The population of seasonal residents (those who own seasonal properties) has been increasing faster than the permanent population. In 2022, the estimated number of seasonal residents (ages 18+) is 8,644.

That’s 25% of the total permanent and seasonal adult population (ages 18+). (MPAC)

Seasonal residents: MPAC (custom request)

Prince Edward County’s Accessibility Advisory Committee works toward becoming a barrier-free community by making our community inclusive and welcoming of everyone regardless of age, ability, background, or any other factor. Find out more about the Prince Edward County Accessibility Plan.

Community Living Prince Edward is dedicated to promoting social integration and inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Specialized transit service is available for individuals requiring accessible public transit.

Municipal Properties – Accessibility: See Prince Edward County Summary of Findings from AODA Accessibility Assessments of Municipal Properties pg. 14 

More resources are available at 211.ca

• Hastings and Prince Edward County Health region (now amalgamated as part of the South East Health Unit)
• Hastings and Prince Edward District Board of Education
• Prince Edward – Lennox & Addington Social Services 
• Highland Shores Children’s Aid (counties of Hastings, Northumberland and Prince Edward)
• Federal Economic Region (the Kingston metropolitan area and the counties of Frontenac, Hastings, Lennox and Addington, Prince Edward, and Renfrew)
• Provincial Economic Region (Bruce County, Durham Regional Municipality, Grey County, Haliburton County, Hastings County, Lennox and Addington County, Muskoka District Municipality, Northumberland County, Peterborough County, Prince Edward County, Simcoe County and Victoria County.)
• Quinte Conservation
• Bay of Quinte Provincial and Federal electoral districts

The County Foundation acknowledges that we are on the traditional territory of Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples. These peoples agreed to mutual sharing obligations and responsibilities as stewards of the land and water. We recognize that these are now our shared obligations in partnership, to continue to protect the land and water. As we talk about the land, we honour the Indigenous ancestors who came before us and who continue to be present in lands which we occupy.  We acknowledge and honour the First Nations who despite attempts of colonialism, continue to hold and share their rich history, traditions and cultures that are proud, modern and vibrant. As we move forward, we hope that every time we get together we acknowledge all those that have come before us.

— Indigenous Land Acknowledgement is approved by Troy Maracle, Indigenous Education Lead for the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board.

A note about land acknowledgements

It is important that these words are paired with actions that further the goals of truth and reconciliation.

Social isolation and loneliness are increasingly being recognised as a priority public health problem and policy issue across all age groups. Experiencing loneliness or social isolation has been linked with a higher risk of premature death. (World Health Organization)

For seniors, Canada ranks as the loneliest among 11 developed countries in a recent Commonwealth Fund Survey of Older Adults—surpassing even the U.S. and U.K. Within this population, feelings of loneliness are most acute among women and those living alone. (Commonwealth Fund survey, 2021)

• Loneliness is the distressing feeling that arises when there is a gap between the social connections we want and what we actually experience.

• Social isolation, on the other hand, refers to having few social relationships, roles, or group memberships, and limited interaction with others.

People can be socially connected and still feel lonely—or isolated without feeling lonely. But both experiences carry real risks.

The Human Need for Connection

Social connection is a basic human need, as vital to our survival as food, water, and shelter. Yet, many Canadians are struggling to meet this need:

• A Statistics Canada survey from 2021 found nearly one in every four young people aged 15-24 said they often felt lonely.
• According to the National Institute on Ageing, 41% of Canadians aged 50+ are socially isolated.
• In 2023, 39% of Canadians aged 65 and older reported feeling lonely at least some of the time (Canadian Social Survey).

• Rates of reported loneliness more than doubled among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who is Most at Risk?

• Women and those living alone

• Older adults with low income or living in disadvantaged areas

• Single, widowed, or divorced individuals

• Immigrants compared to Canadian-born residents

• Indigenous Peoples, who face systemic barriers like poverty, trauma, and social exclusion

Health Impacts of Loneliness

Loneliness increases the risk of:

• Heart disease and stroke

• Hypertension

• Dementia

• Diabetes

• Depression and anxiety

• Premature death

It’s a public health crisis—often hidden, but deeply harmful.

