Is East Gwillimbury a good place to live?
East Gwillimbury is a good fit for families who want a newer home with more space for the money. It grew about 44% between 2016 and 2021, the fastest rate of any municipality in Canada, thanks to new subdivisions in Queensville, Sharon and Holland Landing. The typical detached home was about $1.13 million in September 2026, with a GO station and Newmarket’s amenities next door.
- Best for: families wanting newer detached homes, buyers moving up from Newmarket or southern York Region.
- Typical price (Sept 2026): $1,097,500 composite; detached $1,126,300 (TRREB MLS® HPI).
- Getting downtown: about 65–75 minutes from East Gwillimbury GO to Union Station.
- Communities to know: Queensville, Sharon, Holland Landing and Mount Albert.
Updated October 2026 by the Thomas Team, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd., Brokerage.
About East Gwillimbury, Ontario
East Gwillimbury is made up of four main communities: Holland Landing, Queensville, Sharon and Mount Albert, surrounded by farmland and protected countryside.
The 2021 Census showed East Gwillimbury grew by about 44% in five years, the fastest of any municipality in Canada, as large new subdivisions opened in Queensville, Sharon and Holland Landing.
Despite that growth, the town keeps a rural character, with heritage sites like the Sharon Temple, conservation areas along the Holland River and small-village events.
| Fact | East Gwillimbury |
|---|---|
| Population (2021 Census) | 34,637 |
| Growth 2016–2021 | About 44% (fastest in Canada) |
| Region | York Region |
| Area | About 245 km² |
| Benchmark price, all homes (Sept 2026) | $1,097,500 |
| Benchmark price, detached (Sept 2026) | $1,126,300 |
| GO station | East Gwillimbury GO (Barrie line) |
| Major highways | 404, Yonge Street, Highway 48 |
📍 East Gwillimbury, York Region, Ontario
East Gwillimbury Neighbourhood Guide
Queensville
Queensville has grown from a small hamlet into a large community of new subdivisions near Highway 404, anchored by the East Gwillimbury Sports Complex.
- New-construction subdivisions
- East Gwillimbury Sports Complex
- Highway 404 access
- Historic Queensville village core
Sharon
Sharon, just north of Newmarket, mixes the historic Sharon Temple with new subdivisions and quick access to Yonge Street and Highway 404.
- Sharon Temple National Historic Site
- Close to Newmarket shopping
- New subdivisions
- Civic centre and library nearby
Holland Landing
Holland Landing on Yonge Street is the town’s oldest community, with older homes, newer subdivisions and the East Gwillimbury GO station nearby.
- East Gwillimbury GO station
- Anchor Park and Holland River trails
- Close to Newmarket
- Generally more affordable
Mount Albert
Mount Albert in the east is a small village with a historic main street, the Ross Family Complex and the annual Mount Albert Sports Day.
- Village main street
- Ross Family Complex
- Mount Albert Sports Day
- Rural setting
| Neighbourhood | Best for | Typical housing | Price point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queensville | new detached family homes | New detached, semis, towns | Mid to upper |
| Sharon | new homes near Newmarket | New detached and towns | Mid to upper |
| Holland Landing | value and established homes | Older and newer detached, towns | Mid |
| Mount Albert | small-village living | Older detached, some newer | Mid |
East Gwillimbury Demographics
Who lives in East Gwillimbury?
East Gwillimbury attracts young families buying new homes, buyers moving up from Newmarket and southern York Region, and people who want a rural setting. The newer subdivisions are increasingly diverse.
Growth and housing demand
East Gwillimbury is still growing fast as new subdivisions are completed, and new schools, parks and services are being added. Prices fell about 9% year over year by September 2026, so builders and resale sellers are offering more incentives.
Schools in East Gwillimbury
Public and Catholic schools
Holland Landing Public School
Public elementary · Holland LandingConfirm catchment with YRDSBQueensville Public School
Public elementary · QueensvilleConfirm catchment with YRDSBSharon Public School
Public elementary · SharonConfirm catchment with YRDSBMount Albert Public School
Public elementary · Mount AlbertConfirm catchment with YRDSBSecondary schools in Newmarket
Public and Catholic secondary · e.g. Huron Heights, Sacred HeartConfirm catchment with YRDSB or YCDSB| Board | System |
|---|---|
| York Region District School Board (YRDSB) | English public |
| York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) | English Catholic |
| Conseil scolaire Viamonde | French public |
| Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir | French Catholic |
Colleges and universities nearby
Seneca Polytechnic’s King campus is about 25 minutes away, and Georgian College campuses in Barrie and Orillia are within driving distance.
