Richmond Hill, Ontario, a city in south-central York Region, is part of the Greater Toronto Area. As of 2021, it boasts a population of 202,022, making it the York Region's third most populous municipality and the 27th most populous municipality in Canada. Nestled between the cities of Markham and Vaughan, Richmond Hill is north of Thornhill and south of Aurora.
The village of Richmond Hill was incorporated on June 18, 1872, and officially became a town on January 1, 1957. The Regional Municipality of York was established in 1971, expanding Richmond Hill's borders and population significantly. The town grew to encompass several communities, including Gormley, Dollar, Langstaff, Carrville, Headford, Elgin Mills, Jefferson, Bond Lake, Temperanceville, Lake Wilcox, Oak Ridges, and Richvale.
Richmond Hill's population growth remained substantial throughout the 1970s. By 1976, home prices in Richmond Hill were among the highest in Canada. The town continued to expand rapidly, leading to debates over housing projects and the need for affordable housing.
In 1978, GO train service was extended to Richmond Hill, further enhancing its connectivity. However, growth in Richmond Hill slowed towards the end of the 1970s. The town began to make official plans for future land development, but it wasn't until 1982 that the Ontario Municipal Board approved a new plan.
Richmond Hill's growth continued during the 1990s, largely due to immigration. In the early 90s, Statistics Canada named Richmond Hill as Canada's fastest-growing community. On March 25, 2019, the Richmond Hill Council passed a motion to change the title of Richmond Hill from 'town' to 'city'.
Richmond Hill, Ontario, is home to a vibrant arts scene. The Richmond Hill Public Library system has four branches, and the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts offers a variety of concerts, theatre productions, and comedy shows. The Richmond Hill Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 2008, performs regularly at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. The Richmond Hill Heritage Centre, housed in a restored 1840s cottage, offers an exhibit of local history and a variety of educational programs.
Richmond Hill, Ontario, offers a plethora of recreational opportunities. The city has 167 parks and 689 hectares of undeveloped natural area for recreation. The largest park is the Richmond Green Sports Centre and Park, which includes several baseball diamonds, two ice skating rinks, a 300-person amphitheatre, and a skateboard park. The city also has six public swimming pools, including an indoor wave pool.
As of the 2021 Census, Richmond Hill, Ontario, had a population of 202,022. English is the mother tongue of 33.8% of the residents, followed by Mandarin (12.8%), Persian (11.6%), and Cantonese (11.3%). Visible minorities made up 66.4% of the population.
Richmond Hill, Ontario, is well serviced in terms of transportation facilities. The city is serviced by Highway 404, Highway 401, and Highway 407. Public transit within the city is coordinated by York Region Transit (YRT), which operates several feeder routes on secondary streets in the city. Commuter train service is provided by GO Transit on the Richmond Hill line.
Richmond Hill, Ontario, is known for its elevation above surrounding regions. The city's geography is extremely varied, featuring kettle lakes, minor tributaries, and the Oak Ridges Moraine. The city is subject to the Ontario Government's Greenbelt legislation due to its significant amount of biodiversity.
Richmond Hill, Ontario, is home to several landmarks, including the Hillcrest Mall, the David Dunlap Observatory, the original Canadian burger chain Harvey's restaurant, and the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. The city's Municipal Office Building serves as the seat of government of the municipality.
Richmond Hill, Ontario, is sister cities with Lakeland, Florida, and twinned with Netanya, Israel and Shijiazhuang, China.
