Windsor, Ontario facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Windsor
City (single-tier)
City of Windsor
From top, left to right: Downtown Windsor skyline, Ambassador Bridge, WFCU Centre, Dillon Hall at University of Windsor, and Caesars Windsor
Flag Coat of arms Logo
Nickname(s):  "The City of Roses", "Automotive Capital of Canada"
Motto(s):  The river and the land sustain us. - “The Place to Be.”
Location in the Detroit–Windsor region
Windsor Location in Southern Ontario Show map of Southern Ontario Windsor Location in Ontario Show map of Ontario Windsor Location in Canada Show map of Canada
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
Census division	Essex
Settled	1749
Incorporated	1854
Named for	Windsor, Berkshire
Government
• Type	Council-Manager
Area
• City (single-tier)	146.32 km2 (56.49 sq mi)
• Urban	175.77 km2 (67.87 sq mi)
• Metro	1,022.84 km2 (394.92 sq mi)
Elevation	190 m (620 ft)
Population  (2021)
• City (single-tier)	229,660 (23rd)
• Urban	306,519 (16th)
• Metro	422,630 (16th)
Demonym(s)	Windsorite
Gross Metropolitan Product
• Windsor CMA	CA$16.4 billion (2019)
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (EDT)
Forward sortation area	N8N to N8Y, N9A to N9K
Area codes	519, 226 and 548
Website	www.citywindsor.ca
* Separated municipalities

Windsor is a city in southwestern Ontario, Canada. It sits on the south bank of the Detroit River, right across from Detroit, Michigan in the United States. Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada. It marks the end of the busy Quebec City–Windsor Corridor.

In 2021, Windsor had a population of 229,660 people. This makes it the third-largest city in Southwestern Ontario. Only London and Kitchener are larger. The area around Detroit and Windsor is North America's busiest border crossing. It links the Great Lakes Megalopolis, a huge group of cities. The Ambassador Bridge is the busiest commercial crossing between Canada and the United States.

Windsor is very important to Canada's car industry. It is known as the "Automotive Capital of Canada." The city's history of making cars and other goods has shaped how it looks and feels today. Windsor is also a culturally diverse city.

History of Windsor: A Look Back

Early Settlements and First Peoples

When the first Europeans arrived in the 1600s, the Detroit River area was home to several First Nations groups. These included the Huron, Odawa, Potawatomi, and Iroquois. The land along the river was part of the Council of Three Fires, an alliance of the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa. They called the area Wawiiatanong, meaning "where the river bends."

French and British Influence on Windsor

A French farming community started in Windsor in 1749. It is the oldest European settlement in Canada west of Montreal that has always been lived in. The French first called it la Petite Côte (meaning "Little Coast"). Later, it was called La Côte de Misère ("Poverty Coast") because of the sandy soil nearby.

Windsor's French-Canadian past can still be seen in street names like Ouellette and Drouillard. The way streets are laid out, with long, narrow blocks, shows how French farmers divided their land. Today, many north-south streets are named after the families who once farmed there. There are still many French-speaking people in Windsor and nearby areas.

After the American Revolution, the settlement of "Sandwich" was created in 1797. It was later renamed Windsor, after a town in England. The Sandwich area on Windsor's west side has some of the city's oldest buildings. Mackenzie Hall, built in 1855, was once a courthouse and is now a community center. The oldest building in the city is the Duff-Baby House, built in 1792.

Windsor in the 1800s

The François Baby House in downtown Windsor was built in 1812. It is now Windsor's Community Museum, which tells the story of local history.

Windsor was involved in the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1838. A group of Americans and rebels attacked, burning a steamboat and some houses. They were stopped by the local army. Windsor was also part of the Patriot War later that year.

By 1846, Windsor had about 300 people. Steamboats connected it to Detroit. Windsor was a key stop for enslaved people seeking freedom through the Underground Railroad. Many crossed the Detroit River to reach Canada. Thousands of African-American refugees settled in Canada, especially in Essex County, Ontario.

