Niagara Falls | |
|---|---|
 The skyline of Niagara Falls near the edge of theHorseshoe Falls (at left), including theSkylon Tower, theFallsview Casino, and several high-rise hotels | |
 Coat of arms | |
| Nickname(s): The Honeymoon Capital of the World, the Falls | |
 Location of Niagara Falls in the Niagara Region | |
  Niagara Falls Location Show map of Southern Ontario Niagara Falls Niagara Falls (Ontario) Show map of Ontario Niagara Falls Niagara Falls (Canada) Show map of Canada | |
| Coordinates:43°03′36″N79°06′24″W / 43.06000°N 79.10667°W /43.06000; -79.10667 | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Ontario |
| Regional municipality | Niagara |
| Settled | 1782 |
| Incorporated | 12 June 1903; 121 years ago (1903-06-12) |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Jim Diodati |
| • Governing body | Niagara Falls City Council |
| • MP | Tony Baldinelli |
| • MPP | Wayne Gates |
| Area | |
| • Land | 209.73 km2 (80.98 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 382.68 km2 (147.75 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 1,397.50 km2 (539.58 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• City (lower-tier) | 94,415 (63rd) |
| • Density | 449.1/km2 (1,163/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 433,604 (13th) |
| • Metro density | 279.3/km2 (723/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Forward Sortation Area | |
| Area code(s) | 905, 289, 365, and 742 |
| GNBC Code | FEDBA[5] |
| Website | niagarafalls |
Niagara Falls is a city inOntario, Canada, adjacent to, and named after,Niagara Falls. As of the2021 census,[4] the city had a population of 94,415. The city is located on theNiagara Peninsula along the western bank of theNiagara River, which forms part of theCanada–United States border, with the other side being the twin city ofNiagara Falls, New York. Niagara Falls is within theRegional Municipality of Niagara and a part of theSt. Catharines - Niagara Census Metropolitan Area (CMA).
Tourism is a major part of the city's economy: its skyline consists of multiple high-rise hotels and observation towers that overlook the waterfalls and adjacent parkland. Souvenir shops, arcades, museums, amusement rides, indoor water parks, casinos, theatres and aconvention centre are located nearby in the city's large tourist area. Other parts of the city include historic sites from theWar of 1812, parks, golf courses, commercial spaces, and residential neighbourhoods.
Prior to European arrival, present day Niagara Falls was populated byIroquoian-speakingNeutral people but, after attacks from theHaudenosaunee andSeneca, the Neutral people population was severely reduced. The Haudenosaunee people remained in the area until Europeans made first contact in the late 17th century.[6] The Niagara Falls area had some European settlement in the 17th century.Louis Hennepin, a Frenchpriest andmissionary, is considered to be the first European to visit the area in the 1670s. French colonists settled mostly in Lower Canada, beginning near the Atlantic, and in Quebec and Montreal.
After surveys were completed in 1782 the area was referred to asTownship Number 2 as well as Mount Dorchester afterGuy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester (and today is only honoured by Dorchester Road and the community of Dorchester Village).[7] The earliest settlers of Township Number 2 were Philip George Bender (namesake of Bender Street and Bender Hill nearCasino Niagara originally from Germany and later New Jersey andPhiladelphia[7]) and Thomas McMicken (a Scottish-born British Army veteran).[7] Increased settlement in this area took place during and after theAmerican Revolutionary War, when the British Crown made land grants toLoyalists to help them resettle in Upper Canada and provide some compensation for their losses after the United States became independent. Loyalist Robert Land received 200 acres (81 ha) and was one of the first people of European descent to settle in the Niagara Region. He moved to nearbyHamilton three years later due to the relentless noise of the falls.[8]
