To understand the future, one must look at the past. Thornhill’s past includes prosperous times, followed by tragedy and then triumph.  The growth and development of Thornhill has been strongly influenced by the development of Yonge Street (which was completed in 1794), as well, the Don River system, which in the early 19^th century, was the main source of power that drove industrial machinery, such as saw and flourmills. 

Following the War of 1812, a period of immigration took place.  Newly impoverished families eager to start fresh, Benjamin Thorne was one of these, arriving in 1820.  By 1830, Thorne was operating a flourmill, a sawmill and a tannery.  The small settlement came to be known as Thorne’s Mills and then later Thorne’s Hill, after the highly influential, Benjamin Thorne.  

Between 1830 and 1848, Thornhill experienced a period of growth and prosperity, until the British Government annulled the Corn Laws in 1846, which resulted in the end of lower import tariffs for Canadian grain into the British markets.  This left many farmers and millers with a surplus of grain and no market. This resulted in the bankruptcy of Thorne, and ultimately his suicide.  By 1885, most mills had disappeared or had been replaced by steam-powered operations, and by the mid 19^th century, steam became the main source of energy, replacing waterpower. 

The Metropolitan Radial Railway reached Thornhill in 1896, allowing commuters to travel to and from Toronto.  It wasn’t until 1931 that Thornhill finally became a Police Village, giving Thornhill its own political boundaries, and for the first time, Thornhill elected three trustees for the village. 

It wasn’t until after World War II that the growth of Thornhill was truly felt.  From the completion of subdivision to the increased popularity of the automobile, Thornhill steadily became the large urban community it is today.  With a population of around 700 people in 1848, to currently over 60,000 and growing, Thornhill’s future is looking promising.

With over 63,020 residents, Thornhill has become a bedroom community for those working in the Greater Toronto Area. With over 31 schools, countless parks and green space, arts and museums, and shopping destinations – such as Promenade Shopping Centre and Hillcrest Mall - Thornhill offers all the amenities of a bustling city, with the serenity and peace of mind of a small suburban town.

What separates Thornhill from other suburban towns is its accessible public transit system. From the GO (Train), TTC, to YRT and the new, state-of-the-art, rapid transit system, Viva, getting around the city and beyond is only a fare-ride away. The arteries of Thornhill, from Highways 404 and 400, as well as Highways 401 and 407, are well developed, making traveling in and out of Thornhill a breeze.

Thornhill prides itself on its multiculturalism, with more than 60 different languages spoken, including Hebrew, Russian, Italian, Cantonese and Spanish. Thornhill has also become a hotspot for new immigrants, with over 5,000 making Thornhill their home since the last census.

The median household income in Thornhill is $84,700, compared with $50,500 across the Greater Toronto Area. Of all households, 60 per cent of the community earns an income in excess of $70,000 and approximately 89 per cent of Thornhill residents own their home. The affluent community with plenty of disposable income, spells good news for area businesses and services.

Employment in Thornhill is dominated by the commercial sector. Over 900 businesses employing over 10,000 people are located in Thornhill. The bulk of local employment is in the retail and service sectors, with the majority of commercial employment concentrated in the Promenade mall.

Whether you want to head to one of the handful of golf courses, taunt your taste buds with ethnic food fare, or shop around at one of the many shopping centres in the area, Thornhill is sure to keep you busy!