Windsor became a village in 1854. That same year, a railway connected it to the rest of Canada. It became a town in 1858 and a city in 1892. The Windsor Police Service started on July 1, 1867. A large fire in 1871 destroyed over 100 buildings in downtown Windsor.

In 1892, when Windsor was becoming a city, there was a debate about its name. People suggested "South Detroit" and "The Ferry." But "Windsor" was chosen to honor new English settlers and Windsor Castle in England.

Windsor in the 1900s

Sandwich, Ford City, and Walkerville were separate towns until 1935. They are now historic neighborhoods within Windsor. Ford City became a village in 1912 and a city in 1929. Walkerville became a town in 1890. Sandwich was established in 1817 and became a town in 1858.

Windsor added these three towns in 1935. The nearby villages of Ojibway and Riverside were added in 1966. In the 1920s, alcohol was illegal in Michigan but legal in Ontario. This led to rum-running, where people illegally brought alcohol across the border.

On October 25, 1960, a big gas explosion destroyed a store on Ouellette Avenue. Ten people died, and many more were hurt.

Windsor's Climate and Weather Events

Weather chart for Windsor
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
71   -0 -7	60   1 -6	71   7 -2	92   14 4	97   21 10	83   26 16	99   28 18	76   27 17	88   23 13	74   16 7	73   9 1	69   3 -4
temperatures in °C precipitation totals in mm
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     2.8   32 19     2.4   34 20     2.8   44 28     3.6   57 38     3.8   69 50     3.3   79 60     3.9   83 64     3   81 63     3.5   74 55     2.9   61 44     2.9   48 35     2.7   37 26 temperatures in °F precipitation totals in inches

Windsor has a humid continental climate with four clear seasons. It has the warmest climate among cities in Ontario. The average yearly temperature is 10.1°C, one of the warmest in Canada. The coldest temperature ever recorded was -32.8°C in 1873. The warmest was 40.2°C in 1988.

Summers are hot and humid. July's average temperature is 23.2°C, the highest in Canada. Thunderstorms are common in summer, happening about 32 days a year. Some can be strong, with high winds, heavy rain, and even tornadoes. Winters are cold, with an average January temperature of -3.6°C. Snowfall happens sometimes, but Windsor is not in a major lake-effect snow area. Windsor has the most days with lightning, haze, and high humidity in Canada. It also has Canada's warmest fall season.

Flooding and Other Weather Events

Windsor has had major floods in 2016, 2017, and 2019. In 2016, the mayor declared a state of emergency due to severe flooding. In 2019, Windsor asked for money to help with flood damage.

In 2017, Environment Canada listed a storm in Windsor as one of the top 10 weather events. In August 2017, a storm dropped 285 mm of rain in 32 hours.

Tornadoes in Windsor's History

Windsor gets many severe thunderstorms and lightning strikes. It has also had tornadoes and strong weather. Windsor is in a region sometimes called "Tornado Alley." The strongest and deadliest tornado hit Windsor in 1946. It was an F4 tornado.

In 1974, an F3 tornado hit Windsor during a huge tornado outbreak. It killed nine people and destroyed the Windsor Curling Club. Tornadoes have even crossed the Detroit River in 1946 and 1997. Waterspouts are often seen over Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie.

On April 25, 2009, a small F0 tornado touched down in eastern Windsor. It caused minor damage to buildings. Two tornadoes (an F1 and an F2) hit Windsor and LaSalle on August 24, 2016. They caused damage in both areas.

Windsor's City Layout and Green Spaces

Ouellette Avenue is the main street in downtown Windsor. It runs north to south and divides the city into east and west parts. Roads crossing Ouellette Avenue have "East" or "West" in their names. House numbers on east-west roads increase as you move away from Ouellette Avenue. Numbers on north-south roads increase as you move away from the Detroit River.

Windsor's Parks and Recreation Department takes care of 3,000 acres of green space. This includes 180 parks and 40 miles of trails. The largest park is Mic Mac Park, which has space for baseball, soccer, biking, and sledding. Windsor has many bike trails, like the Ganatchio Trail in the east. The city council wants to add more bike lanes on streets to connect the trails.

