“The geographic location, the quality of life for its residents and workforce…those are the key elements to the success of our business in this area.”
- Wolfgang Schroeter, Napoleon Fireplaces
Barrie expands to an additional 2,293 hectares of land
On Dec. 15, 2009, the Barrie-Innisfil Boundary Adjustment Act received Royal Assent providing the City of Barrie with 2,293 additional hectares of land for development.
As a designated Urban Growth Centre in Ontario, the City of Barrie is projected to account for one third of the population growth and 40% of future job growth in the Simcoe Area, which is projected to reach a population of 667,000 by 2031 (Places to Grow Simcoe Area, 2009).
Barrie is located inside the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH), one of the fastest growing regions in North America. By 2031, the population of this area is projected to grow by an additional 3.7 million (from 2001) to 11.5 million people, accounting for over 80% of Ontario’s population growth (Places to Grow, 2006).
Barrie CMA is the fastest growing in Canada
The City of Barrie has experienced tremendous growth over the last few years. Between 2001 and 2006, the Barrie Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) was identified by Statistics Canada as the fastest growing CMA in Canada.
At its current population of over 140,000 the City of Barrie is well recognized as the urban anchor of the Simcoe Area.
Top 10 fastest growing CMAs in Canada Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Simcoe Area’s Growth Anchor
The City of Barrie is Central Ontario’s economic engine. Over 16,700 workers from the Greater Toronto Region (GTR) commute into Barrie each day for work (Statistics Canada, 2006). The City functions as a regional provider of health, education, retail and business services for Simcoe County.
Youngest CMA in Canada
With a median age of 35.4, the Barrie CMA is the youngest CMA in Canada.
Youngest CMA in Canada - Age Groups Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Business Growth
Barrie’s non-residential building permit growth between 2005 and 2008 is third highest in Ontario.
Non-Residential Building Permit Growth (H1 2005 – H1 2008) Source: Canadian Business Magazine, 2008 Job Growth
Between 2001 and 2006, the number of jobs in the City of Barrie rose by a staggering 20%.
|
2001 |
2006 |
Employment Growth |
| Number of Jobs in Barrie |
45,695 |
55,050 |
20.47 % |
| Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 |
Income Growth
According to the latest census, the City of Barrie enjoyed the 4th highest earnings increase among Ontario municipalities.
|
2000 |
2005 |
% Change |
| Median Earning |
$43,560 |
$45,123 |
3.6 % |
| Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 |
Earnings growth of Ontario municipalities (population > 100,000) Source: Statistics Canada, 2006
