Russell, Ontario is a municipal township nestled in the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, on the Castor River. Located southeast of Canada's capital, Ottawa, in eastern Ontario, Russell is home to a population of 16,520 as per the 2016 Canadian Census.
Russell, Ontario is composed of several communities, with Embrun and Russell being the primary ones. The township administrative offices are located in Embrun. Other smaller communities include Felton, Forget, Marionville, North Russell, and Pana. The municipal government and Canada Post recognize Brisson and Forget as part of Embrun, and Felton, North Russell, and Pana as part of Russell. Marionville, although considered separate by the municipality, is also recognized as part of Russell by Canada Post.
Russell, Ontario was named in honor of Peter Russell, a general accountant of public funds for the new province of Upper Canada. He served as an administrator of the existing government from 1796 until 1799. The township, once named Elmsley, was officially renamed Russell in 1797.
The history of Russell, Ontario is marked by significant events such as the subdivision of Stormont County in 1800, which led to the creation of the County of Russell. The township witnessed the birth of municipalities and the establishment of township councils as the only recognized administrative units in 1850. In 2022, the town announced a name change to honor "all people named Russell who have had a positive impact", distancing itself from Peter Russell's history as a practitioner of slavery.
Russell, Ontario experienced a devastating fire on June 6, 1915, which started in Murray's Tinsmith Shop and quickly spread, destroying twenty-five buildings. Despite the damage, the old land registry building's records dating back to 1852 were saved, and the building still stands today.
The New York Central Railway played a crucial role in Russell's development. In 1884, the Township's council raised $10,000 to aid the Ontario Pacific Railway Company in building the railway, which later became the New York Central Railway Company. The railway's establishment turned Russell Village into a commercial center, filled with travelers, settlers, and new shops. However, passenger traffic began to decline around 1940, and the passenger train service to Russell was abandoned in 1954.
As per the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Russell, Ontario had a population of 19,598. The township is predominantly English-speaking, with a significant French-speaking minority. The different parts of the township have varying distributions of language, with Embrun having a slight francophone majority and Russell having a stronger anglophone majority.
Russell, Ontario is home to a diverse population, with the majority being white, followed by Aboriginal, Black, Arab, and other visible minorities. The main ethnic ancestries among the white population are French, English, Irish, Scottish, German, and Dutch.
Russell, Ontario is home to several community organizations, including the Russell Agricultural Society, the Russell and District Horticultural Society, the Russell Lions Club, the Russell Historical Society and the Keith M. Boyd Museum, and the Kin Club of Russell. These organizations play a vital role in promoting agricultural heritage, horticultural education, community service, preservation of rural heritage, and community development.
