Port Elginin Saugeen Shores, Ontario
It is a town of 18,167 residents in Ontario. Statistics Canada places it in the Bruce census division.
Is Port Elgin a good place to live?
Jobs and pay hold up well (A−). With a B− overall, Port Elgin is better than 55% of Canadian towns. In the ranking it comes #451 of 858 in Ontario. Where it falls short is cost of living (D). Its remaining grades are unremarkable: B− for schools and C+ for health.
Health is graded on the health region's survey figures and life expectancy, with the distance to hospital giving the town its own spread.
How Port Elgin grades
Each subject compares Port Elgin 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 TownRatings grades Canadian towns →
What makes Port Elgin stand out
The 3 things Port Elgin does most differently from other towns.
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Port Elgin.
Measured against local pay, Port Elgin costs more to live in than 86% of Canadian towns
The median home value was $572,000, below Ontario’s towns ($695,000) but above Canadian towns ($406,000). Households that own their home make up 80%.
What homes were worth · The median owner’s estimate at the 2021 census
| Census 2021 | Port Elgin | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households spending 30%+ on shelter | 14% | 22% | 18% |
| Median home value, 2021 | $572,000 | $695,000 | $406,000 |
| Households owning their home | 80% | 76% | 74% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; CMHC Rental Market Survey via Statistics Canada · The 2021 census asked owners what their home was worth; those values, and 2020 incomes, are what this compares.
Commuters in Port Elgin have a short way to work, 23 min on average, less than in Ontario’s towns and Canadian towns
The car took 89% of commuters, in line with Ontario’s towns (88%) and Canadian towns (89%).
How working residents got to work · census 2021
| Census 2021 | Port Elgin | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip | 23 min | 29 min | 26 min |
| Car or van | 89% | 88% | 89% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021 (labour and commuting) · The 2021 census was taken in May 2021, during COVID-19 restrictions: more people than usual worked from home or were off work.
Port Elgin has cooler summers than Ontario’s towns or Canadian towns: July highs of 24.3°C
The coldest nights, in January, bottom out at −9.9°C, below Ontario’s towns (−9.1°C) but above Canadian towns (−13.5°C). The frost-free season runs from 12 May to 10 October, 151 days. January is the snowiest month, with 111 cm on average.
Average high by season · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Normals, 1991–2020 | Port Elgin | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowfall a year | 385 cm | 146 cm | 141 cm |
| July afternoon high | 24.3°C | 26.7°C | 25.5°C |
| Precipitation a year | 1,074 mm | 902 mm | 883 mm |
| January night low | −9.9°C | −9.1°C | −13.5°C |
Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 (Wiarton)
Port Elgin gets a B+ for safety
Violent incidents came to 15.3 per 1,000 residents a year, higher than both Ontario’s towns (10.5) and Canadian towns (12). Property crime runs at 23.1 per 1,000 people a year.
Year by year · Crime Severity Index for each year
| 2023–2025 | Port Elgin | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property crime per 1,000 | 23.1 | 30.5 | 31.2 |
| Violent crime | 15.3 | 10.5 | 12 |
| Violent Crime Severity Index | 69 | 76 | 86 |
Statistics Canada, Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, 2023–2025 average
A flood study covers Port Elgin: 2 on the national inventory, the newest from Town of Saugeen Shores
In Health Canada’s survey, just over one in ten homes tested in the area exceeded 200 Bq/m³ (6.6% typical). Shaking is less of a worry than in most places, at $0.012 a year per $1,000 of building value ($0.030 typical).
Radon tests above the guideline · share of tested homes, 200 Bq/m³
| Hazards | Port Elgin | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radon tests above the guideline | 11% | 4% | 6.6% |
| Earthquake loss per $1,000 of buildings a year | $0.012 | $0.043 | $0.030 |
NRCan seismic risk model and burned areas, Health Canada radon survey, the Flood Hazard Map Inventory
17% of adults smoke in the health region around Port Elgin, against 12% for the typical Canadian town
The town’s own part is the trip to care: residents of Port Elgin live 4.8 km from a hospital on average, close to the typical town’s 3.7 km. Adults who call their own health very good or excellent: 48%, below Ontario’s towns (51%) and Canadian towns (52%) alike. A baby born in the region can expect 81.3 years, 83.6 for a girl and 78.9 for a boy (2022/2024).
Very good or excellent health · adults, age-standardised
| Health | Port Elgin | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smokers | 17% | 10% | 12% |
| Very good or excellent health | 48% | 51% | 52% |
| Life expectancy at birth | 81.3 | 82.8 | 81.5 |
Statistics Canada, Canadian Community Health Survey 2023/2024 and life expectancy 2022/2024; Open Database of Healthcare Facilities · Data for health survey and life expectancy covers the Grey Bruce Health Unit
What November brings in Port Elgin: −1°C at night, 7°C by day
A normal December brings highs of 1°C, lows of −5°C. Rain and snow over a typical November come to 110 mm. Expect around 48 cm of snow in November. At the extremes, July afternoons reach 24°C and February nights −10°C.
