About Hamilton
Hamilton is one of Canada’s oldest industrial and commercial cities which is undergoing a slow transition from heavy industry and manufacturing to a post-industrial economy. Employment and other economic factors compare poorly with other major cities in Ontario, although with well over half-a-million people—growing by 5.9% from 2001 to 2006—the city should experience an improvement in the future.
By looking at the densely populated industrial city, one would never have guessed that Hamilton was once nothing more than a farm bought by George Hamilton shortly after the War of 1812. Town limits were drawn in 1833, with city status achieved in 1846. George Hamilton did not know that his purchase of the Durand family farm would one day become the 9th largest city in Canada and 3rd largest in Ontario. Hamilton is now home to the Art Gallery of Hamilton, Ontario’s 3rd largest art gallery, and offers over 20 golf courses, hosting the Canadian Open four times.
For some Quick Facts about Hamilton click here.
Downtown Hamilton is a Happening Place
The city’s core has added a total of 2,700 jobs and residents since 2001. Salaries are well above the city and provincial averages. The sectors that have added jobs are government, scientific and financial fields.
Hamilton is successfully transitioning from a manufacturing-based city to the new knowledge economy.
A report Working in the Core commissioned by the city, calls the core an “economic powerhouse” and says “downtown will be Hamilton’s calling card to attract next generation talent and provide diverse and well-paying economic opportunities”
In 2006 the average full-time salary for the core was $53,926. That is well above the city and provincial averages of $39,500 and $37,700.
Downtown Hamilton is vibrant and growing. Hamilton has interesting urban architecture, space for intensification, downtown amenities, development incentives and high affordability.
Currently McMaster University is searching for a location for a digital media school.
Financial Incentive Programs
The City of Hamilton offers financial incentive programs in the form of loans and grants to assist with various costs associated with development/redevelopment in the Downtowns, Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) and commercial corridors. The Downtown and Community Renewal Community Improvement Plan provides the basis through which these programs are provided. In addition, development within a defined area of Downtown Hamilton is exempt from development charges.
For more information about these programs click here.
2006 Census Highlights for the City of Hamilton
Hamilton's population increased by 14,280, or 2.91% from 2001 to 2006, representing a decrease over the 4.8% growth rate from 1996 to 2001 and somewhat lower in comparison to the Ontario’s growth rate of 6.6%, which also exceeded the 5.4% Canada’s national average.
Hamilton has the eighth largest population of all Canadian cities and remains the fourth largest of all Ontario cities, preceded by Toronto, Ottawa and Mississauga.
According to the 2006 Census, Italian is spoken by 32,120 Hamilton residents (the most of any non-official language in response to language spoken most often at home for both the single and multiple responses combined), followed by Polish, Portuguese and Spanish.
According to the 2006 Census, just over 1/4 of Hamilton's population are immigrants, slightly higher than the 24.7% in 2001 and 13.6% of the population are visible minorities an increase of 15,410 from 2001 to 2006.
Hamilton's employed labour force increased by 5.6%, while the unemployed labour force increased 6.7% between 2001 and 2006 compared to the previous census cycle when the employed labour force increased by 10%, while the unemployed labour force decreased by 24% between 1996 and 2001.
Both the communities of Glanbrook and Ancaster showed a significant percentage population change for a combined increase in total population of some 8,895 individuals. Generally, all communities contributed to the growth of the City with the exception of the community of Hamilton showing a slight decline in its overall population but remaining consistent at 329,820.
This information was taken from City of Hamilton web site
City's economic development boss wins top Ontario honour. For more information click here.
