=April 2, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, Kingston Access Services celebrated its 50th anniversary as Ontario's oldest accessible transit service having been established originally as the "Kingston Bus for the Handicapped" in 1967.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontla.on.ca/library/repository/ser/192520/2015.pdf |title=Ontario Specialized Transit Services Fact Book – 2015 Operating Data |publisher=The Canadian Urban Transit Association |access-date=September 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906052753/http://www.ontla.on.ca/library/repository/ser/192520/2015.pdf |archive-date=September 6, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kingston.org/kas/index.html |title=Kingston Access Services |website=kingston.org |access-date=March 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802111214/http://www.kingston.org/kas/index.html |archive-date=August 2, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Taxi services ===
Two taxi services operate in the city: Amey's Taxi and Modern City Taxi Cab Limited.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Getting Around – City of Kingston |url=https://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/getting-around |access-date=December 19, 2022 |website=cityofkingston.ca}}{{Dead link|date=June 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Additionally, [[Uber]] also provides service to customers in the city and is licensed and regulated by Kingston Area Taxi Commission.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foley |first=Jessica |date=June 2, 2022 |title=Uber now licensed and regulated by Kingston Area Taxi Commission |url=https://www.kingstonist.com/news/uber-now-licensed-and-regulated-by-kingston-area-taxi-commission/ |access-date=December 19, 2022 |website=Kingstonist News |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219214152/https://www.kingstonist.com/news/uber-now-licensed-and-regulated-by-kingston-area-taxi-commission/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Uber cars that operate in Kingston are UberX, Uber Comfort, and Uber Green.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kingston: Get a ride. Travel. Explore. |url=https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/kingston/ |access-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219214149/https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/kingston/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2022, Kingston ranked 4th on Uber's "Nightlife Index" due to the high volume of rides between 10pm and 2am within the city.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Uber rates Kingston as one of the top party cities in Canada |url=https://ygknews.ca/2022/10/20/uber-rates-kingston-as-one-of-the-top-party-cities-in-canada/ |access-date=December 19, 2022 |website=YGK News }}</ref>

==Culture==

Kingston hosts several festivals during the year, including the Kingston WritersFest, Limestone City Blues Festival (ended 2023<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ferguson |first=Elliot |date=September 22, 2023 |title=Limestone City Blues Festival ends 26-year run in downtown Kingston |url=https://www.thewhig.com/news/limestone-blues-festival-ends-26-year-run-in-downtown-kingston |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250619050354/https://www.thewhig.com/news/limestone-blues-festival-ends-26-year-run-in-downtown-kingston |archive-date=June 19, 2025 |access-date=June 19, 2025 |website=[[The Kingston Whig-Standard|The Whig]] }}</ref>), the [[Kingston Canadian Film Festival]], Artfest, Spring Reverb,<ref>{{Cite web |title=KPP Concerts ★ Kingston, Ontario |url=https://www.kppconcerts.com/springreverb |access-date=June 19, 2025 |website=www.kppconcerts.com |archive-date=June 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250623210444/https://www.kppconcerts.com/springreverb |url-status=live }}</ref> the Kingston Buskers Rendezvous, Kingston Jazz Festival, the [[Reelout Queer Film Festival]], Feb Fest, the Wolfe Island Music Festival, the Skeleton Park Arts Festival, Kingston Pride, Día de los Muertos Kingston Festival,<ref name="diadelosmuertos">{{cite web |title=diadelosmuertos |url=http://www.diadelosmuertoskingston.ca |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626073321/http://diadelosmuertoskingston.ca/ |archive-date=June 26, 2017 }}</ref> and [[The Kick & Push Festival]].
[[File:Architecture of Princess Street in downtown Kingston.jpg|thumb|Architecture of Princess Street in March 2016]]
Kingston is home to many artists who work in visual arts, media arts, literature, and a growing number who work in other time-based disciplines such as performance art. The contemporary arts scene in particular has two long standing professional non-profit venues in the downtown area, the [[Agnes Etherington Art Centre]] (founded 1957), and Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre (founded 1977). Local artists often participate in the exhibition programming of each organization, while each also presents the work of artists from across Canada and around the world – in keeping with their educational mandates. Alternative venues for the presentation of exhibition programs in Kingston include the Union Gallery (Queen's University's student art gallery), Verb Gallery, Open Studio 22, the Kingston Arts Council gallery, The Artel: Arts Accommodations and Venue, and the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning.

The Kingston WritersFest<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kingstonwritersfest.ca |title=Main Home Page Kingston WritersFest |website=Kingston WritersFest |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624084417/http://www.kingstonwritersfest.ca/ |archive-date=June 24, 2011 }}</ref> occurred annually until 2024. In 2025, the festival was discontinued due to financial challenges.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kingston writer's festival closes the book after 16 years |website=CBC |date=January 12, 2025 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/kingston-writer-s-festival-closes-the-book-after-16-years-1.7429210 |access-date=January 12, 2025 }}</ref> Circle of Wellness<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.circleofwellness.ca |title=Home |website=Circle of Wellness |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711211625/http://www.circleofwellness.ca/ |archive-date=July 11, 2017 }}</ref> hosts Día de los Muertos Kingston Festival<ref name="diadelosmuertos"/> which occurs annually on the first Sunday of November. For over four decades the Ukrainian Canadian Club of Kingston has hosted the "Lviv, Ukraine" pavilion as part of the Folklore tradition, holding this popular cultural and folk festival annually on the second full weekend in June (at Regiopolis-Notre Dame High School). Literary events also happen throughout the year at the [[Kingston Frontenac Public Library]] and local bookstores. Writers who are or have been residents of Kingston include [[Steven Heighton]], [[Bronwen Wallace]], [[Helen Humphreys]], [[Michael Ondaatje]], [[Diane Schoemperlen]], [[Michael Crummey]], [[Mark Sinnett]], [[Mary Alice Downie]], [[Robertson Davies]], [[Wayne Grady (author)|Wayne Grady]], [[Merilyn Simonds]], [[Alec Ross]], [[Jamie Swift]] and [[Carolyn Smart]].

