London, Ontario facts for kids

Quick facts for kids London
City (single-tier)
City of London
Skyline of Downtown London Canada Life Place University of Western Ontario Victoria Park Eldon House
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname(s):  "The Forest City"
Motto(s):  Labore et Perseverantia  (Latin) "Through Labour and Perseverance"
London Location in Ontario
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
Settled	1826 (as village)
Incorporated	1855 (as city)
Named for	London, England
Government
• Body	London City Council
Area
• City (single-tier)	437.08 km2 (168.76 sq mi)
• Land	420.50 km2 (162.36 sq mi)
• Urban	232.48 km2 (89.76 sq mi)
• Metro	2,662.40 km2 (1,027.96 sq mi)
Population  (2021)
• City (single-tier)	422,324 (15th)
• Density	913.1/km2 (2,365/sq mi)
• Metro	543,551 (11th)
Gross Metropolitan Product
• London CMA	CA$27.9 billion (2020)
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (EDT)
Forward sortation area	N5V to N6P
Area codes	519, 226, and 548

London is a city in Ontario, Canada. It's located in the southwest part of the province, along the Quebec City–Windsor Corridor. In 2021, about 422,324 people lived here.

The city sits where the Thames River and North Thames River meet. It's about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from both Toronto and Detroit. It's also about 230 kilometers (143 miles) from Buffalo, New York. London is a separate city from Middlesex County, but it's still the main city for the county.

John Graves Simcoe named London and its river after the famous city and river in England in 1793. He even thought it could become the capital of Upper Canada. The first European settlers arrived between 1801 and 1804. London officially became a village in 1826 and a city in 1855. Since then, it has grown to be the largest city in southwestern Ontario. It's also Canada's 11th largest metropolitan area.

London is a big center for healthcare and education. It's home to the University of Western Ontario (also called "Western University") and Fanshawe College. There are also three major hospitals here. The city has many music and art events, which help its tourism. But its main economy comes from education, medical research, manufacturing, financial services, and information technology. The university and hospitals are among London's biggest employers.

London is located where Highways 401 and 402 meet. These highways connect it to Toronto, Windsor, and Sarnia. They also make it easy to reach border crossings with the United States. The city has train and bus stations, and the London International Airport.

London's Past: A Journey Through Time

Contents London's Past: A Journey Through Time How London Began London's Growth and Changes London Today: A Growing City Past Disasters in London London's Natural Environment London's Weather Parks and Green Spaces London's People and Cultures Diverse Backgrounds Languages Spoken Religions in London London's Economy and Jobs London's Culture and Arts Festivals and Events Music Scene Art and Museums Theatre and Literature Living in London Sports and Recreation in London Active Sports Teams in London Getting Around London Roads and Highways Public Transportation Cycling in London Travel Between Cities Learning in London Images for kids See also

Archaeological sites in southwestern Ontario show that people lived here about 11,000 years ago. Before Europeans arrived, the London area had villages of the Attawandaron, Odawa, and Ojibwe peoples. The Lawson Site in northwest London is an old village from about 500 years ago. It was home to around 2,000 Neutral Iroquoian people.

Later, in the early 1800s, the Munsee-Delaware Nation settled here. They had been forced to leave their homes in what is now New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Today, the Oneida Nation of the Thames, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, and Munsee-Delaware Nation reserves are located southwest of the city.

How London Began

In 1793, Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe chose this spot for the future capital of Upper Canada. He also named the village, which started in 1826. Simcoe wanted to call it Georgiana after King George III. But it didn't become the capital. Instead, it was an administrative center for the area west of the actual capital, York (now Toronto). In 1796, the Chippewa people gave the land on the north bank of the Thames to Upper Canada.

London was part of the Talbot Settlement, named after Colonel Thomas Talbot. He managed the land and built the first government buildings. This helped London and other parts of southwestern Ontario grow.

In 1814, the Battle of Longwoods happened near London during the War of 1812. In 1827, a settlement began in Byron when Cyrenius Hall built a mill.

In 1832, a cholera outbreak affected the new settlement. London was a strong supporter of the British government during the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837. Because of this, the British government placed its military base here in 1838. This brought more soldiers and families, helping the city grow. London became an official town in 1840.

On April 13, 1845, a big fire destroyed much of London. Most buildings were made of wood. The fire burned about 30 acres of land and destroyed 150 buildings. It was the first million-dollar fire in the province.

