Minden HillsOntario

It lies in Haliburton. Population 7,841: a town in Ontario.

1 place within 19 kmMap →

Photo: MikeStnly · CC BY-SA 4.0

Population

7,841

people, 2025 estimate

Median age

58.8

years · Ontario’s towns: 46.8

Postsecondary

51%

of residents 15 and over hold a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree · Canadian towns: 56%

Walk, cycle, transit

walk, cycle or take transit to work · Canadian towns: 8%

TownGrade

#1,930 of 2,556

Is Minden Hills a good place to live?

Where it falls short is cost of living (C−). Recorded crime is low (A−). Overall, that makes a C, good for #690 of 858 in Ontario. Nationally, it does better than 29% of Canadian towns.

This town's rent is the 2021 census rent scaled to 2025 by its province's ratio of surveyed to census rents: no rental survey covers it, so its Cost Grade is less sure. Safety is the police detachment's figure, shared with the towns and countryside around it. Crime here is counted against the people who live here, but many visitors or second-home owners add to it, so the rate per resident runs higher than residents' own risk. Health is graded on the health region's survey figures and life expectancy, with the distance to hospital giving the town its own spread.

StrongestA⁻Safety A⁻Hazard riskWeakestC⁻Cost of living C⁻Walkability

What makes Minden Hills stand out

The 3 things Minden Hills does most differently from other towns.

Picked automatically from the data

Residents 65 and over

Who lives here

35% are 65 or over

Next to 19%, the median among Canadian towns

Statistics Canada, Census 2021

Population growth, 2016 to 2021

Growth

+15% more people than in 2016

Canadian towns centre on 4%

Statistics Canada, Census 2016 and 2021

Home value ÷ household income

Housing

6.8 times household income

The middle of Canadian towns: 4.7 times

Median owner’s estimate $500,000, Census 2021; income for 2020.

How Minden Hills grades

Each subject compares Minden Hills with Canadian towns of 2,500 or more, ordered by how far it is from the middle. Towns in other countries are graded separately.

How grading works

Cost of livingNear the bottom of the towns comparedC⁻Open →WalkabilityBased on walking, cycling and transit to everyday placesC⁻Open →SafetyLess crime than in most townsA⁻Open →Hazard riskAbove the middle of the towns comparedA⁻Open →Jobs & incomeBased on what households earn, poverty and workC⁻Open →HealthResidents’ health trails most townsC⁺Open →SchoolsClose to the middle of the towns comparedB⁻Open →

How TownRatings grades Canadian towns →

The data

Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Minden Hills.

HousingCost of living C⁻

Minden Hills is a town of owners: 89% of households own their home, above Ontario’s towns and Canadian towns

A year’s rent came to nearly a fifth of the median household income, below both Ontario’s towns (22%) and Canadian towns (20%). 15% of households spent 30% or more of their income on shelter, below Ontario’s towns (22%) and Canadian towns (18%) alike.

$500,000median home value, 2021C⁻Cost of living Grade

What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census

Minden Hills$500,000

Ontario$695,000

Canadian towns$406,000

Census 2021	Minden Hills	Ontario	Canada
Households owning their home	89%	76%	74%
Households spending 30%+ on shelter	15%	22%	18%
Rent as a share of income	19%	22%	20%

$840

monthly rent for a two-bedroom

$770

median monthly shelter cost for owners, 2021

Full pageMinden Hills’ cost of living pageOpen the full Cost of living page

Owners and renters89% own their home Cost of living6.8 times household income · The median owner’s estimate, $500,000, against the median household income Renting$840 a month · The median rent at the 2021 census

Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · Home values are owners’ own estimates at the May 2021 census, and incomes are for 2020.

SafetySafety A⁻

Violent crime weighs less where Minden Hills is policed than in Ontario’s towns or Canadian towns: a violent severity index of 50

The Crime Severity Index, Violent Crime Severity Index, violent crime and property crime per 1,000 numbers here cover the Haliburton Highlands detachment area

Property crime in its police area ran at 16.7 per 1,000 residents a year, below Ontario’s towns (30.5) and Canadian towns (31.2) alike. For every 1,000 residents of its police area, 9.7 violent incidents are reported each year.

45Crime Severity Index

Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year

202349

202441

202544

2023–2025	Minden Hills	Ontario	Canada
Property crime per 1,000	16.7	30.5	31.2
Violent Crime Severity Index	50	76	86
Crime Severity Index	45	56	67

non-violent Crime Severity Index

46%

of incidents cleared, 2023–25

Full pageMinden Hills’ safety reportOpen the full Safety report

Safety45 Crime Severity Index · The index weighs each crime Minden Hills’s police recorded by how serious it is.Questions“Is Minden Hills safe?”

Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average

Natural hazardsHazard risk A⁻

Flood mapping exists for Minden Hills: 2 on record, latest by County of Haliburton

Source area for radon tests: the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Heal health region

Radon around Minden Hills is ordinary for Canada: 6.1% of tested homes over the guideline (6.6% typical). NRCan expects $0.024 of shaking damage a year per $1,000 of buildings locally, near the typical $0.030.

Lowwildfire bandA⁻Hazard risk Grade

Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³

Minden Hills6.1%

Ontario’s towns4%

Canadian towns6.6%

Hazards	Minden Hills	Ontario	Canada
Radon tests above the guideline	6.1%	4%	6.6%
Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year	$0.024	$0.043	$0.030

Low

wildfire band

4.9 km

to the nearest land burned since 1986

flood studies on the national inventory

Full pageMinden Hills’ flood & hazards pageOpen the full Flood & hazards page

Flood2 flood studies on record WildfireLow wildfire band · No land burned within 25 km since 1986 Earthquakes$0.024 a year per $1,000 · Canadian towns: $0.030 Radon6.1% of tests above the guideline Be readyAlerts, FireSmart and radon tests

NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory

Work & commuteJobs & income C⁻

Working-age people in Minden Hills are less likely to have a job than in 72% of Canadian towns

The car took 93% of commuters, above both Ontario’s towns (88%) and Canadian towns (89%). Getting to work takes 26 min on average.

4%walk, cycle or take transit

How working residents got to work · census 2021

Car or van93%

Walk4%

Public transit1%

Census 2021	Minden Hills	Ontario	Canada
Car or van	93%	88%	89%
Average trip	26 min	29 min	26 min

$74,500

median household income, 2020

19%

worked from home, May 2021

54%

of commuters work inside the municipality

Full pageMinden Hills’ work & commute pageOpen the full Work & commute page

Unemployment11% unemployed · Of the labour force · Canadian towns: 9.9%Getting to work4% walk, cycle or take transit Where people commute to425 commuters · The biggest flow out: to Dysart et al

Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · Census day was in May 2021, mid-pandemic, so commuting and work figures carry the lockdowns’ mark.

Climate

Minden Hills has colder winters than Ontario’s towns or Canadian towns: January lows of −16.0°C

July afternoons in Minden Hills average 25.3°C. The thermometer drops below freezing on 187 days a year, above Ontario’s towns (139) and Canadian towns (159) alike. Gardeners get 108 frost-free days, from 31 May to 18 September. Snow peaks in January: 67 cm in a normal year.

25.3°CJuly afternoons

Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

Winter−2.5°C

Spring10.6°C

Summer24.3°C

Autumn12.7°C

Normals, 1991–2020	Minden Hills	Ontario	Canada
Snowfall a year	278 cm	146 cm	141 cm
Days with frost a year	187	139	159
January night low	−16.0°C	−9.1°C	−13.5°C
Precipitation a year	1,106 mm	902 mm	883 mm

278 cm

of snow a year

187

days with frost a year

108

frost-free days, 31 May to 18 Sep

147

days with precipitation a year

Full pageMinden Hills’ climate pageOpen the full Climate page

The yearJuly highs 25.3°C, January lows −16.0°C Rain and snow1,106 mm a year · Canadian towns: 883 mm Snow278 cm of snow a year Weather station17 km to the station · Haliburton

Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Haliburton)

Who lives here

Fewer of Minden Hills’s people belong to a visible minority than in Ontario’s towns or Canadian towns: 2.8%

Nearly one in ten residents came to Canada as immigrants, above Ontario’s towns (7.6%) and Canadian towns (6.4%) alike. First Nations, Métis and Inuit people make up 1.4% of residents, below both Ontario’s towns (1.6%) and Canadian towns (2.8%).

58.8median age

Minden HillsOntarioCanada

OntarioCanada

Ages · Share of residents in each age group, Census 2021

35%

Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over

No certificate, diploma or degree17%

Postsecondary qualification51%

Women and men · all residents

Women make up 49.5% of Minden Hills

Here the census found 3,450 women and 3,520 men; across Canada the share of women is 50.9%.

