Grey Highlands
Grey Highlands is a municipality in the southeast corner of Grey County, Ontario, Canada that was formed on January 1, 2001, by the amalgamation of the village of Markdale and the townships of Artemesia, Euphrasia and Osprey, which included the unincorporated hamlets of Eugenia, Ceylon, Maxwell, Singhampton, Priceville, Kimberley, Badjeros and Feversham. The former village of Flesherton is also located within the municipality; it was amalgamated with Artemesia Township in 1998.
Grey Highlands | |
---|---|
Municipality of Grey Highlands | |
Grey Highlands | |
Coordinates: 44°20′N 80°30′W | |
Country | |
Province | |
County | Grey |
Formed | January 1, 2001 |
Government | |
• Mayor | Paul McQueen |
• Deputy Mayor | Aakash Desai |
• Federal riding | Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound |
• Prov. riding | Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound |
Area | |
• Land | 882.51 km2 (340.74 sq mi) |
Population (2016)[1] | |
• Total | 9,804 (+3.0 %) |
• Density | 11.1/km2 (29/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
Postal Code | N0C 1H0 |
Area code(s) | 519 and 226 |
Website | www.greyhighlands.ca |
According to the 2016 Census, the municipality covers a land area of 882 square kilometres and has a population of 9,804. The municipality has a healthy population growth and the average age (43 years old) is close to the provincial average (41 years old). The average household size is 2.5 and the average total income of all households is $94, 000. The average after tax income of all households in the municipality is $77,000
Geography
The dominant natural feature of the area is the Niagara Escarpment, which passes through the municipality and has several ancillary features:
- the Bruce Trail, a popular hiking and multi-use trail, follows the brow of the Niagara Escarpment.
- Beaver Valley, a steep-sided and broad valley, was created during the last ice age. The eastern side of the valley, as part of the Niagara Escarpment, was designated a UNESCO Biosphere reserve in 1990.[2] The west side of the valley is home to a number of downhill ski slopes, including Beaver Valley Ski Club.
- Eugenia Falls, where the Beaver River crosses the Niagara Escarpment, is the location of Grey County's only gold rush.[3]
Demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1996 | 8,620 | — |
2001 | 9,196 | +6.7% |
2006 | 9,480 | +3.1% |
2011 | 9,520 | +0.4% |
2016 | 9,804 | +3.0% |
[4][5][1] |
Populations prior to amalgamation (2001):
- Population total in 1996: 8,620
- Artemesia (township): 2,881
- Euphrasia (township): 1,513
- Flesherton (village): 625
- Markdale (village): 1,354
- Osprey (township): 2,247
- Population total in 1991: 7,828
- Artemesia (township): 2,538
- Euphrasia (township): 1,427
- Flesherton (village): 543
- Markdale (village): 1,370
- Osprey (township): 1,950
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents: 3752 (total dwellings: 5297)
Education
Elementary students (Kindergarten to grade 8) are divided into three catchment areas:
- MacPhail Memorial Elementary School serves the Flesherton area.
- Osprey Central School serves the Maxwell and Feversham area.
- Beavercrest Community School serves the Markdale and surrounding area.
All of these students go to Grey Highlands Secondary School in Flesherton for Grades 9-12.
See also
References
- "Census Profile, 2016 Census: Grey Highlands, Municipality". Statistics Canada. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- "List of Biosphere Reserves 2009" (PDF). UNESCO. 2009. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
- "In 1852, when the country was very new and wild, somebody thought he had discovered gold in the rocks below the falls... One adventurous waggonmaker, from the County of York, happening to be in the region, made a rush with the rest to the diggings, and soon departed homeward, several days journey through woods and bushroads, with a backbreaking load in a bag... He got home, and before he slept kindled up his forge fire to melt down a little of the precious stuff.... The sulphurious fumes and horrible stench of the vile stuff choked him, and well nigh drove him out of the premises. He had carried home a backload of worthless iron pyrites!"Smith, William Wye (1866). Gazetteer and Directory of the County of Grey for 1865-66. Toronto: Global Steam Press.
- Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006 census
- "Grey Highlands census profile". 2011 Census of Population. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
Resources
- Split Rail Country: A History of Artemesia Volume I now online
- Split Rail Country: A History of Artemesia Volume II 1985-2000 is being written
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