Richmond Hill’s Job Growth is on the Rise

Contact: Gwen Manderson, Director of Strategic Initiatives, 905-771-5483, gwen.manderson@richmondhill.ca

RICHMOND HILL – Richmond Hill continues to be a preferred destination in attracting exceptional business leaders and talent. According to data from the 2016 Richmond Hill Employment Survey, Richmond Hill’s employment growth of 2,230 new jobs (or 3.4 per cent) between mid-2015 and mid-2016 surpasses the regional average of 3.1 per cent, as well as the provincial and national averages of 0.5 per cent and 0.4 per cent. The Town of Richmond Hill has added over 25,300 jobs to its employment base since 1998.

Highlights from the 2016 employment survey results include:

• Over the past ten years, the health care and social assistance sector was the primary driver of growth, increasing by 3,340 jobs. This is followed by the professional, scientific and technical services sectors which grew by 2,400 jobs between 2006 and 2016.
• The manufacturing sector experienced the most growth between mid-2015 and mid-2016, increasing by 500 jobs.
• Since 2006, full-time employment in Richmond Hill has grown by approximately 6,500 jobs and accounted for 67.7 per cent of the Town’s employment in 2016.
• Share of part-time employment has decreased from 24.9 per cent in 2005 to 21.9 per cent in 2015.
• The number of businesses surveyed has grown by 13 per cent or approximately 550 businesses since 2006.

Small businesses (employing less than 20 employees) accounted for 85 per cent of total businesses in 2016. Similarly, medium-sized businesses (employing 20-99 employees) are also thriving, growing from 10.6 per cent to 12.8 per cent of businesses since 2006.

“Cultivating strong ties with Richmond Hill’s business community and helping them succeed is a key priority for Richmond Hill and a vital part of our Economic Development Strategy,” said Mayor Dave Barrow. “Richmond Hill is a great place to live, work and play and our job growth certainly speaks to that.”

The 2016 Richmond Hill Employment Survey shows there are currently 4,643 businesses in Richmond Hill employing 67,866 employees. While Richmond Hill does place a focus on its four key sectors of strength, it is clear that job growth is occurring across many other industries including manufacturing, retail trade and educational services.

Richmond Hill businesses have access to a highly educated workforce with nearly three-quarters of residents holding a post-secondary education. Statistics Canada (2011 Census) recognized Richmond Hill’s growing talent pool as the Most Educated Workforce in Canada.  Compared with the rest of Ontario, Richmond Hill’s population is a magnet for youth with nearly half of residents between the ages of 20-49.

Over the years, Richmond Hill businesses have been awarded prestigious rankings including Profit Magazines 200 Fastest Growing Companies, Deloitte Technology Fast 50, Branham 300 Award recognizing Canada’s top IT companies and Profit 500 Canada’s Top Female Entrepreneur Awards.

For more information about Economic Development and our key service areas, visit BusinessRichmondHill.ca.