Essex County is Canada's southernmost county, spanning 1720.00 km².  At the same latitude as northern California, we are one of the most agriculturally productive counties in the country. Located on a peninsula of land that virtually juts out into the midwest United States, we are one of Canada's busiest entry points and tourist areas. So the nicknames for the area, "Sun Parlor of Canada" and "Garden Gateway to Canada" are quite appropriate.

With a population of over 166,000, Essex County is the second most populated county in Ontario.  It is projected that Essex County will attain a population of 196,305 by the year 2016.

Essex County was first settled by French colonists over two hundred years ago and has a long history as a farming and manufacturing area.  We enjoy a greater diversity of agricultural production than any other part of Ontario. In addition to the traditional grains and oilseeds grown throughout the Province, the climate and soil here are ideal for vegetable and fruit crops including world-class grapes.  The grape/wine industry in Essex County continues to flourish and the wine tours throughout the region have become very popular with tourists. Greenhouse vegetable production in Essex County is the most intensive in all of Canada.  Over 1,100 acres of greenhouse vegetable production represents over 83% of the provincial total. Agricultural related products provided from this region supply local consumers as well as foreign markets around the world. 

Manufacturing in Essex County is also one of our most important industries and employs over 28% of our labour force.  Within recent years, manufacturing within the region has diversified beyond the automotive sector and we have taken advantage of our strategic location to the international border. 

Investment in Research and Development infrastructure within the region in the areas of agriculture, automotive industry, environment and medicine have strengthened the economy within our region and has allowed us to further diversify.

Another mainstay of Essex County is our tourism industry.  Our many historic and scenic attractions together with our 402 kilometres of shoreline- much of it sandy beaches-and sunny climate make it an attractive place to visit.  Some of our better known attractions include Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary, Colasanti's Tropical Gardens, historic Fort Malden, Heritage Village and Point Pelee National Park.

We invite you to visit Essex County to experience our bounty and all that the Sun Parlor of Canada has to offer.