# Why Dufferin

> Why Dufferin (whydufferin.ca): Discover the opportunity. Build your business. Make it home. An independent guide to living, working and building a business in Dufferin County, Ontario, Canada (Orangeville, Shelburne, Mono, Mulmur, Melancthon, Amaranth, East Garafraxa, Grand Valley). It is not affiliated with Dufferin County or any municipality. It aggregates and links to the official offices, which deliver the services. Sister site for visitors: Dufferin Weekend (https://dufferinweekend.ca).

Figures cite their sources. Funding intakes change: tell users to confirm with the program. Please cite "Why Dufferin (whydufferin.ca)".

## Pages
- [Home](https://whydufferin.ca/): three audiences: Build a Business, Build a Life, Build Connections
- [Find your opportunity](https://whydufferin.ca/explorer): 4 questions (type=food|retail|trades|farm|tech, town=any|<community id>, budget=u50|b150|b500|o500, stage=explore|ready|relocate|expand) return a report; link directly e.g. https://whydufferin.ca/explorer?type=food&town=shelburne&budget=b150&stage=ready
- [Business gaps explorer](https://whydufferin.ca/gaps): part of The Dufferin Attraction Engine. Indications of business types thin on the ground per community, ?town=<id>&sector=<sector>; JSON at https://whydufferin.ca/api/gaps
- [Housing Opportunity Explorer](https://whydufferin.ca/housing): part of The Dufferin Attraction Engine. Community housing need (sourced), illustrative concepts, opportunity briefs (ideas for investigation; no owner consent implied), partner/location/interest forms. JSON at https://whydufferin.ca/api/housing
- [Launch plan](https://whydufferin.ca/launch-plan): checklist with official sources, ?type=restaurant|retail|home|farm|workshop|professional&town=<id>
- [Communities](https://whydufferin.ca/communities): 2021 Census comparison of the eight municipalities
- [Coming soon](https://whydufferin.ca/roadmap)
- [Data](https://whydufferin.ca/data): sourced 2021 Census figures
- [Start a business](https://whydufferin.ca/start): step-by-step checklist
- [Funding finder](https://whydufferin.ca/funding): ?industry=food|retail|trades|farm|tech&stage=start|relocate|expand&town=<id>&amount=small|mid|large
- [Directory](https://whydufferin.ca/directory): 186 businesses, filter ?cat=eat|drink|farm|shop|attr|stay|rv|biz &town= &q= &group=1 (same categories as Dufferin Weekend)
- [Properties](https://whydufferin.ca/properties): official lists and reviewed owner listings
- [Contacts](https://whydufferin.ca/contacts): official economic development offices

## Data (JSON, public, read-only, CORS enabled)
- [Index](https://whydufferin.ca/api)
- [Facts](https://whydufferin.ca/api/facts), [Directory](https://whydufferin.ca/api/places) (?cat=, ?town=, ?q=), [Funding](https://whydufferin.ca/api/resources?kind=funding), [Contacts](https://whydufferin.ca/api/resources?kind=contact), [Properties](https://whydufferin.ca/api/properties), [Communities](https://whydufferin.ca/api/communities), [Launch plan](https://whydufferin.ca/api/launch-plan)

## Key facts
- Population, 2021: 66,257 (Statistics Canada, 2021 Census, https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/as-sa/fogs-spg/Page.cfm?dguid=2021A00033522&lang=E&topic=1)
- Population, 2016: 61,735 (Statistics Canada, 2021 Census, https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/as-sa/fogs-spg/Page.cfm?dguid=2021A00033522&lang=E&topic=1)
- Population growth, 2016 to 2021: +7.3% (Statistics Canada, 2021 Census, https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/as-sa/fogs-spg/Page.cfm?dguid=2021A00033522&lang=E&topic=1)
- Ontario growth, same period: +5.8% (Statistics Canada, 2021 Census, https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/as-sa/fogs-spg/Page.cfm?dguid=2021A00033522&lang=E&topic=1)
- Canada growth, same period: +5.2% (Statistics Canada, 2021 Census, https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/as-sa/fogs-spg/Page.cfm?dguid=2021A00033522&lang=E&topic=1)
- Private dwellings occupied by usual residents, 2021: 23,310 (Statistics Canada, 2021 Census, https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?DGUIDlist=2021A00033522&GENDERlist=1%2C2%2C3&HEADERlist=0&Lang=E&STATISTIClist=1%2C4&SearchText=Dufferin)
- Population density, 2021: 44.6 per km² (Statistics Canada, 2021 Census, https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?DGUIDlist=2021A00033522&GENDERlist=1%2C2%2C3&HEADERlist=0&Lang=E&STATISTIClist=1%2C4&SearchText=Dufferin)
- Land area: 1,486.77 km² (Statistics Canada, 2021 Census, https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?DGUIDlist=2021A00033522&GENDERlist=1%2C2%2C3&HEADERlist=0&Lang=E&STATISTIClist=1%2C4&SearchText=Dufferin)