London's Growth and Changes

John Carling, a local politician, explained London's growth in a 1901 speech. He said three things were key:

• London became a court and administration center in 1826.
• The military base arrived in 1838.
• The railway came in 1853.

By 1846, London had 3,500 people. It had brick buildings like a jail, court house, and barracks. There was a fire company, a theater, and many churches. Roads connected London to other towns, and stagecoaches ran daily. Two villages, Petersville and Kensington, used to be where downtown London is now. They joined together in 1881 to form London West.

On January 1, 1855, London became a city because it had more than 10,000 residents. In the 1860s, a sulphur spring was found while people were drilling for oil. These springs became a popular place for rich Ontarians to visit. Later, a textile factory was built there.

By 1869, London had about 18,000 people. It had newspapers, churches, and banks. Industries included tanneries, oil refineries, and factories like Labatt Brewing Company and the Carling brewery. Both the Great Western and Grand Trunk railways had stops here.

The Crystal Palace Barracks, an octagonal brick building, was built in 1861. It hosted events like the Provincial Agricultural Fair. Important people like Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn visited it. Before the Royal Military College of Canada was built, London had a military school from 1865.

In 1875, London's first iron bridge, the Blackfriars Street Bridge, was built. It replaced older wooden bridges that often failed in floods. This bridge is still used by walkers and cyclists today. It connects London with its western suburb, Petersville. Petersville joined with London in 1897, mainly because of repeated flooding. This area still has many old 19th-century houses.

London East, an industrial area, also joined London in 1885. It was founded as Lilley's Corners in 1854. Oil was found nearby, and Lilley's Corners became a refining site because it was close to the railroad. London South, including Wortley Village, joined the city in 1890. Broughdale, a northern settlement near the university, was annexed in 1961.

Banting House, a National Historic Site, is where Frederick Banting got the idea for discovering insulin. He lived and worked in London for ten months. London is also home to the Flame of Hope, which burns until a cure for diabetes is found.

London continued to be a military center during the two World Wars. The London Armoury was built in 1905. Today, The Royal Canadian Regiment has its headquarters in London at Wolseley Barracks.

London Today: A Growing City

In 1961, London grew much larger by adding nearby communities like Byron and Masonville. This added 60,000 people and more than doubled the city's size. After this, new neighborhoods like Westmount and Oakridge quickly grew.

On January 1, 1993, London almost doubled in size again by adding most of Westminster township. This made London one of the largest cities in Ontario. Today, London is the eleventh-largest urban area and eleventh-largest metropolitan area in Canada. It is the sixth-largest city in Ontario.

New homes and businesses are being built quickly in the southwest and northwest parts of the city. Some people worry this growth is causing urban sprawl and harming natural areas.

Past Disasters in London

On Victoria Day, May 24, 1881, a ferry called the SS Victoria sank in the Thames River. About 200 people drowned in what is known as "The Victoria Day Disaster". Many families in London were affected.

Two years later, on July 12, 1883, a major flood killed 17 people. Another big flood on April 26, 1937, destroyed over a thousand houses and caused millions of dollars in damage. To prevent future floods, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority built Fanshawe Dam in 1953.

On January 3, 1898, the floor of the assembly hall at London City Hall collapsed. This accident killed 23 people and injured more than 70.

In 1984, a tornado caused damage in the White Oaks area of South London. More recently, on December 11, 2020, a building under construction collapsed, killing two people and injuring others.

London's Natural Environment

London's land was shaped by retreating glaciers from the last ice age. This created marshlands like the Sifton Bog and very fertile farmland.

The Thames River is a key part of London's geography. The North and South branches of the Thames River meet in the city center, a spot called "The Forks." The North Thames flows through the man-made Fanshawe Lake in northeast London. Fanshawe Lake was created by Fanshawe Dam to control flooding.

London's Weather

London has a humid continental climate. This means it has warm summers and cold, cloudy winters with lots of snow.

Because of its location, London experiences big changes between seasons. The nearby Great Lakes make the weather a bit milder. The lakes also cause a lot of cloud cover, especially in late fall and winter. Summers are usually warm and humid, with an average July temperature of 21.0°C (69.8°F). Temperatures above 30°C (86°F) happen about 11 days a year. The city often has thunderstorms in summer.

Winters are cold, but there are often thaws. London gets a lot of snow, averaging about 194 cm (76 inches) per year. Some of this snow comes from lake effect snow from Lake Huron, which is about 60 km (37 miles) northwest. From December 5 to 9, 2010, London had record snowfall, with up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) of snow in some areas.