The Windsor trail system connects to the LaSalle Trail in the west. It will eventually link to the Chrysler Canada Greenway. This greenway is a 42 km former railway line. It is now a trail for hiking, biking, running, and birdwatching. It connects natural areas, farms, historic buildings, and wineries. A separate 5 km trail runs along the riverfront. This trail goes through the Windsor Sculpture Park. The park has many modern sculptures, like elephants, penguins, and horses.

Windsor's Economy and Jobs

Windsor's economy mainly relies on manufacturing, tourism, education, and government services.

Automotive Industry and Tourism

The city is a major center for making cars in Canada. It is home to the main office of Stellantis Canada. Car factories include the Stellantis Canada minivan assembly plant and two Ford Motor Company engine plants. Many companies that make car parts are also here.

Windsor has a strong tourism industry. Caesars Windsor, one of Canada's largest casinos, is a big employer. It has attracted many visitors from the U.S. since it opened in 1994. The Quebec City – Windsor Corridor is a busy area with 18 million people.

The city has many parks along the riverfront and great restaurants. Erie Street, known as "Via Italia," is a popular spot for tourists. The Lake Erie North Shore Wine Region also brings visitors to the area.

Education and Other Industries

Both the University of Windsor and St. Clair College are important employers. They have grown a lot recently. The University of Windsor opened a medical school in 2008. In 2013, it finished building a large, new engineering facility.

Windsor is also where Hiram Walker & Sons Limited is located. This historic distillery was founded in 1858. The economy is also growing in other areas. These include pharmaceuticals, alternative energy, insurance, and software. Windsor is home to the Windsor Salt Mine.

Growing Technology Sector

Windsor has several established technology companies. These include Cypher Systems Group, AlphaKor Group, and Red Piston. There are also successful startups like Sirved, which makes a restaurant discovery app. Hackforge is another tech company that creates apps and hosts community events.

The non-profit WEtech Alliance helps new technology companies start in Windsor. In 2019, Dan Gilbert and Quicken Loans bought a building in Windsor. They plan to restore it and hire 50-100 people in the technology sector. LG and Stellantis are building a new alternative energy plant called Nextstar Energy.

Major Employers in Windsor

Here are some of the largest private-sector employers in Windsor:

• Stellantis Canada (about 3,500 employees)
• Caesars Windsor (about 2,100 employees)
• Ford Motor Company (about 1,880 employees)
• Sutherland Group Canada (about 1,350 employees)
• AP Plasman Corp. (Build a Mold) (about 950 employees)

Windsor's Population and Diversity

Historical populations
Year	Pop.	±%
1871	4,253	—
1881	6,561	+54.3%
1891	10,322	+57.3%
1901	12,153	+17.7%
1911	17,829	+46.7%
1921	38,591	+116.5%
1931	63,108	+63.5%
1941	104,415	+65.5%
1951	120,049	+15.0%
1961	114,367	−4.7%
1971	209,300	+83.0%
1981	192,083	−8.2%
1991	191,435	−0.3%
1996	197,694	+3.3%
2001	208,402	+5.4%
2006	216,473	+3.9%
2011	210,891	−2.6%
2016	217,188	+3.0%
2021	229,660	+5.7%

In the 2021 Census, Windsor had a population of 229,660 people. This was a 5.7% increase from 2016. The city's land area is 146.02 square kilometers. This means about 1,572 people live in each square kilometer.

Windsor attracts many immigrants from all over the world. In 2016, 27.7% of the people in the city were born outside of Canada. This is one of the highest percentages for a Canadian city. People of visible minorities make up 25.7% of the population. This makes Windsor the most diverse city in Ontario outside of the Greater Toronto Area.

In 2016, 48.8% of Windsor's population was male and 51.2% was female. Children under 15 made up 16.3% of the population. People aged 65 and over made up 17.6%. The average age in Windsor is 41.4 years.