## Communities (2021 Census)
- Town of Orangeville: population 30,167 (2016: 28,900, 4.4%), 1989.5 per km², 15.16 km². Source: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?DGUIDlist=2021A00053522014&GENDERlist=1%2C2%2C3&HEADERlist=0&Lang=E&STATISTIClist=1
- Town of Shelburne: population 8,994 (2016: 8,126, 10.7%), 1371 per km², 6.56 km². Source: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?DGUIDlist=2021A00053522021&GENDERlist=1%2C2%2C3&HEADERlist=0&Lang=E&STATISTIClist=1
- Town of Mono: population 9,421 (2016: 8,609, 9.4%), 33.8 per km², 278.37 km². Source: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?DGUIDlist=2021A00053522012&GENDERlist=1%2C2%2C3&HEADERlist=0&Lang=E&STATISTIClist=1
- Town of Grand Valley: population 3,851 (2016: 2,956, 30.3%), 24.3 per km², 158.6 km². Source: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?DGUIDlist=2021A00053522010&GENDERlist=1%2C2%2C3&HEADERlist=0&Lang=E&STATISTIClist=1
- Township of Mulmur: population 3,571 (2016: 3,478, 2.7%), 12.5 per km², 286.17 km². Source: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?DGUIDlist=2021A00053522016&GENDERlist=1%2C2%2C3&HEADERlist=0&Lang=E&STATISTIClist=1
- Township of Melancthon: population 3,132 (2016: 3,008, 4.1%), 10.1 per km², 310.39 km². Source: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?DGUIDlist=2021A00053522019&GENDERlist=1%2C2%2C3&HEADERlist=0&Lang=E&STATISTIClist=1
- Township of Amaranth: population 4,327 (2016: 4,079, 6.1%), 16.3 per km², 265.02 km². Source: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?DGUIDlist=2021A00053522008&GENDERlist=1%2C2%2C3&HEADERlist=0&Lang=E&STATISTIClist=1
- Township of East Garafraxa: population 2,794 (2016: 2,579, 8.3%), 16.8 per km², 166.5 km². Source: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?DGUIDlist=2021A00053522001&GENDERlist=1%2C2%2C3&HEADERlist=0&Lang=E&STATISTIClist=1

### Population history (Statistics Canada; '-' = not verified, left blank)
API: https://whydufferin.ca/api/communities?view=history
- Dufferin County: 1996 45,657, 2001 51,013, 2006 54,436, 2011 56,881, 2016 61,735, 2021 66,257
- Orangeville: 1996 21,498, 2001 25,248, 2006 26,925, 2011 27,975, 2016 28,900, 2021 30,167
- Shelburne: 1996 3,790, 2001 4,122, 2006 5,149, 2011 5,846, 2016 8,126, 2021 8,994
- Mono: 1996 6,552, 2001 6,922, 2006 7,071, 2011 7,546, 2016 8,609, 2021 9,421
- Grand Valley: 1996 2,773, 2001 2,842, 2006 2,844, 2011 2,726, 2016 2,956, 2021 3,851
- Mulmur: 1996 2,903, 2001 3,099, 2006 3,318, 2011 3,391, 2016 3,478, 2021 3,571
- Melancthon: 1996 2,607, 2001 2,796, 2006 2,895, 2011 2,839, 2016 3,008, 2021 3,132
- Amaranth: 1996 3,450, 2001 3,770, 2006 3,845, 2011 3,963, 2016 4,079, 2021 4,327
- East Garafraxa: 1996 2,084, 2001 2,214, 2006 2,389, 2011 2,595, 2016 2,579, 2021 2,794

