Grand Valley, Ontario, formerly known as The Township of East Luther Grand Valley, is a charming town nestled in the Canadian province of Ontario. It is a fusion of the former Township of East Luther and the former Village of Grand Valley. Located within Dufferin County, Grand Valley is home to a portion of the Luther Marsh, a sprawling natural area covering over 10,000 acres, including Luther Lake. The Grand River, one of the town's major attractions, flows gracefully through this picturesque community.
Grand Valley's geographical boundaries are defined by several major roads and townships. To the north, the town is bordered by Highway 10 and Highway 89, beyond which lies the township of Melancthon. The southern limit is marked by Dufferin County Road 109, with the township of East Garafraxa just beyond. The eastern boundary is the Amaranth-East Luther Townline, adjacent to the township of Amaranth, while the western limit is the East Luther-West Luther Line, beyond which is the township of Wellington North.
Grand Valley is a mosaic of various villages and hamlets, each with its unique charm. These include Colbeck, Damascus, Leggatt, Monticello, Peepabun, and Tarbert. Other communities such as Erasmus, Hill Settlement, Keldon, Wesley, Chatter's Corners, and Doyle's Settlement also contribute to the rich tapestry of Grand Valley.
The town of Grand Valley was formed through an amalgamation of the Township of East Luther and the Village of Grand Valley, effective January 1, 1995. In September 2012, the name was officially changed to the Town of Grand Valley. The town's resilience was tested in May 1985 when an F4 tornado caused significant damage. However, the community rallied, and the town's infrastructure has since been rebuilt and improved.
The Grand Valley B.I.A. (Business Improvement Area) is dedicated to encouraging commerce developments in the town. To accommodate new development, the town is currently updating its by-laws. Notably, the Grand Valley B.I.A. holds the distinction of being the smallest Business Improvement Area in Ontario.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Grand Valley had a population of 3,851 living in 1,397 of its 1,445 total private dwellings. This represents a significant increase of 30.3% from its 2016 population of 2,956. With a land area of 158.6 km2 (61.2 sq mi), the town had a population density of 24.3/km2 (62.9/sq mi) in 2021.
Grand Valley has served as a filming location for several movies. These include "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" (2007) and a small segment from "Aftermath: Population Zero" (2008). The town's picturesque landscapes and charming architecture make it an ideal backdrop for cinematic storytelling.
