Want to live and work in Markham?

Markham has a demographic profile unique in Canada. About 60% of the population identifies as Asian, with a strong Chinese majority (45% of the total). Immigration came in waves from Hong Kong (1980s to 1990s, before reunification with China), Taiwan, and mainland China (2000 to 2020). There are also large South Asian communities (Sri Lanka, India), Iranian, and Filipino communities.

English is the official language, but at home and on the streets it is common to hear Mandarin, Cantonese, Tamil, Persian (Farsi), Urdu, and Korean. Bilingual signs (English and Chinese) are standard in malls, restaurants, and even some schools. The Chinese presence has shaped commerce, with Pacific Mall considered the largest Chinese mall in North America.

The Brazilian community in Markham is small, focused on a few IT professionals and students at Seneca College (which has a campus in Markham). Established families dominate the profile: about 80% of residents live in homes with a spouse and children. Multigenerational households (grandparents, parents, and children together) are common, especially among Chinese and South Asian families.

Markham is a suburban house city. Detached houses (single-family homes with garages and yards) dominate Cathedraltown, Cornell, Berczy Village, Box Grove, and Markville. Many homes have 4 or 5 bedrooms, 2 or 3 bathrooms, and a basement already converted for extended family use or rental. Unionville (the historic downtown with its pedestrian Main Street) has charming older brick homes.

Condos (high-rise buildings) have grown significantly around Markham Centre, with modern towers near Highway 7 and Warden Avenue. There are also many new townhouses in neighborhoods such as Wismer and Greensborough. Cornell is a New Urbanism neighborhood, with Victorian-style homes aligned along walkable streets, modeled after small eastern American towns.

To rent, landlords ask for proof of income, references, and Canadian credit history. Those arriving without a credit history need a guarantor or must pay several months upfront. Popular platforms include Realtor.ca, Zumper, Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, and WeChat groups (within the Chinese community). Word of mouth within the Chinese community handles much of the real estate market.

Residents' children are entitled to free public schooling through the York Region District School Board (public) or the York Catholic District School Board (Catholic). Schools in Markham regularly appear among the best in Ontario in rankings such as the Fraser Institute. Unionville High School and Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School are particularly well known for their academic rigor.

The education culture is intense, especially in Asian families, with significant investment in tutoring, test preparation courses (SAT, SSAT, Gauss, Concours), and extracurricular activities (piano, violin, Math Olympiad). Kumon, Spirit of Math, and Chinese tutoring centers have many locations in Markham.

Seneca College has a campus in Markham (Markham Campus, focused on business and IT). York University is nearby, in North York. For the University of Toronto, the commute via subway and GO Train is manageable. Tuition for international students at Seneca ranges from CAD 16,000 to CAD 22,000 per year. Students require a federal study permit.

Markham consistently appears among the safest cities in Canada. Residential neighborhoods such as Unionville, Berczy, Cathedraltown, Cornell, and Wismer are extremely quiet for evening walks. York Regional Police maintains a strong community presence. Families report a very safe environment for children and seniors.

There are no neighborhoods in Markham that are considered dangerous. Even the busiest commercial areas (Pacific Mall, Markville) have good security and lighting. Violent crimes against strangers are rare, and crimes against persons in general remain well below the GTA average.

The biggest concern in recent years has been car theft, part of a regional wave. Markham is a target because of the concentration of luxury vehicles (BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Range Rover) in garages. Honda CR-Vs, Lexus RXs, and Toyota Highlanders are also stolen for illegal export. Police recommend keeping keys away from the front door, using steering wheel locks, and installing Ring or Nest cameras. Residential break-ins have also increased.

Summer in Markham runs from June through September, with highs between 26 °C and 29 °C, high humidity, and heavy afternoon heat. Being farther from Lake Ontario, slightly more stifling heat can be felt during the day. Central air conditioning is standard.

Winters are cold. From December to March, highs range from -3 °C to 1 °C, with frequent lows reaching -17 °C in January. The city receives around 130 cm of snow per year. The distance from the lake intensifies the cold slightly compared to downtown Toronto.

Homes in Markham are mostly modern suburban houses with gas heating, central A/C, and enclosed garages. Winter tires are strongly recommended. The city is a technology hub and is home to one of the largest Chinese and South Asian communities in Canada.

Unionville Main Street is the tourism heart, with Victorian homes, Toogood Pond, and the Varley Art Gallery. The Markham Museum, with relocated historic buildings, and Flato Markham Theatre anchor the cultural programming. For shopping, Pacific Mall and Markville Mall are the main hubs, along with Times Square and First Markham Place, known for Chinese, Hong Kong-style, and Taiwanese cuisine.

The city has a thriving scene of bubble tea, hot pot, dim sum, and Asian supermarkets such as T&T and Foody Mart throughout the district. Cornell Community Centre & Library and Angus Glen Community Centre offer pools, gyms, and libraries. The Aaniin Community Centre, in Cornell, is one of the newest and serves families with multilingual programs.

For nature, Rouge National Urban Park covers a large portion of eastern Markham and features trails, farms, and Bob Hunter Memorial Park. Milne Dam Conservation Park and Toogood Pond Park round out the green space network. The YRT-Viva rapid transit system connects the city to TTC and GO Transit lines into downtown Toronto.