Essa, Ontario (1861 census)
Essa was a census subdivision in Simcoe County, Ontario, recorded in the 1861 Census of Canada with a population of 2,904. The community is grounded to Wikidata Q115261414. The administrative centroid was at approximately 44.257°N, 79.812°W.
Population
In 1861, Essa had a population of 2,904. Population density was 25.3 people per square mile.
Population trajectory across census years
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1851 | 1,507 |
| 1861 | 2,904 |
| 1871 | 4,221 |
| 1881 | 4,666 |
| 1891 | 3,592 |
| 1901 | 3,438 |
| 1911 | 3,084 |
| 1921 | 2,910 |
Cross-year identity established by spatial polygon overlap (SAME_AS chains across the Canadian Census Subdivision boundary files).
Neighbouring Census Subdivisions in 1861
In the 1861 census, Essa shared boundaries with:
Full census record, 1861
The 1861 census recorded 344 measurements for this Census Subdivision across 7 categories. Tables below are collapsible.
Population & families (27 variables)
| Variable | Value |
|---|---|
| Female members of the family who are present | 1,779 |
| Females present who are not members of the family | 53 |
| Male members of the family who are present | 1,941 |
| Males present who are not members of the family | 84 |
| Number of adult females unable to read or write | 30 |
| Number of adult males unable to read or write | 23 |
| Number of deaf and dumb females | 2 |
| Number of deaf and dumb males | 2 |
| Number of female births in the past year | 71 |
| Number of females | 1,832 |
| Number of females attending school | 137 |
| Number of lunatic males | 2 |
| Number of male births in the past year | 77 |
| Number of males | 2,025 |
| Number of males attending school | 155 |
| Number of married females | 558 |
| Number of married males | 517 |
| Number of persons at sea | 3 |
| Number of single females | 1,243 |
| Number of single males | 1,486 |
| Number of widowed females | 31 |
| Number of widowed males | 22 |
| POP FX N.1 | 1,832 |
| POP MX N.1 | 2,025 |
| POP TOT | 2,904 |
| POP XX N.1 | 3,857 |
| Total population | 2,904 |
Age structure (55 variables)
| Variable | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of females age 3 to 4 | 53 |
| Number of females aged 1 to 2 | 65 |
| Number of females aged 2 to 3 | 68 |
| Number of females aged 4 to 5 | 57 |
| Number of females aged 5 to 10 | 279 |
| Number of males aged 1 to 2 | 69 |
| Number of males aged 2 to 3 | 70 |
| Number of males aged 3 to 4 | 69 |
| Number of males aged 4 to 5 | 61 |
| Number of males aged 5 to 10 | 284 |
| Number of married females aged 15 to 20 | 4 |
| Number of married females aged 20 to 30 | 164 |
| Number of married females aged 30 to 40 | 168 |
| Number of married females aged 40 to 50 | 116 |
| Number of married females aged 50 to 60 | 58 |
| Number of married females aged 60 to 70 | 29 |
| Number of married females aged 70 to 80 | 11 |
| Number of married females aged 80 to 90 | 2 |
| Number of married females aged 90 to 100 | 1 |
| Number of married males aged 20 to 30 | 116 |
| Number of married males aged 30 to 40 | 156 |
| Number of married males aged 40 to 50 | 111 |
| Number of married males aged 50 to 60 | 99 |
| Number of married males aged 60 to 70 | 25 |
| Number of married males aged 70 to 80 | 8 |
| Number of married males aged 80 to 90 | 1 |
| Number of married males aged 90 to 100 | 1 |
| Number of single females aged 10 to 15 | 269 |
| Number of single females aged 15 to 20 | 225 |
| Number of single females aged 20 to 30 | 113 |
| Number of single females aged 30 to 40 | 25 |
| Number of single females aged 40 to 50 | 10 |
| Number of single females aged 50 to 60 | 6 |
| Number of single females aged 60 to 70 | 2 |
| Number of single males aged 10 to 15 | 278 |
| Number of single males aged 15 to 20 | 259 |
| Number of single males aged 20 to 30 | 241 |
