York Region Economic Data & Reports
Please use the accordions below to find economic data, economic development reports and publications, business incentive programs, and more resources related to economic development in York Region.
Economy by the Numbers
Businesses
New Businesses
Annual average
2014 - 2023
Local Jobs
Local Labour Force
Estimated 2024
Nominal GDP
2024
Residents
2025
Population Growth
Annual average
2014 - 2023
Distinct Ethnicities
2021 Census
Languages Spoken
2021 Census
Universities & Colleges
Within commuting distance
Fortune 100 Companies
With operations in York Region
Corporate R&D Spenders
Have major operations in York Region
STEM & Business Graduates
Reside in York Region
in Growth Infrastructure Investments
2024 Estimates
Total Construction Value
2023
Business Ecosystem Tools
York Region’s Open Data portal is the public platform for exploring and accessing Regional data.
The Employment Survey is a survey of all businesses with a physical presence in the Region.
This factsheet provides statistics on business exports from York Region-based exporters.
View York Region businesses with leading positions in top company indexes and ranking lists.
Labour Force & Demographic Data
York Region Population Dashboard
Reports
Census Data
Unemployment Rates
Unemployment Rates
Source: Statistics Canada | Labour Force Characteristics, 3-month moving average, unadjusted for seasonality, NOC 2021, custom tabulation
*CMA – Census Metropolitan Area
Manufacturing Talent Toolkit
Non-Residential Real Estate Data
Industrial
Industrial Real Estate Vacancy & Availability
Source: CoStar | Note: Industrial properties include flex building space
Office
Office Real Estate Vacancy & Availability
Source: CoStar
Economic Development Reports & Publications
Business Incentives
Business incentives come in a variety of forms including, but not limited to, funding (loans & grants), landing support, and development charge deferrals and are offered through multiple levels of government. In this section you will find resources to available business incentives at a regional, provincial, and federal level. Additionally, York Region’s local municipalities may have additional business incentives available.
Regional Programs
LARGE OFFICE INCENTIVES
On October 24, 2024, York Regional Council approved a new large office incentive program to enhance York Region’s economic prosperity and job growth.
The large office incentive program, which targets office buildings 75,000 square feet or more and built in Regional growth centres, Major Transit Station Areas or Specific Local Centres includes a Development Charge Deferral of up to 20 years and a potential development charges discount.
Under the development charges deferral program, the full development charges payable could be deferred, interest free, for between 5 and 20 years and would not require a letter of credit. To qualify, buildings must also be a minimum of 4 storeys and local municipal participation is required. For further details, see the table below.
The ultimate decision on whether to implement the discount will be made as part of the update of the Region’s Development Charges Bylaw, which is expected to be brought forward to Council in February 2026.
| Gross Floor Area Size Threshold | Duration of Development Charges deferral available on Regional Centres and Corridors, Major Transit Station Areas, or on specific Local Centres |
| Between 75,000 square feet and less than 150,000 square feet | 5 years |
| Between 150,000 square feet and less than 250,000 square feet | 10 years |
| 250,000 square feet and greater | 20 years |
For more information, please visit york.ca/developmentcharges or contact the Region at 1-877-464-9675, extension 71696 or 71660.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CHARGE INCENTIVES
Reduction of Development Charges Where Gross Floor Area is Increased
3.16 Notwithstanding any other provisions of this bylaw, if a development includes the expansion of the gross floor area of an industrial, office or institutional building, the amount of the development charge that is payable in respect of the expansion shall be calculated as follows:
(a) If the gross floor area is expanded by fifty percent of the original gross floor area of the existing development, or less, the amount of the development charge in respect of the expansion is zero.
Source: The Regional Municipality of York Development Charges Bylaw 2022
Provincial Programs
Federal Programs
DISCLAIMER:
These resources are aggregated from a variety of sources. Links to third-party resources listed on this website are provided as an information service to the local business community. York Region Economic Strategy does not endorse, recommend, or approve the suitability of any third-party resources unless stated otherwise, and users should make their own inquiries and conduct due diligence as necessary. The Regional Municipality of York shall not be liable or responsible for any matter arising from use of these resources.
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