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Community Profile

The City of St. Thomas is part of the Great Lakes region, in the center of Southwestern Ontario. Our community consists of five municipalities that, together, form a market area containing over 65,000 people. Our area forms the core of Elgin County with total population of 81,553 (2001 census). St. Thomas & Elgin are forecast to have the highest growth of all Southwestern Ontario communities over the next 15 years. The Ontario government expects 25-28% growth overall by the year 2016. 

St. Thomas is a leader in job creation, housing starts and economic activity. In the last 5 years, more than $190 million has been invested in new industrial, commercial and residential developments. Since 1997, over 2,600 new jobs in manufacturing, technology and related services have been created, adding over $92 million in new annual payroll dollars to the local economy. The past year has been St. Thomas' best ever for housing construction, with 247 new single family homes built. 

The City of St. Thomas is 28 km. (18 miles) south of London, 193 km. (120 miles) southwest of Toronto, 14 km. (9 miles) from the shore of Lake Erie. The City is only 8 minutes' drive south of Highway 401 via any of three convenient exits: Highbury, Wellington Road or Colonel Talbot Road. Population within the City limits was registered at 33,236 in the latest census (2001), and is estimated today at 36,000 in 2000. The average age of persons living here is 37.2, identical to the Ontario average. There are over 14,290 households (10,450 detached or semidetached units; 3,850 apartment/condo units). 1,260 businesses operate within the municipal limits. An Official Plan and zoning bylaws for the City and adjacent municipalities are in force. St. Thomas ranks 51st in size among 912 Ontario cities and is part of the London Census Metropolitan Area, the 10th largest market in Canada. Total local retail spending in St. Thomas/Elgin annually exceeds $710 million.

St. Thomas was exclusively an agricultural centre before the coming of railroads and associated industries. Agriculture remains extensive, exceeded in economic value only by manufacturing. Our central location, halfway between the US/Canada borders at Windsor/Detroit and Fort Erie/Buffalo and only one hour from the Sarnia/Port Huron border, allows convenient and easy access to and from all parts of northeastern Canada and the United States. St. Thomas' proximity to Port Stanley, the only deep-water harbor/shipping facility on Lake Erie's north shore, combined with convenient access to arterial highways, rail lines and all other forms of transportation, have caused the community to be recognized by many businesses as an ideal location. One of every four jobs in the local economy is in high technology manufacturing, a number significantly higher than the provincial average. Many major employers are well known world leaders. Among them, the Ford Motor Company St. Thomas Assembly Plant, which employs almost 3.000 persons. The plant has a massive floor space of 2.5 million square feet and is the only outlet in North America building the popular full size Crown Victoria models. Sterling Truck Corporation produces over 100 full-size highway vehicles each day at its St. Thomas plant and Magna International's Cosma Division is headquartered here, along with the Formet Industries plant that is the largest automotive frame manufacturing plant in the world.

AREA: City 8,056 acres (3,260 hectares) Approximately 1,600 acres in the northeast section of the City is zoned to accommodate existing and future industries. 
Elgin County covers 725 square miles (1,160 square kilometers).
MEAN HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL: 760 feet
WEATHER: Average summer temperature 25.3 degrees C (77.5 degrees F)
Average winter temperature 2.0 degrees C (35.6 degrees F)
The annual volume of precipitation in our area is considered moderate. 
Average annual rainfall amounts to 939 mm (36.9 inches). 
Average annual snowfall is minimal at 112 cm (44 inches). 

 Neighbouring Communities         Back to Top

• Municipality of Central Elgin:  
  (2001 Census population 12,630) Formed January 1, 1998, Central Elgin is most of the area south and east of St. Thomas and is the result of amalgamation of the former Villages of Belmont and Port Stanley and the Township of Yarmouth. Central Elgin includes a concentrated suburban population adjacent to St. Thomas' city limits. A strong agricultural industry has evolved a mix of a wide variety of livestock producers and growers of beans, corn, wheat and other staples plus wineries and producers of specialty items. Water sports, commercial & recreational fishing, and tourism are an expanding part of the economic base, especially at Port Stanley harbour, the municipalities' southern edge.
  
• Township of Southwold: (2001 Census population 4,487)
  Southwold is the site of the Ford Motor Company's St. Thomas Assembly Plant as well as a significant population of agricultural and related enterprises.
  

