Over the 15 year period from 2001 to 2016, Simcoe Muskoka grew 26% from a population of 430,136 to 540,249. Growth in Simcoe Muskoka out-paced the province, as Ontario grew by 18% over this same time period.
In the five year period from 2011 to 2016, population growth in Simcoe Muskoka continued to out-pace the province. Simcoe Muskoka grew 7.2% while Ontario grew 4.6% in the same time period. Simcoe County had a significantly higher population growth rate (7.5%) than the District of Muskoka (4.5%), or the provincial rate from 2011 to 2016.
Bradford West Gwillimbury was the fastest growing municipality out of all municipalities with a population of 5,000 or more in Simcoe Muskoka, with a growth rate of 26%, increasing from a population of 28,077 in 2011 to 35,325 in 2016. Wasaga Beach followed closely with a growth rate of 18%, increasing from 17,537 in 2011 to 20,675 in 2016. Bradford West Gwillimbury had the 3rd highest population growth among communities with a population of 5,000 or more in Ontario from 2011-2016, while Wasaga Beach ranked 6th, Essa ranked 8th, and Collingwood and New Tecumseth tied for 10th.
In the District of Muskoka, Huntsville had the highest population growth with a growth rate of 4%, increasing from a population of 19,056 in 2011 to 19,816 in 2016.
The growth rate of the population served by the health unit is expected to continue to exceed that of the province over the next 25 years. By 2041, Simcoe Muskoka’s population is projected to reach 740,073.
For more detail, see Population by Age and Sex.