The town is a namesake of Arnprior, Scotland, and is known for its lumber, hydro power generation, aerospace, farming, and proximity to the National Capital Region.

The land occupied by what is now called Arnprior is part of the traditional territory of the Algonquin nation of indigenous North Americans.

McNab had approval from the Family Compact to treat the settlers on his land in the feudal manner practised in Scotland.

Tired of the harsh treatment, the settlers revolted and, after a government investigation, McNab was forced to vacate the area in 1841.

[4] Arnprior and Braeside and McNab township grew as separate communities and boomed when they became integrated into eastern Ontario's massive timber industry.

[7] The grey stone building served many purposes after it stopped being used as a grist mill, finally being operated as a restaurant and a gas station, first by the Beattie and then the Baird families, ending in 1974.

The facility was bought by Ontario Hydro prior to the restructuring on the bridge and the creation of a new weir to control the river.

[17] Some of the major corporations and top employers: The lumber trade continued in the form of the Gillies sawmill in nearby McNab Township until its closing in 1993.

[18] Kenwood Mills, initially a blanket manufacturer which developed woven fabrics for the pulp and paper industry, was a significant employer in Arnprior and was bought in 1918 by Huyck Corporation.

[19] The building has now been renovated into the Kenwood Corporate Centre which houses a number of offices, warehouse spaces, conference rooms, a café and a gym.

[20] Sullivan and Sons and Smith Construction companies were significant economic drivers and employers based in Arnprior.

Boeing Aircraft Company began manufacturing in 1955 and maintained an operation until selling to Arnprior Aerospace in October 2005.

Provincially, it is in the equivalent electoral district of Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, represented by John Yakabuski of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, who was first elected in 2003.

[25] Arnprior has several historical landmarks together with the many required modern conveniences, including shopping, hospital, recreation, restaurants, water sport facilities, and beaches.

[26] Arnprior's recreation facilities include four walking trails,[26] a marina,[27] three ball diamonds, civic centre with two year-round ice surfaces and indoor pool, a curling rink,[28] two municipal beaches, 14 parks covering 126.6 acres (512,000 m2),[29] and an airport that offers charter tours, skydiving and flying lessons.

[30] Arnprior also has a large number of cultural groups, including historical organizations, live theatre, chamber music, dance and choir, service clubs and an active artistic community with numerous studio tours and exhibits.

[40] In 2014, Arnprior hosted the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors Annual Trade Show, and furthermore, Arnprior was the second last stop on Clara's Big Ride[41] which featured six time Olympic Medalist Clara Hughes on her 12,000 km (7,500 mi) cross country bike journey to raise awareness and end the stigma of mental health.

[46] On Easter Sunday, March 23, 1880, a change to standard gauge brought the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) main line.

Following exploration, travel and transportation was by canoe: the Ottawa River by Arnprior was a main route for the fur trade.