Collingwood is one of Canada’s 25 best places to live, according to a list produced this month by Macleans.
Of the 415 communities included in the study, Macleans ranked Collingwood at 22.
Barrie landed at 154th place. (See sidebar.)
Other local communities that fell within the top-250 include New Tecumseth (5), Bradford West Gwillimbury (60), Springwater Township (86), Adjala-Tosorontio Township (92), Newmarket (93), Essa Township (122), Wasaga Beach (146), Orillia (187), Innisfil (188), Oro-Medonte Township (198), Clearview Township (224), Midland (247) and Tiny Township (249).
According to the data published by Macleans, 4.5 per cent of Collingwood residents walk to work and another 1.4 per cent bike to work. About 2.3 per cent of the population of Collingwood is employed in arts and recreation and the unemployment rate is five per cent for the economic region.
“I am very pleased to see Collingwood’s ranking at 22nd in all of Canada and not surprised at all,” said Colligwood Mayor Brian Saunderson. “It is common knowledge that we are blessed with natural surroundings that are second to none and southern Ontario’s outdoor playground, but what really impressed Macleans was the strength and diversity of local economy and the fact that two-thirds of our residents are employed locally."
Macleans gathered data on wealth and economy, affordability, population growth, taxes, commute, crime, weather, access to health care, amenities, and culture. They partnered with Environics Analytics to gather data.
Collingwood scored highest in the demographics, culture and community, and commute categories.
Demographics was scored based on the five-year population growth, so those communities that have grown a lot in the past years scored the highest.
Culture and community points were awarded based on the percentage of the population working in arts, culture and recreation, and the results of a survey measuring how engaged residents are with their communities.
Commute scores were based on the number of residents who walk, bike, and take transit to work.
The city on the top of the list of Macleans list of Canada’s Best Communities was Burlington, Ont., which also topped their list of best places in Canada to raise a family.
All five of Canada’s best communities, according to Macleans are in Ontario, including Burlington, Grimsby, Ottawa, Oakville, and New Tecumseth.
To see the full list by Macleans, click here.
BARRIE BY THE NUMBERS
Population: 151,473
Economic region unemployment rate as of March: 5%
Median household income: $86,759
Average value of primary real estate: $543,251
Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $1,334
Property tax as per cent of average income: 2.2%
Average annual property tax bill: $2,592
Percentage of population that walks to work: 2.7%
Percentage of population that bikes to work: 0.4%
Percentage of population that takes transit to work: 3.5%
