I'm posting this in case you're not familiar with the Barrie, Innisfil, Springwater, Horseshoe Valley and County of Simcoe Area.
If you're thinking about relocating, or have clients which are thinking of this area. I'm posting an article which was also noted a few weeks ago in the Barrie Advance. Simcoe County did a housing needs assessment which analyzed the population, growth trends, socio-economic data and housing to determine what Simcoe County must plan to do to address short-term shortages and long-term challenges.
In case you don't know where we are, we're just a little North of Toronto and not a bad commute. We also have the implementation of the "GO" Train which apparently should be here in late fall of this year (2007). There's much going on here and there's also talks of surrounding areas being developed.
According to the City of Barrie and Census done:
Demographic:
• Simcoe County population increased 58 per cent between 1986 and 2001. The fastest-growing areas were Wasaga Beach (142.4 per cent), Barrie (114 per cent) and Innisfil (87 per cent). They account for over half of the county’s population growth.
• Population aging: The under-34 bracket declined seven per cent, while the 45-64 demographic increased 4.4 per cent and the over-65 group increased 3.6 per cent.
• Age distribution varies by municipality: Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Ramara and Orillia have more seniors, and the northern areas are attracting older adults who are retiring. For example, one in five people in Wasaga Beach is a senior.
• Southern municipalities have a larger proportion of children and youth; Innisfil, New Tecumseth and Adjala-Tosorontio each have over one-third of their populations between 20 and 34.
• Households are smaller, with one and two people representing 54 per cent. This shows a need for unit types to accommodated smaller households and singles.
• Projections show highest growth in Barrie and Wasaga.
• Manufacturing is the largest employment sector in the County, followed by retail, health care, social assistant, hospitality and food services and construction. The diverse labour market requires a diverse housing stock.
• The number of full-time jobs showed a strong increase from 1996 to 2001, but some municipalities still have a higher percentage of part-time; Midland, for example, has almost 29 per cent of its labour force working part-time.
• Income in Simcoe County is higher than the national average but lower than the provincial average, and income varies considerably by municipality. Northern municipalities have lower incomes (less than $30,000/year), while the more-southern ones have a higher average, as compared to the county and province.
• Shelter allowances for Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program are well below market levels and have changed little over the past 10 years.
Housing supply:
• Single detached dwellings comprise 76 per cent of the housing stock in the county.
• Lower mortgage rates helped increase the level of ownership; in 2001, 78.5 per cent of the dwellings were owned, up 4.5 per cent from 1991.
• Proportion of renter households is greater in Barrie and Orillia; at 28 per cent in Barrie and 37 per cent in Orillia.
• Youth and seniors account for half of those who rent.
• The age of rental housing is older. Over one-third was built prior to 1961, which includes 20 per cent built prior to 1945.
• Average house prices continue to rise; between 1996 and 2005, prices rose an average of 8 per cent per year.
• Average price in 2005 was $223,299; forecasts show the price will reach $285,424 in 2009.
• Over half the homes listen on MLS were priced at over $250,000 in November 2006.
• Habitat for Humanity is providing options in Simcoe County; the agency has built 23 homes so far.
• Vacancy rates are at or below 2.8 per cent and most are at the higher end of the market (over $800/month).
**article from the Barrie Advance and stats from The City of Barrie**
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