Scarborough, Toronto

Scarborough, Toronto
Name	Scarborough
Settlement type	District of Toronto
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Canada
Subdivision type1	Province
Subdivision name1	Ontario
Subdivision type2	City
Subdivision name2	Toronto
Established title	Settled
Established date	1796
Established title2	Incorporated as a township
Established date2	1850
Established title3	Incorporated as a city
Established date3	1983
Established title4	Amalgamated into Toronto
Established date4	1998

Scarborough, Toronto. A major administrative district within the eastern part of the City of Toronto, Scarborough is known for its expansive geography, profound cultural diversity, and distinct local identity. Originally a separate township and later city, it was amalgamated into the present Toronto during the creation of the "megacity" in 1998. Its landmarks range from the dramatic Scarborough Bluffs to major institutions like the Scarborough Town Centre and the Toronto Zoo.

History

The area was home to Indigenous peoples, including the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, for millennia before European settlement. In 1793, Elizabeth Simcoe, wife of Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe, named it after Scarborough, North Yorkshire in England, inspired by its bluffs. The first European settlers, the David and Mary Thomson family, arrived in 1796, establishing a gristmill on the Highland Creek. It was incorporated as a township in 1850 within York County. Significant 20th-century growth was spurred by the expansion of the Toronto Transit Commission's Bloor–Danforth subway line and the development of the Scarborough RT. It became a borough in 1967 and a city in 1983, prior to its amalgamation into the unified Toronto in 1998 under the provincial government of Mike Harris.

Geography

Bordered by Victoria Park Avenue to the west, the Rouge River and Pickering to the east, Steeles Avenue to the north, and Lake Ontario to the south, it encompasses a vast area of over 187 square kilometres. Its most prominent natural feature is the 14-kilometre-long Scarborough Bluffs, a glacial formation along the shoreline. Major waterways include the Rouge River, Highland Creek, and Taylor-Massey Creek. Large parklands are found within the Rouge National Urban Park and Guildwood Park. The physical landscape transitions from urban development in central areas like Scarborough City Centre to suburban neighbourhoods and protected green spaces in the north and east.

Demographics

With a population exceeding 600,000, it is one of Canada's most multicultural communities, a characteristic reflected in its numerous ethnic enclaves and linguistic diversity. Over half of its residents are immigrants, with large communities tracing their origins to places like India, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, China, and Jamaica. This diversity is evident in commercial districts such as "Scarborough's Chinatown" along Midland Avenue and the "Little India" area on Gerrard Street East. Languages such as Tamil, Tagalog, Cantonese, and Punjabi are widely spoken alongside English.

Economy

Historically agricultural, its economy now features significant retail, light industrial, and institutional sectors. The Scarborough Town Centre mall, anchored by Hudson's Bay and connected to the Scarborough Civic Centre, is a major retail and employment hub. Other important commercial corridors include Eglinton Avenue and Kingston Road. It is home to manufacturing and distribution facilities for companies like Toyota and Loblaw Companies. The presence of post-secondary campuses, including the University of Toronto Scarborough and Centennial College, contributes to a knowledge-based economy, while the Toronto Zoo and Ontario Science Centre are significant cultural employers.

Culture and attractions

Its cultural scene is vibrant and community-focused, celebrated through events like the Scarborough Ribfest and the Taste of Asia festival. Performing arts are supported by venues such as the Scarborough Music Theatre and the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. Key attractions include the expansive Toronto Zoo in the Rouge Valley, the interactive Ontario Science Centre near the Don Valley, and the scenic Guild Inn Estate gardens. Culinary landscapes offer global cuisines, from Hakka Chinese restaurants to Sri Lankan eateries, while parks like Thomson Memorial Park and the Bluffer's Park marina provide extensive recreational space.

Government and infrastructure

It is represented by six wards on Toronto City Council, with services provided by the broader City of Toronto administration. Local governance is historically symbolized by the Scarborough Civic Centre, designed by Raymond Moriyama. Key infrastructure includes major highways like Highway 401 and Kingston Road, and public transit services operated by the Toronto Transit Commission, including the Scarborough RT (scheduled for replacement) and numerous bus routes connecting to the Line 2 Bloor–Danforth. Healthcare is served by institutions such as the Scarborough Health Network's Birchmount Hospital and Centenary Hospital, and it falls under the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board for education.

Category:Districts of Toronto Category:Former municipalities in Ontario