During the War of 1812, Kingston was the base for the LakeOntario division of the Great Lakes British naval fleet and engaged in a vigorous arms race with the American fleet based at Sackett's Harbor, New York for control of LakeOntario.
Kingston is represented in the Ontario Hockey League by the Kingston Frontenacs.
In mid-2001, 14.1 per cent of the resident population in Kingston were of retirement age (65 and over for males and females) compared with 13.2 per cent in Canada, therefore, the average age is 38.1 years of age comparing to 37.6 years of age for all of Canada.