Transit and Getting Around East Gwillimbury
East Gwillimbury GO
East Gwillimbury GO, on Green Lane near Yonge Street, has Barrie line trains to Union Station.
Highways
Highway 404 runs north–south through the town and connects south to the 401. Highway 48 serves Mount Albert.
York Region Transit
YRT routes connect to Newmarket, where Viva rapidways run along Yonge Street and Davis Drive.
Approximate commute times from East Gwillimbury
| Destination | Typical time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Union Station (GO) | 65–75 min | Barrie GO from East Gwillimbury |
| Downtown Toronto (drive) | 55–80 min | Highway 404 / DVP |
| Newmarket | 10–15 min | Yonge Street / 404 |
| Pearson Airport | 40–50 min | Highway 404 / 407 |
| Markham | 30–35 min | Highway 404 |
Things to Do and Local Amenities in East Gwillimbury
Parks & Nature
- Rogers Reservoir Conservation Area
- Holland River trails
- Anchor Park
- Nokiidaa Trail
- Farmland and countryside
Shopping
- Green Lane retail (incl. Costco)
- Upper Canada Mall (Newmarket)
- Mount Albert village shops
- Local farms
- Yonge Street plazas
Recreation
- East Gwillimbury Sports Complex
- Ross Family Complex
- Holland Landing Community Centre
- Golf courses nearby
- Sports fields and parks
Culture & Events
- Sharon Temple National Historic Site
- Mount Albert Sports Day
- East Gwillimbury Public Library
- Local fairs and markets
- Newmarket Main Street nearby
East Gwillimbury Real Estate Market (September 2026)
| Property type | Benchmark price |
|---|---|
| Composite (all home types) | $1,097,500 |
| Detached | $1,126,300 |
| Year-over-year change (composite) | -9.49% |
Source: TRREB MLS® Home Price Index, September 2026. TRREB reports limited benchmarks for other home types in East Gwillimbury because most homes are detached. Benchmark prices describe a typical home, not an average sale price. Ask us for current sold data on any street.
Buyers can choose between new construction from builders and resale homes in recently completed subdivisions. Comparing both often reveals real savings in 2026.
Holland Landing and Mount Albert offer older homes at lower prices, while Queensville and Sharon have the newest stock.
Pros and cons of living in East Gwillimbury
Pros
- Newer detached homes with more space
- GO station and Highway 404 access
- Newmarket amenities next door
- Rural setting and heritage villages
- Prices have softened in 2026
Cons
- Long commute to downtown Toronto
- Services still catching up with growth
- Very car-dependent
- Limited condo and rental options
Buying or selling in East Gwillimbury? 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 East Gwillimbury
Yes, especially for families who want a newer, larger home for the money. East Gwillimbury has new subdivisions, a GO station, Highway 404 and Newmarket’s amenities next door. The trade-offs are a long commute and services that are still catching up with growth.
In September 2026, the MLS® Home Price Index benchmark for all home types in East Gwillimbury was $1,097,500, and the detached benchmark was $1,126,300 (TRREB).
East Gwillimbury includes Holland Landing, Queensville, Sharon and Mount Albert, plus surrounding rural areas.
Large new subdivisions in Queensville, Sharon and Holland Landing opened in the late 2010s. The 2021 Census showed about 44% growth since 2016, the fastest of any municipality in Canada.
About 65 to 75 minutes on the Barrie GO line from East Gwillimbury GO to Union Station. Driving downtown takes about 55 to 80 minutes via Highway 404.
Many East Gwillimbury secondary students attend schools in Newmarket. Check with YRDSB or YCDSB for your designated school, since boundaries change as the town grows.
Not overall. In September 2026 East Gwillimbury’s composite benchmark ($1,097,500) was higher than Newmarket’s ($959,500), because most homes in East Gwillimbury are newer detached houses.
Partly. Most of the town is farmland and countryside, but Queensville, Sharon and Holland Landing now have large suburban subdivisions.
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.