Who lives in Minden Hills
	Minden Hills	Ontario	Canada
Under 15	11%	15%	16%
15 to 64	55%	65%	64%
65+	35%	19%	19%
No certificate, diploma or degree	17%	15%	16%
Postsecondary qualification	51%	56%	56%

Full pageMinden Hills’ Who lives here pageOpen the full Who lives here page

Immigrants9% are immigrants · 3% belong to a visible minority Ages58.8 median age · 35% are 65 or over Households3,230 households · 2.1 people per household English and French5% speak both · 0% speak French but not English

Statistics Canada, Census 2021; Ontario and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+

HealthHealth C⁺

More smokers around Minden Hills: 18% of adults, where the typical Canadian town has 12%

Shared with the rest of the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit: health survey and life expectancy

Life expectancy at birth in the region is 81.0 years, lower than Ontario’s towns (82.8) and near Canadian towns (81.5). In the health survey, 49% of adults in the region rate their health very good or excellent, close to Ontario’s 51%. Measured from where Minden Hills’ residents live, the nearest hospital is 6.9 km away, beyond the typical 3.7 km.

49%very good or excellent healthC⁺Health Grade

Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised

Minden Hills49%

Ontario’s towns51%

Canadian towns52%

Health	Minden Hills	Ontario	Canada
Smokers	18%	10%	12%
Life expectancy at birth	81.0	82.8	81.5
Very good or excellent health	49%	51%	52%

81.0

years of life expectancy, 2022/2024

6.9 km

from homes to a hospital, on average

18%

of adults smoke, age-standardised

6.9 km

from homes to a pharmacy, on average

Full pageMinden Hills’ health pageOpen the full Health page

Health survey49% very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised Getting careA pharmacy 6.9 km away on average The wider areaLife expectancy: women 83.0, men 79.0 Conditions and habits17% with chronic conditions · adults, age-standardised

Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2022/2024; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities

Weather

A normal November in Minden Hills runs from −4°C to 5°C

The month after, December, normally sees −1°C afternoons and −10°C nights. Snowfall in a normal November: 33 cm. November normally sees 103 mm of precipitation. ECCC’s forecast for Kawartha Lakes (Fenelon Falls) is on the Weather page, hour by hour.

5°Ca normal November afternoon

Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020

November5°C

December−1°C

January−4°C

February−2°C

Season	High	Low	Rain and snow
Winter	−3°C	−14°C	264 mm
Spring	11°C	−3°C	254 mm
Summer	24°C	11°C	284 mm
Autumn	13°C	2°C	304 mm

−4°C

a normal November night

103 mm

of rain and snow in a normal November

Full pageMinden Hills’ weather pageOpen the full Weather page

Next 24 hoursTemperature and chance of rain, hour by hour The week aheadECCC’s days ahead, beside the normals The yearWarmest July, coldest January

ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Haliburton); the forecast is on the Weather page

Town hall

Turnout in Minden Hills was 25% in 2022, lower than in 87% of Ontario’s municipalities

In October 2022, Minden Hills elected Bob Carter as mayor, with a council of 7.

Turnout	Minden Hills	Ontario	Canada
Municipal election, 2022	25%	31%	31%

Full pageMinden Hills’ town hall & politics pageOpen the full Town hall & politics page

Member of ParliamentJamie Schmale Provincial legislatureHaliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock

Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada

Library & civic lifeCivic life grade B⁻

Minden Hills’s public library is Haliburton County Public Library - Minden Branch

It sits 3 km from the centre of Minden Hills.

Full pageMinden Hills’ library & civic life pageOpen the full Library & civic life page

The libraries1 Libraries Places to belong2.3 charities per 1,000 residents

Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada

SchoolsSchools B⁻

No high school in or near Minden Hills: the closest is 18 km off

Young children have 3.3 km to the nearest elementary school, above Ontario’s towns (0.5 km) and Canadian towns (0.5 km) alike.

1school within 3 kmB⁻Schools Grade

School	Level	Students	System
Archie Stouffer Elementary School Fourth fifth in OntarioLargest elementary schoolElementary · Grades JK–8	Elementary · Grades JK–8	460	English public

Schools within 3 km	Minden Hills	Ontario	Canada
Nearest secondary school	18 km	1.2 km	1.2 km
Nearest elementary school	3.3 km	0.5 km	0.5 km

460

students at the schools within 3 km, 2024-25

18 km

to the nearest secondary school

3.3 km

to the nearest elementary school

Full pageMinden Hills’ schools pageOpen the full Schools page

Every school1 elementary school Results0 of 1 in the top two fifths · of the schools with results, placed against every school in Ontario Language0 of 1 teach in French · 10% of schools in Ontario Questions“What schools are there in Minden Hills?”

