Is Scugog a good place to live?
Yes, for buyers who put lifestyle ahead of the shortest commute. Scugog offers the heritage lakeside town of Port Perry, waterfront homes on Lake Scugog and quiet countryside, with a local hospital and Oshawa and Whitby about 30 minutes south. A typical detached home was about $882,000 in September 2026.
- Best for: families wanting space, downsizers who love a walkable small town, waterfront buyers and hybrid workers.
- Typical price (Sept 2026): $877,800 composite; detached $881,500 (TRREB MLS® HPI).
- Getting around: car-oriented; about 25–35 minutes to Oshawa or Whitby and 70–90 minutes to downtown Toronto.
- Areas to know: Port Perry, the Lake Scugog waterfront, Scugog Island, Blackstock, Caesarea and rural hamlets.
Updated October 2026 by the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage.
About Scugog, Ontario
Port Perry is Scugog’s main town, with a well-preserved Victorian downtown along Queen Street, waterfront parks on Lake Scugog, the historic Town Hall 1873 theatre and a local hospital.
Around Port Perry, the township includes hamlets such as Blackstock, Caesarea, Greenbank, Nestleton, Seagrave and Utica, plus farmland, forests and lakefront cottages.
Scugog Island, in the middle of the lake, is home to the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and the Great Blue Heron Casino, as well as rural and waterfront homes.
| Fact | Scugog |
|---|---|
| Population (2021 Census) | 21,581 |
| Region | Durham Region |
| Main town | Port Perry |
| Benchmark price, all homes (Sept 2026) | $877,800 |
| Benchmark price, detached (Sept 2026) | $881,500 |
| Lake | Lake Scugog |
| Major roads | Highway 7A, Highway 12, Simcoe Street |
| Hospital | Lakeridge Health Port Perry |
📍 Scugog, Durham Region, Ontario
Scugog Neighbourhood Guide
Port Perry
Port Perry has a heritage downtown, waterfront parks, schools, the hospital and most of Scugog’s shops and services.
- Queen Street heritage downtown
- Palmer Park and the waterfront
- Lakeridge Health Port Perry
- Port Perry High School
Lake Scugog Waterfront
Homes on and near Lake Scugog offer views, boating and fishing. Prices depend heavily on frontage, water depth and the home’s condition.
- Boating and fishing
- Lake views
- Year-round and seasonal homes
- Check shoreline, septic and wells
Scugog Island
Scugog Island, linked by causeway to Port Perry, has country roads, waterfront properties and the Great Blue Heron Casino.
- Causeway to Port Perry
- Waterfront and country homes
- Quiet, rural setting
- Great Blue Heron Casino
Blackstock, Caesarea & hamlets
Hamlets like Blackstock, Caesarea, Nestleton and Greenbank offer small, close-knit communities, with Caesarea right on the lake.
- Small-community feel
- Caesarea on Lake Scugog
- Blackstock Fair
- More affordable than waterfront
Rural Scugog
Much of Scugog is farmland and countryside, with hobby farms, estate homes and large lots on quiet roads.
- Acreage and farms
- Outbuildings and workshops
- Privacy
- Wells and septic systems
| Neighbourhood | Best for | Typical housing | Price point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Perry | small-town living with amenities | Century homes, detached, some towns and condos | Mid to upper |
| Lake Scugog Waterfront | lake living | Waterfront homes and cottages | Upper to luxury |
| Scugog Island | privacy with lake access | Rural and waterfront homes | Varies |
| Blackstock, Caesarea & hamlets | quiet hamlet living | Detached, cottages, country homes | Mid |
| Rural Scugog | land and hobby farms | Farms, estates, rural homes | Varies |
Scugog Demographics
Who lives in Scugog?
Scugog attracts families wanting space, downsizers who love Port Perry’s walkable downtown, waterfront and cottage buyers, hybrid workers and long-time rural residents.
Growth and housing demand
Growth in Scugog is limited and mostly in and around Port Perry, which helps keep its small-town character. Prices were down about 6% year over year in September 2026.
Schools in Scugog
Public and Catholic schools
Port Perry High School
Public secondary · Port PerryConfirm catchment with DDSBR.H. Cornish Public School
Public elementary · Port PerryConfirm catchment with DDSBS.A. Cawker Public School
Public elementary · Port PerryConfirm catchment with DDSBCartwright Central Public School
Public elementary · BlackstockConfirm catchment with DDSB| Board | System |
|---|---|
| Durham District School Board (DDSB) | English public |
| Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) | English Catholic |
| Conseil scolaire Viamonde | French public |
| Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir | French Catholic |
Colleges and universities nearby
Ontario Tech University and Durham College in north Oshawa are about 25–30 minutes south of Port Perry.
