Regional Municipality of York

The Regional Municipality of York is an administrative area in southern Ontario between Lake Simcoe and Toronto, encompassing nine separate municipalities such as Markham, Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Newmarket. The landscape alternates between built-up zones with business centers, single-family homes and commercial areas, alongside agricultural land in the north and west.

The region formed in 1971 from the former York County when the provincial government reorganized local administration and merged several municipalities. Since then, the population has grown significantly as more people moved out from Toronto into surrounding areas.

The name York comes from the colonial period and references the Duke of York, though the area itself reflects communities with roots across Europe, Asia and other parts of the world. Residential neighborhoods alternate between older town centers with brick buildings and newer subdivisions popular with commuters.

The municipalities sit close together and are well connected by car or through the regional bus network, with main roads running north to south. Visitors should note that many facilities are designed for drivers and walking routes between places may be limited.

In some municipalities, old cemeteries from the 19th century still stand, offering insight into settlement history and often maintained by local groups. Along the rivers, scattered mill ruins remain from the time when waterpower drove industry.

Location: Ontario

Inception: January 1, 1971

Capital city: Newmarket

Part of: Greater Toronto Area

Shares border with: Toronto, Regional Municipality of Durham, Regional Municipality of Peel, Simcoe County

Website: https://york.ca

GPS coordinates: 44.05140,-79.48030

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:07