For the surname and other uses of the name, see Haldimand.
Haldimand County
City (single-tier)
Coordinates42°56′N 79°53′W
CountryCanada
ProvinceOntario
MayorShelley Ann Bentley[1]
Governing BodyThe Corporation of Haldimand County Council
MPsLeslyn Lewis
MPPsBobbi Ann Brady (Ind)
Incorporated1974 as a town by amalgamating villages of Cayuga, Hagersville and Caledonia and the townships of Oneida, Seneca, North Cayuga, South Cayuga as well as parts of Rainham and Walpole
Enlarged2001 by amalgamating with Dunnville and half of Nanticoke
Area land1,250.45 km²
Population as of2021
Population total49216
Population density39.4 km²
Time zoneEST (UTC-5)
Time zone (DST)EDT (UTC-4)
Elevation237.7 m
Postal code spanN0A, N1A, N3W
Area codes519, 226, 905, 289, 365
Websitehaldimandcounty.ca

Haldimand County is a rural city-status single-tier municipality on the Niagara Peninsula in Southern Ontario, Canada, on the north shore of Lake Erie, and on the Grand River. Despite its name, it is no longer a county by definition, as all municipal services are handled by a single level of government. Municipal offices are located in Cayuga.

The county is adjacent to Norfolk County, the County of Brant, the City of Hamilton, the townships of West Lincoln and Wainfleet, and the Six Nations reserve.

History

Haldimand's history has been closely associated with that of neighbouring Norfolk County. Upper Canada was created in 1791 by being separated from the old Province of Quebec, Haldimand was created in 1798 as part of the Niagara District.[2] It was named after Sir Frederick Haldimand, the governor of the Province of Quebec from 1778 to 1785. In 1844, the land was surrendered by the Six Nations to the Crown in an agreement that was signed by the vast majority of Chiefs in the Haldimand tract.[citation needed] In 1974, Haldimand was incorporated as a town by the amalgamation of the villages of Cayuga, Hagersville and Caledonia and the townships of Oneida, Seneca, North Cayuga, South Cayuga and parts of Rainham and Walpole. In 2001, Haldimand was enlarged by amalgamating with Dunnville and half of Nanticoke.

Beginning in February 2006, a land dispute by native protesters began near Caledonia over a housing development being built on the outskirts of town, which members of the nearby Mohawk Six Nations people claim is rightfully their land. The issue reignited again in February 2020, when Mohawk protesters blocked off Highway 6 again in protest of McKenzie Meadows.

Communities

The population centres in Haldimand are Caledonia, Dunnville, Hagersville, Jarvis and Cayuga. Part of the Six Nations Reserve is within the geographic area of Haldimand County, but is independent of the county. Most of Haldimand is agricultural land, although some heavy industry, including the former Nanticoke Generating Station, is located here.

Smaller communities within the municipality are Attercliffe Station, Balmoral, Bodri Bay, Brookers Bay, Byng, Canborough, Canfield, Cheapside, Clanbrassil, Crescent Bay, Decewsville, Empire Corners, Featherstone Point, Fisherville, Garnet, Hoover Point, Kohler, Little Buffalo, Lowbanks, Moulton Station, Mount Carmel, Mount Healy, Nanticoke, Nelles Corners, Peacock Point, Port Maitland, Rainham Centre, Selkirk, Sims Lock, South Cayuga, Springvale, Stromness, Sweets Corners, Townsend, Willow Grove, Woodlawn Park and York.

The ghost towns of Cook's Station, Cranston, Dufferin, Erie, Indiana, Lambs Corners, Lythmore, Sandusk, Upper, and Varency are also located within Haldimand.

Historic townships

Haldimand County's area of 309,300 acres was formed from part of the land grant to the Six Nations in 1783. The County was purchased by treaty and opened for general settlement in 1832. It was first settled by white veterans of Butler's Rangers established there by Joseph Brant. A large number of Germans were among the first settlers.[3]

  • Canborough, area 21,586 acres (87 km2). Granted in 1794 by Joseph Brant to John Dochstader of Butler's Rangers. Purchased by Benjamin Canby in 1810 for £5,000, he named the village site "Canborough. Community centre: Canborough, Darling and it touches Dunnville
  • Dunn, area 15,122 acres (61 km2). Opened for settlement in 1833. Community centre: Dunnville
  • Moulton, area 27,781 acres (112 km2). Landowner Henry John Boulton named the township from the Boulton family seat in England.
  • North Cayuga, area 32,825 acres (133 km2).
  • Oneida, area 32,598 acres (132 km2). Joseph Brant granted a 999 year lease of part of Oneida and Seneca townships to Henry Nelles, of Butler's Rangers and his sons, Robert, Abraham, William, Warner and John. Community centres were: Caledonia, Dufferin and Hagersville.
  • Rainham, area 25,705 acres (104 km2) Community centres: Balmoral, Selkirk, Rainham Centre and Fisherville.
  • Seneca, area 41,721 acres (169 km2). Community centres: York and Caledonia
  • Sherbrooke, area 5,098 acres (21 km2), the smallest township in Ontario. Opened in 1825 and named from Sir John Coape Sherbrooke, a Governor-General of Canada. The Township was granted by the Indians to William Dickson (a lawyer) as a professional fee. Community centres: Stromness and Port Maitland.
  • South Cayuga, area 13,293 acres (54 km2).
  • Walpole, area 66,213 acres (268 km2). Community centres were: Hagersville, Jarvis, Selkirk, Cheapside and Nanticoke.