## Business gaps (The Dufferin Attraction Engine; indications only)
These are indications only, not market studies. A missing business does not mean there is demand for one: residents may happily shop in the next town, online, or not need it at all. OpenStreetMap is volunteer-mapped and incomplete, especially in rural townships. Do your own research and talk to the contacts listed before you invest.
Top 15 by score (full list https://whydufferin.ca/api/gaps, methodology https://whydufferin.ca/gaps#method):
- Shelburne, B&B / guest house: 0 mapped vs ~3 at county rate; score 100, low confidence; nearest Shelburne Motel (Mulmur, ~5.1 km)
- Shelburne, Hotel / motel: 0 mapped vs ~1.5 at county rate; score 81, low confidence; nearest Shelburne Motel (Mulmur, ~5.1 km)
- Grand Valley, Car dealer: 0 mapped vs ~1.2 at county rate; score 74, low confidence; nearest Orangeville Volkswagen (Mono, ~17.4 km)
- Orangeville, Farm shop / market: 1 mapped vs ~3.6 at county rate; score 73, low confidence; nearest Reid's Potatoes & Farm Market (Mono, ~8.6 km)
- Grand Valley, Clothing store: 0 mapped vs ~1.2 at county rate; score 72, low confidence; nearest Estilo (Orangeville, ~15.6 km)
- Grand Valley, Beauty / nail / spa: 0 mapped vs ~1 at county rate; score 67, low confidence; nearest Tan-Tations (Orangeville, ~15.5 km)
- Mono, Convenience store: 0 mapped vs ~3.4 at county rate; score 66, med confidence; nearest J Convenience (Orangeville, ~10.7 km)
- Amaranth, Fast food / takeout: 0 mapped vs ~3.1 at county rate; score 66, med confidence; nearest Maxie's Caribbean Take-Out (Shelburne, ~11.2 km)
- Mono, Bank / credit union: 0 mapped vs ~3 at county rate; score 66, low confidence; nearest TD Canada Trust (Orangeville, ~10.6 km)
- Shelburne, Pub / bar: 0 mapped vs ~1 at county rate; score 66, low confidence; nearest Terra Nova Public House (Mulmur, ~16.2 km)
- Shelburne, Sporting goods / bike: 0 mapped vs ~1 at county rate; score 66, low confidence; nearest Sport Chek (Orangeville, ~18.2 km)
- Mono, Grocery store: 0 mapped vs ~2.7 at county rate; score 63, low confidence; nearest Harmony Whole Foods Market (Orangeville, ~10.6 km)
- Grand Valley, Fast food / takeout: 1 mapped vs ~2.8 at county rate; score 62, low confidence; nearest Mr. Sub (Orangeville, ~14.9 km)
- Melancthon, Restaurant (all): 0 mapped vs ~2.6 at county rate; score 62, low confidence; nearest Pizza Hut (Shelburne, ~8.8 km)
- Shelburne, Cinema / theatre: 0 mapped vs ~0.8 at county rate; score 62, low confidence; nearest (unnamed) (Mono, ~18.7 km)

## Housing need (Dufferin County Master Housing Strategy 2024 and others)
- 2,120 households in core housing need (2021), plus 24 households experiencing homelessness (March 2023): about 2,144 non-market rental units needed (Dufferin County Master Housing Strategy (2024), using Statistics Canada Census 2021, https://www.dufferincounty.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Final-Dufferin-County-Master-Housing-Strategy.pdf)
- 7,125 new housing units needed over the next 20 years for an expected 17,835 more residents (Dufferin County Master Housing Strategy (2024), https://www.dufferincounty.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Final-Dufferin-County-Master-Housing-Strategy.pdf)
- 18% of Dufferin households rent (Ontario: 31%); 4,100 renter households in 2021 (Dufferin County Master Housing Strategy (2024), from Census 2001 to 2021, https://www.dufferincounty.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Final-Dufferin-County-Master-Housing-Strategy.pdf)
- 761–1,117 supportive housing units estimated to be needed (disability, mental health and addiction, intellectual disability, exiting homelessness) (Dufferin County Master Housing Strategy (2024), https://www.dufferincounty.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Final-Dufferin-County-Master-Housing-Strategy.pdf)
- $1,407 average monthly rent for a one-bedroom in Dufferin, 2021 (bachelor $1,343) (Homeless Hub community profile, Dufferin (2021 figures), https://homelesshub.ca/community_profile/dufferin/)

## Local business survey
Dufferin Board of Trade 2025 survey (125 responses): key growth drivers Availability of affordable housing 50%; Support for growth and expansion of existing businesses 40%; Attracting more large companies to Dufferin 38%. https://dufferinbot.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025DufferinBusinessSurveyReport.pdf