-3394-3428_Portage_Road-Niagara_Falls-Ontario-HPC9785-10543-20221117.jpg)
In 1791,John Graves Simcoe renamed the town as Stamford afterStamford, Lincolnshire inEngland[7] but todayStamford is only used for an area northwest of downtown Niagara Falls as well as Stamford Street. During the war of 1812, thebattle of Lundy's Lane took place nearby in July 1814.[9] In 1856, the Town of Clifton was incorporated by Ogden Creighton afterClifton, Bristol. The name of the town was changed to Niagara Falls in 1881. In 1882, the community of Drummondville (near the present-day corner of Lundy's Lane and Main Street) was incorporated as the village of Niagara Falls (South). The village was referred to as Niagara Falls South to differentiate it from the town. In 1904, the town and village amalgamated to form the City of Niagara Falls. In 1963, the city amalgamated with the surroundingStamford Township.[10] In 1970, theNiagara regional government was formed.[11] This resulted in the village ofChippawa,Willoughby Township, and part ofCrowland Township being annexed into Niagara Falls.[12]
Aninternment camp for Germans was set up at The Armoury (now Niagara Military Museum) in Niagara Falls from December 1914 to August 1918.[13]
Niagara Falls has had a Black population since at least 1783. Up to 12 African-Americans were a part of theButler's Rangers, includingRichard Pierpoint. When they were disbanded in 1783, they tried to establish themselves through farming nearby, making them among the first Black settlers in the region.[14][15] It is estimated that nearly 10 percent of the Loyalists to settle in the area wereBlack Loyalists.[16]
Niagara Falls' Black population increased in the following decades, as a destination on theUnderground Railroad. In 1856, aBritish Methodist Episcopal (BME) Church was established forAfrican-Canadian worshipers.[17] The BME Church, Nathaniel Dett Memorial Chapel is now aNational Historic Site, remaining in operation into the 21st century.[18][19] Composer, organist, pianist and music professorNathaniel Dett was born in Niagara Falls in 1882.[20]
In 1886,Burr Plato became one of the first African Canadians to be elected to political office, holding the position of City Councillor of Niagara Falls until 1901.[21][22]
Niagara Falls is approximately 130 km (81 mi) by road from Ontario's capital ofToronto, which is across Lake Ontario to the north. The area of the Niagara Region is approximately 1,800 km2 (690 sq mi).
The city is built along theNiagara Falls waterfalls and theNiagara Gorge on theNiagara River, which flows fromLake Erie toLake Ontario.
The city of Niagara Falls has ahumid continental climate (KöppenDfa) which is moderated to an extent in all seasons by proximity to bodies of water. Winters are cold, with a January high of −0.4 °C (31.3 °F) and a low of −7.8 °C (18.0 °F).[23] However, temperatures above 0 °C (32.0 °F) are common during winter.[23] The average annual snowfall is 154 centimetres (61 in), in which it can receivelake effect snow from both lakes Erie and Ontario. Summers are warm to hot and humid, with a July high of 27.4 °C (81.3 °F) and a low of 17 °C (62.6 °F).[23] The average annual precipitation is 970.2 millimetres (38 in), which is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year.[citation needed]
Niagara Falls holds the record for the highest temperature recorded in Canada in January, when it reached 22.2 °C (72 °F) on January 26, 1950.
| Climate data for Niagara Falls | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 22.2 (72.0) | 19.5 (67.1) | 26.5 (79.7) | 33.0 (91.4) | 35.0 (95.0) | 34.6 (94.3) | 38.4 (101.1) | 38.3 (100.9) | 35.6 (96.1) | 32.8 (91.0) | 24.4 (75.9) | 21.5 (70.7) | 38.4 (101.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −0.4 (31.3) | 1.3 (34.3) | 5.9 (42.6) | 12.8 (55.0) | 19.4 (66.9) | 24.5 (76.1) | 27.4 (81.3) | 26.0 (78.8) | 21.9 (71.4) | 15.1 (59.2) | 8.7 (47.7) | 2.7 (36.9) | 13.8 (56.8) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −4.1 (24.6) | −2.7 (27.1) | 1.2 (34.2) | 7.5 (45.5) | 13.6 (56.5) | 19.1 (66.4) | 22.2 (72.0) | 21.1 (70.0) | 17.1 (62.8) | 10.7 (51.3) | 4.9 (40.8) | −0.7 (30.7) | 9.2 (48.