Russell–Embrun
South
Fast Facts
- Population: 19,598 (Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population (Township of Russell))
- Size: 198.78 km² (Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population (Township of Russell))
- Distance from Parliament Hill: About 35.3 km southeast (straight-line distance)
Overview
Russell–Embrun is the separate Township of Russell, southeast of Ottawa in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell. It is not part of the City of Ottawa. Its two main communities are Embrun, settled in 1845 and now the township's largest and fastest-growing community, and the village of Russell, settled in 1845 and named for Peter Russell; the township offices are based in Embrun.
Map
No official boundary exists for this area, so no boundary map is shown here.
History
Both Embrun and Russell village were settled around 1845. Embrun was formally named on May 15, 1856, while the Township of Russell itself traces its name to Peter Russell, an early Upper Canada administrator, officially adopted in 1797 after the township was previously called Elmsley.
Settlement in Russell Township came relatively late and included a large proportion of French-Canadian families; records from 1850 show families such as the Youngs, Borlands, Argues, Booths, Cherrys and Craigs settling along the old Forced Road as a secondary settlement area for Carleton County families.
Russell village became a police village in 1898. Embrun grew steadily through the 20th century and became the largest community in the township — by 2011, its urban population was 6,380, rising to about 8,669 when surrounding agricultural areas closely tied to the community were included.
The Township of Russell today combines Embrun, Russell village, and the surrounding rural area within the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, with its municipal offices based in Embrun.
Claim to Fame
Russell–Embrun's defining feature is its status as a separate, fast-growing township just southeast of Ottawa, anchored by Embrun, its largest and administratively central community.
Surrounding Neighbourhoods
Russell–Embrun is a separate municipality bordering the City of Ottawa to the west (near Cumberland-Navan-Vars and Greely-Metcalfe), with the rural municipality of The Nation to the east.
Architecture
Embrun's and Russell's village cores retain 19th- and early-20th-century small-town commercial buildings, including church and civic architecture along Notre-Dame Street in Embrun, while the surrounding township is largely agricultural land with newer residential subdivisions on the edges of both villages.
Restaurants
- The Uptown Resto Bar — Indian
Indian and Indian-fusion restaurant at 968 Notre-Dame Street in Embrun.
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Grocery Stores
- Food Basics — Discount grocery store
Discount grocery store at 245 Village Street in Embrun.
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Pedestrian and Cycling
Embrun's and Russell's village cores are walkable, while the surrounding township is largely car-dependent; the Old Forced Road, a historic settlement route, runs through the area.
Schools
- École élémentaire catholique Embrun — Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l'Est ontarien
French Catholic elementary school (K-6) across two buildings, Pavillon Saint-Jean (1045 Rue Notre-Dame) and Pavillon La Croisée (1215 Rue Saint-Augustin), serving over 616 students.
Visit website - École élémentaire publique De La Rivière Castor — Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario
French public elementary school at 100 Rue Maheu in Embrun.
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Transit Options
Russell-Embrun is not part of OC Transpo's service area; residents travel primarily by personal vehicle along Highway 417 and local roads connecting Embrun and Russell village.
Nearby on This Site
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Official Information
Last verified: August 27, 2026