The City of Vaughan, part of the Greater Toronto Area, is made up of five smaller communities:  Maple, Thornhill, Concord, Kleinburg and Woodbridge. It has been called the fastest-growing municipality in Canada, with exceptional growth in the last ten years.  The projected population for 2011 is just over 250,000.

It is also notable that demographically, Vaughan has one of the youngest populations in Canada, with almost a quarter under the age of 14 and only about 10% over the age of 65. This reflects the fact that this is a fully-developed community for families, with some of Southern Ontario’s premier attractions and facilities.

There are 27 public elementary schools and five secondary schools in the Vaughan area, as well as 30 Catholic board elementary and five secondary schools, and one French immersion elementary school, as well as private daycare, elementary and Montessori schools.  Woodbridge is home to Maple Crest Private School, and in Maple is St Peter’s A.C.H.S., as well as the Musaic School of Music. Thornhill has the Discovery Academy, the Lumen Veritatas Academy, and the Toronto Waldorf School.  Vaughan students have easy access to all of the post-secondary establishments in Toronto and York University sits right at the southern boundary of Vaughan.

York Central Hospital

Although Vaughan itself does not have a hospital, and is served currently by both the York Central Hospital in Richmond Hill and the Humber River Regional Hospital in Toronto, plans are underway to construct a new hospital which is scheduled to be completed in 2013.

Real estate in this area has something for everyone.  Prices and styles reflect the diverse needs of the growing population, and everything from condos and townhouses, to semi and detached homes can be found in all price ranges. Although originally, many of the properties in areas tended to be more luxurious, executive homes on large lots, extensive new development across Vaughan has introduced more affordable options for families.

McMichael Art Gallery

There are many recreation centres, arenas, community centres and golf courses across the Vaughan region.  It is the home of the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame.  Baseball, hockey, diving and other sports are well-represented with a variety of facilities, camps and programs.

For nature lovers, the Kortright Centre, which incorporates 325 hectares of unspoiled forest, is a leader in sustainable and eco-friendly technology, and hosts many workshops and programs, particularly focused on school children.   Also nearby is the Boyd Conservation Area, another smaller area at 96 hectares, providing hiking trails, picnic spots and is home to cross-country ski races each winter.

For the less nature-inclined, perhaps Vaughan’s most notable attraction is

Canada's Wonderland

Canada’s Wonderland, a 133-hectares amusement park located in Maple, the largest in the country.  It has the largest variety of roller coasters in North America, acres of waterslides, over 60 rides, and high-profile concerts all summer long.

Arguably the second most popular destination is Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre, a huge retail centre featuring many of the trendiest stores on shoppers’ lists, as well as a NASCAR Speedway arcade/entertainment complex.

History and culture are well represented in Vaughan.  There are several  within excellent museums preserving local history, and heritage sites such as Beaverbrook House in Maple, once home to the newspaper baron Lord Beaverbrook, and Thornhill’s J.E.H. McDonald House, former home of the Group of Seven artist.  Kleinburg is home of the world-renowned McMichael Canadian Art Collection, with over 6,000 pieces by the Group of Seven, First Nation, Inuit and other Canadian artists.  Kleinburg also hosts its annual Bindertwine Festival, which spotlights many traditional activities and crafts.  In Woodbridge, the yearly Winterlights celebration is a festival of lights with an emphasis on green displays.  Thornhill is home to the City Playhouse Theatre, providing live theatre, dance and song to the Vaughan area.  There are several movie complexes including an IMAX screen in Woodbridge.

Vaughan is serviced by an excellent transportation network, including Hwys 400 and 427.  There are two GO Train stations, Rutherford and Maple, and bus service is provided by Viva, YRT, and partially by the TTC, with a number of routes linking Vaughan to routes and subway stations in Toronto.  Perhaps most exciting is the proposed extension of the Toronto subway line into Vaughan, with completion scheduled for 2015.

Local Schools

Map of Vaughan

Links of Interest

City of Vaughan Homepage

Vaughan Public Libraries

McMichael Art Gallery

Toronto Star Article Jun 2010

Canada's Wonderland

Vaughan Mills