{"id":201683,"date":"2025-09-05T11:59:16","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T15:59:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/?p=201683"},"modified":"2025-09-08T08:57:48","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T12:57:48","slug":"are-huntsvilles-population-signs-throwing-you-for-a-loop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/are-huntsvilles-population-signs-throwing-you-for-a-loop\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Huntsville’s population signs throwing you for a loop?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Photo: The population sign on the left is on Hwy. 11 northbound and controlled by the MTO while the one on the right is on Muskoka Rd. 3 on a District of Muskoka Road. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If population signs for Huntsville are throwing you for a loop, that’s because different entities manage them.<\/p>\n\n\n

<\/broadstreet-zone><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

First, there are the population signs on Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO)-controlled highways. There are two population signs on Highway 11 southbound and northbound, showing Huntsville with a population of 20,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doppler reached out to the MTO to find out how the signs get updated and received the following statement: “Population figures displayed on signs along a provincial highway are based on census data published by Statistics Canada and are updated when requested by the municipality,” according to Julia Caslin, Senior Media Relations Advisor. “Population signs on roads that are not under provincial jurisdiction would be the responsibility of the local road authority,” she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then there are the District of Muskoka-controlled population signs. The sign below is located on Muskoka Road 3, between the Rosseau and Huntsville boundary line. It shows Huntsville’s population at 21,000.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Huntsville Economic Development Officer, Lauren MacDermid, the District of Muskoka updated population signage on District-owned roads in 2023 using Statistics Canada data. The signs can be found at Muskoka Road 2 at Stisted Road South, and Muskoka Road 3, between the Rosseau and Huntsville boundary line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MacDermid explained that the remaining population signage is administered and controlled by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO). “The signs are revised every five years in accordance with the MTO\u2019s rules and regulations, using the most recent census data. The next census is slated for May 2026, after which the signs will be updated by the MTO.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Info:<\/p>\n\n\n\n