The hottest temperature ever recorded in London was 41.1°C (106.0°F) on August 6, 1918. The coldest was -32.8°C (-27.0°F) on February 9, 1934.

Parks and Green Spaces

London has many beautiful parks. Victoria Park in downtown London is a popular spot for community events. About 1 million people visit it each year. Other big parks include Harris Park, Gibbons Park, and Springbank Park.

The city also has several gardens. The Remembrance Gardens honor those who died in wars. It has a poppy garden for the 1,200 people who died in World War I.

London's People and Cultures

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1856	5,000	—
1861	7,200	+44.0%
1866	8,000	+11.1%
1871	18,000	+125.0%
1881	26,266	+45.9%
1891	31,977	+21.7%
1901	37,976	+18.8%
1911	46,509	+22.5%
1921	50,959	+9.6%
1931	71,148	+39.6%
1941	78,134	+9.8%
1951	95,343	+22.0%
1956	101,693	+6.7%
1961	169,569	+66.7%
1966	194,416	+14.7%
1971	223,222	+14.8%
1976	240,392	+7.7%
1981	254,280	+5.8%
1986	269,140	+5.8%
1991	311,620	+15.8%
1996	325,699	+4.5%
2001	336,539	+3.3%
2006	352,395	+4.7%
2011	366,151	+3.9%
2016	383,822	+4.8%
2021	422,324	+10.0%

In the 2021 Census, London had 422,324 people living in 174,657 homes. This was a 10% increase from 2016. The city's land area is 420.5 square kilometers (162.4 sq mi). This means about 913 people live in each square kilometer.

The larger London area, called the census metropolitan area (CMA), had 543,551 people in 2021. This area covers 2,661.48 square kilometers (1,027.6 sq mi).

Diverse Backgrounds

London is home to people from many different backgrounds. In 2021, the most common ethnic groups were English (21.9%), Scottish (17.4%), and Irish (16.8%). Other groups include German, French, and Dutch.

About 2.6% of the population are Indigenous, mostly First Nations. Many people also have roots in South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia.

Panethnic groups in the City of London (2001−2021)

Panethnic group	2021		2016		2011		2006		2001
	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
European	285,955	68.7%	293,190	77.56%	295,905	82.03%	295,695	84.8%	291,920	87.68%
Middle Eastern	27,245	6.55%	16,910	4.47%	12,275	3.4%	9,920	2.84%	7,400	2.22%
South Asian	27,085	6.51%	11,660	3.08%	8,010	2.22%	6,195	1.78%	4,660	1.4%
African	17,450	4.19%	11,325	3%	8,760	2.43%	7,620	2.19%	7,140	2.14%
East Asian	16,930	4.07%	14,320	3.79%	10,625	2.95%	8,735	2.51%	6,455	1.94%
Latin American	12,575	3.02%	9,050	2.39%	9,640	2.67%	7,730	2.22%	4,330	1.3%
Southeast Asian	11,885	2.86%	7,920	2.1%	6,020	1.67%	5,490	1.57%	4,465	1.34%
Indigenous	10,955	2.63%	9,725	2.57%	6,845	1.9%	5,040	1.45%	4,600	1.38%
Other/Multiracial	6,180	1.48%	3,960	1.05%	2,635	0.73%	2,260	0.65%	1,970	0.59%
Total responses	416,265	98.57%	378,040	98.49%	360,715	98.52%	348,690	98.95%	332,940	98.93%
Total population	422,324	100%	383,822	100%	366,151	100%	352,395	100%	336,539	100%
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses

Languages Spoken

In 2021, English was the main language spoken at home by 71.1% of London's population. Other common languages include Arabic (3.7%), Spanish (2.7%), and Mandarin (1.6%). Almost everyone (98%) in London knows English.

Religions in London

London is a city with many different religions. In 2021, about 48.8% of people identified as Christian. The largest Christian group was Catholics (21.5%). Other Christian groups include United Church and Anglican.

About 37.2% of the population said they had no religious affiliation. Other religions practiced in London include Muslim (8.4%), Hindu (2.1%), and Sikh (1.0%).

London's Economy and Jobs

London's economy is mainly focused on medical research, financial services, manufacturing, and information technology. The University of Western Ontario helps a lot with medical research, adding about C$1.5 billion to London's economy every year. Companies like Alimentiv and Sernova are also based here.

The biggest employer in London is the London Health Sciences Centre, which has over 10,555 employees.