Music and theatre venues include the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, The Grand Theatre, and The Wellington Street Theatre, which host performances from international, national, and local groups like Domino Theatre, [[Theatre Kingston]], The Vagabond Repertory Theatre Company, Hope Theatre Projects, Bottle Tree Productions, and other small groups dot the downtown area. [[The Kick & Push Festival]] was founded in 2015 to increase summer theatre programming downtown.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Hendra |first=Peter |date=May 7, 2015 |title=Summer theatre in the city |work=The Kingston Whig-Standard |url=https://www.thewhig.com/2015/05/07/summer-theatre-in-the-city |access-date=October 18, 2023 |archive-date=January 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125145835/https://www.thewhig.com/2015/05/07/summer-theatre-in-the-city |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Kingston Symphony]] performs at The Grand Theatre, as do several amateur and semi-professional theatre groups. [[Slush Puppie Place]] (renamed from K-Rock Centre and Leon's Centre) a 5,800-seat entertainment venue and ice rink, opened in February 2008.
[[File:Slush Puppie Place, Exterior.jpg|thumb|left|Slush Puppie Place]]
The city has spawned several musicians and musical groups, most of whom are known mainly within Canada, but a few of whom have achieved international success. These include [[The Tragically Hip]], [[Steppenwolf (band)|Steppenwolf]] frontman [[John Kay (musician)|John Kay]], [[The Abrams]], [[The Glorious Sons]], [[The Mahones]], jazz singer Andy Poole, [[Bedouin Soundclash]], [[Sarah Harmer]], [[The Arrogant Worms]], [[Headstones (band)|The Headstones]], [[The Inbreds]], The Meringues, [[PS I Love You (band)|PS I Love You]] and members of [[Moist (Canadian band)|Moist]], including singer [[David Usher]].

Kingston is also the birthplace of [[Bryan Adams]]. The first winner of the television series ''[[Canadian Idol]]'' was Kingston native [[Ryan Malcolm]].

Poet [[Michael Andre]] was raised in Kingston. [[Zal Yanovsky]] of [[The Lovin' Spoonful]] lived in Kingston until his death in 2002.

Comedian and actor [[Dan Aykroyd]] has a residence just north of Kingston and is a frequent face in town. He was briefly a minor partner in a restaurant called Aykroyd's Ghetto House Café on upper Princess Street during the 1990s which prominently featured a [[The Blues Brothers|Blues Brothers']] car projecting out from the second story wall.

==Education==
[[File:Queenstheologicalhall.jpg|thumb|Theological Hall at [[Queen's University at Kingston|Queen's University]] ]]
Kingston is the site of two universities, Queen's University and the Royal Military College of Canada, and a [[community college]], St. Lawrence College. According to Statistics Canada, Kingston has the most PhD holders per capita of any city in Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://travel.canoe.ca/Travel/Canada/2009/03/23/8857616.html |title=CANOE Travel – Canada – Smartest city in Canada |publisher=Travel.canoe.ca |access-date=March 2, 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723170624/http://travel.canoe.ca/Travel/Canada/2009/03/23/8857616.html |archive-date=July 23, 2012 }}</ref>

===Queen's University===
{{main|Queen's University at Kingston}}
[[Queen's University at Kingston|Queen's University]] is one of Ontario's oldest universities and offers a variety of degree programs. The university was founded in 1841 under a [[royal charter]] from [[Queen Victoria]]. It has an enrolment of over 31,000 students. Queen's Main Campus is rather self-contained, but is within close walking distance of downtown Kingston, making it a pedestrian-friendly university for students and faculty alike.

===Royal Military College of Canada===
{{main|Royal Military College of Canada}}
The [[Royal Military College of Canada]], established in 1876, is Canada's only military university (''Collège Militaire Royal'' in [[Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu]], Quebec, is a [[College education in Quebec|military college]]), providing academic and leadership training to [[officer cadet]]s, other members of Canada's armed forces and civilians. There are 1,100 undergraduate students and 500 full- and part-time graduate students.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aucc.ca/can_uni/our_universities/rmc_e.html |title=Directory of Canadian Universities – RMC |publisher=Aucc.ca |date=February 25, 2011 |access-date=March 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518165937/http://www.aucc.ca/can_uni/our_universities/rmc_e.html |archive-date=May 18, 2011 }}</ref>

===St. Lawrence College===
{{main|St. Lawrence College, Ontario}}
[[St. Lawrence College, Ontario|St. Lawrence College]] offers baccalaureate degree programs at its Kingston campus in behavioural psychology, industrial trades, microelectronics, nursing, and business administration (the latter via a partnership with [[Laurentian University]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stlawrencecollege.ca/index.aspx?iPageID=56&iMenuID=6&iCurrID=12 |title=Degree Programs |publisher=St. Lawrence College |access-date=April 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224153247/http://www.stlawrencecollege.ca/index.aspx?iPageID=56&iMenuID=6&iCurrID=12 |archive-date=December 24, 2008 }}</ref>), in addition to certificate, diploma, and advanced diploma programs.

===Primary and secondary education===
The [[Limestone District School Board]] serves students in the City of Kingston and the counties of Frontenac and [[Lennox and Addington County|Lennox and Addington]]. Along with the Limestone School of Community Education, which provides adult education and training programs, approximately 21,000 students attend 70 elementary and secondary schools along with supporting education centres. The [[Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board]] serves students of the [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] faith. Approximately 12,800 students attend 36 elementary schools and five secondary schools in this district. The Catholic high schools in the immediate Kingston area include Regiopolis Notre-Dame and Holy Cross Catholic High School. The francophone community is served by two school boards, the [[Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario]] and the [[Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est]], each providing one secondary school in the area.

