Petawawa (/ˈpɛtəwɒwɒ/ PET-ə-WAW-waw) is a town located in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario. Situated in the Ottawa Valley, with a population of 18,160 (2021 Census), Petawawa is the most populous municipality in Renfrew County.

The earliest settlement in the Petawawa area was inhabited by the Algonquin First Nation. The name of Petawawa originates from a local Algonquin language word, biidaawewe, meaning "where one hears a noise like this". The original spelling of the name of the town was Petewawa and while there are no sources showing when it officially changed to Petawawa, Privy Council documents indicate the name Petawawa being formally used in correspondence as early as 27 March 1907. Research of photographs after 1916 with the former spelling have not been found. While the records of the official name change are non-existent, it has been speculated that the influx of immigration to the area changed the pronunciation of the word from its native roots to a more European pronunciation. Over time this may have changed the spelling of the Town's name into the present day format.

In the late 19th century, the area was surveyed and settled by emigres from Scotland, Ireland and Germany. The land was unsuitable for crops, but the heavily forested surroundings were useful for logging. Petawawa was incorporated as a township in 1865. The Canadian military acquired land in the area in 1905, which later became Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. During this period it was used as an internment camp for German POWs during World War I. and World War II. Later, it became home to the Canadian Airborne Regiment before it was disbanded in 1995. Today, it is one of Canada's largest ground forces base with members deployed throughout the world on various missions supporting the United Nations in peacekeeping or the War on Terror.

In 1961, the urban area of Petawawa was incorporated as a separate village municipality. On July 1, 1997, the village and township amalgamated to form the Town of Petawawa.

The town lies on the west bank of the Ottawa River, at the confluence of the Petawawa River. Situated across the Ottawa River from the Laurentian Mountains, and east of Algonquin Park, Petawawa is a favourite stop for outdoor enthusiasts, anglers, hikers, canoers, and kayakers.

In addition to the primary urban core of Petawawa, the town also comprises the communities of Black Bay, Kramer Subdivision, Laurentian View, McGuire, Petawawa Point, Pine Meadows, Pine Ridge, Pinehurst Estates and Riverview.

Petawawa has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) with long, cold, snowy winters and warm summers.

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Petawawa had a population of 18,160 living in 6,762 of its 7,174 total private dwellings, a change of 5.7% from its 2016 population of 17,187. With a land area of 164.7 km (63.6 sq mi), it had a population density of 110.3/km (285.6/sq mi) in 2021.

Historical populations

Year Pop. ±% 1951 1,017 —     1961 4,509 +343.4% 1966 5,574 +23.6% 1971 5,784 +3.8% 1976 5,815 +0.5% 1981 5,520 −5.1% 1986 5,580 +1.1%	Year Pop. ±% 1991 5,793 +3.8% 1996 6,540 +12.9% 2001 14,398 +120.2% 2006 14,651 +1.8% 2011 15,988 +9.1% 2016 17,187 +7.5% 2021 18,160 +5.7%
Pre-2001 figures are for the Village of Petawawa; 2001 figures onward are for the Town of Petawawa.

Special Note: According to the 1961 Census Of Canada, in CS92-539, Table 6, Page 113, the Village Of Petawawa was Incorporated out of territory formerly belonging to the Township Of Petawawa on January 1st, 1961. Thus any earlier pre-1961 population figures for urban Petawawa were for unincorporated communities still belonging to the Township Of Petawawa at that time.

Petawawa's primary employer is the Canadian Government. Most of Petawawa's residents work as civilian employees, or as members of the Canadian Forces at CFB Petawawa which is home to 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and 4 Canadian Division Support Group.

Another major employer is Chalk River Laboratories located nearby in Chalk River.

Ontario Highway 17, Ontario Northlands bus service from Ottawa and the local commercial airport (Pembroke Airport) located in Petawawa, all provide access to this town.

• Roy Giesebrecht, hockey player
• Tom Green, comedian, actor
• Tommy Mac, musician
• Lloyd Mohns, hockey player
• Matthew Peca, hockey player
• Joe Reekie, hockey player
• Mike Rowe, hockey player
• Ray Sheppard, hockey player

• List of communities in Ontario
• List of townships in Ontario
• List of francophone communities in Ontario

• Media related to Petawawa at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website