Demographics

Historical Populations
Haldimand County, ON
YearPop.±%
199642,041—
200143,728+4.0%
200645,212+3.4%
201144,876−0.7%
201645,608+1.6%
202149,216+7.9%

References:[4][5][6][7][8]

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Haldimand County had a population of 49,216 living in 18,719 of its 20,710 total private dwellings, a change of 7.91% from its 2016 population of 45,608. With a land area of 1,250.45 km2 (482.80 sq mi), it had a population density of in 2021.[4][8]

Ethnicity

Only ethnic groups that comprise greater than 1% of the population are included. Note that a person can report more than one group.[4]

Ethnic Groups in the City of Haldimand County (2011−2021)
Ethnic
Group		2021[4]2016[8]2011[7]
Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%
First Nations[a]1,7453.59%2,0954.65%2,1054.76%
Canadian8,77018.06%15,45594.67%14,19094.76%
English14,78530.44%15,55534.54%15,91535.99%
Irish9,49519.55%8,74519.42%9,25520.93%
Scottish11,22023.1%11,02524.48%11,51026.03%
French[b]3,0456.27%3,8958.65%4,2609.63%
German7,67015.79%7,56016.79%7,97518.03%
Italian2,5005.15%2,0954.65%2,2455.08%
Ukrainian1,5553.2%1,7703.93%1,4103.19%
Dutch6,36513.11%6,78015.06%6,04513.67%
Polish1,7553.61%1,4603.24%1,2802.89%
Métis4851%3050.68%2850.64%
Welsh8551.76%7851.74%8551.93%
Portuguese8401.73%3850.85%5751.3%
American6051.25%3650.81%6901.56%
Hungarian8901.83%9302.07%7101.61%
Total responses48,56598.68%45,03098.73%44,22098.54%
Total population49,216100%45,608100%44,876100%
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses
Panethnic Groups in the City of Haldimand County (2001−2021)
Panethnic
Group		2021[4]2016[8]2011[7]2006[6]2001[5]
Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%Pop.%
European[c]44,06590.73%42,63094.67%41,90594.76%43,29596.85%41,78596.53%
Indigenous1,8903.89%1,5403.42%1,4703.32%8301.86%9702.24%
African7451.53%2200.49%2050.46%2150.48%1650.38%
South Asian6201.28%2150.48%750.17%650.15%750.17%
Southeast Asian[d]3500.72%1550.34%1400.32%350.08%600.14%
East Asian[e]2350.48%900.2%2050.46%1550.35%1450.33%
Latin American2100.43%950.21%600.14%300.07%250.06%
Middle Eastern[f]2000.41%400.09%00%200.04%100.02%
Other[g]2450.5%400.09%1250.28%400.09%450.1%
Total responses48,56598.68%45,03098.73%44,22098.54%44,70598.88%43,28598.99%
Total population49,216100%45,608100%44,876100%45,212100%43,728100%
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses

Languages

As of the 2021 census, there were 47,190 citizens that spoke English only, 15 that spoke only French, 1,530 that spoke both official languages and 130 that spoke neither.[4]

Religion

As of the 2021 census, there were 29,380 citizens identifying as Christian and 18,200 as non-religious and secular perspectives.[4][h]

Local government

The city is within the federal electoral riding of Haldimand—Norfolk and within provincial electoral riding of Haldimand—Norfolk.

Haldimand federal election results[9]
YearLiberalConservativeNew DemocraticGreen
rowspan="2" style="width: 0.25em; background-color: |202125%6,78649%13,21515%4,0750%0
201925%6,26946%11,75517%4,4567%1,851
Haldimand provincial election results[10]
YearPCNew DemocraticLiberalGreen
rowspan="2" style="width: 0.25em; background-color: |202234%7,01115%3,0107%1,5374%846
201857%12,45728%6,1099%1,9294%798

Current Mayor: Shelley Ann Bentley[1]

Previous Mayors:

  • 2010–2022: Ken Hewitt
  • 2004–2010: Marie Trainer
  • 2000–2004: Lorraine Bergstrand

Healthcare

Healthcare in Haldimand County is overseen by Haldimand-Norfolk Health and Social Services.[11] Hospitals in Haldimand County include Haldimand War Memorial Hospital in Dunnville, and West Haldimand General Hospital in Hagersville.