Secondary schools in Kingston:
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Bayridge Secondary School]]
* [[École secondaire catholique Sainte-Marie-Rivier]]
* [[École secondaire publique Mille-Îles]]
* [[Frontenac Secondary School]]
* [[Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School]]
* [[Kingston Secondary School]]
* [[La Salle Secondary School]]
* [[Leahurst College High School]]
* [[Loyalist Collegiate and Vocational Institute]]
* [[Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School]]
{{div col end}}

==Correctional institutions and facilities==
Kingston has the largest concentration of federal correctional facilities in Canada. The facilities are operated by the Correctional Service of Canada. Of the nine institutions in the Kingston area, seven are within the city's municipal boundaries.
* [[Kingston Penitentiary]] (maximum security) (Officially closed September 30, 2013).<ref>[https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/kingston-penitentiary-canadas-most-notorious-prison-officially-closes-its-doors/ "Kingston Penitentiary, Canada's most notorious prison, officially closes its doors"] , CTV News. Retrieved September 30, 2013</ref>
[[File:Kingston Ontario 1.JPG|thumb|Collins Bay Institution]]
* Regional Treatment Centre (multi-level security), co-located within Kingston Penitentiary
* Joyceville Institution (medium security)
* Pittsburgh Institution (minimum security), co-located with Joyceville
* [[Collins Bay Institution]] (medium security)
* Frontenac Institution (minimum security), co-located with Collins Bay

Until 2000, Canada's only federal correctional facility for women, the [[Prison for Women (Kingston, Ontario)|Prison for Women]] (nicknamed "P4W") was also in Kingston. As a result of the report of the ''Commission of Inquiry into Certain Events at the Prison for Women in Kingston'', the facility was closed in 2000. Queen's University purchased the property with the intention of renovating it to house the Queen's Archives, but the interior of the building was awarded a heritage designation; Queen's found the required upgrades difficult to finance.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Clancy |first1=Clare |last2=Arnone |first2=Terra-Ann |date=June 28, 2011 |title=Queen's shackled by small budget |url=https://www.queensjournal.ca/queens-shackled-by-small-budget/ |work=Queen's Journal |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |access-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115202028/https://www.queensjournal.ca/queens-shackled-by-small-budget/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, Queen's University sold the property to Siderius Developments, which in 2024 divided it into blocks to begin residential development.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hutchins |first=Bill |date=October 22, 2024 |title='It's a very complicated property': Parts of former Prison for Women being sold for $13M |url=https://www.kingstonist.com/news/its-a-very-complicated-property-parts-of-former-prison-for-women-being-sold-for-13m/ |work=Kingstonist |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |access-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115210541/https://www.kingstonist.com/news/its-a-very-complicated-property-parts-of-former-prison-for-women-being-sold-for-13m/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2013, after almost 180 years of housing prisoners, Kingston Penitentiary closed. The maximum security prison was named a [[National Historic Sites of Canada|National Historic Site of Canada]] in February 1990 due to its history and reputation. In its early years, the prison had a vital role in constructing the city. The prison brought prosperity to Kingston, and along with eight other prisons being built in the area, helped create an impressive local economy.<ref>Steve Cameron, [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/kingston-penitentiary-closes-its-doors-as-canadas-most-famous-prison/article14598900/?page=all "Kingston Penitentiary: Canada's most famous prison closes its doors"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071218/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/kingston-penitentiary-closes-its-doors-as-canadas-most-famous-prison/article14598900/?page=all |date=March 4, 2016 }}, ''The Globe and Mail'', September 29, 2013</ref>

==Geography and climate==

Kingston is within the [[Mixedwood Plains Ecozone (Canada)|Mixedwood Plains Ecozone]], and is dominated in the Kingston area by a mixture of [[deciduous]] and [[conifer]]ous tree species and abundant water resources.<ref>[http://ecozones.ca/english/zone/MixedwoodPlains/land.html Ecological Framework of Canada – Mixedwood Plains Ecozone] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315210334/http://ecozones.ca/english/zone/MixedwoodPlains/land.html |date=March 15, 2016 }}. Retrieved April 30, 2016</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070115054141/http://www.ec.gc.ca/soer-ree/English/vignettes/Terrestrial/mp/land.cfm Landforms and Climate of the Mixedwood Plains Ecozone. (Archived).] Retrieved April 30, 2016</ref> The region is underlain mostly by [[Ordovician]] limestone of the Black River Group.<ref>Chapman, L.J. and D.F. Putnam. ''The Physiography of Southern Ontario''. University of Toronto Press, 1973. pp 62, 316.</ref>

Being within [[hardiness zone]] 5, Kingston has a moderate [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Dfb'').<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=138927&cityname=Kingston%2C+Ontario%2C+Canada&units= |title=Kingston, Ontario Climate Summary |publisher=Weatherbase |access-date=January 3, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053540/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=138927&cityname=Kingston,+Ontario,+Canada&units= |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref> It has cooler summers and colder winters than most of [[Southern Ontario]]. Although proximity to Lake Ontario has a moderating effect on the climate, it also tempers the heat and can on occasion increase precipitation, especially during heavy snowfall events. Mild to strong breezes blowing off Lake Ontario make Kingston one of the most consistently windy cities in Canada, especially near the water. As a result of the moderation the all-time high is a relatively modest {{convert|35.6|C}} recorded on July 9, 1936.<ref name="July 1936"/>

However, due to the humidity, the [[humidex]] values on such hot days is normally very high. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Kingston was {{convert|-35.6|C}} on February 17, 1896.<ref name="February 1896"/>

The central part of the city is between the Cataraqui River to the east and the Little Cataraqui Creek to the west, with outlying areas extending in both directions. The eastern part of the city is accessible by the [[La Salle Causeway]] on [[Ontario Highway 2|Highway 2]].

