Huron-Kinloss is a township

Township (Canada)

The term township generally means the district or area associated with a town. However in some systems no town needs to be involved. The specific use of the term to describe political subdivisions has varied by country, usually to describe a local rural or semi-rural government within the county...

 in the Canadian

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

 province of Ontario

Ontario

Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....

, located within Bruce County

Bruce County, Ontario

Bruce County is a county in western Ontario, Canada, and includes the Bruce Peninsula. As of 2006, the population was 65,349. The area was . The county seat is Walkerton, Ontario. It is located at ....

. The township had a population of 6,515 in the Canada 2006 Census

Canada 2006 Census

The Canada 2006 Census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 16, 2006. The next census following will be the 2011 Census. Canada's total population enumerated by the 2006 census was 31,612,897...

.

Huron-Kinloss is located in Western Ontario, on Lake Huron. It is relatively remote from larger cities, particularly by the standards of densely populated Southern Ontario, and remains a primarily rural region of farmland and woodlots. The lake shore is fairly heavily populated with the village of Point Clark at the south end and suburban and exurban "overflow" from adjacent Kincardine at the north end, and a mixture of seasonal and permanent cottages along the shore in between. Lucknow and Ripley are the largest towns inland.

Economically, the township depends heavily on agriculture and agricultural services, and some food processing such as the Pine River cheese factory. A number of residents work in Kincardine

Kincardine, Ontario

The Municipality of Kincardine is located on the shores of Lake Huron in the County of Bruce in the province of Ontario, Canada. It has a population of 12,000, and covers an area of 580 square kilometres...

 or Goderich

Goderich, Ontario

Goderich is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario and is the county seat of Huron County. The town was founded by William "Tiger" Dunlop in 1827. First laid out in 1828, the town is named after Frederick John Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich, who was British prime minister at the time. The town...

, with the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station

Bruce Nuclear Generating Station

Bruce Nuclear Generating Station is a Canadian nuclear power station located on the eastern shore of Lake Huron, in the communities of Inverhuron and Tiverton, Ontario. It occupies 932 ha of land. The facility derives its name from Bruce County in which it is located, in the former Bruce Township...

 being the largest area employer. Tourism is also economically prominent. With tourism and the Bruce plant, the local economy is more prosperous than many similar regions.

The region is popular with retirees, with a lake-moderated mild climate and a reputation for a relaxed, friendly lifestyle.

The boiler from the Erie Belle

Erie Belle

The Erie Belle was a Great Lakes steam ship which exploded in 1883 along the eastern shore of Lake Huron. Built in 1864 as the Hector, she initially served the east coast of the USA during the Civil War era...

 explosion lies on Boiler Beach at the northern end of the township.

Communities

The township comprises the communities of Amberley, Bruce Beach, Blair's Grove,Clarks Church, Clover Valley, Holyrood, Kinlough, Langside, Lower Langside, Lucknow

Lucknow, Ontario

Lucknow is a community located in Bruce County, Ontario, Canada. It is incorporated in the Township of Huron-Kinloss.-History:...

, Lurgan Beach, Pine River, Point Clark

Point Clark, Ontario

Point Clark is a lakefront town on Lake Huron, in Canada. It is approximately 20 kilometers south of Kincardine and 35 kilometers north of Goderich. Main streets include Huron Road and Lake Range Road. Point Clark is served by Highway 21 . It is a cottage town, and has a rare Imperial Tower style...

, Purple Grove, Reid's Corners, Ripley, and Verdun.

Amberley

Amberley is along the Highway 21 and has a small gas station. The founders of the Blackberry* phone (RIM) have mansion-like cottages that are being built on the Amberley Beach.

Bruce Beach

More toward Kincardine, Bruce Beach has a cluster of cottages along the shore, and has no businesses. The former Delicatessen and butcher shop, Rocky's Meats, lies at the top of the Bruce Beach entrance.

Emmerton Beach

This settlement sanwiched between Bruce Beach and Lurgan beach is a quiet area. The beach is located here, as well as a tennis court and a trail. A bed and breakfast is run by author Carol Helfenstein. Singer Brontae Hunter is from Emmerton Beach.

Holyrood

This hamlet lies beyond Ripley on the outskirts of the township, and has a General store and community centre.

Lurgan Beach

Between Bruce Beach and Point Clark is Lurgan beach. There are many year round residents, as well as cottages. The earth is very sandy, and sand dunes are widespread. The Boat Club is in Lurgan Beach.

Pine River

Just minutes from Bruce Beach, Pine River is inland, and is settled around Highway 21. The Pine River Cheese Factory is located here, and makes many types of cheeses. A fire recently put work to a standstill.

Ripley

One of the larger hamlets in the township, it can be considered a large village. It boasts boutiques, small grocery stores, restaurants and the public school; Ripley Huron Community Public School. The annual fair is held at the arena.

History

The area was founded as a Scottish settlement in the mid-19th century by 109 families forced to leave the Isle Of Lewis during the Highland Clearances

Highland Clearances

The Highland Clearances were forced displacements of the population of the Scottish Highlands during the 18th and 19th centuries. They led to mass emigration to the sea coast, the Scottish Lowlands, and the North American colonies...

. The first post office at Ripley opened in 1857, and many of its original settlers are buried in the local Lewis Gaelic cemetery.

Demographics

Population trend:

• Population in 2006: 6515 (2001 to 2006 population change: 4.7 %)
• Population in 2001: 6224
• Population total in 1996: 6284
  • Huron (township): 3792
  • Kinloss (township): 1277
  • Lucknow (village): 1215
• Population in 1991:
  • Huron (township): 3755
  • Kinloss (township): 1265
  • Lucknow (village): 1129

Private dwellings occupied by usual residents: 2473 (total dwellings: 3759)