 Education Facilities                     Back to Top

• Public primary and secondary schools are operated by the Thames Valley District School Board and the London District Catholic School Board. Within St. Thomas there are 13 Elementary schools and 6 Secondary Schools
• Fanshawe College The St. Thomas/Elgin Campus is a modern, state-of-the-art facility providing a wide range of services including adult education, continuing education, customized training services, counseling, & youth programs. Opened in January 1997, popularity and market demand for Fanshawe's local campus continues to grow with campus space nowtotalling 45,000 square feet. Fanshawe presently serves a population of approximately 500 full time and 3,200 part time students.
• St. Thomas Adult Learning Centre A main, St. Thomas-based location and satellite centres throughout Elgin County are operated year round by the Thames Valley District School Board offering a variety of retraining and upgrading programs, counselling and assessments for adults.
• 3 Alternative Private Elementary Schools 
• Numerous Private & Public Nursery Schools/Day Care Centres
• The University of Western Ontario and the Fanshawe College Main Campus are both within easy commuting distance in London.
  
  The school term for all primary and secondary students begins in September and ends in June. Under Ontario law, inoculations are required for students for diphtheria, polio, tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella. School textbooks are supplied free of charge to all primary and secondary students, except in a limited number of special or advanced courses. Bus transportation is provided for all students living outside of walking distance as well as for all developmentally disabled students. 

 Recreation Facilities                   Back to Top

• ST. THOMAS COMMUNITY COMPLEX – opened in September 2005, this new facility offers twin professional-sized rinks, the main ice surface incorporates stadium and floor level seating for up to 3,500 people. Other features include a combined multi-purpose auditorium/gymnasium with bleacher style seating, event rooms with licensed capacity of 150 to 400 people, and an indoor walking/running track.

• DOUGLAS J. TARRY SPORTS COMPLEX – Site includes one of southern Ontario's best baseball tournament complexes with 5 fully illuminated ball diamonds, a parking area, playground, field house, food services and a park/picnic area. This complex was the site of the 2005 Canadian Sr. Men’s Fastball Championships and the 2001 Canada Summer Games baseball competitions.

• ST.THOMAS-ELGIN MEMORIAL ARENA - multi-purpose, 2,600 seats, ice surface (hockey, skating, etc.) separate auditorium and meeting room(s), Auditorium AGCO licensed capacity is 275 persons.

• NORTHSIDE SWIMMING POOL – offers community outdoor recreational swimming and instruction for children from the end of June to the first weekend of September. Site incorporates a 25m. pool and separate diving well.

• SKATEBOARD PARK – Intermediate level recreational skateboarding surface, located just off Talbot Street near the Ross Street underpass

• PINAFORE PARK – 90 acres, featuring bird aviary, wildlife sanctuary, children's play area and St. Thomas Rotary splash pad, food concessions, 2 bandshells, covered pavilions for picnics, memory garden etc., lighted ball park with grandstand, washrooms, dressing rooms, etc.; 20 acres of formal gardens.

• WATERWORKS PARK (W.A. Allan Waterworks Park) – 100 acres, rustic bridges joining flower-lined bridle paths through a network of lily ponds, ornamental gardens, and a unity peace labyrinth. Playground equipment, splash area, supervised wading pool and picnic shelters are also available.

• GOLF COURSES:
  St. Thomas Golf & Country Club – 18 hole (private) 
  Port Stanley Bluffs Golf Course – 9 hole (public)           
  Kettle Creek Golf & Country Club – 18 hole (semi-private)
  Pleasant Valley Golf & Country Club – 18 hole (public)         
  Tarandowah Golfers Club - practice facility, with plans to expand to semi-private 18 hole course 
  Talbot Park Driving Range 
  Redtail Golf Club – 18 hole (private)                                      Belmont Golf Course – 9 hole (public)
• FAMILY YMCA Recreation Complex – Full service community, fitness and recreational facility, including junior Olympic size swimming pool.
• Various private clubs & facilities for fitness, exercise, etc.
• St. Thomas Curling Club – Members club with facilities may be available for private functions at limited times through the year. 
• BASEBALL, SOCCER & TENNIS – numerous sites
• SECONDARY SCHOOL AND CHURCH gymnasiums and auditoriums
• DALEWOOD CONSERVATION AREA: 700 acres featuring camping facilities, hiking trails, canoeing, swimming pool.
• 23 NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYGROUNDS
  

 Community Services & Facilities   Back to Top

• CHURCHES:
  There are over 50 denominational and community churches within our region. Roman Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, United, Baptist, Lutheran, Reformed, Salvation Army, Latter Day Saints, Pentecostal, Mennonite, 7th Day Adventist, Jehovah’s Witness, Missionary, Evangelical, and  Ba’hai faith groups are all represented. 
  