Major features of Kingston's waterfront include Flora MacDonald Confederation Basin, [[Portsmouth Olympic Harbour]], [[Collins Bay, Ontario|Collins Bay]], Wolfe Island, [[Garden Island (Ontario)|Garden Island]], the Cataraqui River (including the [[Kingston, Ontario Inner Harbour|Inner Harbour]] and, within that, [[Anglin Bay]]).

{{Weather box
|location = Kingston / Kingston A, & Kingston Pumping Station (precipitation)<br>[[Location identifier#WMO station identifiers|WMO ID]]: 71820; coordinates {{coordinates|44|13|24|N|76|35|58|W|type:landmark_region:CA-ON|name=Kingston Climate}}; elevation: {{cvt|93|m}} and<br>Climate ID: 6104146; coordinates {{coordinates|44|13|07|N|76|35|48|W|type:landmark_region:CA-ON|name=Kingston A}}; elevation: {{cvt|92.4|m}}; 1991–2020 normals and<br>Climate ID: 6104175; coordinates {{coordinates|44|14|38|N|76|28|50|W|type:landmark_region:CA-ON|name=Kingston A}}; elevation: {{cvt|76.5|m}}; 1981-2010 normals, extremes 1872–present{{efn|Extreme high and low temperatures in the table below were recorded at [[Queen's University at Kingston|Queen's University]] from July 1872 to March 1957,<ref name="Kingston Queens U">{{cite web |url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=kingston+queens+u&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&Year=2016&Month=8&Day=27&selRowPerPage=25 |title=Kingston Queens U |publisher=Environment and Climate Change Canada |access-date=August 25, 2024 |date=June 10, 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829034046/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=kingston+queens+u&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&Year=2016&Month=8&Day=27&selRowPerPage=25 |archive-date=August 29, 2016 }}</ref> at Kingston (Ontario Hydro) from April 1957 to June 1967,<ref name="Kingston Ont Hydro">{{cite web |url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=KINGSTON+ONT+HYDRO&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2025&Year=2025&Month=8&Day=25&selRowPerPage=25 |title=Kingston Ont Hydro |publisher=Environment and Climate Change Canada |access-date=August 25, 2024 |date=June 10, 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829030223/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=kingston+ont+hydro&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&Year=2016&Month=8&Day=27&selRowPerPage=25 |archive-date=August 29, 2016 }}</ref> at Kingston Pumping Station from October 1996 to November 2007<ref name="King1981–2010normals"/> and at [[Kingston Norman Rogers Airport]] from May 1967 to present<ref name="Kingston A">{{cite web |url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=Kingston+A&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2025&Year=2025&Month=8&Day=25&selRowPerPage=25 |title=Kingston A |publisher=Environment and Climate Change Canada |access-date=August 25, 2024 |date=June 10, 2025 }}</ref>}}

|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|width=auto

| Jan maximum humidex = 14.7
| Feb maximum humidex = 14.4
| Mar maximum humidex = 23.8
| Apr maximum humidex = 32.6
| May maximum humidex = 37.9
| Jun maximum humidex = 41.3
| Jul maximum humidex = 43.8
| Aug maximum humidex = 44.7
| Sep maximum humidex = 40.7
| Oct maximum humidex = 33.5
| Nov maximum humidex = 22.7
| Dec maximum humidex = 18.1
| year maximum humidex = 44.7

| Jan record high C = 13.5
| Feb record high C = 14.4
| Mar record high C = 21.2
| Apr record high C = 30.7
| May record high C = 31.7
| Jun record high C = 31.8
| Jul record high C = 35.6
| Aug record high C = 33.9
| Sep record high C = 30.8
| Oct record high C = 26.1
| Nov record high C = 20.6
| Dec record high C = 14.2
| year record high C = 35.6

| Jan high C = -2.6
| Feb high C = -1.8
| Mar high C = 3.2
| Apr high C = 10.0
| May high C = 17.6
| Jun high C = 22.1
| Jul high C = 25.4
| Aug high C = 24.6
| Sep high C = 20.5
| Oct high C = 13.8
| Nov high C = 7.5
| Dec high C = 1.6
| year high C = 11.8

| Jan mean C = -7.0
| Feb mean C = -6.4
| Mar mean C = -1.1
| Apr mean C = 5.4
| May mean C = 12.4
| Jun mean C = 17.3
| Jul mean C = 20.8
| Aug mean C = 20.0
| Sep mean C = 15.6
| Oct mean C = 9.5
| Nov mean C = 3.5
| Dec mean C = -2.2
| year mean C = 7.3

| Jan low C = -11.5
| Feb low C = -10.9
| Mar low C = -5.5
| Apr low C = 0.9
| May low C = 7.3
| Jun low C = 12.5
| Jul low C = 16.1
| Aug low C = 15.3
| Sep low C = 10.7
| Oct low C = 5.1
| Nov low C = -0.6
| Dec low C = -6.0
| year low C = 2.8

| Jan record low C = -34.5
| Feb record low C = -35.6
| Mar record low C = -25.9
| Apr record low C = -13.3
| May record low C = -4.0
| Jun record low C = 0.6
| Jul record low C = 6.0
| Aug record low C = 3.9
| Sep record low C = -1.3
| Oct record low C = -7.5
| Nov record low C = -17.2
| Dec record low C = -30.5
| year record low C = -35.6

| Jan chill = -45.1
| Feb chill = -43.3
| Mar chill = -37.3
| Apr chill = -22.8
| May chill = -8.5
| Jun chill = 0.0
| Jul chill = 0.0
| Aug chill = 0.0
| Sep chill = -4.6
| Oct chill = -12.9
| Nov chill = -24.6
| Dec chill = -42.4
| year chill = -45.1

| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 82.1
| Feb precipitation mm = 65.9
| Mar precipitation mm = 64.6
| Apr precipitation mm = 78.1
| May precipitation mm = 78.4
| Jun precipitation mm = 73.0
| Jul precipitation mm = 64.3
| Aug precipitation mm = 78.7
| Sep precipitation mm = 95.4
| Oct precipitation mm = 90.4
| Nov precipitation mm = 98.1
| Dec precipitation mm = 82.5
| year precipitation mm = 951.4

| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 32.7
| Feb rain mm = 30.2
| Mar rain mm = 40.0
| Apr rain mm = 71.3
| May rain mm = 78.4
| Jun rain mm = 73.0
| Jul rain mm = 64.3
| Aug rain mm = 78.7
| Sep rain mm = 95.4
| Oct rain mm = 90.0
| Nov rain mm = 88.0
| Dec rain mm = 49.6
| year rain mm = 791.6

| snow colour = green
| Jan snow cm = 49.5
| Feb snow cm = 35.7
| Mar snow cm = 24.5
| Apr snow cm = 6.8
| May snow cm = 0.0
| Jun snow cm = 0.0
| Jul snow cm = 0.0
| Aug snow cm = 0.0
| Sep snow cm = 0.0
| Oct snow cm = 0.4
| Nov snow cm = 10.1
| Dec snow cm = 32.9
| year snow cm = 159.9

| unit precipitation days = 0.2&nbsp;mm
| Jan precipitation days = 15.8
| Feb precipitation days = 13.0
| Mar precipitation days = 12.3
| Apr precipitation days = 12.9
| May precipitation days = 13.7
| Jun precipitation days = 12.1
| Jul precipitation days = 10.8
| Aug precipitation days = 11.2
| Sep precipitation days = 11.6
| Oct precipitation days = 13.0
| Nov precipitation days = 14.8
| Dec precipitation days = 14.6
| year precipitation days = 155.7

| unit rain days = 0.2 mm
| Jan rain days = 6.0
| Feb rain days = 5.1
| Mar rain days = 7.9
| Apr rain days = 11.4
| May rain days = 13.7
| Jun rain days = 12.1
| Jul rain days = 10.8
| Aug rain days = 11.2
| Sep rain days = 11.6
| Oct rain days = 13.0
| Nov rain days = 12.6
| Dec rain days = 8.0
| year rain days = 123.5

| unit snow days = 0.2 cm
| Jan snow days = 11.6
| Feb snow days = 9.3
| Mar snow days = 6.4
| Apr snow days = 2.2
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.19
| Nov snow days = 3.4
| Dec snow days = 8.2
| year snow days = 41.2

| time day = 1500 {{abbr|LST|Local standard time}}
| humidity colour = green
| Jan humidity = 70.1
| Feb humidity = 67.4
| Mar humidity = 63.7
| Apr humidity = 62.4
| May humidity = 63.4
| Jun humidity = 67.3
| Jul humidity = 65.7
| Aug humidity = 64.9
| Sep humidity = 65.9
| Oct humidity = 66.6
| Nov humidity = 68.9
| Dec humidity = 71.8
| year humidity = 66.5

|Jan sun = 95.3
|Feb sun = 119.0
|Mar sun = 140.8
|Apr sun = 176.5
|May sun = 222.1
|Jun sun = 243.5
|Jul sun = 280.4
|Aug sun = 241.9
|Sep sun = 162.9
|Oct sun = 146.3
|Nov sun = 88.0
|Dec sun = 75.2
|year sun = 1,991.7

|Jan percentsun = 33.1
|Feb percentsun = 40.4
|Mar percentsun = 38.2
|Apr percentsun = 43.8
|May percentsun = 48.6
|Jun percentsun = 52.5
|Jul percentsun = 59.7
|Aug percentsun = 55.7
|Sep percentsun = 43.3
|Oct percentsun = 42.8
|Nov percentsun = 30.4
|Dec percentsun = 27.1
|year percentsun = 43.0


|source 1 = [[Environment and Climate Change Canada]], (July maximum),<ref name="July 1936">{{cite web |url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=%7C&dlyRange=1872-02-01%7C1957-03-31&mlyRange=1872-01-01%7C1957-12-01&StationID=4301&Prov=ON&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&selRowPerPage=25&Line=11&searchMethod=contains&txtStationName=kingston&timeframe=2&Year=1936&Month=7 |title=Canadian Climate Data |work=Daily Data Report for July 1936 |publisher=Environment and Climate Change Canada |access-date=August 25, 2024 |date=June 10, 2025 |archive-date=January 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125145757/https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=%7C&dlyRange=1872-02-01%7C1957-03-31&mlyRange=1872-01-01%7C1957-12-01&StationID=4301&Prov=ON&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&selRowPerPage=25&Line=11&searchMethod=contains&txtStationName=kingston&timeframe=2&Year=1936&Month=7 |url-status=live }}</ref> (February minimum),<ref name="February 1896">{{cite web |url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=%7C&dlyRange=1872-02-01%7C1957-03-31&mlyRange=1872-01-01%7C1957-12-01&StationID=4301&Prov=ON&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&selRowPerPage=25&Line=11&searchMethod=contains&txtStationName=kingston&timeframe=2&Year=1896&Month=2 |title=Canadian Climate Data |work=Daily Data Report for February 1896 |publisher=Environment and Climate Change Canada |access-date=August 25, 2024 |date=June 10, 2025 |archive-date=August 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829034803/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/daily_data_e.html?hlyRange=%7C&dlyRange=1872-02-01%7C1957-03-31&mlyRange=1872-01-01%7C1957-12-01&StationID=4301&Prov=ON&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&selRowPerPage=25&Line=11&searchMethod=contains&txtStationName=kingston&timeframe=2&Year=1896&Month=2 |url-status=live }}</ref> (1981-2010 precipitation),<ref name="King1981–2010normals">{{cite web |url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?searchType=stnName&txtStationName=Kingston&searchMethod=contains&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=4300&dispBack=1 |title=Kingston Pumping Station |work=Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010 Station Data |publisher=Environment and Climate Change Canada |access-date=August 25, 2024 |date=June 10, 2025 |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204181825/https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?searchType=stnName&txtStationName=Kingston&searchMethod=contains&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=4300&dispBack=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> (1991-2020 temperature and humidity),<ref name="King1991-2020normals">{{cite web |url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1991_2020_e.html?searchType=stnProv&lstProvince=ON&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=449000000&dispBack=0 |title=Kingston |work=Canadian Climate Normals 1991-2020 Data |publisher=[[Environment and Climate Change Canada]] |access-date=August 25, 2024 |date=June 10, 2025 }}</ref> (1971-2000 sun)<ref name="King1971-2000normals">{{cite web |url=https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?searchType=stnName&txtStationName=Kingston&searchMethod=contains&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=4295&dispBack=0 |title=Kingston Pumping Station |work=Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010 Station Data |publisher=Environment and Climate Change Canada |access-date=August 25, 2024 |date=June 10, 2025 }}</ref>
}}

