Is Campbellford a Good Place to Raise a Family?

When Keith and Lisa, local brokers with Willows Realty Group, sit down with a young family, the same three questions always come up: are the schools good, is there anything for the kids to do, and will we actually find a house that fits. This guide answers all three for Campbellford, with the schools, parks, and streets named so you can picture exactly how the town works before you even visit.

Campbellford Schools for Families

Campbellford's public elementary options are Kent Public School at 150 Kent Street and Hillcrest Public School at 55 Elmore Street, both part of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. Kent serves about 260 students from junior kindergarten through Grade 8. Hillcrest enrols around 460 students and adds French immersion in the earliest grades, then Extended French for Grades 5 to 8. Both sit within a short walk of most residential streets in town.

High school students attend Campbellford District High School, which serves Grades 9 to 12 and is part of the same public board. It offers Specialist High Skills Major pathways in arts and culture, business, construction, and health and wellness, and it partners with Loyalist College so students can earn college credits before they graduate. For Catholic families, St. Mary's Catholic School provides an elementary option in town as well.

Parks, Pools, and the New Rec Centre

Between class and soccer is where a small town either wins or loses the family vote, and Campbellford wins. The park grounds on Front Street South give you ball diamonds, tennis courts, basketball, a skateboard park, and a splash pad next to an outdoor pool for the warm months. The newer addition is the Sunny Life Recreation & Wellness Centre on Seymour Quarry Road, a large accessible facility with an NHL-sized ice rink, a lane pool, a therapy pool, and YMCA-run fitness programming. Hockey, swimming lessons, and March break camps all happen right in town, which shortens the drive for sport parents.

The Trent-Severn Waterway Is a Free Playground

Campbellford is an official Trent-Severn Trail Town, and families use the waterway every day. The Rotary Trail follows the river from downtown toward the locks, kayak rentals operate in the warm months, and the suspension bridge at Ferris Provincial Park is a favourite short hike for little legs. For weekend plans, follow our weekly weekend guide for festivals and family events across the whole of Trent Hills.

A Home Where Kids Have Room to Grow

Schools win the math, but families still need bedrooms. That is why the 3+2 bedroom layout at 155 Cromwell St. stands out. Five bedrooms cover the kids, a home office, and the in-laws, while the two combined lots give you a backyard the size of a small park, with a gazebo, fire pit, and pond already in place.

For the thinking behind that extra land, read Two Lots, One Home: The Value of Extra Land, and if the phrase "move-in ready" matters to you, our move-in ready guide breaks down what that really means in 2026.

Walk to the Doctor, the Grocer, or the Playground

Campbellford scores about 63 out of 100 on Walk Score, the "Somewhat Walkable" range, and it shows in daily life. From 155 Cromwell St., the hospital on Bridge Street, the downtown shops and cafés, the farmers' market on Saturday mornings, and the elementary schools on Kent and Elmore Streets are all within a short walk or bike. That matters more with kids than with any other buyer:errands get done on foot while the stroller gets the fresh air, and the car stays parked for most of the week.

The wider Municipality of Trent Hills also includes the neighbouring communities of Hastings and Warkworth, each with its own main street, parks, and community events. When families compare the three towns, the choice usually comes down to which street feels like home, which is exactly why we recommend walking them all. The Campbellford neighbourhood guide is a good starting point for that walk.

Commutes and a Town Growing With You

The drive matters for a family routine. Campbellford is about 30 minutes from Highway 401 at Brighton, and roughly 45 minutes to Peterborough, Belleville, or Cobourg for work, shopping, and appointments. Toronto sits at about two hours. It is a commute many families measure in podcasts, and the town is growing because of it: according to 2021 federal census data, the Municipality of Trent Hills grew by about 7.4% between 2016 and 2021 to a population of 13,861, with Campbellford proper home to about 3,372 residents. Small numbers, but moving the right direction for a community that wants stability and families.

If you want the full rundown on daily life, start with the Campbellford neighbourhood guide for walkability, commute times, and local restaurants, then read what makes Campbellford special for home buyers.

So, Is Campbellford a Good Place to Raise a Family?

Yes, and the evidence is concrete rather than sentimental. The schools are local and connected to careers, the recreation options are genuinely strong, the commute is workable, and housing still offers real space at a price bigger markets can rarely match. If you are weighing a move, come walk a school day first, then schedule time to see what a family home like 155 Cromwell St. actually feels like on the ground. For more local guidance, browse the full blog or contact Keith or Lisa and we will map the options together.