Wondering what it’s like to live in Hamilton, Ontario? On the western tip of the Niagara Escarpment, you’ll find a diverse and vibrant city (commonly referred to as ‘The Hammer’ or ‘Steeltown’ by its residents). Hamilton truly has something for everyone with beautiful landscapes, picturesque lookouts, an exciting art scene, a growing culinary culture, and world-class healthcare. 

5 Fun Facts about Hamilton

1. The very first Tim Hortons opened in Hamilton in 1964. Today, the chain is one of Canada’s most well-known fast-food restaurants. 
2. The name Steeltown comes from the popularity of the steel industry in the area, which has grown to one of Canada’s largest and is responsible for a significant part of our steel output.
3. Hamilton is known as the waterfall capital of the world and is home to over 100 waterfalls throughout the city. 
4. The city holds the world record in the Guinness Book for the highest number of high-fives during a pre-world cup match, with over 7,238 high-fives at the Tim Hortons Stadium in 2015.  
5. Canadian comedy legends such as Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Ivan Reitman and David Thomas were born in the Hamilton area. 

Demographics

• Population- 536,917 
• Median Household Income- $69,024
• Median Age- 41.3  
• 62.3% are working-age between 15-64

Source:  2016 Census 

Living in Hamilton 

Living in Hamilton, you’ll find no shortage of fun things to do! There’s something for everyone from festivals, beautiful natural spaces, sports, arts, and historical sites. 

Visit Dundurn Castle, Royal Botanical Gardens, African Lion Safari, or experience a concert at The First Nations Centre.

The city has an impressive sports scene and is home to the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats. With many hockey arenas, pools, soccer fields, baseball diamonds and cricket pitches throughout the city, you have options to get out and have fun. 

Is a day of shopping and dining more your speed? You’ll find an impressive number of unique shops, trendy boutiques, and large shopping centres—Head over to Locke Street or Hess Village for incredible eateries and vibrant nightlife. 

Hamilton is also home to the Art Gallery of Hamilton, which houses over 10,000 works from Canadian and international artists. The city also hosts Supercrawl, a large art and music festival attracting more than 200,000 visitors each September. 

Being along the Niagara Escarpment means Hamilton is home to stunning views and picturesque waterfalls. You’ll find an abundance of green space, hiking trails, and parks. 

Working in Hamilton 

Hamilton is ranked as one of Canada’s top cities for economic diversity, so living in Hamilton brings with it plenty of opportunities for a successful career.

The city has over 40 corporate head offices, including Fortinos, Stelco, and BDO Dunwoody. McMaster University, Hamilton Health Sciences, and Defasco all made the list of the top 300 places to work in Canada. 

Hamilton is one of Canada’s leading industrial centres. The iron and steel industry, which began in the mid 19th century, has grown to become Canada’s largest, accounting for almost 60% of Canada’s steel output. 

The flourishing downtown area attracts many new and upcoming young business owners, opening trendy shops and eateries as the city quickly emerges as a culinary hot spot. 

Education 

Hamilton is a part of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board and Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board and has a variety of public, catholic, private, and French immersion schools. 

Private schools include Hillfield Strathallan College and Columbia International College of Canada. 

As for post-secondary, you have many options within Hamilton, including McMaster University, Brock University Faculty of Education, and Mohawk College. 

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Neighbourhoods

Stoney Creek is a vibrant, well-connected community full of natural beauty, with easy access to highways and the Niagara Escarpment. 

Hamilton Mountain is a beautiful area at the top of the bluff, with stunning views and various family-friendly neighbourhoods, each with a distinct feel. 

Lower City is the northern part of Hamilton, along the waterfront, with a mix of historical and newly developed areas. 

City Centre is the downtown core, the epitome of urban living, with nightlife, shopping, and vibrant art and culinary scenes. 

Dundas is nestled in the valley, with a quaint downtown and trendy village charm. 

Ancaster is one of Ontario’s oldest settlements, a historic town surrounded by stunning scenery, charm, and character. 

Mount Hope is a welcoming, beautifully planned community with plenty of green space, parks, tree-lined streets, and amenities close by. 

One of Canada’s largest and diverse cities, Hamilton is an incredible place to call home. With a range of areas, from urban living to quaint villages, you’ll love living in Hamilton!