==Sports==
[[File:Y.M.C.A. Building, Kingston, Ontario.jpg|thumb|Postcard of the Y.M.C.A. Building in Kingston {{Circa|1908}}]]
{{See also|Slush Puppie Place|Hayabusa Fightwear}}

===Hockey===
Kingston lays claim to being the birthplace of [[ice hockey]], though this is contested. Support for this is found in a journal entry of a British Army officer in Kingston in 1843. He wrote ''"Began to skate this year, improved quickly and had great fun at hockey on the ice."''<ref name="queens">{{cite web |title=Hockey night in Kingston |url=http://www.queensjournal.ca/article.php?point=vol133/issue11/features/lead1 |access-date=June 21, 2006}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic }}</ref> Kingston is also home to the oldest continuing hockey rivalry in the world by virtue of a game played in 1886 on the frozen Kingston harbour between Queen's University and the Royal Military College of Canada. To mark this event, the city hosts an annual game between the two institutions, played on a cleared patch of frozen lake with both teams wearing period-correct uniforms and using rules from that era. The two schools also contest the annual Carr-Harris Cup, named for [[Lorne Carr-Harris]], under modern competitive conditions to commemorate and continue their rivalry.

The [[Memorial Cup]], which serves as the annual championship event for the [[Canadian Hockey League]], began in 1919 on the initiative of Kingstonian [[James T. Sutherland]]. The first championship was held in Kingston. Sutherland, a member of the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]], also helped establish the annual exhibition game between the Royal Military College of Canada and the [[United States Military Academy]] (West Point) in 1923.

Kingston is represented in the [[Ontario Hockey League]] (OHL) by the [[Kingston Frontenacs]]. Kingston had a team in the [[Ontario Junior Hockey League]] (OJHL), the [[Kingston Voyageurs]] but ceased after the 2018–19 season.

The [[Original Hockey Hall of Fame]], formerly the International Hockey Hall of Fame, was established in September 1943 with a building constructed in 1965. The original building was near the [[Kingston Memorial Centre]] (which was opened in 1950), but has since been relocated to Kingston's west end at the Invista Centre. The International Hockey Hall of Fame, founded by the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) and the [[Canadian Amateur Hockey Association]], is the oldest sports hall of fame in Canada.<ref>Original Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum, [http://www.originalhockeyhalloffame.com/about/ "About the Hall"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129053203/http://www.originalhockeyhalloffame.com/about/ |date=November 29, 2014 }}, "Original Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum"</ref> The museum's collection is home to various items that pay homage to Kingston's role in the history of hockey in Canada. These include: the original square hockey puck from the first Queens University vs. the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) game in 1886, hockey's oldest sweater worn by a Queen's student in 1894, and Canada's first Olympic gold medal from 1924, among others.<ref>Original Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum, [http://www.originalhockeyhalloffame.com/exhibits/top-10-artifacts.html "The Top 10 Artifacts in the Museum"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129053201/http://www.originalhockeyhalloffame.com/exhibits/top-10-artifacts.html |date=November 29, 2014 }}, "Original Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum"</ref>

[[Slush Puppie Place]], in the downtown core, opened in February 2008, and serves as home ice for the Frontenacs. The Voyageurs played at the Invista Centre in the city's west end. The arena is now home to the [[Kingston Wranglers]] of the [[United States Premier Hockey League]].

===Sailing===
[[File:Royal Military College of Canada Robotic Sailboat.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Royal Military College of Canada]] [[robot]]ic sailboat]]

The city is known for its fresh-water sailing, and hosted the [[Sailing at the 1976 Summer Olympics|sailing events]] for the [[1976 Summer Olympics]]. CORK – [[Canadian Olympic-training Regatta, Kingston]] – now hosted by CORK/Sail Kingston is still held every August. Since 1972, Kingston has hosted more than 40<ref>{{cite web |url=http://k7waterfront.org/Topic/ListOfMajorRegattasInKingston |title=List of Major Regattas in Kingston – Kingston, Ontario waterfront |publisher=K7waterfront.org |access-date=March 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215235934/http://k7waterfront.org/Topic/ListOfMajorRegattasInKingston |archive-date=December 15, 2010 }}</ref> World and Olympic sailing championships. Kingston is listed by a panel of experts among the best yacht racing venues in the US,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/04/racingsites-us/ |title=Scuttlebutt News Center: Best Racing Venues in the US |publisher=Sailingscuttlebutt.com |date=June 16, 2004 |access-date=March 2, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220013413/http://sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/04/racingsites%2Dus/ |archive-date=December 20, 2010 }}</ref> even though Kingston is in Canada.

Kingston sits amid excellent cruising and boating territory, with easy access to Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, and the Thousand Islands, including the [[Thousand Islands National Park]], formerly the St. Lawrence Islands National Park.

Kingston is also home to the youth sail training ship called the ''[[St. Lawrence II]]''.

During the summers, the RMC campus in Kingston plays host to a [[Royal Canadian Sea Cadets]] camp called HMCS ''Ontario'', which provides sail training along with much other training to youth from across Canada. The [[Kingston Yacht Club]] in downtown Kingston has a learn to sail program for both children and adults.