Diverse Ethnic Backgrounds

Demographic Group, 2021
Group	Population	% of Pop.
White	150,455	65.5%
Arab	21,360	9.3%
South Asian	16,135	7.0%
Black	13,275	5.8%
Chinese	6,825	3.0%
First Nations	4,810	2.1%
West Asian	3,975	1.7%
Southeast Asian	3,720	1.6%
Filipino	3,500	1.5%
Latin American	3,205	1.4%
Mixed visible minority	2,590	1.1%
Métis	2,035	0.9%
Other visibile minority	870	0.4%
Korean	430	0.2%
Japanese	120	0.1%
Total population	229,660	100%

Ethnic Origin, 2021
Origin	Percentage
French	15.6%
English	14.3%
Irish	11.1%
Canadian	11.1%
Scottish	11.0%
Italian	8.1%
German	7.0%
Indian	3.4%
Polish	3.3%
Lebanese	3.2%
Chinese	3.0%
Iraqi	3.4%
Ukrainian	2.4%
multiple responses included

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

Panethnic group	2021		2016		2011		2006		2001
	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
European	143,870	63.53%	150,815	70.48%	155,605	74.8%	165,235	77.12%	167,655	81.44%
Middle Eastern	25,335	11.19%	17,405	8.13%	13,090	6.29%	10,700	4.99%	8,485	4.12%
South Asian	16,135	7.12%	9,640	4.5%	8,020	3.86%	8,765	4.09%	5,655	2.75%
African	13,275	5.86%	10,675	4.99%	9,480	4.56%	8,400	3.92%	7,150	3.47%
East Asian	7,375	3.26%	7,765	3.63%	6,610	3.18%	7,415	3.46%	5,520	2.68%
Southeast Asian	6,925	3.06%	6,325	2.96%	6,370	3.06%	5,360	2.5%	5,005	2.43%
Indigenous	6,585	2.91%	5,565	2.6%	4,735	2.28%	3,960	1.85%	2,860	1.39%
Latin American	3,500	1.55%	2,670	1.25%	2,255	1.08%	2,650	1.24%	2,135	1.04%
Other/Multiracial	3,460	1.53%	3,125	1.46%	1,850	0.89%	1,775	0.83%	1,385	0.67%
Total responses	226,460	98.61%	213,985	98.53%	208,015	98.64%	214,255	98.98%	205,865	98.78%
Total population	229,660	100%	217,188	100%	210,891	100%	216,473	100%	208,402	100%
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses

Languages Spoken in Windsor

Most people in Windsor speak English. About 88.5% of residents only know English. About 8.8% of residents know both English and French.

Religious Beliefs in Windsor

Religion, 2021
Religion	Percentage
Catholic	32.1%
No religion	26.9%
Protestant	19.4%
Muslim	11.2%
Orthodox	3.3%

Windsor's Culture and Fun Things to Do

Windsor has many fun places to visit and things to do. These include the Windsor International Film Festival and Caesars Windsor casino. There is also a lively downtown area, Little Italy, and the Windsor Symphony Orchestra. You can visit the Art Windsor-Essex gallery, the Odette Sculpture Park, and Adventure Bay Water Park.

As a border city, Windsor played a role in the War of 1812. It was also an important entry point for people escaping slavery through the Underground Railroad. During American Prohibition, Windsor was a major source of legal alcohol. Two places in Windsor are National Historic Sites of Canada. These are the Sandwich First Baptist Church, built by Underground Railroad refugees, and François Bâby House, a War of 1812 site. The François Bâby House is now Windsor's Community Museum.

The Capitol Theatre in downtown Windsor hosts concerts, plays, and other shows. The Tea Party, a rock band, started in Windsor in 1990.

Windsor is nicknamed the "Rose City" because of its beautiful roses. The Liebeszauber rose is the official city rose. Windsor is known for its large parks and gardens along the waterfront. The Queen Elizabeth II Sunken Garden is in Jackson Park. This park also has replicas of a Spitfire and a Hurricane airplane.

