Chinese top new York Region immigrants

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 10, 2015
By Lisa Queen

Almost a quarter of immigrants who settled in York Region from 2008 and 2012 were from China.

About 12,000 Chinese immigrants came to the region during that time, making up 23 per cent of the region’s newcomer residents.

China was the top country of birth of immigrants from 2008 to 2012.

Iran was second, with 5,150 immigrants, making 10 per cent of the newcomer population.

India was close behind with 5,045 immigrants, also making up 10 per cent of the newcomer population.

Those were just some of the statistics included in a presentation on this year’s community and health services budget.

Community and health services accounts for $474.6 million, or 23.9 per cent, of the region’s operating budget.

Almost $278.9 million, or 58.8 per cent, of that is paid through grants and subsidies. Taxpayers pick up $167.7 million, or 35.3 per cent, of the tab.

About 90 per cent of the community and health budget goes toward mandated programs such as Ontario Works, social housing, homelessness prevention, long-term care homes, paramedic services, public health and subsidized child care.

The other 10 per cent is for discretionary programs such as rent supplements, a housing stability program and additional Ontario Works benefits.

Other highlights included:

• Multiple family households have grown by 65 per cent. Meanwhile, there are 26,610 lone-parent families, accounting for 8.2 per cent of the region’s households. One in every eight households has one person.
• About 11,000 babies are born in the region every year, while York welcomes about 10,000 immigrants annually.
• Seniors will make up 21 per cent of the population by 2031.
• The region is a costly place to live. Between 2004 and 2014, the average resale house price rose by 90 per cent, but the average hourly wage only went up 21 per cent.
• The average resale single detached house now costs $923,135, while the average newly built single detached house is now going for $947,707.
• Mortgages account for 77 per cent of all household debt.
• Between 2000 and 2013, the number of low-income residents went from 97,970 to 164,840.
• Fifteen per cent of the region’s residents are low-income, with Markham having the largest share at 19.2 per cent. Richmond Hill comes next with 18.5 per cent, followed by Vaughan with 12.3 per cent, Georgina with 12 per cent, Newmarket with 11.2 per cent, Aurora with 9.4 per cent, East Gwillimbury and Whitchurch-Stouffville both with 9.2 per cent and King with 8 per cent.
• The waitlist for child care-fee subsidies has been eliminated this year, from a high of 5,669 in 2012. As of 2015, the equivalent of 5,548 full-day subsidized child care spaces are being provided.
• Early intervention services for children with special needs have increased. This year, 1,625 children received assistance, up from 1,400 in 2012.