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −7.8 (18.0) | −6.6 (20.1) | −3.5 (25.7) | 2.2 (36.0) | 7.7 (45.9) | 13.7 (56.7) | 17.0 (62.6) | 16.2 (61.2) | 12.3 (54.1) | 6.3 (43.3) | 1.1 (34.0) | −4.1 (24.6) | 4.5 (40.1) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −26 (−15) | −25 (−13) | −20 (−4) | −13.5 (7.7) | −4.4 (24.1) | 2.2 (36.0) | 5.6 (42.1) | 1.0 (33.8) | 0.0 (32.0) | −6.7 (19.9) | −12.5 (9.5) | −24 (−11) | −26 (−15) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 75.6 (2.98) | 61.8 (2.43) | 61.7 (2.43) | 72.0 (2.83) | 86.8 (3.42) | 80.9 (3.19) | 78.9 (3.11) | 79.2 (3.12) | 98.2 (3.87) | 79.7 (3.14) | 91.8 (3.61) | 81.1 (3.19) | 947.5 (37.30) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 27.8 (1.09) | 29.6 (1.17) | 36.7 (1.44) | 66.0 (2.60) | 85.9 (3.38) | 80.9 (3.19) | 78.9 (3.11) | 79.2 (3.12) | 98.2 (3.87) | 79.7 (3.14) | 81.9 (3.22) | 49.3 (1.94) | 794.0 (31.26) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 47.7 (18.8) | 32.2 (12.7) | 25.0 (9.8) | 6.0 (2.4) | 0.9 (0.4) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 9.8 (3.9) | 31.8 (12.5) | 153.5 (60.4) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 14.4 | 11.4 | 11.3 | 12.6 | 13.5 | 11.3 | 10.9 | 10.8 | 11.2 | 13.0 | 13.0 | 13.4 | 146.6 |
| Average rainy days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 5.0 | 4.5 | 7.2 | 11.6 | 13.4 | 11.3 | 10.9 | 10.8 | 11.2 | 13.0 | 11.1 | 7.7 | 117.9 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.2 cm) | 9.8 | 7.7 | 5.0 | 1.6 | 0.08 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.4 | 6.6 | 33.2 |
| Source 1:Environment Canada (normals 1981–2010, extremes 1981–2006)[24] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2:Environment Canada (extremes for Niagara Falls 1943−1995)[23] | |||||||||||||
Although more historical and cultural diversity exists, Niagara Falls has 11 communities and 67 neighbourhoods defined by Planning Neighbourhoods and Communities for the City of Niagara Falls.[25]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1881 | 2,347 | — |
| 1891 | 3,349 | +42.7% |
| 1901 | 4,244 | +26.7% |
| 1911 | 9,248 | +117.9% |
| 1921 | 14,764 | +59.6% |
| 1931 | 19,046 | +29.0% |
| 1941 | 20,371 | +7.0% |
| 1951 | 22,874 | +12.3% |
| 1961 | 22,351 | −2.3% |
| 1971 | 67,163 | +200.5% |
| 1981 | 70,960 | +5.7% |
| 1991 | 75,399 | +6.3% |
| 2001 | 78,815 | +4.5% |
| 2006 | 82,184 | +4.3% |
| 2011 | 82,997 | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 88,071 | +6.1% |
| 2021 | 94,415 | +7.2% |
| Ethnic origin (>2000 population) | Population | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 18,640 | 20.1% | |
| Italian | 15,635 | 16.9% | |
| Canadian | 12,915 | 13.9% | |
| Scottish | 13,930 | 15.0% | |
| Irish | 13,285 | 14.3% | |
| German | 8,890 | 9.6% | |
| French | 7,745 | 8.4% | |
| Polish | 3,905 | 4.2% | |
| Indian | 3,440 | 3.7% | |
| Ukrainian | 3,300 | 3.6% | |
| British Isles, n.o.s. | 3,295 | 3.6% | |
| Dutch | 2,875 | 3.1% | |
| Filipino | 2,725 | 2.9% | |
| Hungarian | 2,280 | 2.5% | |
| Chinese | 2,230 | 2.4% | |
| Source: 2021 Census of Canada | |||
In the2021 Census of Population conducted byStatistics Canada, Niagara Falls had a population of94,415 living in37,793 of its39,778 total private dwellings, a change of7.2% from its 2016 population of88,071. With a land area of 210.25 km2 (81.18 sq mi), it had a population density of449.1/km2 (1,163.1/sq mi) in 2021.[4]
At thecensus metropolitan area (CMA) level in the 2021 census, the St. Catharines - Niagara CMA had a population of433,604 living in179,224 of its190,878 total private dwellings, a change of6.8% from its 2016 population of406,074. With a land area of 1,397.09 km2 (539.42 sq mi), it had a population density of310.4/km2 (803.8/sq mi) in 2021.[26]
As of the 2021 Census,[27] 20.9% of the city's population were visible minorities, 3.5% had Indigenous ancestry, and the remaining 75.6% were White. The largest visible minority groups were South Asian (6.3%), Black (3.1%), Filipino (3.0%), Chinese (2.4%), Latin American (1.6%) and Arab (1.1%).
