Ag edition: Industry analysis
The first phase of a new Economic Development Strategy for Clearview Township is complete, and points to the continued importance of agriculture to the local economy, and our way of life.
Consulting firm McSweeny and Associated launched stakeholder engagement in March 2026 as part of its discovery phase, the findings of which were presented to council this week. The goal of the report is to establish an understanding of the current economic landscape, demographic profile and competitive position within the broader region. The analysis incorporates data from Statistics Canada, private and provincial data bases, and regional labour market sources.
According to the report, there were 506 jobs in agriculture in Clearview in 2014, compared to 370 in 2024. This represents a decrease of 27 per cent, which is attributed to industry automation and changing job needs over the last decade.
Even with the decline, community economic development officer Briar Kelly says agriculture is still key to the local economy.
“Agriculture employs 5.7 per cent of residents in Clearview, compared to 1.1 per cent of Ontario residents,” she said. “This reiterates how important agriculture is to the community. The sector touches a much higher percentage of families and residents in Clearview, than the province as a whole.”
Export sales flowing into Clearview from the agricultural sector totalled $139,390,184 in 2023.
Agricultural enterprises in Clearview purchased $54,313,445 worth of goods and services in 2023 with 52 per cent of that total spent within the township and 48 per cent going to outside suppliers.
“When you look at other sectors in Clearview with large purchasing power and their expenses, a smaller percentage of their spending is spent in our community,” said Kelly. “With the agricultural sector and its operational expenses, over half of their dollars are spent here in Clearview. When a farm spends money, it stays local. The data tells us that a dollar spent by the agriculture sector has a greater impact on our local economy than any other sector.”
The total population of Clearview Township was 13,734 in 2011. By 2021 it had grown to 14,814, and rose again to 16,036 in 2025. It is projected that by 2051, the population of the township will be 21,820.
Clearview Township residents are slightly older than the population of Ontario at large. The median age for Ontario is 40 and the average age is 42. In Clearview, both the median and average age is 43.
The median employment income in Ontario is $45,590 and average annual income is $63,116. For workers in Clearview, the median income is $43,628 and the average is $58,987.
