Dufferin County is located in south-central Ontario, Canada. Orangeville, the County seat, is located about 75 km north-west of Toronto. Dufferin County has an area of 1,442 km2 (557 square miles) and a population of 50,130 (2000).There are three towns: Mono, Orangeville and Shelburne, and five rural townships: Amaranth, East Garafraxa, East Luther Grand Valley, Melancthon, and Mulmur. Over half of the County's population lives in Orangeville. Dufferin County was one of the last areas of southern Ontario to be settled. Its rough terrain and lack of large water bodies were the two main factors that resulted in the delay in settlement. When settlement did begin in earnest in the mid-1800s, it was mostly Protestant Irish families that emigrated to Dufferin County to escape the potato famine. This heritage is reflected in the current population of Dufferin County; in the 1991 census 98% of the people in the County said that their first language was English.

        In the past, the economy of Dufferin County was based on agriculture. Livestock raising and mixed farming were the main enterprises, with dairy farms prevailing close to large centres of population. The most common crops included hay, mixed grains, oats, wheat, and potatoes. Beef, poultry, dairy, and market gardening operations were also important. In 1986, there were 1,079 farms in Dufferin County covering an area of 85,360 hectares. Although a portion of Dufferin's economy still depends on agriculture, the economy is diversifying. Tourism is becoming significant, as the County takes a more proactive role in attracting visitors to the area through groups such as the Headwaters Country Tourism Association.

-- DUFFERIN COUNTY COTTAGE FOR SALE, HOBBY FARMS, HOMES, HOUSES, WATERFRONT, RESORTS, LODGES, BUSINESSES, CAMPS FOR SALE --

Orangeville,  Marsville, Orton, Waldemar, Horning's Mills, Grand Valley, Laurel, Camilla, Mono Centre, Mono Mills, Primrose, Violet Hill, Shelburne, Riverview, Corbetton, Redickville, Honeywood, Terra Nova, Mansfield