The largest park along Windsor's waterfront is a 5 km stretch. It goes from the Ambassador Bridge to the Hiram Walker Distillery. The western part of the park has the Windsor Sculpture Park. It shows over 30 large modern sculptures. You can see families of elephants, penguins, and horses. The central part has Dieppe Gardens and Festival Plaza. The eastern part has the Bert Weeks Memorial Gardens.

Further east is Coventry Gardens. It has the Charles Brooks Memorial Peace Fountain. This fountain floats in the Detroit River and has colorful lights at night. It is the largest fountain of its kind in North America. It represents the peaceful friendship between Canada and the United States.

Every summer, Windsor and Detroit host the two-week-long Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival. It ends with a huge fireworks show over the Detroit River. This show celebrates Canada Day and the Fourth of July. It is one of the world's largest fireworks displays. Over a million people come to watch it. Windsor and Detroit also host the annual Detroit Windsor International Film Festival. Windsor also has its own festivals, like the Carrousel by the River and Bluesfest International Windsor.

In 2009 and 2010, Windsor hosted the Red Bull Air Race World Championship. This event brought 200,000 fans to the Detroit River waterfront in 2009.

Windsor put up a 150-foot flagpole to fly a large Canadian flag. This was part of the 150th anniversary of Canada celebration.

Media and News in Windsor

Windsor and the surrounding area have been served by Windsor Star since 1888. It is the only daily newspaper in Windsor and Essex County. The Windsor Independent is a monthly newspaper that covers local news, arts, and culture.

Windsor is part of the Detroit television and radio market. This means that Windsor's radio and TV stations have special rules. They don't have to follow all the Canadian content rules that most other Canadian stations do. This is because they are so close to the U.S.

CKLW, a powerful AM radio station, was once very popular in Detroit and Windsor. Most of Windsor's commercial media outlets are owned by one company, Bell Media. The city also has a campus radio station, CJAM-FM, at the University of Windsor.

There are also local news websites like windsoriteDOTca News. Radio Betna is a web radio station for the Middle Eastern community. YQG Rocks reviews entertainment shows.

Education Opportunities in Windsor

Young people in Windsor go to schools run by the Greater Essex County District School Board or the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board. There are also French-language Catholic schools. Private schools include Maranatha Christian Academy and Académie Ste. Cécile International School. The Canada South Science City helps elementary students learn about science and technology.

Windsor has four schools recognized for the International Baccalaureate program. These are Assumption College School, Académie Ste. Cécile International School, École secondaire E.J. Lajeunesse, and Riverside Secondary School. Kennedy Collegiate Institute and Vincent Massey Secondary School are known for their achievements in math and computer science.

Colleges and Universities

The University of Windsor is Canada's southernmost university. It has about 16,000 students. The university recently opened the Anthony P. Toldo Health Education & Learning Centre. It also built a large, new Centre for Engineering Innovation. The university is located near the Ambassador Bridge.

In 2011, the University of Windsor announced it would move its music and visual art programs downtown. This brought more students to the city center. The School of Social Work also moved downtown.

Windsor is also home to St. Clair College. It has about 6,500 students. Its main campus is in Windsor, with others in Chatham and Wallaceburg. In 2007, St. Clair College opened a campus downtown. In 2010, it added its MediaPlex school.

More recently, Collège Boréal opened a small campus on Ouellette Avenue. This campus offers programs and help for French-speaking people in the area. It is Windsor's only French-language college.

The Windsor Public Library offers books, programs, and local history information. It also helps adults improve their reading and writing skills.

Transportation in Windsor

Windsor is at the western end of Highway 401, Canada's busiest highway. It is also the end of Via Rail's Quebec City–Windsor Corridor. Windsor's Via Rail station is the sixth busiest in Canada.

Highways and Roads

Windsor has a city highway called the E.C. Row Expressway. It runs east to west for 15.7 km. It is the fastest way to travel across the city. The expressway is known for being the shortest freeway that took the longest time to build (over 15 years). It stretches from the west end of Windsor to the border with Tecumseh.

