Thomas Lymburner
Living in Chelsea, Quebec: 2026 buyer's guide
Updated: · By Thomas Lymburner, residential real estate broker, RE/MAX Direct
Chelsea is a municipality in the MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais, immediately north of Gatineau, bordered on the east by the Gatineau River and linked to Gatineau and Ottawa by Autoroute 5. It had 8,000 residents in 2021, up 15.8% from 2016 (Statistics Canada). Chelsea is not part of the city of Gatineau: its welcome tax, municipal services and schools are different.
Profile
In the 2021 census, 91.8% of Chelsea's occupied homes were single-detached houses and 92.0% of households were homeowners. French is the mother tongue of 46.4% of residents and English of 43.1%; 70.8% speak both official languages.
A little history
The territory separated from Hull Township in 1875 and its first council met on March 1, 1875. Long known as the “Municipality of the West Part of the Township of Hull,” it became the Municipality of Chelsea on April 28, 1990, taking the name of its two central villages.
Prices
QPAREB does not publish a separate price for Chelsea. Across the municipalities surrounding Gatineau, the median single-family price was $595,000 in Q2 2026.
Welcome tax in Chelsea
Chelsea applies the provincial rates up to $500,000 and, under bylaw 1367-26, a 3% rate on the portion above $500,000. For a $600,000 property, the tax is therefore $8,610.50. An eligible first-time buyer can recover up to $5,875 through the home buyers' tax credit.
| Bracket | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 to $62,900 | 0.5% |
| $62,900 to $315,000 | 1% |
| $315,000 to $500,000 | 1.5% |
| over $500,000 | 3% (Chelsea) |
Water, sewer and services
The centre-village is served by municipal water and sewer systems, and Farm Point has a partial sanitary sewer system. The Municipality publishes information on septic systems and on wells and water quality: before buying, check whether the property is connected or has a well and septic system. Curbside collection includes compost, recycling and garbage.
Schools
There is no high school in Chelsea; use your service centre's or Western Québec's search tool to find the school for your address. According to Le Droit (March 2026), École du Grand-Boisé is full and the project for a new French-language school in Chelsea is on hold.
| School board / service centre | School | Level | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSS des Portages-de-l'Outaouais | École du Grand-Boisé | Elementary (kindergarten to grade 6) | 135, chemin Scott |
| Western Québec (English) | Chelsea Elementary School | Elementary (kindergarten to grade 6) | 74, chemin Old Chelsea |
Transportation
Transcollines routes 921, 923, 924 and 925 connect La Pêche, Chelsea and Gatineau, and the combined STO-Collines pass also gives access to STO and OC Transpo. Route 923, for example, runs on weekdays with two departures in each direction to Les Galeries de Hull station and the Louis-St-Laurent building.
Outdoor life
The Gatineau Park Visitor Centre is at 33, chemin Scott, within walking distance of Chelsea village. Voie Verte Chelsea is a 22 km trail along a former railway beside the Gatineau River (walking, cycling and cross-country skiing), and Nordik Spa-Nature is at 16, chemin Nordik.
Gatineau Park Visitor Centre · Voie Verte Chelsea · Nordik Spa-Nature
Frequently asked questions
Chelsea applies the provincial rates up to $500,000 and 3% on the portion above. For a $600,000 property, the tax is $8,610.50.
The centre-village has municipal water and sewer, and Farm Point has partial sanitary sewer. Elsewhere, check whether the property has a well and a septic system.
Yes, Chelsea Elementary School (Western Québec), at 74 chemin Old Chelsea, from kindergarten to grade 6. A certificate of eligibility is required.