Ethnic Origin

According to the 2006 Census, 39% or 183,860 Simcoe Muskoka residents reported English as their ethnic origin. This was followed by Canadian (34% or 159,485), Scottish (26% or 124,750), Irish (24% or 112,985), French (14% or 64,225), German (11% or 53,505), Dutch (6% or 26,015) and Italian (5% or 23,660). This distribution was similar to that found in the 2001 Census.

Certain ethnicities were more commonly reported in distinct geographic areas across Simcoe Muskoka:

• French: higher in northwest Simcoe and southwest Muskoka area, including Penetanguishene (42%), Midland (29%), Tay (23%), Tiny (22%) and Bracebridge (12%) 
• Italian: higher in south Simcoe and north Muskoka, including Bradford West Gwillimbury (10%), Adjala Tosorontio (8%), Innisfil (8%), Wasaga Beach (7%), New Tecumseth (7%) and Huntsville (4%) 
• Portuguese: most common in south Simcoe in the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury (10%)