  
• COMMUNITY FACILITIES: Those listed here are municipal and not-for-profit general use facilities. (contact the Chamber office for full listings, including private sector and other recreation or cultural  facilities not shown here. Also, search the "Halls & Special Event Facilities" category in the Business Directory section of this website.) 
  — St. Thomas-Elgin Memorial Centre: multipurpose, auditorium and meeting room(s), ACGO licensed. Auditorium capacity is 275 persons.
  — Northside Arena & Swimming Pool: multipurpose, 860 seats, private meeting room(s) available
  — HI-RO Shrine Club: multipurpose, meeting rooms, food service, etc.
  — Oddfellows Hall: multipurpose, meeting rooms, banquet facilities, etc.
  — Royal Canadian Legion Hall: branches in St. Thomas & Port Stanley: multipurpose, meeting rooms with kitchens, etc.
  — Elgin Labor Centre: multipurpose, meeting rooms, banquets, etc.
  — St. Anne's Centre: multipurpose auditorium, capacity 700 persons; meeting rooms
  — St. Thomas Seniors' Centre: board & multipurpose rooms are available for use by the general public (programs for those aged 50+)
  
• ELGIN ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: A social service agency providing support and services to people who have a Developmental disability. Administration Office 400 Talbot Street, Hours Monday Friday 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. 631-9222. 
  
• SERVICE CLUBS & COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
  St. Thomas has many national, international, civic and fraternal groups. The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce 
  also publishes a complete list of service clubs and community organizations. For information about these, contact the Chamber at: mail@stthomaschamber.on.ca or call 519-631-1981

 Medical Services                          Back to Top

• For referral to physicians, surgeons, dentists, etc., contact St. Thomas Elgin Medical Association, P. O. Box 2007, St. Thomas, ON N5P 3W2 or telephone 631-1450.
• ELGIN-ST. THOMAS HEALTH UNIT: provides numerous public health programs and services across Elgin to support, promote and protect the health of area residents; 24hour response. Main office location in St. Thomas, 99 Edward Street, 631-9900. 
• ST. THOMAS-ELGIN GENERAL HOSPITAL: 187 acute and chronic care beds, full-service; 24-hour emergency unit; staff of 850 persons.  Located at 189 Elm Street, St. Thomas. Phone: 519-631-2020.
• REGIONAL MENTAL HEALTH CARE, ST. THOMAS: A branch of St. Joseph's Health Care; staff of 655 persons. 24hour operation. Serves Elgin, Kent, Essex and Lambton Counties and the Norfolk Region. Located on Sunset Drive just south of city limits. 631-8510.

• MEDICAL CLINIC & SUPPORT SERVICES: Privately-owned walk-in medical clinics provide physicians' services during nontraditional hours, including weekends and evenings. A number of rehabilitation, therapy and counselling facilities provide extensive services. Call the Chamber of Commerce for referrals or consult the Chamber's on-line and/or published Business Directory.

 Transportation Services               Back to Top

• ST. THOMAS TRANSIT SERVICES: Municipal buses serve all areas of the City, Monday to Friday 7:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m., Saturday service 9:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. Various intercity bus companies serve St. Thomas Bus Depot. 
  St. Thomas ParaTransit operates Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ParaTransit riders must be registered users. Apply at the Environmental Services Dept.     St. Thomas City Hall, 545 Talbot St.
  
• TAXI & COURIER SERVICES: Two taxi operators and two limousine/charter services provide ground transportation in the St. Thomas area. There are also a number of local courier and delivery offering specialty servi. All major national and international courier companies including UPS, Purolator, Loomis, Federal Express, etc. serve the St. Thomas region daily. Several independent local companies provide specialized or customized courier and transportation services to area businesses.
  
• RAIL & AIRLINE SERVICES: London Airport, which is approximately 30 minutes' drive from St. Thomas, is served by a variety of connector services to Toronto, Detroit, Pittsburgh and Cleveland airports. Air Ontario, Canadian Regional, US Air, Northwest Airlines, etc. Various charter flights originate here. Frequent ground transportation to Toronto and Detroit airports is also available. VIA Rail passenger service is accessible from the downtown London CN train station.
  