Policing

Policing in the county is provided by the Haldimand detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police located in Cayuga.

Fire services

Fire services in the county is provided by the Haldimand County Fire Department which was created in 2001 following the separation of Haldimand and Norfolk. The department currently consists of 11 stations located strategically throughout the county. With almost 300 firefighters and 40 fire apparatuses, it is one of the largest volunteer fire departments in Ontario. The department consists of:

  • Station 1 – Caledonia
  • Station 2 – Hagersville
  • Station 3 – Jarvis
  • Station 4 – Cayuga (Headquarters)
  • Station 5 – Canfield
  • Station 6 – Canborough
  • Station 7 – Lowbanks
  • Station 9 – Dunnville
  • Station 11 – South Haldimand
  • Station 12 – Fisherville
  • Station 13 – Selkirk

Education

Further information: List of secondary schools in Ontario#Haldimand County

Public Schools in Haldimand County are administered by the Grand Erie District School Board. These schools include:

Catholic Education

Catholic Schools in Haldimand County are administered by the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board. These include:

Transportation

The Southern Ontario Railway operates in southwestern Haldimand.

Highways that travel through Haldimand include Ontario Highway 3 and Ontario Highway 6.

Several intercity bus companies operate routes that travel through Haldimand County, connecting it to nearby cities and towns. Although, driving is the most common way to get around in Haldimand County, as public transportation options are limited.

Protected areas

Attractions

Natural Landmarks

  • Canadian Heritage Grand River
  • Grand Valley Trail
  • Byng Island Conservation Area and Pool[18]
  • Seneca Park & Rotary Riverside Trail

Activities

Heritage

Notable people

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Statistic includes all individuals that identified as Indigenous.
  2. ^ Statistic includes all individuals that identified as having a French origin but not otherwise specified.
  3. ^ Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an indigenous identity.
  4. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Filipino" and "Southeast Asian" under visible minority section on census.
  5. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Chinese", "Korean", and "Japanese" under visible minority section on census.
  6. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "West Asian" and "Arab" under visible minority section on census.
  7. ^ Statistic includes total responses of "Visible minority, n.i.e." and "Multiple visible minorities" under visible minority section on census.
  8. ^ Includes only those religions including 1% or more of Haldimand County's population.

References

  1. ^ "Shelley Ann Bentley". Haldimand County. Retrieved 2023-03-15.
  2. ^ An act for the better division of this province, SUC 1798 (38 Geo. III), c. 5, s. 31, s. 32. Reprinted in The Statutes of Upper Canada to the Time of Union, Revised and Published by Authority, Vol. I - Public Acts (Toronto: Robert Stanton, Queen's Printer, 1843).
  3. ^ Middleton, Jesse & Landon, Fred. The province of Ontario, a history, 1615-1927. Toronto, ON: Dominion Publishing.
  4. ^ "Census Profile, 2021 Census: Haldimand County, City [Census subdivision], Ontario". Statistics Canada. 1 February 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  5. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-07-02). "2001 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  6. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-08-20). "2006 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  7. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2015-11-27). "NHS Profile". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  8. ^ "Haldimand County census profile". 2016 Census of Population. Statistics Canada. 2021-10-27. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
  9. ^ "Official Voting Results Raw Data (poll by poll results in Haldimand)". Elections Canada. 7 April 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
  10. ^ "Official Voting Results by polling station (poll by poll results in Haldimand)". Election Ontario. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  11. ^ "HealthUnit Haldimand-Norfolk". Health and Social Services Haldimand-Norfolk. 7 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  12. ^ "Haldimand Conservation Area". www.ontarioconversationareas.ca. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Selkirk Provincial Park". www.ontarioparks.ca. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  14. ^ "Taquanyah". www.grandriver.ca. 2 September 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Hedley Forest". www.npca.ca. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  16. ^ "Canborough". www.npca.ca. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  17. ^ "Ruigrok Tract". www.npca.ca. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  18. ^ "Byng Island". www.granderie.ca. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  19. ^ "Grand River Cruises". www.grandrivercruises.ca. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  20. ^ "Caledonia Fair". Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  21. ^ "Wilson MacDonald Memorial School Museum". info-bhn.cioc.ca. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Ruthven Park : The Haunted Ghost Town of Indiana, Ontario". Archived from the original on 2015-09-08. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  23. ^ "Ruthven Park". www.ruthvenpark.ca. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  24. ^ "Cottonwood Mansion Museum". cottonwoodmansionmuseum.com. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  25. ^ "Grand Trunk Railway Station". www.haldimand.ca. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  26. ^ "Canadian Drilling Rig Museum". www.canadiandrillingrigmuseum.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2002. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  27. ^ "Official web site: Neil Peart". Retrieved 2007-12-10.