Most of Windsor's development is along the water. This means there are fewer major east-west roads. Roads like Riverside Drive, Wyandotte Street, and Tecumseh Road handle a lot of traffic.

Windsor has many railway crossings. In 2008 and 2010, new underpasses were built at Walker Road and Howard Avenue. These projects improved traffic flow. Windsor is also connected to Essex and Leamington by Highway 3.

Cross-Border Connections

Windsor is connected to the United States by the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit–Windsor Tunnel. There is also a Canadian Pacific Railway tunnel and a truck ferry. The Ambassador Bridge is North America's busiest international border crossing. About 27% of all trade between Canada and the U.S. crosses this bridge.

Traffic to the Ambassador Bridge uses Huron Church Road and Wyandotte Street. Many large trucks use these roads. This can cause long lines of trucks and concerns about noise and pollution. A new highway extension, the Windsor-Essex Parkway, is being built. It will lead to a future bridge across the Detroit River. This project is one of the most expensive roads ever built in Canada.

Bike Trails and Airports

Windsor has a network of bike trails. These include the Riverfront Bike Trail and the Ganatchio Bike Trail. People use them for recreation and to commute.

The city has Windsor International Airport. It offers flights to other cities in Ontario and some seasonal routes. Many Windsor residents also use Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. It is about 40 km away and has more flight options.

Waterways and Public Transit

The Port of Windsor is along 21.2 km of the Detroit River shoreline. It is part of the Great Lakes/Saint Lawrence Seaway System. It is the third-largest Canadian Great Lakes port for shipments.

Transit Windsor provides public bus service. It has 15 bus routes and also takes high school students to school. Transit Windsor also has a bus service to downtown Detroit. The current bus fare is $3.25. Children under 12 ride for free on regular routes.

Windsor has a long history with rail travel. Via Rail provides passenger train service at the Windsor Railway Station.

Sister Cities Around the World

Windsor has several sister cities in different countries:

Changchun, China (1992) Coventry, UK (1963) Fujisawa, Japan (1987) Granby, Quebec, Canada (1956) Gunsan, South Korea (2005) Lublin, Poland (2000)

Mannheim, Germany (1980) Las Vueltas, El Salvador (1987) Ohrid, North Macedonia (1981) Saint-Étienne, France (1963) Saltillo, Mexico (1994) Udine, Italy (1975)

Sports Teams and Events in Windsor

Windsor sports fans often support professional teams in Detroit or Toronto. But Windsor also has its own professional team, the Windsor Express. They are a basketball team in the National Basketball League. They play their home games at the WFCU Centre. In 2014, the Express won their first championship.

Windsor is also home to many youth, minor league, and college sports teams:

• Windsor Spitfires (Ontario Hockey League Major Junior "A" hockey team) - They won the Memorial Cup in 2009, 2010, and 2017.
• Windsor Express (Basketball Super League)
• Windsor Clippers (Ontario Lacrosse Association Junior "B")
• St. Clair Saints (Canadian Junior Football League)
• Windsor Lancers (U Sports)
• Windsor Rogues Rugby (Ontario Rugby Union (ORU))
• Windsor FC Nationals (Ontario Youth Soccer League)
• Windsor Ultimate (a non-profit Ultimate Frisbee league)
• Windsor City FC (League1 Ontario)
• Windsor Roller Derby (Women's Flat Track Derby Association)

Exciting International Sporting Events

Windsor has hosted several big international sports events:

• The Red Bull Air Race World Championship in 2009 and 2010. Pilots raced around pylons on the Detroit River.
• The 2016 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) (Short Course Worlds) were held in Windsor.
• The World Junior Baseball Championship in 1986, 1987, and 1993.

In 2022, it was announced that Windsor would be home to a new Canadian Premier League (soccer) team.

Notable People from Windsor

Many famous people have come from Windsor. You can find a list of them at List of people from Windsor, Ontario.

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See also

In Spanish: Windsor (Ontario) para niños