After an economic downturn in 2009, London has become a hub for technology, especially in the Digital Creative sector. In 2016, London had 300 technology companies. Many of these companies have moved into old factories downtown and turned them into modern offices. For example, Info-Tech Research Group is in a former hosiery factory.

London is also home to companies like StarTech.com, Diply, and video game companies such as Digital Extremes. Voices.com helps voiceover artists find work. Other tech companies include AutoData and Carfax Canada.

Many well-known companies started in London, such as London Life Insurance Company, Canada Trust (founded in 1864), Imperial Oil, and GoodLife Fitness. Both the Labatt and Carling breweries also began here. Libro Financial Group, a large credit union, was founded in London in 1951.

The Canadian headquarters of 3M is in London. General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) builds armored vehicles here and employs over 2,400 people. McCormick Canada, which makes spices, was founded in 1883. Some Londoners also work in car factories outside the city, like the General Motors plant in Woodstock.

London's city center mall, now called Citi Plaza, opened in 1960. It has been redeveloped to include shops, offices, and education providers. The London Public Library and parts of Fanshawe College and Western University are located there.

Many large real estate companies are based in London. They own and manage many commercial and residential buildings across southwestern Ontario. In 2009, a new $11-million cargo terminal was announced for the London International Airport.

London's Culture and Arts

London is a city rich in culture. It has a growing film and television industry. FilmLondon was created in 2021 to attract more productions to the city. Famous actors like Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams were born in London.

Festivals and Events

London hosts many exciting festivals. These include SunFest, the London Fringe Theatre Festival, and the Forest City Film Festival. The Home County Folk Festival and Rock the Park London are also very popular.

The London Rib Fest is the second largest barbecue rib festival in North America. SunFest, a world music festival, is the second largest in Canada.

Music Scene

London has a long and interesting music history. Famous musicians like Guy Lombardo and Tommy Hunter were born here. The heavy metal band Kittie and DJ duo Loud Luxury are also from London.

Johnny Cash famously proposed to June Carter Cash on stage at the London Gardens in 1968. The Nihilist Spasm Band formed in London in 1965. The York Hotel, now known as Call the Office, was a popular spot for new musicians and punk bands.

In 2003, CHRW-FM created The London Music Archives, an online database of music recorded in London. In 2021, London was named Canada's first City of Music by UNESCO.

Art and Museums

London has a vibrant art scene. Artists Jack Chambers and Greg Curnoe helped start The Forest City Gallery in 1973. Museum London, the city's main art gallery, opened in 1940. It is located where the Thames River forks.

The Museum of Ontario Archaeology is Canada's only ongoing excavation of a prehistoric village. The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum is a military museum at Wolseley Barracks. The Secrets of Radar Museum tells the story of Canadian World War II veterans involved in radar technology.

The London Regional Children's Museum offers hands-on learning for kids. The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame is also in London and has a medical history museum.

Eldon House is the oldest surviving house in London. It was donated to the city in 1959 and is now a heritage site. London also hosts an annual Nuit Blanche art event every June.

Theatre and Literature

London is home to the Grand Theatre, a professional theater. It hosts professional shows and a unique High School Project. This program lets high school students work with professional directors and stage managers. The Palace Theatre, in Old East Village, was once a silent movie theater. It is now home to the London Community Players.

London is featured in many books, especially those in the Southern Ontario Gothic style. Famous writers from London include R. Scott Bakker and Eleanor Catton, who won the Man Booker Prize. Emma Donoghue, who wrote the novel Room, also lives in London. WordFest is an annual festival celebrating literature and creative arts.

Living in London

House prices in London have increased, but the cost of living is still lower than in many other southern Ontario cities. London is known as a medium-sized city with many big city features. It has over 422,000 residents and offers services found in larger cities. These include two large shopping malls, Masonville Place and White Oaks Mall. It also has regional healthcare centers, the London International Airport, and post-secondary schools.

London has nine major parks and gardens. Many of these are along the Thames River. They are connected by a network of paths called the Thames Valley Parkway. This path system is 40 km (25 miles) long and connects to another 150 km (93 miles) of trails. The city's largest park, Springbank Park, is 140 hectares (346 acres) and has 30 km (19 miles) of trails. It is also home to Storybook Gardens, a family attraction.

The city has many walking paths in its neighborhoods. Newer areas in the northwest have long paths between houses. These paths connect neighborhoods like Fox Hollow and Sherwood Forest.

Sports and Recreation in London

London is a city that loves sports!