• ST. THOMAS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT: 5,050 foot main runway, 3 runways, 4 IFR approaches, full fuel service including jet fuel, fixed wing single & multiengine charters flight school, professional/ commercial/private license training aircraft maintenance and repair facilities, Canada Customs & Immigration services. The St. Thomas Municipal Airport serves industry and the public and has the capacity to handle most corporate jets as well as the largest aircraft used by the Canadian Armed Forces. The airport is open seven days a week, 8:00 a.m. to dusk. Other times upon request. Call 519-633-5866.

 Emergency Services                     Back to Top

• PROTECTIVE SERVICES EMERGENCY: CALL 911
  
• POLICE SERVICES 
  St. Thomas City Police: The municipal police service provides for all the community's law enforcement and emergency needs and is responsible for the operation and administration of a broad range of services including the Crime Stoppers program and various Community Crime Prevention programs. Phones: 631-1224 (Administration) 911 (Emergency) 631-8477 (Crime Stoppers)
  
  Ontario Provincial Police: (Elgin Headquarters/St. Thomas Detachment) This detachment serves area of 328 square miles adjacent to St. Thomas including Central Elgin, Southwold, South Dorchester and Malahide Townships. This office also coordinates all OPP administrative work for Elgin County including Dutton and Tillsonburg detachments. Emergency 911. 
  
  
• FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES
  St. Thomas Fire Department: The city of St. Thomas provides a comprehensive full-time professional firefighting and emergency paramedical/rescue services. The department administrates a variety of safety, education and community service program. Water pressure at outlying distribution points is 34 lb. to 50 lb. (750 g.p.m.) at hydrants. Phones: 631-0210 (Business Office) Fire Emergency calls 911.
  
  Composite (professional/volunteer) Fire Services provide service to all areas of our region beyond St. Thomas' city Limits. Emergency call 911.
  
  Elgin-St.Thomas EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Operated by Thames EMS Inc. Serving St.Thomas and all of Elgin County with six ambulances and one Emergency First Response vehicle operating out of 5 stations. Elgin-St.Thomas EMS currently employs 75 Full and Part Time primary care Paramedics."
  

 Cultural Facilities                         Back to Top

• St. Thomas and area have a number of facilities, sites & attractions, and organizations offering daily services and special events. Among them are: 
  – St. Thomas Public Library  
  – St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre
  – Elgin County Archives
  – Elgin County Museum
  – Elgin Military Museum
  – Elgin Theatre Guild 
  – Performing Arts Societies in both St. Thomas and Aylmer
  – The Jumbo Monument 
  – Elgin County Railway Museum  
  – Port Stanley Terminal Rail 
  – Southern Ontario Locomotive Restoration Society
  – Port Stanley Festival Theatre 
  – various historical sites
  
  The area is recognized for many outstanding examples of Victorian architecture. Maps, brochures with suggested walking tours and points of interest are distributed at various locations.
  

 Housing & Utilities                       Back to Top

• Private homes (current prices range $65,000. to $500,000.+) Average selling price for a single family 3 bedroom home is approximately $125,000. Average rental price for a modern, two-bedroom unit in a multi-storey building is $655 per month, plus utilities. St. Thomas offers a broad choice in multifamily units, high-rise apartments, geared-to-income units, semi-detached housing, etc. The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce will provide referrals to licensed real estate professionals. The Chamber also produces a local guide to professional realtors, builders and developers. Free of charge upon request.
  
• RESIDENTIAL UTILITY COSTS
  Electrical: Average monthly residential electricity consumption for a model 3-4 person household costs $80.00 to $100.00
  Water: The present residential monthly average water bill is $40.00, including all system & fire charges.
  Telecommunications: Single line residential telephone service averages $28.00 per month plus long-distance charges, service options, etc. Bell Canada serves most of the region, excepting the Aylmer area. An independent carrier, Amtelecom, provides service to most of Aylmer and East Elgin. Business and residential telephone service includes toll-free local calling throughout the entire London/St. Thomas/Aylmer Region. Local Area Code is 519. A full selection of digital services is available in all local exchanges for all forms of voice and data transmission
  Television: Cable television or satellite service costs range from $25 per month for basic services to $60 per month for services offering 250+ channels.
  Heating: Average season home heating costs (natural gas) approximately $1210.
  

