Barrie is one of the best cities in the province of Ontario to live in! With a population of 167,176 as of the last count, this haven 85 kilometres north of Toronto becomes more popular by the day. It’s easy to see why. Surrounded by beautiful Simcoe County, there are endless opportunities for adventure outside!
Imagine spending all afternoon in the sunshine while walking along the waterfront of Kempenfelt Bay. This vacation-like setting is located in downtown Barrie, where you also have access to every convenience you could ask for.
We have created this guide just for you, telling you everything you need to know about the economic possibilities and the fantastic lifestyle Barrie provides, all freshly updated for 2026! Whether you are already living here or looking for a new environment, you are sure to find this information handy.
Wondering what homes are available in Barrie and the surrounding areas?
Find out by browsing our featured listings.
Barrie’s Thriving Industries
Since the city is so close to Toronto and conveniently located on Highway 400, it has become known as a commuter city. Thanks to a robust, healthy economy, you have the ability to live where you work, a huge plus for families who do not wish to spend hours on the road.
For commuters from smaller communities such as Springwater, Innisfil, and Oro-Medonte, Barrie offers many opportunities throughout a variety of industries and sectors.
Barrie boasts several great attractions, which are a draw to residents and visitors, and also create plenty of opportunities in the hospitality industry. Whether you work in sales or service, your skills are sure to be appreciated by employers throughout the city.
Skilled trades are in demand in Barrie, and the Barrie Construction Association (BCA) supports nearly 400 builders throughout the Simcoe County region. If you’re an apprentice in search of your next opportunity or a business owner looking for new talent, Barrie is a great place to put down roots.
Our local campus of Georgian College also has dedicated programs for the trades, including woodworking, robotics, hairstyling, construction, welding, plumbing – you name it. Upon graduation, students can look forward to a lifetime of potential and possibilities.
Living in or near Barrie, there are no limits! In addition to hospitality and trades, there are endless occupations in other fields, such as in education, law enforcement, social and community services, healthcare and the public sector.
Economic data is important, but it’s just one piece of the analysis. Several other factors will determine whether a community is a good fit for your new home. The posts below will give you food for thought:
- A Look at Barrie’s Top Neighbourhoods: Which One Is Right for You
- Exploring New Opportunities in Barrie Real Estate
- The Joy of Downsizing and Retiring in Barrie
Meet Some of Our Top Employers in Simcoe County
Understanding the economic layout of Barrie means getting to know some of the largest employers in the region. Here is a quick overview of our top five:
Simcoe County District School Board
Just to the north of the city is the Simcoe County District School Board, which has nearly 7,000 employees.
As the organization responsible for the education of school-aged children, they have positions available across the region. Their online job board regularly posts roles for teachers, administrative support, and management.
Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board
Education is our largest sector our community, and we are proud of that fact! The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board is the second largest employer in the region, with approximately 4,800 staff members that include teachers and a number of support roles.
If you’re passionate about faith-based education, you can learn more about available opportunities by viewing the board’s career page.
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre
Do you have healthcare training or plans to further your education in the medical field? The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre is a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto medical school.
A team of more than 3,000 employees, including 400 physicians, is committed to providing outstanding patient care every day of every year. Specialized services in cardiac, stroke, oncology, and intensive care mean a variety of professionals will always be in high demand.
Recently, the facility was also designated as a Level III trauma centre. It’s not just a top employer; it’s also a valuable source of care for residents throughout Simcoe County.
Georgian College
Georgian College gets the next slot on the list, with about 2,000 full and part-time staff members providing higher education for students. The school has seven campuses in total, but the Barrie facilities are the largest.
Almost all of the programs also include a workplace experience component. As the largest co-op college in Canada, Georgian College represents more than 3,500 employers and 4,500 co-op positions each year. It’s hard to believe this highly reputable college got its start as a modest shopping plaza in 1967!
Simcoe County
Next up is the County of Simcoe government itself, with more than 2,000 public employees and new postings often available. The organization provides a wide range of services, including emergency paramedics, waste management, workforce development, and senior services.
Do you want to explore the beauty of all of Simcoe County’s communities in more detail?
Learn everything you ever wanted to know by reading all of our neighbourhood guides!
Barrie Tourism: Quick Economic Facts
Like many cities in Ontario, Barrie is growing fast and has many plans to accommodate new residents who are relocating. In 2024, the city approved the construction of more than 3,000 new homes, as well as new infrastructure projects that include adding 5 km of new roads. None of this interferes with Barrie’s commitment to a clean, family-friendly environment, as 19 hectares of public green space are also dedicated to the city.
Barrie is on Lake Simcoe, which is the largest lake outside the Great Lakes in Southern Ontario. The beautiful scenery and a host of incredible amenities make it a popular destination for visitors, as evidenced by the impressive 2025 tourism numbers.
Over the course of the year, nearly 1 million people visited and stayed overnight in the city, which added a whopping $212 million to our local economy. Barrie is much more than a fantastic tourist destination, however; it’s also a lovely place to live, and we couldn’t be happier to call this city our home!
If you’d like to make your home in Barrie or the surrounding area, contact The Peggy Hill Team at (705)-739-4455 or email info@peggyhill.com. We are happy to help you get started.
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