Provincial school lists and results, 2024-25

Outdoors

Protected land around Minden Hills beats 8 in 10 Canadian towns

A drive of 70 km reaches Georgian Bay Islands National Park, the nearest national park. OpenStreetMap shows 3 walking routes nearby, including the Ganaraska Trail and Queen Elizabeth Wildlands. Within 5 km are 2 beaches; Portage & Main is the nearest.

8.1%of the land within 10 km protected

Protected land · of the land within 10 km

Minden Hills8.1%

Ontario’s towns2.3%

Canadian towns2.3%

Outdoors	Minden Hills	Ontario	Canada
Protected land within 10 km	8.1%	2.3%	2.3%
Public protected areas within 10 km	5	4	4

70 km

to Georgian Bay Islands National Park

At the edge

to Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park

beaches within 5 km

Full pageMinden Hills’ outdoors pageOpen the full Outdoors page

Protected landof the land within 10 km Protected areas7 protected areas within 10 km · Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park National & provincial parks70 km to a national park · Georgian Bay Islands National Park Footpaths & routes3 named routes · Ganaraska Trail

Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches

Nearby attractions

Agnes Jamieson Gallery and 2 more in and around Minden Hills

A first look at Minden Hills’s museums, historic sites and days out, and a few just outside town.

All attractions →

Art galleryArt galleryAgnes Jamieson Galleryin town MuseumMuseumMinden Hills Cultural Centrein town MuseumMuseumStanhope Museum3.2 km outside town, to the north

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Minden Hills

15pages on Minden Hills

The big questions

SafetyA⁻Crime Severity Index 45 Housing & costC⁻Homes 6.8 × income Property pricesSchoolsB⁻One school within 3 km HealthC⁺Life expectancy 81 in its region Work & commuteC⁻44% of adults in work Natural hazardsA⁻Wildfire band: low

Out and about

Outdoors8.1% of the land within 10 km protected AttractionsClimateJuly afternoons around 25°C WeatherECCC’s forecast, beside the normals

The story

Who lives hereMedian age 58.8 HistoryTown hallFamous people

Famous people from around Minden Hills

2 notable people were born in Minden Hills; with them, the best known born in the towns around it.

Their page →

Thomas Hubert StinsonCanadian politician · 1883–1965

Orie LoucksProfessor, university teacher and botanical collector · 1931–2016

Donald "Curly" PhillipsCanadian guide and explorer · born in Algonquin Highlands · 1884–1938

Photo credits

Donald "Curly" Phillips: unknown (pre-1938 - Phillips died in 1938), Public domain

Minden Hills’ neighbours

The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Statistics Canada

Algonquin HighlandsMinden Hills

How the neighbours grade

Town	People	km	Overall	Cost	Safety	Health
Minden Hills	7,841	—	C	C⁻	A⁻	C⁺
Algonquin Highlands	2,915	18	—	C⁻	A⁻	C

People: Statistics Canada, Census 2021. Distances: centre to centre.

Questions about Minden Hills

Has Minden Hills grown?

It grew from 6,088 people in 2016 to 6,971 in 2021, up 14.5%; the median of Canadian towns grew 4.1%. StatCan’s 2025 estimate is 7,841.

Who are the people of Minden Hills?

At the 2021 census, 9% were immigrants and 3% belonged to a visible minority (Canadian towns’ median: 15%). 1% identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit.

What kind of homes are in Minden Hills?

Mostly 93% single-detached houses (the median of Canadian towns: 64%), with 0% of homes in buildings of five or more storeys. Households hold 2.1 people on average, and 30% have just one.

Is Minden Hills a young town or an old one?

The median resident is 58.8 years old, against 45.2 for the median of Canadian towns. 11% are under 15 and 35% are 65 or over.

About Minden Hills

Town in Ontario

Every figure TownRatings gives for Minden Hills covers the municipality as Statistics Canada maps it, one census subdivision in Ontario.

Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.

Population: 7,841 (people, 2025 estimate)
Province or territory: Ontario
Census division: Haliburton
Census subdivision: 3546015

Sources: Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2021 · population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155) and 2021 census boundaries · Uniform Crime Reporting Survey 2023–25 (35-10-0026, 35-10-0183 to 35-10-0190) · CMHC rents as published by Statistics Canada (34-10-0133) · grades by TownRatings. Under the Statistics Canada Open Licence.

Adapted from Statistics Canada (Census of Population 2021, population estimates 2025, 2021 census boundaries) under the Statistics Canada Open Licence; this does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada. Neighbourhood names in some cities © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).