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North York and the census
- Willowdale (Ward 18) median age39.2average household 2.32
- Don Valley North (Ward 17) median age40.4average household 2.46
- Don Valley East (Ward 16) median age41.2average household 2.46
- York Centre (Ward 6) median age41.6average household 2.60
- City of Toronto median age39.6average household 2.38
North York was a municipality of its own until it became part of the City of Toronto in 1998. The census reports Toronto as a single city, so there is no North York Census Profile. The City of Toronto’s ward profiles give the closest local picture.
Four wards cover much of the former North York: Willowdale (Ward 18), Don Valley North (17), Don Valley East (16) and York Centre (6). In the 2021 Census their median ages were 39.2, 40.4, 41.2 and 41.6, and their average households had 2.32, 2.46, 2.46 and 2.60 people. The citywide figures were 39.6 and 2.38. Willowdale has the smallest average household of the four, and York Centre the largest. Ward boundaries date from 2018 and do not match the old North York exactly, so read them as nearby areas. For smaller areas, see the City of Toronto neighbourhood profiles page.
For context, 48.1% of Toronto’s 1,160,890 households rent (Statistics Canada, 2021 Census Profile). That is a citywide figure and North York’s own can differ. A smaller average household, as in Willowdale, can mean one or two incomes supporting everyone, which makes the question of how many years of income to replace more pointed.
Source: City of Toronto, 2021 Census Ward Profiles, Wards 6, 16, 17 and 18 (median age and average household size), adapted from Statistics Canada, 2021 Census. Rent share for the whole city: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census Profile, census subdivision Toronto, City (C). Retrieved 2026-11-05.
What condo owners and renters in North York weigh
Some North York households live in condos or apartments. A condo owner’s costs include a mortgage plus monthly fees and a share of any special assessment. If an income stopped, those payments would continue, which is why many owners match cover to the mortgage.
Renters face a different calculation. With no mortgage, the amount often depends on dependants, debts and the cost of replacing a second income. Our guide How much life insurance do I need? lays out the steps.
People choosing between a lender’s policy and a personal one can find the differences set out on our mortgage life insurance page.
Professional income and what protects it
Some people who live or work in North York earn income through professional practices, consulting or commissions, where there is no employer plan behind them. Life insurance protects dependants if the earner dies. Disability insurance can replace part of the earner’s income, often 60% to 85% up to a maximum (FCAC), after a waiting period, if the condition meets the policy’s definition of disability, subject to its exclusions.
Because self-employed income can vary from year to year, insurers may ask for tax returns when the amount of cover is large. Having them ready can speed up an application.
How meetings work for North York residents
Advisors meet by phone or video, which suits office workers who can step into a quiet room for twenty minutes. The service covers all of Ontario, so a call does not depend on where in Toronto you are.
If you need the address, it is 180 Steeles Ave West, Unit 213, Thornhill, ON L4J 2L1. An advisor will reach out within one business day of your request. The office takes in-person meetings by appointment, and phone or video is just as available.
Getting life insurance quotes in North York
Check your coverage
See if your employer plan or lender already provides any life insurance.
Compare sample prices
Look at illustrative prices from several insurers.
Talk to an advisor
Go over amounts for a condo mortgage or income replacement.
To start in North York, open life insurance quotes, read the overview of life insurance in Canada, or browse life insurance across Ontario.
Questions about life insurance in North York
I own a condo in North York. Does my condo corporation insurance cover life insurance needs?
No. Condo corporation and unit-owner policies cover property and liability. Life insurance is a separate contract that pays money to named beneficiaries after a death.
Is North York’s data included in the Toronto census numbers?
Yes. The census treats North York as part of the City of Toronto, so its residents are counted inside the Toronto totals. Neighbourhood-level figures are available from the City of Toronto.
I am self-employed in North York. What do insurers ask about my income?
For larger amounts they may ask for recent tax returns or financial statements to confirm the income you want to protect. Requirements differ by insurer and by amount.
Can I insure both partners if only one earns income?
Yes. The non-earning partner may provide care and household work that would cost money to replace, so some families insure both, with different amounts.
How is North York different from Toronto when I apply?
It is not different. You apply as an Ontario resident. Insurers set the price from things such as your age, sex, health and family medical history, nicotine use, job and activities, and the amount and term of cover, not from which Toronto district you live in.
Nearby cities and related pages
The Toronto page covers the whole city, and Vaughan sits directly north of North York across Steeles Avenue.
- Life insurance in Toronto
- Life insurance in Vaughan
- Disability insurance
- Life insurance in Ontario
- Life insurance quotes
Education only, not advice. This page explains how life insurance generally works for people in North York and what the 2021 Census shows. Each policy’s terms are set by the insurer’s contract. For advice on your own situation, talk with a licensed advisor.
