Exploring the Diverse Geography of Grey Bruce
Where is Grey Bruce? In this feature article on the geography of Grey Bruce, we help answer that question. Grey Bruce is home to a diverse range of geographical features, from the rugged cliffs of the Bruce Peninsula to the rolling hills of Grey County. The region is dotted with charming towns, each with its own unique character, further enriching the varied geography of Grey Bruce.
Geography of Grey County
Grey County is a county of the Canadian province of Ontario, with its county seat in Owen Sound. It is located in the sub-region of Southern Ontario named Southwestern Ontario and is also a part of the Georgian Triangle. As of the Canada 2021 Census, the population of the county was 100,905.
Geographical Features
Grey County has a land area of 4,513.50 km² (1,742.67 sq mi). It is situated in the sub-region of Southern Ontario named Southwestern Ontario and is also a part of the Georgian Triangle.
Population
As of the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Grey County had a population of 100,905 living in 42,309 of its 50,183 total private dwellings, a change of 7.5% from its 2016 population of 93,830. With a land area of 4,497.93 km² (1,736.66 sq mi), it had a population density of 22.4/km² (58.1/sq mi) in 2021.
Municipalities of Grey County
Grey County consists of several municipalities, including the City of Owen Sound, Municipality of West Grey, Municipality of Meaford, Township of Georgian Bluffs, Municipality of Grey Highlands, Town of Hanover, Township of Southgate, Town of The Blue Mountains, Community of Markdale, and Township of Chatsworth.
History
The first European settlement was in the vicinity of Collingwood or Meaford. Exploring parties arrived from York in 1825 by traveling from Holland Landing and down the Holland River into Lake Simcoe and Shanty Bay. From there they traveled by land to the Nottawasaga River into Georgian Bay and along the thickly wooded shore.
Geography of Bruce County
Bruce County is a county in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, named after James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin and 12th Earl of Kincardine, the sixth Governor General of the Province of Canada. The county has a total 2016 population of 73,396.
Geographical Features
Bruce County covers a land area of 3,978.76 km² (1,536.21 sq mi). The county is divided into three distinct areas: the Bruce Peninsula, the Lakeshore, and the Interior Region.
The Bruce Peninsula is part of the Niagara Escarpment and is renowned for its scenic views, rock formations, cliffs, and hiking trails. The Lakeshore spans nearly 100 km of freshwater and soft sandy beaches. The Interior Region has a strong history in farming.
Population
As per the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Bruce County had a population of 73,396 living in 31,112 of its 42,592 total private dwellings, a change of 7.7% from its 2016 population of 68,147. With a land area of 4,076.22 km² (1,573.84 sq mi), it had a population density of 18.0/km² (46.6/sq mi) in 2021.
Municipalities of Bruce County
Bruce County comprises eight municipalities: Town of Saugeen Shores, Municipality of Kincardine, Municipality of Brockton, Town of South Bruce Peninsula, Township of Huron-Kinloss, Municipality of Arran-Elderslie, Municipality of South Bruce, Town of Walkerton and Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula.
Protected Areas
Bruce County is home to several protected areas, including Bruce Peninsula National Park, Fathom Five National Marine Park, Inverhuron Provincial Park, MacGregor Point Provincial Park, Sauble Falls Provincial Park, and Black Creek Provincial Park.
Related: History of Grey Bruce
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