A healthy democracy needs citizens who feel their votes count, are informed, participate, debate, and advocate. It needs governments at all levels to be transparent, inclusive, consultative, and trustworthy. In essence, political leadership, citizen participation, and communication demonstrate the level of democratic engagement. (University of Waterloo. Democratic engagement)

• Thrive PEC is a community-led development of a collaborative vision for the future of Prince Edward County. Join the conversation…
• Have Your Say, Prince Edward County’s municipal online engagement website, invites residents to follow issues, share ideas, give feedback, and join the conversation to help shape County projects. This is an opportunity for everyone to have their say.
  

• REPRESENT is an initiative to promote more balanced and reflective local government. It is a volunteer-run effort to connect, engage and support underrepresented people who are interested in participating in local government — women, First Nations and racialized people, gender diverse people, LGBTQIA2S people, people living with disabilities, and youth. For more information email representpec@gmail.com
  
• Accessible Council meetings: All meetings of Council are live streamed for the benefit of those residents and interested individuals that are not able to attend in person. All recorded meetings are also posted to the archives so that residents can view past meetings at their leisure.
  

• Citizen committees provide Council and staff with input about a wide variety of subjects through discussions, presentations and recommendations. Becoming a member of a citizen committee offers residents a unique chance to volunteer their highly valued skills and knowledge to strengthen our shared sense of community.
  
• Youth engagement: Prince Edward County is looking to develop meaningful civic engagement opportunities for young people, and is the first municipality in Eastern Ontario to join forces with the Youth Council Coalition of Canada. The County participates in the YCC’s Hour-for-Hour Challenge which helps secondary school students learn how local government works through experiential learning opportunities. Participating students can also use the time towards their required 40 hours of volunteer service. For more information contact Joy McLeod, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, by emailing jmcleod@pecounty.on.ca 
  

Voter participation

An inclusive community is welcoming to diverse groups of people, including seniors, youth, children, Indigenous peoples, immigrants and newcomers, gender diverse, persons with disabilities, people experiencing mental health challenges, and low-income populations.  (Accessibility Canada, Pathways to Recreation) 

Public health recognizes the strong relationship between the social determinants of health and health outcomes. Racism and employment are two key social determinants of health. 

Prince Edward County was officially named in 1792. Colonial settlement started with the United Empire Loyalists after the American Revolution that started in 1765.

In the early 1800s industries were boat building, shipping and grain farming; the late 1800s saw the prosperous Barley Days and fishing; and in the 20th Century a flourishing canning industry, dairy farming and cheese production slumped in the last quarter of the century due to globalization and industrialization.

We are still largely agricultural, although the number of mid-sized farms has decreased. New smaller farms are being established with a focus on sustainability.

The area was rediscovered in the late 1990s by ‘new settlers’ seeking a simpler rural lifestyle and became a destination for art lovers, birders, culinary tourists, cyclists, and the home of a flourishing new wine industry. (Prince Edward County Heritage Resources)

Tourism has boosted the economy since the 1800s. However, PEC's growing popularity is affecting local life. House prices have increased, and there is added pressure on roads, infrastructure, and services. At times, visitors’ expectations don’t align with the realities of life in The County.

Events & Festivals

Prince Edward County is one of Ontario’s designated viticultural areas, and where there’s wine there’s art, food and music, too! We celebrate it all, from the world-class PEC Jazz Festival to the Firelight Festival where children parade on Main Street to show off their handmade paper lanterns. In autumn there’s the Scarecrow Festival and Wellington Pumpkinfest, and in winter the Ice Box Festival and Flashback February. The PEC Marathon is international, so is the Walleye World Fishing Tournament.

Music festivals, studio tours, the Kids of Steel triathlon, boxcar races, wine and culinary and harvest festivals happen all over The County. (Visit the County events)