Overall
By Age
By Sex
By Type
By Employment and Income
By Median Income (after tax)
By Low Income
The 2016 Census provides information about populations experiencing any difficulty hearing, seeing, walking, climbing stairs, bending, leaning, or doing similar activities; difficulty learning, remembering or concentrating; emotional, psychological or mental health conditions (e.g. anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, anorexia, etc.); or another long-term condition that reduces the kinds of activities they can do in the home, at work of school, or in other activities, such as transportation and leisure. These indicators are used to determine persons who have difficulties with activities of daily living (Community Data Program, 2014).
According to the 2016 Census, 193,775 residents of Simcoe Muskoka reported having one or more activity limitations representing 36.6% of Simcoe Muskoka’s population. In comparison, the Ontario population with activity limitations makes up a slightly lower proportion of its total population, 32.3% (or 4,272,180).
Thirty-six percent (or 170,415) of residents in Simcoe County and 40% (or 23,360) of residents in the District of Muskoka reported one or more activity limitations. Municipalities in Simcoe County with the lowest percentage of the municipal population with one or more activity limitations included Bradford West-Gwillimbury (31.4% or 9,685) and Springwater (27.7% or 5,950). Municipalities with the highest percentage of the population with one or more activity limitations included Christian Island (30 & 30A) (58.0% or 380), Orillia (45.9% or 13,760), and Midland (45.7% or 7,465).
Municipalities in the District of Muskoka with the lowest percentage of the municipal population with one or more activity limitations included Muskoka Lakes (37.8% or 2,450) and Huntsville (38.2% or 7,395). Municipalities with the highest percentage of the population with one or more activity limitations included Moose Point 79 (47.6% or 100), Gravenhurst (45.4% or 5,040), and Georgian Bay (41.6% or 1,030).
Since the wording and formatting of the questions related to activity limitations in the 2016 Census has changed significantly compared to the 2011 National Household Survey, the data cannot be compared historically (Community Data Program, 2017). Another source of data that allows us to look at the data over time is the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). The definition of an activity limitation is essentially the same between the 2016 Census and the CCHS. However, the 2016 Census includes all age groups whereas the CCHS includes only those ages 12 and over.
According to the CCHS, there hasn’t been any significant change in the prevalence of activity limitations in Simcoe Muskoka or Ontario from 2003 to 2014; however, activity limitations have been consistently higher in Simcoe Muskoka over that time period.
By Age
The prevalence of having one or more activity limitations ranged from a low of 7% (14,375) among ages 0 to 14 to a high of 83% of those 85 years of age or older. Of note, a larger percentage of the youth and adolescent age groups reported one or more activity limitations in Simcoe Muskoka compared to Ontario.
In Simcoe Muskoka, 34.9% of males and 38.3% of females reported having one or more activity limitations in 2016. Activity limitations were higher for both males and females in Simcoe Muskoka compared to the Ontario estimates. For both Simcoe Muskoka and Ontario, a higher percentage of activity limitations were reported among females than males.
With respect to activity limitations by age and sex, a larger percentage (19.4% or 8,590) of males in Simcoe Muskoka aged 0-14 reported one or more activity limitations compared to females of the same age group (13.7% or 5,790). Among those aged 85 years or older, 86% (or 4,410) of females in this age category reported one or more activity limitations compared to 79.7% (or 2,900) males.
By Type
In Simcoe Muskoka, 46.1% (or 89,415) of the population with activity limitations reported a single activity limitation, while 1.9% (or 3,690) reported a combination of six activity limitation types.
Among those who reported one activity limitation, the most commonly reported limitation type (25.1% or 22,400) was a mental-health related condition (e.g. anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, anorexia, etc.).
Mental health-related activity limitations (e.g., anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, anorexia, etc.) were more common among those aged 15 to 44 years while cognitive difficulties (e.g. difficulty learning, remembering, or concentrating) were the most prevalent activity limitation among those aged 0 to 14 years.
Difficulty seeing was most prevalent among middle age groups while difficulties hearing or with physical activities was most prevalent among older age groups. For example, among those aged 65 years and over who reported a single activity limitation, 21% were hearing difficulties and 28% were physical difficulties.
With respect to type of activity limitation by sex, among those who reported a single activity limitation, a higher percentage of females in Simcoe Muskoka reported a mental health-related condition (30% or 13,980) compared to males (20% or 8,415). A higher percentage of males reported a cognitive difficulty (15% or 6,480) compared to females (10% or 4,420).
By Employment
In 2011, 40% (or about 41,680) of those 15 years and older with activity limitations were part of the labour force in Simcoe Muskoka. The unemployment rate in Simcoe Muskoka for those 15 years and older with activity limitations was 10%, higher than the unemployment rate for the overall population 15 years and over in Simcoe Muskoka (8%).
By Median Income (after tax)
According to the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS), the 2010 median after-tax income for those 15 years and older with activity limitations was similar between Simcoe County and District of Muskoka at $23,870 and $22,652 respectively. In comparison, the 2010 median after-tax income for the total population ages 15 years and over in Simcoe County and District of Muskoka was $28,238 and $26,074 respectively.
By Low Income
In Simcoe Muskoka, 15% (or 16,885) of the population with activity limitations were living with low income in 2010, based on the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) Low Income Measure after tax (LIM-AT). This is a higher percentage compared to Simcoe Muskoka’s overall population living with low income reported in the NHS (11% or just over 56,000 people). Across Ontario, 18% (or 454,975) of the population with activity limitation were living in low income in 2010.
Note: Activity limitations/difficulties refer to conditions or health problems that have lasted or are expected to last six months or more and for young children, include only those conditions or problems that have been diagnosed by a professional. Note: not to be used as an estimate of the population with a disability.