 Media                                           Back to Top

• St. Thomas Times-Journal daily (Monday to Saturday) tabloid newspaper 631-2790.
• London Free Press daily (7 days/week) broadsheet newspaper 631-3414. 
• Elgin County Market weekly advertising tabloid 631-3782
• Aylmer Express weekly broadsheet newspaper 773-3126
• Television: excellent off-air reception on 10 channels (Canadian & US). Full access to satellite services. Cable TV services available in all communities within our area.
• Radio Stations: Choose from 8 AM and FM based stations in the London/St. Thomas region.

 Environmental Services               Back to Top

• St. Thomas has an outstanding waste management program in place. Recognized as a national leader, our local efforts have been the model used for development of similar programs throughout North America.
  The program for individual residences includes weekly garbage removal plus biweekly curbside removal of "Blue Box" recyclables and compostable materials on alternating weeks. All municipal waste services are managed for the City of St. Thomas by Green Lane Environmental Group Limited. For program information or an information kit for new residents may call Green Lane at 631-7970. 
• Outside St. Thomas, waste collection and recycling services differ in each municipality. For details contact the administrative offices specific to each community.
  

 Need More Details?                      Back to Top

The St. Thomas region has a number of not-for-profit or government-sponsored agencies and services that work to better the economic health by providing assistance to individuals in the workforce and/or investors wishing to establish or expand here. 

• ST. THOMAS & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
  Part of the largest business network in the world, the St. Thomas & District Chamber is a specialist in business and community information serving the needs of over 675 local businesses registered as Members. The Chamber of Commerce manages an active calendar of special events; works to assist and inform new, potential and existing businesses; and maintains the most extensive collection of data on commerce in the region. The Chamber houses a publicly-accessible CAP (Community Access Program) computer lab providing Members and the community with free access to a high-speed Internet connection and current business software. Numerous publications including maps and business directories are available from the Chamber office. 
  
• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION:
  The St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation provides assistance, for companies looking for land/buildings, in which to establish their business in St. Thomas and Central Elgin. As agent for the City of St. Thomas, the E. D. C. has available a wide range of serviced industrial building lots under the ownership of the municipality as well as the Corporation for purchase. The Corporation maintains a detailed inventory of vacant industrial buildings that are available for either lease or purchase. The E.D.C. will, in consultation with a client, prepare confidential, custom information packages detailing local opportunities. Telephone 631-1680 Extension 132.
  
• ELGIN COMMUNITY FUTURES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: Also known as Elgin CFDC, this is a community based, non-profit organization which strives to assist small and medium-sized businesses in St. Thomas and Elgin County. Operating for over 14 years, Elgin CFDC houses a Business Resource Centre for local business- people and works to assist entrepreneurs in the startup and growth of successful business operations. In addition Elgin CFDC provides business loans, training services and houses a Community Access Program computer site, similar to the one located in the Chamber of Commerce.
  
• EMPLOYMENT SERVICES ELGIN: This agency brings together a variety of Federal, Provincial and Municipal programs and services for employer and worker clients. Employer and/or employment programs of Human Resources & Skills Development Canada, Elgin Association for Community Living, Youth Employment Counselling Centre, Fanshawe College Employment Services and the YWCA are administered. St. Thomas telephone 631-5470, Aylmer area call 765-2082. For services in West Elgin call 768-0020 
  
• COMMUNITY INFORMATION 
  St.Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce
  555 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON N5P 1C5
  Telephone: 519-631-1981 FAX: 519-631-0466
  Email: mail@stthomaschamber.on.ca
  Office Hours: Monday Friday 8:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
  
  The Chamber office provides referrals to the public on local businesses and services, and maintains extensive information on community services, programs, and activities. When making any request for information from us, please feel welcome to request material in the format most convenient for you.
  
• Other publications produced or distributed by the Chamber of Commerce:
  — St. Thomas City Maps (includes adjacent communities)
  — Elgin County Maps
  — St. Thomas & Elgin County Manufacturers & Distributors Directory
  — St. Thomas & Elgin County Community & Social Services Directory
  — Business StartUp Contacts list
  — Business StartUp Checklist
  — St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce Membership & Buyer’s Guide
  — St. Thomas/Elgin Visitors Guide
  — Restaurant & Dining Guide (over 30 recommended facilities)   — St. Thomas & Area service club/recreation organization lists
  — St. Thomas & Area Real Estate Services (Recommended realtors, builders, services)