The London Knights play in the Ontario Hockey League at Canada Life Place. They won the OHL and Memorial Cup championships in 2005 and 2016. In the summer, the London Majors baseball team plays at Labatt Park. FC London is the city's top soccer team.

Other sports teams include:

• London Silver Dolphins Swim Team
• Forest City Volleyball Club
• London Cricket Club
• London St. George's Rugby Club
• London Aquatics Club
• London Rhythmic Gymnastics Club
• London Rowing Club
• London City Soccer Club
• Forest City London

The Eager Beaver Baseball Association (EBBA) is a youth baseball league. It was started in 1955 by former Major League Baseball player Frank Colman.

London also has football teams like the London Beefeaters. The London Lightning basketball team plays at Canada Life Place. They were six-time champions in the National Basketball League of Canada.

Many sports teams have moved or stopped playing in London. These include baseball teams like the London Monarchs and the London Werewolves.

In March 2013, London hosted the 2013 World Figure Skating Championships. The University of Western Ontario's teams are called the Mustangs. Their football team plays at TD Stadium. Fanshawe College teams are called the Falcons.

The Western Fair Raceway is a harness racing track that operates all year. It also has a casino. Labatt Memorial Park is the world's oldest continuously used baseball grounds. It was first called Tecumseh Park in 1877. The Forest City Velodrome is the only indoor cycling track in Ontario. It opened in 2005. London is also home to World Seikido, a martial art developed here in 1987.

Active Sports Teams in London

Active sports teams in London

Club	League	Sport	Venue	Established	Championships
London Knights	OHL	Ice hockey	Canada Life Place	1965	4
London Nationals	GOJHL	Ice hockey	Western Fair District	1950	7
London Lightning	NBL Canada	Basketball	Canada Life Place	2011	3
London Majors	IBL	Baseball	Labatt Memorial Park	1925	9
London St. George's RFC	ORU (Marshall Premiership)	Rugby Union	London St. George's Club	1959	0
FC London	League1 Ontario	Soccer	Western Alumni Stadium	2009	1
London Beefeaters	CJFL	Canadian Football	Western Alumni Stadium	1975	1
London Blue Devils	Ontario Junior B Lacrosse League	Lacrosse	Earl Nichols Recreation Centre	2003	0

Getting Around London

Roads and Highways

London is located where Highway 401 and Highway 402 meet. Highway 401 connects London to Toronto and Windsor. Highway 402 connects to Sarnia. Highway 403 also provides easy access to Brantford and Hamilton.

Many smaller roads also pass through London, connecting it to nearby towns. Wellington Road is London's busiest road section. London does not have any freeways (highways with no traffic lights) directly through the city. The Veterans Memorial Parkway serves the east end of London.

Public Transportation

In the past, London had a large network of streetcars. Today, London's public transit system is run by the London Transit Commission. It has 44 bus routes across the city. The commission is working to improve services.

London has started building a bus rapid transit (BRT) network. This project began in 2021 and will continue until 2030. The Ontario government has provided C$170 million in funding for it.

Cycling in London

London has 330 km (205 miles) of cycling paths. Over 91 km (57 miles) of these have been added since 2005. In 2016, London added bike corrals and fix-it stations for cyclists. The city council also approved a new plan to add another 470 km (292 miles) of cycling paths.

Travel Between Cities

London is on the main railway lines for Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway. Via Rail operates passenger train service through London station. London's Via Rail terminal is the fourth-busiest in Canada.

London is also a stop for inter-city bus travelers. Companies like Megabus and FlixBus provide service throughout southwestern Ontario.

London International Airport (YXU) is Canada's 12th busiest passenger airport. It has direct flights to many places, including Toronto, Orlando, and Calgary.

Learning in London

London's public elementary and secondary schools are managed by four different school boards. These include the Thames Valley District School Board and the London District Catholic School Board. There are also over twenty private schools in the city.

London is home to two post-secondary schools: the University of Western Ontario (UWO) and Fanshawe College. UWO was founded in 1878 and has almost 30,000 students. It also has two affiliated colleges: Huron University College and King's University College.

Fanshawe College has about 15,000 students, including many international students. It also offers part-time courses. The Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology (OIART) offers training for audio engineering students. Westervelt College is another private career college in London.

Images for kids

• 

  Skyline of Downtown London

• 

  Canada Life Place

• 

  University of Western Ontario

• 

  Victoria Park

• 

  Eldon House

• 

  Flag of London, Ontario

• 

  London, Ontario Coat of Arms

• 

  Residential suburban sprawl of London municipality

See also

In Spanish: London (Ontario) para niños