60.1% of Niagara Falls city residents self-identified withChristian denominations in 2021, down from 74.1% in 2011.[28] 33.2% of residents wereCatholic, 13.9% wereProtestant, 7.1% were Christians of unspecified denomination, and 2.4% wereChristian Orthodox. All other Christian denominations/Christian related traditions made up 3.5%. 30.9% of residents were irreligious or secular, up from 22.5% in 2011. Overall, followers of non-Christian religions/spiritual traditions were 9.0% of the population. The largest of these wereIslam (4.1%),Hinduism (2.0%),Sikhism (1.4%) andBuddhism (0.8%)
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Tourism started in the early 19th century and has been a vital part of the local economy since that time. The falls became known as a natural wonder, in part to their being featured in paintings by prominent American artists of the 19th century such asAlbert Bierstadt. Such works were reproduced as lithographs, becoming widely distributed. Niagara Falls marketed itself as ahoneymoon destination, describing itself as the "honeymoon capital of the world".[29] Its counterpart in New York also used the moniker.[30] The phrase was most commonly used in brochures in the early twentieth century and declined in usage around the 1960s.[31]
With a plentiful and inexpensive source ofhydroelectric power from the waterfalls, many electro-chemical and electro-metallurgical industries located there in the early to mid-20th century. Industry began moving out of the city in the 1970s and 80s because of economicrecession and increasing global competition in the manufacturing sector. Tourism increasingly became the city's most important revenue source.
Recent development has been mostly centred on the Clifton Hill and Fallsview areas. The Niagara Falls downtown (Queen Street) is undergoing a major revitalization; the city is encouraging redevelopment of this area as an arts and culture district. The downtown was a major centre for local commerce and night life up until the 1970s, when the Niagara Square Shopping Centre began to draw away crowds and retailers. Since 2006, Historic Niagara has brought art galleries, boutiques, cafés and bistros to the street. Attractions include renovation of the Seneca Theatre.
In 2004, several tourist establishments in Niagara Falls began adding additional fees to bills.[32] These fees have various different names and range in what percentage of the bill they take.[33] The collected money is untraceable and there are no controls over how each establishment spends it. The Ontario government—concerned tourists could be misled into believing the fees were endorsed by the government—warned hotels and restaurants in 2008 not to claim the fee if it was not being remitted to a legitimate non-profit agency that promotes tourism. The practise continues and takes in an estimated $15 million per-year.[32][34] Hotels specifically charge a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) fee, a percentage of which goes to the city. Fees that are present elsewhere only benefit the owners of the business itself, leading to these fees being criticized as deceptive.[33] Some tourists have effectively fought the additional charge, while other businesses have enforced it as mandatory.[35]
In the 20th century, there was a favourable exchange rate when comparing Canadian and U.S. currencies.
Niagara Falls, New York, struggles to compete against Niagara Falls, Ontario; the Canadian side has a greater average annual income, a higher average home price, and lower levels of vacant buildings and blight,[36] as well as a more vibrant economy and better tourism infrastructure.[37] The population of Niagara Falls, New York fell by half from the 1960s to 2012. In contrast, the population of Niagara Falls, Ontario more than tripled.[38]
TheOntario government introduced legalgambling to the local economy in the mid-1990s.Casino Niagara precipitated an economic boom in the late 1990s as numerous luxury hotels and tourist attractions were built, and a second casino,Niagara Fallsview, opened in 2004. Both attracted American tourists due in part to the comparatively less expensive Canadian dollar, and despite the opening of theSeneca Niagara Casino on the American side. When the Canadian and US currencies moved closer to parity in the 2000s, Niagara Falls, Ontario continued to be a popular destination for Americans, while Niagara Falls, New York, experienced a prolonged economic downturn. Ontario's legaldrinking age is 19, which attracts potential alcohol consumers from across the border, as the American drinking age is 21.
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Some cultural areas of Niagara Falls include Queen Street, Main and Ferry Streets, Stamford Centre and Chippawa Square.[39][40] Community centres that are host to cultural activities include the City of Niagara Falls Museums, Niagara Falls Public Libraries, Coronation 50 Plus Recreation Centre, Club Italia and Scotia Bank Convention Centre.