===Diving===
Kingston is known for fresh-water [[wreck diving]]. [[List of shipwrecks of Canada#Ontario|Kingston's shipwrecks]] are well preserved by its cool, fresh water, and the recent [[zebra mussel]] invasion has caused a dramatic improvement in water clarity that has enhanced the quality of diving in the area.

===Lawn bowling===
The Kingston Lawn Bowling Club has been at its location on Napier Street since 1932, although [[Bowls|the sport's]] beginnings in Kingston have been traced back to 1914.<ref>[https://kingstonlawnbowlingclub.weebly.com/about-us.html Kingston Lawn Bowling Club – About Us] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514141551/http://kingstonlawnbowlingclub.weebly.com/about-us.html |date=May 14, 2016 }} Retrieved November 22, 2018</ref> While the club offers a variety of recreational opportunities, a number of its members have gone on to compete successfully at the provincial level and beyond. Most notable of these was Dick Edney, who was inducted into the Kingston and District Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.<ref>[https://kdshf.ca/inductees/richard-edney/ Kingston and District Sports Hall of Fame] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125074116/https://kdshf.ca/inductees/richard-edney/ |date=November 25, 2018 }} Retrieved November 24, 2018</ref>

===Golf===
The Kingston area has eight golf courses, two of which are entirely public.<ref>[http://www.ontgolf.ca/city.php?city=kingston OnGolf.ca – Kingston Golf Courses – Ontario Canada] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110104223737/http://www.ontgolf.ca/city.php?city=kingston |date=January 4, 2011 }} Retrieved March 2, 2011</ref> The Kingston Golf Club, established in 1884, was a founding member of the [[Golf Canada|Royal Canadian Golf Association]] in 1895; however, this club ceased operating in the mid-1920s. The first winner of the [[Canadian Amateur Championship]] that same year was Kingstonian Thomas Harley, a Scottish immigrant carpenter. Richard H. (Dick) Green, who immigrated to the area from England in the late 1920s, was the longtime club professional for nearly 40 years at [[Cataraqui Golf and Country Club]] (founded in 1917 and redesigned by [[Stanley Thompson]] in 1930). Green also helped design several courses in eastern Ontario, including Smiths Falls (1949), Glen Lawrence (1955), Rideau Lakes (1961), Amherstview (1971), Garrison (1971), Evergreen (1972), Belle Park Fairways (1975), Rivendell (1979), and Colonnade (1984). [[Matt McQuillan]], a professional player on the [[PGA Tour]] for the 2011 and 2012 seasons, was born and raised in Kingston, and developed his game at the [[Garrison Golf and Curling Club]]. McQuillan won the 2005 Telus [[Edmonton]] Open on the [[PGA Tour Canada]].

===Curling===
Three curling clubs are in the Kingston area: the Cataraqui Golf & Country Club, Garrison Golf & Curling Club, and the [[Royal Kingston Curling Club]].<ref>[http://www.curlingrink.ca/city.php?city=kingston CurlingRink.ca – Kingston Curling Clubs and Rinks – Kingston, Ontario] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706174549/http://www.curlingrink.ca/city.php?city=kingston |date=July 6, 2011 }} Retrieved March 2, 2011</ref> The Royal Kingston Curling Club (RKCC) was founded in 1820, and was granted Royal patronage in 1993. In 2006, the RKCC moved to a new facility at 130 Days Road, to make way for the construction of a new complex at Queen's University, the Queen's Centre.

Kingston has a history of hosting major curling competitions. In 2020, Kingston hosted the Tim Hortons Brier, the national men's curling championship. Kingston previously hosted the Brier in 1957. In 2013, Kingston hosted the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the national women's curling championship.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thewhig.com/news/local-news/its-official-brier-coming-to-kingston-in-2020 |title=The Kingston Whig-Standard – November 1, 2018 |work=thewhig |access-date=November 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106092823/https://www.thewhig.com/news/local-news/its-official-brier-coming-to-kingston-in-2020 |archive-date=November 6, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Rugby===
The Kingston Panthers Rugby Football Club (KPRFC) was founded in 1959, and from that moment onward has established a reputation as a strong community player. KPRFC is a non-profit organization answering directly to the Eastern Ontario Rugby Union (EORU), the [[Rugby Ontario]] (ORU), and [[Rugby Canada]] (RC). The Kingston Panthers R.F.C., recently celebrated their fortieth anniversary with an EORU championship in the Division 1 championship game at [[Twin Elm Rugby Park]] in Ottawa, Ontario.

===Football===
The earliest known incarnation of an organized football team in Kingston is the [[Kingston Granites]] which played in the predecessor league to the [[Canadian Football League]], the [[Ontario Rugby Football Union]], (ORFU). The team played for four seasons between 1898 and 1901 winning 1 ORFU title in 1899 defeating the [[Ottawa Rough Riders]] 8–0. Kingston also hosted the [[10th Grey Cup]] on December 2, 1922. The Limestone Grenadiers now represent Kingston and the surrounding area in the Ontario Varsity Football League. The Club franchise catchment area draws players from Frontenac, Hastings, Lanark, Leeds, Lennox and Prince Edward counties. League play runs from late May through August. The Junior and Varsity teams' main schedule pits the Grenadiers against eastern Ontario opponents and cross-over games with western Ontario teams leading to a provincial title championship game.

===Volleyball===

The Kingston Volleyball Club (KVC) was founded in 2015. It is a non-profit organization, a member of the [[Ontario Volleyball Association]] (OVA), [[Volleyball in Canada|Volleyball Canada]] (VC). The club relies on [[fundraising]] in order to operate.

