By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
When it comes to financial stability, Chatham-Kent is holding its own.
Those findings are based on the 2025 BMA Municipal Study which examined key financial and socio-economic indicators of 128 Ontario municipalities.
Among Ontario municipalities with populations over 100,000, C-K residents pay the lowest property taxes on an average detached bungalow, which carries a bill of $3,900 per year. That’s 20 per cent below the category average, significantly lower than the highest municipality in the comparison.
Detailed as part of a municipal news release, the study shows Chatham-Kent has one of the lowest overall costs of municipal services in the province.
“Residents benefit from lower property taxes and competitive water and wastewater rates in comparison to other municipalities of its size,” the release stated. “When property taxes and water/wastewater costs are combined, Chatham-Kent ranks among the most affordable municipalities in the province. The study places Chatham-Kent 25th lowest in overall service costs out of the 128 municipalities.”
In the release, CFO Gord Quinton said C-K maintains relatively low debt levels compared to other municipalities. Total municipal debt is $181 per resident below the survey average of $686.
It puts the municipality in a good spot, the CFO said.
“Chatham-Kent is in an enviable position to now be able to use strategic debt on upcoming major projects that this council and the next term of council will be considering,” he said.
The projects include affordable housing, gravel road conversion, storm sewers, recreational facilities, a fire station, and growth infrastructure.
In his comments, Mayor Darrin Canniff said C-K’s strong financial position “reflects years of responsible planning and the commitment of past and present councils to making thoughtful investments in our community.
“We continue to deliver services efficiently while maintaining the flexibility to invest in the infrastructure and opportunities that will support Chatham-Kent’s future growth,” Canniff stated.
Report highlights:
- Chatham-Kent’s large geographic area of 2,452 square kilometres, combined with its relatively low population of 112,000, poses a significant challenge to maintain infrastructure. This includes approximately 1,500 kilometres of paved roads, close to five per cent of Ontario’s bridges and the largest municipal drain system in the province.
- Compared to other Ontario municipalities, C-K’s population density is low. Windsor has 1,856 people per square kilometre; Sarnia has 466; while Sudbury and Chatham-Kent have 46.
- At $94,000 per year, average household income in C-K is on the low end, with only Windsor coming in lower. The survey average is $127,500, with Mississauga leading the way at close to $140,000.
- Assessment breakdown means 62.9 of weighted assessment comes from residential property taxes. Chatham-Kent’s assessment per capita is $106,000.
- Chatham-Kent’s financial position is determined by taking the financial assets of the municipality and subtracting its liabilities. When the number is positive, it means past taxpayers have paid ahead. C-K has a positive financial position of $2,964, above the survey average of $1,013.
- On average Chatham-Kent’s water and wastewater infrastructure is older than the provincial average.
- For every 10 cents of debt, Chatham-Kent has $1 in reserves, which, according to the survey, is a very strong position. C-K’s ratio has been steadily improving since 2020. The municipality has been making steady progress on reducing its debt, with only Sarnia coming in lower.
When looking at tax supported debt, it is $77 per person, significantly lower than the survey average of $582. The majority of debt belongs to water and wastewater infrastructure.
- Chatham-Kent maintains 14 water and wastewater facilities over a large area. Residential customers pay about $1,383 annually for these services, reflecting maintenance infrastructure upkeep.