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| Club | League | Sport | Venue | Established | Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara United | Canadian Soccer League | Soccer | Kalar Sports Park | 2010 | 0 |
| Niagara Falls Canucks | Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League | Ice Hockey | Gale Centre | c. 1971 | 2 |
Notable attractions in Niagara Falls include:
Niagara Falls City Council consists of eight councillors and a mayor. City elections take place every four years with the most recent election held on24 October 2022. Council is responsible for policy and decision making, monitoring the operation and performance of the city, analysing and approving budgets and determining spending priorities. Due to regulations put forward by the Municipal Elections Act 1996, elections are held on the fourth Monday in October except for religious holidays or if a member of council or if the mayor resigns.Jim Diodati has been the mayor of Niagara Falls since 2010.[41]
As of 2023, the city's fire and emergency services are staffed by 130 firefighters and 104 volunteers.[42] Provincial roads (namely theQueen Elizabeth Way) are patrolled by theOntario Provincial Police (OPP) and the rest byNiagara Regional Police (NRPS) for city streets and general policing orNiagara Parks Police (NPP) on property relating toNiagara Parks Commission. Policing on the Canadian side of bridges (Whirlpool and Rainbow Bridges) are conducted by bothCanadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) andU.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations, but may involve Niagara Regional Police and/or OPP, as well as US agencies.[43]Michigan Central Railway Bridge is an inactive railway bridge; it is closed off by theCanadian Pacific Railways to prevent trespassing but can be accessed by NRPS or CBSA/CBP if required.
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Niagara Falls is linked to major highways in Canada. TheQueen Elizabeth Way (QEW), stretching fromFort Erie toToronto, passes through Niagara Falls.Highway 420 (along with Niagara Regional Road 420) connect theRainbow Bridge to the QEW. TheNiagara Parkway is a road operated under theNiagara Parks Commission which connects Niagara-on-the-Lake toFort Erie via Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls formerly had King's Highways passing through the city. These included:
Via Rail Canada and Amtrak jointly provide service to theNiagara Falls station via theirMaple Leaf service betweenToronto Union Station andNew York Penn Station.
In summer 2009,GO Transit started a pilot project providing weekend and holiday train service from Toronto to Niagara Falls from mid June to mid October. These GO Trains run seasonally between Toronto Union Station and Niagara Falls at weekends.[44]
At other times, regular hourly GO train services are provided between Toronto Union and Burlington station, where connecting bus services operate to and from the rail station at Niagara.[45]
As of January 2019,GO Transit offers two-way, weekday commuter service fromNiagara Falls station (Ontario) toUnion Station (Toronto) as part of the Niagara GO Expansion. The full expansion project is expected to be complete by 2025.[citation needed]
The City of Niagara Falls is working toward Bike Friendly designation and providing more resources to encourage active transportation.
Niagara is served by theDistrict School Board of Niagara and theNiagara Catholic District School Board which operate elementary and secondary schools in the region. Secondary schools includeA.N. Myer,Westlane, Stamford Collegiate,Saint Michael, and Saint Paul. TheUniversity of Niagara Falls Canada is the only post-secondary institution based in the city itself, whileNiagara College andBrock University operate in nearby localities.[46] The city also has a public library system named theNiagara Falls Public Library, which has three branches.[47]
Niagara Falls is served by two main local newspapers, three radio stations and a community television channel. All other media is regionally based, as well, from Hamilton and Toronto.
Local newspapers are:
Due to its proximity to Hamilton and Toronto, local residents have access to the papers likeThe Hamilton Spectator, theToronto Star, and theToronto Sun.
The area is otherwise served by stations fromToronto,Hamilton andBuffalo.
Television stations from Toronto andBuffalo are also widely available. Officially, Niagara Falls is part of the Toronto television market, even though it is directly across the Niagara River from its American twin city, which is part of the Buffalo market.
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Niagara Falls, Ontario travel guide from WikivoyagePlaces adjacent to Niagara Falls, Ontario | |
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Great Lakes megalopolis as defined by theRPA | ||
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Includes all metropolitan areas that have a population of 150,000 or greater according to the most recent national census. | ||
| Great Lakes region cities |  | |
| Surrounding cities |
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| Cities of states south of region | ||
| Other metro-regions | ||
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