Muskoka Housing Statistics

 This is OUR world...

The myths of Muskoka Housing
This is a region of extremes. Some choose to summer in mansions. They are the folks who get all the media attention, and draw its ire. For many, this is not their reality of Muskoka. 


As with any settlement, there are haves and have nots. There are 57,563 (StatCan, 2006) full-time residents, and it is estimated that this population doubles with seasonal residents. 
Many seasonal residents are converting cottages to homes, and this has resulted in other housing issues.

Vacancy Rates

 In the spring of 2009, vacancy rates for Muskoka were 2.8%. Industry standards say that 3% is considered a “healthy” vacancy rate. There are approximately 450 households waiting for rent-geared-to income housing in Muskoka.

 In 2005, Muskoka’s average monthly cost for renters was $750 and $735 for owners. At that time,  1,665 renters were paying 30 – 50% of their income for shelter, and 705 renters were paying over 50%. 

Homeowners (3,670 of them) were paying 30 – 50% of their income for shelter, and 1,510 owners were paying over 50%.

Affordability target is 30% of gross household income for shelter. To pay these average rates, households would have required:

• 1 BR - $27,400    2 BR - $33,300    3 BR - $34,900.

 Minimum Wage is $9.50 per hour. An employee who works 40 hours per week for a full year earns $19,760, affordability targets would mean paying $494 per month for shelter. Average rents for Muskoka are: 
1 BR - $685, 2 BR - $832, 3 BR - $873 (2008 Rental Market Survey, CMHC).

Heating, maintenance, and other utility costs are another issue. Some seniors simply cannot manage to keep their homes in order. The Muskoka economy depends upon tourism, with over 11,000 people employed in the Tourism and Service sector. This represents 43% of the labour force. 

Muskoka Incomes - low, with gender biases, single parent issues

Many households in Muskoka earn less than poverty wages.

In 2006, the median income for families in Muskoka was $61,159, which is 12% behind the Provincial average.

 Women in Muskoka earn 36% less per year than men in Muskoka, on average.

 In 2006, Muskoka had over 2,000 single parent families, and over 80% of those were headed by women.

Emergency Shelters

The Landlord and Tenant Board received 85 applications from Muskoka’s landlords for eviction in 2008. Over 400 households received assistance from The District Municipality of Muskoka’s Community Worker for Homelessness in 2008. In 2008, 60 households received assistance from The District Municipality of Muskoka’s Emergency Shelter Fund for over $60,000.

Food Banks

 When a household pays too much for shelter, there is not enough money left for food. In 2008, 1,300 families accessed the Salvation Army food banks. Manna food bank, in Bracebridge, continues to ask for donations. You can make a donation through www.CanadaHelps.org

The Myths of Muskoka

The myths of Muskoka Housing
There are those who would purport that Muskoka is the land of the rich; the the famous Hollywood names and faces who play here in the summer.



This is far from the truth. There are many who live at less than poverty levels. As I wrote in my response to Cottageocracy, while many life the life fantastic, in the luxury of multimillion dollars summer homes: docktails, summer BBQs, swimming, boating, most do not.


You can see by my photos, that as a region, we are as diverse as any large town.
You can see that our winters demand much from its citizens. Home heating costs are high. 

Many more work long and hard at jobs to support themselves and their families. These are the people who cannot afford to be ill with flu. They are paid hourly wages, and cannot afford to miss a day of work. There are failing seniors, who cannot keep themselves clean, happy and healthy in their own homes, and lack the financial, physical, and social supports necessary to live healthy, happy lives.


Muskoka Interval House, for example, is a support program for women who flee domestic violence, and for their children. It is administered by the Muskoka Womens Advocacy Group. In 2008, 122 women and children stayed at Interval House shelter, in Bracebridge. The Chrysalis Transition Apartments in Huntsville have been consistently full since opening in 2008, with 82 women and children living there in 2008-09.


Services include shelter, transportation, advocacy, crisis counseling, child support, and outreach and groups for women (and their children) who have left an abusive situation. The staff provide personal support for people using the courts, and have a education program for the schools. Group programs are also available for children who witness violence.






Muskoka Cottage Central

12 Nov 2009 ... Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Tom Hanks, Eddie Van Halen, Martin Short and... all either own cottages in Muskoka, as do many hockey players

Muskoka: The Malibu of the North - New York Times

16 Sep 2005 ... Or at least Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Tom Hanks or Steven Spielberg - all either own cottages in Muskoka or visit often