Transit and Getting Around Scugog
Highways
Highway 7A crosses the township, Highway 12 runs to Whitby, and Simcoe Street leads south to Oshawa and Highway 407 East.
GO trains
Most rail commuters drive to Oshawa GO, Whitby GO or Old Elm GO on the Stouffville line, about 30–40 minutes away.
Local transit
Durham Region Transit offers limited service in Scugog, including on-demand options. Check DRT for current routes.
Approximate commute times from Scugog
| Destination | Typical time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Toronto (drive) | 70–90 min | Highway 7A / 407 / 401 |
| Oshawa | 25–30 min | Simcoe Street |
| Whitby | 25–30 min | Highway 12 |
| Markham | 40–45 min | Highway 7A / 407 |
| Uxbridge | 20–25 min | Highway 47 |
Things to Do and Local Amenities in Scugog
Parks & Nature
- Lake Scugog
- Palmer Park
- Port Perry waterfront trail
- Nonquon Provincial Wildlife Area
- Scugog Island trails
Shopping
- Queen Street shops
- Port Perry plazas
- Local farm markets
- Antique and specialty stores
- Grocery and big-box in Port Perry
Recreation
- Scugog Community Recreation Centre
- Boating and fishing
- Golf courses
- Snowmobile and ski trails
- Great Blue Heron Casino
Culture & Events
- Town Hall 1873 theatre
- Port Perry Fair
- Scugog Shores Museum Village
- Blackstock Fair
- Festival of Lights and summer concerts
Scugog Real Estate Market (September 2026)
| Property type | Benchmark price |
|---|---|
| Composite (all home types) | $877,800 |
| Detached | $881,500 |
| Semi-detached | $680,000 |
| Year-over-year change (composite) | -6.05% |
Source: TRREB MLS® Home Price Index, September 2026. Benchmark prices describe a typical home, not an average sale price. Ask us for current sold data on any street.
In-town Port Perry homes are popular with families and downsizers. Waterfront and acreage prices vary widely by frontage, land and home quality, so recent comparable sales matter more than the benchmark.
For waterfront and rural homes, budget for well, septic and shoreline inspections before you buy.
Pros and cons of living in Scugog
Pros
- Charming heritage downtown in Port Perry
- Lake Scugog waterfront and boating
- Local hospital
- Space, privacy and countryside
- Strong community events
Cons
- Car-dependent with limited transit
- Long commute to Toronto
- Rural homes need well and septic checks
- Fewer condo and rental options
Buying or selling in Scugog? Here’s what our clients say
5-star Google reviews“Awesome Team. I like the fact they take the time to explain important things about real estate, I have never felt rushed when choosing and viewing a property.”
“Desemal is friendly, extremely reliable and results oriented. Always goes above and beyond the service she provides, exceeding our expectations each time!”
“Very efficient, Damali was able to show her expertise to maximize the chances on my side, very knowledgeable, even with complex landlord she knows how to set the tone. In 3 weeks I had everything ready.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Scugog
Yes, for buyers who value lake life, small-town community and space over a short commute. Port Perry has a heritage downtown, waterfront parks and a hospital, while the rest of Scugog offers hamlets and countryside.
Yes. Port Perry is the main town in the Township of Scugog, in north Durham Region.
In September 2026, the MLS® Home Price Index benchmark for all home types in Scugog was $877,800, and $881,500 for a detached home (TRREB).
Scugog is known for Port Perry’s Victorian downtown, Lake Scugog, the Port Perry Fair, Scugog Island and the Great Blue Heron Casino.
Port Perry is about 70 km northeast of downtown Toronto, roughly 70 to 90 minutes by car depending on traffic.
Yes. Lakeridge Health Port Perry is a community hospital with an emergency department. Larger hospitals are in Oshawa.
Port Perry High School is the local public secondary school, with several public elementary schools. Confirm catchments and Catholic options with DDSB and DCDSB.
It works best for drivers or hybrid workers. Most rail commuters drive to Oshawa, Whitby or Old Elm GO.
Last updated October 2026. Written by Damali Thomas and Desemal Thomas, Realtors, and Jermaine Whyte, Mortgage Agent Level 2, at the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage. Data: Statistics Canada 2021 Census; TRREB MLS® HPI; Metrolinx; local school boards.
