Elgin County


Elgin County is a county of the Canadian province of Ontario with a 2016 population of 50,069. Its population centres are Aylmer, Port Stanley, Belmont, Dutton and West Lorne. The county seat is St. Thomas, which is separated from the county but within its geographic boundary.

Subdivisions

Elgin County is composed of seven incorporated municipalities :
The City of St. Thomas is geographically within the boundaries of Elgin County and part of the Elgin census division, but is separated from county administration.

Historical townships

Originally Elgin County was once part of Middlesex County, which was reorganized as the United Counties of Middlesex and Elgin in 1851. Elgin was named after Lord Elgin, who was Governor-General of Canada at the time.
The County was separated from Middlesex in September 1853.
TownshipAreaDescription
AldboroughIn the early days it had a forest of oak, chestnut and black walnut. It was first settled in 1804.
BayhamOrganized in 1810. It was named for Bayham Abbey in Kent.
DunwichFirst settled in 1803. During the War of 1812 only twelve families lived in the township. In 1817 a company of Selkirk's Highlander settled in the Township The Township is named after Dunwich in Suffolk.
MalahideOrganized in 1810, named for Malahide Castle in Ireland, the former home of Thomas Talbot, patriot of the region. The Township was first settled in 1810.
South DorchesterAlthough surveyed in 1798, it was not settled until 1826.
SouthwoldOpened for settlement in 1797, however the first colonist arrived in 1809. Named for Southwold in Suffolk.
YarmouthSurveyed in 1792 and settled in 1810.

Demographics

Elgin County had a population of 50,069 based on the 2016 Canada census, representing a 1.0% growth since the 2011 census, lower than the provincial average of 4.6%. Residents of Elgin County are slightly older and poorer than the Ontario average. Specifically, as of 2016, the median age of Elgin County is 42.5 years, older than the Ontario median of 41.3. The median household income was $66,494 which is lower than the provincial average of $74,287.

Notable persons from Elgin County