Sutton, Quebec facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sutton
Town
Main Street (Quebec Route 139)
Location within Brome-Missisquoi RCM.
Sutton Location in Southern Quebec
Country	Canada
Province	Quebec
Region	Estrie
RCM	Brome-Missisquoi
Settled	1802
Constituted	July 4, 2002
Area
• Total	248.50 km2 (95.95 sq mi)
• Land	245.69 km2 (94.86 sq mi)
Population  (2021)
• Total	4,548
• Density	18.5/km2 (48/sq mi)
• Pop 2016-2021	13.4%
• Dwellings	3,767
Time zone	UTC−5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Postal code(s)	J0E 2K0
Area code(s)	450 and 579
Highways	Route 139 Route 215

Sutton is a town in southeastern Quebec, Canada. It is part of the Brome-Missisquoi Regional County Municipality in the Estrie region. In 2021, the town had a population of 4,548 people. Sutton is also known for its beautiful scenery and fun outdoor activities. This makes it a popular place for visitors all year round. Historically, Sutton is considered part of the Eastern Townships.

History of Sutton

Early Settlers and Growth

After the American Revolution, many people known as United Empire Loyalists moved to Sutton. They were loyal to the British Crown and settled in this area. The first Loyalists arrived in 1799, including Richard Shepherd from New Hampshire.

During the 1800s, Sutton grew a lot. New buildings were built for the increasing population. A school was opened in 1808. The town hall was built in 1859. Later, Protestant and Roman Catholic churches were constructed. A railway station also helped the town connect with other places.

Becoming a Town

Sutton officially became a municipality in 1892. It then became a town in 1962. In 2002, the original township of Sutton joined with the town. This merger nearly doubled the town's population and greatly expanded its size.

From Farming to Tourism

For a long time, Sutton's economy was mostly based on farming. However, things changed when the Sutton Ski Resort opened in 1960. Now, tourism is a very important part of the town's economy. Sutton is a popular spot for many outdoor activities. These include road biking, mountain biking, hiking, and visiting local vineyards and micro-breweries.

What Does "Sutton" Mean?

The name "Sutton" comes from an old language called Anglo-Saxon. It combines two words: "sudh" or "suth," which means "south," and "tun," which means "town" or "settlement." So, Sutton can be understood as "the southern town" or "southern settlement."

Geography and Nature

Where is Sutton Located?

Sutton is located very close to the Canada–United States border with Vermont. It is about 110 kilometres (68 miles) southeast of Montreal. It is also about 400 kilometres (249 miles) northwest of Boston, Massachusetts. The city of Sherbrooke is about 90 kilometres (56 miles) to the west.

Mont Sutton and Skiing

Mount Sutton is a famous mountain in Sutton. It is 960 meters (3,176 feet) high. The mountain is well-known for its popular ski resort. This resort has 60 ski trails and 9 ski lifts. It attracts many skiers from all over Quebec and nearby American states. The ski network itself reaches a height of 870 meters (2,854 feet).

Exploring Nature Trails

To the west of Sutton, you can find the Réserve Naturelle Montagnes Vertes (Green Mountains Nature Reserve). You can explore this area using footpaths. Three different organizations manage these trails:

• Les sentiers du Corridor appalachien (from Mont Singer to Mansonville)
• Les sentiers du Parc d'environnement naturel de Sutton (Round Top area)
• Les sentiers de l’Estrie (Mont Echo area or from Bolton-Est to Mont Glen and Mont Singer)

You usually need to pay a fee or have a membership to use these trails.

Mayors of Sutton

The mayor is the leader of the town's government. Here are some of the people who have served as mayor of Sutton:

• Robert Benoît (2021-Present)
• Michel Lafrance (2017-2021)
• Louis Dandenault (2013-2017)
• Pierre Pelland (2009-2013)
• Keneth Hill (2005-2009)
• Winston Bresee (2002-2005)
• Keneth Hill (1996-2002)

Population and People

Sutton's Population Over Time

In the 2021 Canadian census, Sutton had a population of 4,548 people. They lived in 2,388 of the town's 3,767 homes. This was a 13.4% increase from its 2016 population of 4,012. Sutton covers a land area of 245.69 square kilometres (94.86 sq mi). This means it had about 18.5 people per square kilometre in 2021.

Interesting Facts About Sutton's Population

According to the 2021 Census, Sutton has one of the highest median ages in Canada, at 60.4 years. This means half the population is older than 60.4 and half is younger. A large number of the town's residents are artists. In fact, Sutton has the highest proportion of artists in Canada.

Languages Spoken in Sutton

Canada Census Mother Tongue - Sutton, Quebec
Census		Total		French				English				French & English				Other
Year		Responses		Count	Trend	Pop %		Count	Trend	Pop %		Count	Trend	Pop %		Count	Trend	Pop %
2021		4,485		3,075	22.0%	68.6%		1,060	4.9%	23.6%		130	73.3%	2.9%		200	0.0%	4.5%
2016		3,925		2,520	9.8%	64.2%		1,115	11.2%	28.4%		75	0.0%	1.9%		200	5.3%	5.1%
2011		3,815		2,295	1.9%	60.2%		1,255	8.2%	32.9%		75	7.1%	2.0%		190	15.2%	5.0%
2006		3,735		2,340	205.9%	62.7%		1,160	60.0%	31.1%		70	133.3%	1.9%		165	312.5%	4.4%
2001		1,560		765	4.1%	49.0%		725	6.6%	46.5%		30	60.0%	1.9%		40	20.0%	2.6%
1996		1,540		735	n/a	47.7%		680	n/a	44.2%		75	n/a	4.9%		50	n/a	3.3%

Sutton has historically been a place where many people spoke English. This is common in the southwestern part of Quebec, which is mostly French-speaking. Today, about 69% of the population speaks French as their main language. About 24% speak English, and 5% speak other languages.

Because many Swiss people live in Sutton, a lot of residents also speak German. Every year, the town celebrates Swiss National Day at the Mont Sutton ski resort. This celebration happens on the last Saturday in July.

See also

In Spanish: Sutton (Quebec) para niños