===Soccer===
Kingston had a soccer presence in 2011 when [[Kingston FC]] represented the city in the [[Canadian Soccer League]]'s second division.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Koreen |first=Mike |date=September 13, 2011 |title=New team gearing up for tryouts and home game |work=[[The Kingston Whig-Standard]] |pages=18 }}</ref> In 2012, the club was promoted to the league's first division and competed in the league until 2015.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Petrick |first=Stephen |date=October 8, 2015 |title=Kingston FC chairman hopes to bring pro soccer to Belleville For Evaluation Only |work=Quinte EMC |pages=B15 }}</ref> Their greatest success occurred in 2013, when the club won the divisional title and finished as runners-up in the [[Canadian Soccer League championship final|playoff championship final]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":02">{{Cite news |date=November 4, 2013 |title=Waterloo ends Kingston FC's run |work=[[Kingston Whig Standard]] }}</ref>

After Kingston left the CSL, the city was represented in [[League1 Ontario]] by [[Kingston Clippers]] with both a men’s and women’s side.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/soccer-stadium-proposal-kingston-memorial-centre-farmers-market-1.7430596 |title=Pitch for pro soccer team, stadium in Kingston met with both support and opposition |access-date=January 29, 2025 |archive-date=January 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127133600/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/soccer-stadium-proposal-kingston-memorial-centre-farmers-market-1.7430596 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Clippers played their final season in the league in 2016.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 28, 2017 |title=League 1 kicks off Ontario soccer season, offering a chance to rise up the ranks |url=https://cfjctoday.com/2017/04/28/league-1-kicks-off-ontario-soccer-season-offering-a-chance-to-rise-up-the-ranks/ |work=[[CFJC-TV]] |access-date=March 8, 2025 |archive-date=December 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225093537/https://cfjctoday.com/2017/04/28/league-1-kicks-off-ontario-soccer-season-offering-a-chance-to-rise-up-the-ranks/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Law enforcement==
{{Main|Kingston Police Force}}

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of people from Kingston, Ontario}}

==Media==
{{Main|Media in Kingston, Ontario}}

==See also==
{{cols}}
* [[Belle Island (Kingston, Ontario)|Belle Island]]
* [[Cartwright Point, Ontario]]
* [[Inner Harbour, Kingston]]
* [[Sydenham Ward]]
* [[Kingston Mills]]
* [[Rideau Heights, Kingston]]
* [[Royal eponyms in Canada]]
* {{HMCS|Kingston|MM 700}}
{{colend}}

===Notes===
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
* Adams, Nick.[http://www.ontarioarchaeology.on.ca/publications/pdf/oa46-1-adams.pdf ''Iroquois Settlement at Fort Frontenac in the Seventeenth and Early Eighteenth Centuries''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913183133/http://www.ontarioarchaeology.on.ca/publications/pdf/oa46-1-adams.pdf |date=September 13, 2017 }}. Ontario Archaeology, No. 46: 4–20. 1986.
* Armstrong, Alvin. ''Buckskin to Broadloom – Kingston Grows Up''. Kingston Whig-Standard, 1973. No ISBN.
* Mika, Nick and Helma et al. ''Kingston, Historic City''. Belleville: Mika Publishing Co., 1987. {{ISBN|0-921341-06-7}}.
* Mika, Nick and Helma. ''Kingston Heritage, Buildings, Monuments, Plaques'' Belleville: Mika Publishing Co., 1983, 160 pages.
* Osborne, Brian S. and Donald Swainson. ''Kingston, Building on the Past for the Future''. Quarry Heritage Books, 2011. {{ISBN|1-55082-351-5}}
* Roy, James. ''Kingston: The King's Town''. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1952.
* Turner, Larry. [http://www.uelac.org/Kingston/LTurner_Kgn_founding.pdf "The Founding of Kingston, Ontario"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707223610/http://www.uelac.org/Kingston/LTurner_Kgn_founding.pdf |date=July 7, 2011 }}. ''The Loyalist Gazette'', Volume XXII, No. 1. Retrieved 2015-01-14
* Preston, Richard. ''[http://champlainsociety.utpjournals.press/doi/book/10.3138/9781442618503 Kingston Before the War of 1812: A Collection of Documents] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204231034/https://champlainsociety.utpjournals.press/doi/book/10.3138/9781442618503 |date=December 4, 2021 }}''. Toronto: [[Champlain Society]] Publications, 1959.
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|Kingston (Ontario)|Kingston, Ontario}}
* {{official website|http://www.cityofkingston.ca}}

<!-- INCLUDE AS REFERENCES NOT AS EXTERNAL LINKS
* [https://archive.org/stream/historickingston04kinguoft#page/n1/mode/2up Kingston Historical Society. ''Historic Kingston (No. 4)''. Kingston Ontario Historical Society. 1955.]
* [https://archive.org/stream/historickingston05kinguoft#page/n3/mode/2up Kingston Historical Society. ''Historic Kingston (No. 5)''. Kingston Ontario Historical Society. 1956]
* [https://archive.org/stream/cihm_45381#page/n7/mode/2up Draper, W.G.''History of the City of Kingston''. James M. Creighton, Book and Job Printer, 1862.]
* [https://archive.org/stream/oldkingston00machuoft#page/n9/mode/2up Machar, A.M.''The Story of Old Kingston''. The Musson Book Co. Ltd. 1908.] -->

{{Geographic location
| Centre = Kingston
| North = [[South Frontenac, Ontario|South Frontenac]]
| Northeast = 
| East = [[Leeds and the Thousand Islands]]
| Southeast = 
| South = ''[[St. Lawrence River]]''<br />[[Frontenac Islands]]
| Southwest = 
| West = [[Loyalist, Ontario|Loyalist]]
| Northwest = [[South Frontenac, Ontario|South Frontenac]]
}}

{{Census metropolitan areas by size}}
{{Subdivisions of Ontario}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Kingston, Ontario| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Ontario]]
[[Category:Former colonial capitals in Canada]]
[[Category:Populated places on Lake Ontario in Canada]]
[[Category:Ontario populated places on the Saint Lawrence River]]
[[Category:Single-tier municipalities in Ontario]]
[[Category:Thousand Islands]]
[[Category:Venues of the 1976 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:1673 establishments in New France]]