Why VitalSigns

Taking the Pulse of Our Community

Vital Signs^® is a community checkup conducted by London Community Foundation that measures the vitality of our city and the surrounding county. The Report identifies significant trends and assigns grades in ten separate areas that are critical to the quality of life in our community. It is not intended to be a comparator to other communities, but a snapshot of London and Middlesex County.

London Community Foundation has placed the emphasis of the Vital Signs report on the City of London. In some instances, the data presented represents the City of London and Middlesex County where possible. Conversely, some data estimates in the report use the Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) that includes the City of London along with the townships of Central Elgin, Southwold and Strathroy-Caradoc and surrounding areas of Middlesex and Thames Centres (Statistics Canada CMA definition, 2001). It is important to note the data source when reading through the report for clarity on the geographical area.

Vital Signs is based on a project developed by Toronto Community Foundation in 2001. It has become a nationally coordinated initiative by Community Foundations of Canada and adopted by 15 community foundations across the country.

Our Sense of Place

Our People

• London is a vibrant community.  According to recent Census data the total population in London and Middlesex County in 2007 was 421,419. Population has grown by 21% between 2001 and 2007.
• In 2001, 10.9% of London’s population was comprised of visual minorities.
• Median age for residents in London and Middlesex is 38.2, compared to 36.6 in 2001.
• Foreign-born population of London & Middlesex is 75,620, or 21.7%.
• Immigration in London has grown by 16% in the last five years.

Our Environment

• Our city has over 280 parks and open spaces. There are in excess of 2,000 hectares and a public pathway that exceeds 60 km.
• Over the past several years, the City of London has focused its energy and resources into developing a strategy for improving the health and well-being of our children and youth; along with parks and recreation within all community neighborhoods.

Our Economy

• Steady economic growth over many years. Evidence of continuing to attract new industry.
• Statistics Canada estimates that there are approximately 25,000 businesses in London.
• In London, the most recent period of growth in small business start up activity was between 1995 and 2000. There is evidence that this trend is repeating itself.

Our Health and Education

• Recognized as a centre for health care excellence, London has a strong collaborative health research community (RRI/UWO; Lawson Health Research Institute, the research arm of London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Centre).  It is home to several national academic health Centres of Excellence.  London’s hospital catchments include approximately 50% of its patients from across SWO and often beyond.
• London is home to a leading university and expansive community college.  Annually, over 44,000 full-time students are enrolled.