Normal highs, the months ahead · ECCC normals, 1991–2020
| Season | High | Low | Rain and snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | −1°C | −8°C | 292 mm |
| Spring | 10°C | 0°C | 232 mm |
| Summer | 23°C | 12°C | 232 mm |
| Autumn | 13°C | 5°C | 319 mm |
ECCC normals, 1991–2020 (Wiarton); the forecast is on the Weather page
Turnout in Huron—Bruce reached 70% in 2021, above 93% of ridings
The council for Port Elgin is that of Saugeen Shores, a town.
| Turnout | Port Elgin | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal election, 2022 | 39% | 31% | 31% |
Wikidata, MAMH, MMAH, Statistics Canada
Bruce County Public Library - Port Elgin Branch and Bruce County Public Library - Southampton Branch are Port Elgin’s two public libraries
No library board reports for Port Elgin alone: its libraries belong to a county or regional system, whose figures cover many towns.
Provincial library statistics, OpenStreetMap, the CRA and Statistics Canada
Fewer of Port Elgin’s people belong to a visible minority than in Ontario’s towns or Canadian towns: 7.6%
11% of residents came to Canada as immigrants, higher than both Ontario’s towns (7.6%) and Canadian towns (6.4%). First Nations, Métis and Inuit people make up 4.3% of residents, higher than both Ontario’s towns (1.6%) and Canadian towns (2.8%).
Ages · Share of residents in each age group, Census 2021
Schooling · Highest qualification, residents 15 and over
Women and men · all residents
Women make up 51.5% of Port Elgin
In 2021 there were 8,190 women to 7,715 men; Canada as a whole is 50.9% women.
| Port Elgin | Ontario | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 16% | 15% | 16% |
| 15 to 64 | 58% | 65% | 64% |
| 65+ | 26% | 19% | 19% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 12% | 15% | 16% |
| Postsecondary qualification | 64% | 56% | 56% |
Statistics Canada, Census 2021; Ontario and Canada: medians of towns of 2,500+
Port Elgin borders MacGregor Point Provincial Park
Swimmers have 25 beaches within 5 km, Camper's Beach the nearest. A drive of 64 km reaches Bruce Peninsula National Park, the nearest national park. CPCAD lists 8 protected areas within 10 km.
Protected land · of the land within 10 km
| Outdoors | Port Elgin | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public protected areas within 10 km | 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Protected land within 10 km | 1.6% | 2.3% | 2.3% |
Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD), OpenStreetMap routes and beaches
5 of Port Elgin’s 6 tested schools score in the lower two fifths in Ontario
Taken together, Port Elgin and its 3 km edge hold 6 elementary schools and 1 secondary school for 2,975 students. Over three years, results rose at 4 of its 6 tested schools. Catholic schools are fewer here, 1 of 7, where in Ontario they are 34%. Schooling here is split between 2 boards, below Ontario’s towns (4) and Canadian towns (3) alike.
| School | Level | Students | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Elgin-Saugeen Central School Bottom fifth in OntarioLargest elementary schoolElementary · Grades JK–8 | Elementary · Grades JK–8 | 625 | English public |
| Saugeen District Secondary School Middle fifth in OntarioLargest secondary schoolSecondary · Grades 9–12 | Secondary · Grades 9–12 | 730 | English public |
Schools by system · Schools within 3 km
| Schools within 3 km | Port Elgin | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| School boards | 2 | 4 | 3 |
Provincial school lists and results, 2024-25
Port Elgin has 3 historic places on the registers, one in the top tier
Among the places are 2 heritage lighthouses. Its oldest building on the record is Tower, from 1855. Within 5 km of the town lie 2 more that belong to it.
Historic places by designation · inside the town
Among them
| Heritage | Port Elgin | Ontario | Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homes built before 1961 | 17% | 22% | 18% |
Canadian Register of Historic Places, Directory of Federal Heritage Designations, Québec’s Répertoire du patrimoine culturel, Wikidata; Census 2021 homes by period
Everything we know about Port Elgin
Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre and 3 more in and around Port Elgin
From museums to parks and historic sites: Port Elgin’s places to visit and those just beyond its edge, most famous first.
Famous people from Port Elgin
14 notable people were born in Port Elgin.
Photo credits
Bruce LaBruce: Andymiah, CC BY 3.0 · David Milne: Unknown author, Public domain · Alda Wilson: Unknown (Keystone-France), Public domain · Adam Mitchell: BKLuis, CC BY-SA 3.0 · George Lynch-Staunton: Unknown author, Public domain
About Port Elgin
Town in Ontario
Port Elgin is a municipality in Ontario, read by TownRatings as Statistics Canada draws it: one census subdivision, so its figures cover the whole municipality.
Statistics Canada: population estimates 2025 (17-10-0155), Census of Population 2021, 2021 census boundaries.
- Population
- 18,167 (people, 2025 estimate)
- Province or territory
- Ontario
- Census division
- Bruce
- Census subdivision
- 3541045
Questions about Port Elgin
Is Port Elgin growing?
It grew from 13,715 people in 2016 to 15,908 in 2021, up 16%; the median of Canadian towns grew 4.1%. StatCan’s 2025 estimate is 18,167.
How old are the people of Port Elgin?
Its median age is 46.8, where Canadian towns sit at 45.2. Under-15s are 16% of residents; over-65s, 26%.
Who are the people of Port Elgin?
Visible minorities are 8% of the population, where the middle of Canadian towns is 15%. Immigrants make up 11%, and Indigenous people 4%.
What kind of homes are in Port Elgin?
75% of homes are single-detached houses, against 64% for the median of Canadian towns, and 0% are in apartment buildings of five storeys or more. A household averages 2.3 people; 29% are one person living alone.
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).