Information on the Town of Midland Town Summary

							                          Information on the Town of Midland
Settled by farming families in the 1840's, Midland was known by several names including Mundy's Bay,
Hartley's Landing, and Abedare. In November of 1871, the Midland Railway Corporation of Port Hope,
Ontario, selected Midland as its western port and terminus. Adolphe Hugel and George Cox formed the
Midland Land Company and purchased most of the acreage in the area from various farming families.
In 1872, they had Peter Burnett survey the new village site, complete with large lots, wide roads and big
plans for the future. They named the new community "Midland City." With railway construction,
expanded lumber operations, and an ever-growing commercial sector, Midland City flourished. The
Chew brothers established a grist mill in 1875. Midland City soon reached a population of over 1,000
and was incorporated into a Village on October 24, 1878. On July 1, 1879, the completed railroad was
officially opened for commercial and passenger service. In 1881, the first large grain elevator was
completed and regular commercial shipping began. Unprecedented business growth continued to the
point that the village status was upgraded to incorporation as a Town on January 6, 1890. A local
consortium of business leaders headed by James Playfair, David Pratt and Douglas White, to name only
three, was responsible for continued expansion in wholesaling, retailing, and industrial manufacturing.
Although largely dependent on Georgian Bay pine forests, diversification in such companies as Canada
Iron Foundry improved the area's economic health. The economic development devastation of the Great
Depression of the 1930's virtually eliminated the regional capital base. Many companies moved away,
or were sold. It took the Second World War and the revitalization of the shipyards to overcome the
ravages of the Depression. In 1954, however, the shipyards moved their entire operation to
Collingwood. This was a major blow to the local economy, but gradual and continued diversification in
all sectors brought the Town's population to 11,000 by 1972. In addition, a Federal Government
program, provided by the Department of Regional Economic Expansion, allowed for new industrial
growth in 1967.

             Town Summary

Latitude:                    044 ° 45’N
Longitude:                   079 ° 53’W
Elevation :                  201.0 m (660 feet)
Little Lake Area:            131 ha
Municipal Area:              30.2 sq. km
Length of roads:             120,063 m
Length of sidewalks:         64,531 m
Village Incorporation:       1878
Town Incorporation:          1890
Annexations:                 1904, 1965, 1978,
                             1994, 1998, and
                             2004
Population:                  16 300
Trade Area Population:       45,848




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                 Southern Georgian Bay - Economic Development
From its idyllic setting to its strategic location 90 minutes from Southern Ontario's 10 million residents,
Southern Georgian Bay is an area offering a perfect business setting. Adding to its attraction is a
growing local population base, a modern and expanding manufacturing sector, full services, competitive
- and stable - taxation rates, abundant housing and a co-operative atmosphere. Strong transportation
links - three routes to nearby Highway 400 - 2 deep water ports, and a modern airport all connect the
region to national and international markets.

Located on the shores of Georgian Bay, Southern Georgian Bay is the commercial and population hub
of North Simcoe. The region is prized throughout Southern Ontario as both a historical centre and a
cottaging and boating paradise. Over the years, it has developed from its early days as southern Ontario's
playground, with a summertime economy, to a community supporting high-tech industries,
manufacturing plants and a wide range of retail outlets. It's a top choice for those able to work from
home; especially people who have attained a position where they can balance business and pleasure.




                                    Economic Development Information Package
                                                 January 2009
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                                  Statistics Canada – 2006 Census Information
Population & Demographics




Age Characteristics


                                                 2006 Age Characteristics - Major Cohorts

               4000

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  Population




               2000

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                 0
                      0 to 19 years 20 to 29 years 30 to 39 years 40 to 49 years 50 to 59 years 60 to 69 years 70 to 79 years   80 and over
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Labour Force Activity




Occupation – Graph




Industry – Graph




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Educational Attainment




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