Demographics
- Country: Canada
- Province: Ontario
- Population (city): 131,794
- Population (CMA): 151,984
- Labour force (city): 75,685
- Labour force (CMA): 87,250
Guelph population growth
Source: Statistics Canada, 2016
Corporate headquarters/Canadian corporate headquarters
Source: 2018 Connect Guelph Business Directory
Educational institutes within 25 km
| Institution | Students |
|---|---|
| University of Guelph | 28,000 |
| Conestoga College | 51,000 |
| University of Waterloo | 36,500 |
| Wilfrid Laurier University | 19,500 |
Growth sectors – Size comparison by number of jobs
| Sector | Number of jobs |
|---|---|
| Professional, scientific and technical | 39,141 |
| Advanced manufacturing | 20,735 |
| Retail and service | 11,345 |
| Agri-innovation | 8,994 |
| Sector | Number of jobs |
|---|---|
| Culture and entertainment | 7,711 |
| Distribution, warehousing and wholesale | 5,909 |
| Information and communication technology | 2,428 |
| Clean technology | 1,637 |
Source: EMSI Analyst, 2017
Tax rates
| Rate | Industrial | Commercial | Residential |
|---|---|---|---|
| City rate | 2.20% | 1.83% | 1.00% |
| Education rate | 1.34% | 1.21% | 0.17% |
| Total rate | 3.55% | 3.05% | 1.17% |
Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundredth percent.
Source: City of Guelph, Taxation and Revenue, May 1, 2018-April 31, 2019
Municipal costs
Development charges
Industrial, Commercial and Institutional
- $9.97 per square foot
- $107.34 per square metre
Source: City of Guelph, Finance Dept., March 2, 2018–March 1, 2019
Building permit fees (new build)
Source: City of Guelph, Building Dept., Effective June 1, 2017
| Type | Per square foot | Per square metre |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | $1.28 | $13.78 |
| Hotel/motel | $1.66 | $17.87 |
| Office buildings (finished) | $1.66 | $17.87 |
| Industrial/ warehouse | $0.89 | $9.58 |
| Retail (finished) | $1.66 | $17.87 |
Site plan fees
Source: City of Guelph, Building Department, 2017
| Type | per square foot | Per square metre |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial, office and institutional | $0.23 | $2.52 |
| Industrial | $0.15 | $1.57 |
| Residential | $132/unit | $132/unit |
All calculations are for gross floor area. Minimum site plan charge $315
Water, wastewater & stormwater
Source: City of Guelph, Water Services, January 1 – December 31, 2018
| Rate | per cubic metre | Per day |
|---|---|---|
| Water | $1.72 | $0.26 |
| Wastewater | $1.84 | $0.32 |
For connection fee information contact the City of Guelph Building Department at 519-837-5615.
Stormwater
Businesses are assessed by the City of Guelph and pay a monthly fee that reflects the hard surfaces on their property such as rooftops, parking lots and concrete surfaces.
For more information visit guelph.ca/stormwater
Transportation
Road
- 401 Freeway (5 minutes south)
- Highway 6 North
- Highway 7
Airports
- Pearson, Toronto: 1 hour
- Hamilton: 1 hour
- Waterloo: 20 minutes
Rail
- Guelph Junction Railway (City of Guelph owned)
- Canadian National Railway
- Canadian Pacific Railway
Port
- Toronto: 1 hour
- Hamilton: 1 hour
Commuter Transport
- Close to Highway 401
- Greyhound
- VIA rail
- GO bus and train
Accolades
Guelph is regularly ranked as one of Canada’s best places to live, work and play.
Best city to buy real estate in Canada
4th best large city to start a business in Canada
Top 10 in Americas for foreign direct investment
2nd for talent
“We were looking for a city and business environment that suited our needs and objectives, and allowed us to expand our business in the future. The City of Guelph was chosen for a variety of reasons, including its wide range of business opportunities, economic growth and welcoming environment.”