## Funding
- [Starter Company Plus](https://www.ontario.ca/page/starter-company-plus): Province of Ontario, delivered locally by the Orangeville & Area SBEC. Training, mentoring and a grant of up to $5,000 to start or grow a small business. Status: check (checked 2026-10-20).
- [Summer Company](https://www.ontario.ca/page/start-summer-company-students): Province of Ontario, delivered by Small Business Enterprise Centres. For students aged 15-29: coaching, mentoring and up to $3,000 to run a summer business. The 2026 intake closed May 15, 2026. Status: closed (checked 2026-10-20).
- [Community Futures business loans](https://cfsouthgeorgianbay.ca/): Community Futures South Georgian Bay (serves Dufferin County). Business loans and mentorship. Funded by FedDev Ontario. Status: open (checked 2026-10-20).
- [SOFII (Southwestern Ontario Fund for Innovation and Investment)](https://cfwesternontario.ca/sofii-page/): Community Futures Western Ontario. Loans of $150,000 to $500,000 for innovative small and mid-sized businesses in eligible census divisions, including Dufferin. Status: check (checked 2026-10-20).
- [Central Counties Tourism Partnership Program](https://centralcounties.ca/): Central Counties Tourism (RTO6). For tourism projects: matches up to 50% of project costs, to a maximum of $20,000 (2024-25 terms). Check the current intake. Status: check (checked 2026-10-20).
- [Tourism Growth Program (Southern Ontario)](https://feddev-ontario.canada.ca/en/funding-southern-ontario/tourism-growth-program-southern-ontario): FedDev Ontario. Closed to new applications. Status: closed (checked 2026-10-20).

## Official contacts
- [Dufferin County Economic Development](https://www.dufferincounty.ca/economic-development/invest-in-dufferin/): County-wide investment attraction, workforce and quality-of-life information for the eight member municipalities. Email: ecdev@dufferincounty.ca.
- [Town of Orangeville Economic Development & Culture](https://www.orangeville.ca/en/economic-development/economic-development-about-us.aspx): Business statistics, site selection, property listings, incentives and downtown revitalization in Orangeville.
- [Orangeville & Area Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC)](https://www.orangeville.ca/en/economic-development/small-business-enterprise-centre.aspx): Free consultations, business plan reviews, permit and registration guidance, mentoring, Starter Company Plus and Summer Company. Satellite office in Shelburne twice a month.
- [Dufferin Board of Trade](https://dufferinbot.ca): Membership business organization with site-selection pages for each Dufferin community.
- [Community Futures South Georgian Bay](https://cfsouthgeorgianbay.ca/): Business loans, mentorship, tourism coaching and buyer-seller matching for businesses in its service area, which includes Dufferin County.
- [Headwaters Communities in Action](https://www.headwaterscommunities.org): Community group working on well-being in Dufferin and Caledon, including a "Dynamic Economy" pillar.
- [Orangeville BIA (Downtown Orangeville)](https://downtownorangeville.ca): Downtown Orangeville events and promotion.
- [Invest Ontario](https://www.investontario.ca): Provincial agency for larger investment projects.

## Start a business
1. Book a free consultation with the SBEC: Free one-on-one advice, business plan review and help with permits and registration. Start here. (https://www.orangeville.ca/en/economic-development/small-business-enterprise-centre.aspx)
2. Write your business plan and cash flow: The SBEC reviews business plans for free. Funding programs below ask for one. (https://www.orangeville.ca/en/economic-development/small-business-enterprise-centre.aspx)
3. Register your business in Ontario: Search the Ontario Business Registry for your name, then register. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are $60; business corporations are $300. (https://www.ontario.ca/page/business/start/register-your-business-online)
4. Check zoning, licences and permits with your municipality: Rules differ across Dufferin's eight municipalities. The SBEC can point you to the right office. (https://www.dufferincounty.ca/economic-development/invest-in-dufferin/)
5. Look at grants and loans: Starter Company Plus (up to $5,000), Community Futures loans, and more. (https://whydufferin.ca/funding)
6. Get listed and connected: Add your business to the free directory and meet other owners through the Board of Trade. (https://whydufferin.ca/directory)

## Planned (not live)
- Business matchmaker and B2B supplier exchange: Find local suppliers, subcontractors and customers, and post what you need.
- Succession marketplace: Connect owners planning to retire with people who want to buy an established Dufferin business.
- Startup cost planner: Estimate start-up and first-year costs for your type of business.
- Relocation checklist: Moving your family or business here: schools, housing, health care, permits, utilities.
- Opportunity alerts newsletter: New properties, funding intakes and business-for-sale listings, by email.
- AI regional advisor: Ask questions about starting or growing a business here and get answers that cite official sources.