| Number of single males aged 30 to 40 | 50 |
| Number of single males aged 40 to 50 | 15 |
| Number of single males aged 50 to 60 | 8 |
| Number of single males aged 60 to 70 | 4 |
| Number of single males aged 70 to 80 | 1 |
| Number of widowed females aged 20 to 30 | 3 |
| Number of widowed females aged 30 to 40 | 5 |
| Number of widowed females aged 40 to 50 | 7 |
| Number of widowed females aged 50 to 60 | 5 |
| Number of widowed females aged 60 to 70 | 6 |
| Number of widowed females aged 70 to 80 | 4 |
| Number of widowed males aged 20 to 30 | 1 |
| Number of widowed males aged 30 to 40 | 4 |
| Number of widowed males aged 40 to 50 | 4 |
| Number of widowed males aged 50 to 60 | 5 |
| Number of widowed males aged 60 to 70 | 4 |
| Number of widowed males aged 70 to 80 | 3 |
| Number of widowed males aged 80 to 90 | 1 |
Ethnic origin (12 variables)
| Variable | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of French Canadians | 10 |
| Number of Indigenous females | 5 |
| Number of Indigenous males | 9 |
| Number of negroes or coloured persons | 2 |
| Number of persons native to Canada, not of French origin | 1,761 |
| Number of persons originating in England or Wales | 124 |
| Number of persons originating in Germany or Holland | 1 |
| Number of persons originating in Ireland | 848 |
| Number of persons originating in Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island | 2 |
| Number of persons originating in Scotland | 96 |
| Number of persons originating in Spain or Portugal | 1 |
| Number of persons originating in the United States | 58 |
Agriculture (72 variables)
| Variable | Value |
|---|---|
| Acres of barley | 39 |
| Acres of buckwheat | 3 |
| Acres of farmland held by townspeople who are not farmers | 1,940 |
| Acres of farmland in gardens | 99 |
| Acres of farmland in pasture | 4,197 |
| Acres of farmland in woodland or forest | 20,430 |
| Acres of farmland under crops | 14,462 |
| Acres of farmland under cultivation | 18,758 |
| Acres of land in farms | 39,188 |
| Acres of mangel wurtzel | 1 |
| Acres of oats | 1,933 |
| Acres of peas | 1,468 |
| Acres of potatoes | 377 |
| Acres of spring wheat | 4,492 |
| Acres of turnips | 275 |
| Acres of winter wheat | 2,046 |
| Barrels of beef produced in the past year | 172 |
| Barrels of pork produced in the past year | 1,411 |
| Bushels of barley produced in the past year | 1,092 |
| Bushels of buckwheat produced in the past year | 21 |
| Bushels of carrots produced in the past year | 565 |
| Bushels of clover, timothy, or other grass seed produced in the past year | 6 |
| Bushels of mangel wurtzel produced in the past year | 100 |
| Bushels of oats produced in the past year | 64,447 |
| Bushels of peas produced in the past year | 34,679 |
| Bushels of potatoes produced in the past year | 50,930 |
| Bushels of spring wheat produced in the past year | 86,946 |
| Bushels of turnips produced in the past year | 83,830 |
| Bushels of winter wheat produced in the past year | 57,370 |
| C18 WHT FALL AC | 2,046 |
| C19 WHT FALL BU | 57,370 |
| C20 WHT SP AC | 4,492 |
| C21 WHT SP BU | 86,946 |
| C22 BAR AC | 39 |
| C23 BAR BU | 1,092 |
| C26 PEA AC | 1,468 |
| C27 PEA BU | 34,679 |
| C28 OAT AC | 1,933 |
| C29 OAT BU | 64,447 |
| C30 BWT AC | 3 |
| C31 BWT BU | 21 |
| C34 POT AC | 377 |
| C35 POT BU | 50,930 |
| C43 HAY TONS | 1,605 |
| C47 WOOL LBS | 7,573 |
| C63 BEEF BAR | 172 |
| C64 PORK BAR | 1,411 |
| HRS ov03 V | 58,270 |
| Number of bulls, oxen, or steers | 336 |
| Number of calves and heifers | 1,191 |
| Number of horses aged 3 years and under | 251 |
| Number of horses aged over 3 years | 705 |
| Number of milk cows | 966 |
| Number of occupants of farms | 353 |
| Number of persons living on farms between 10 and 20 acres | 9 |
| Number of persons living on farms between 100 and 200 acres | 53 |
| Number of persons living on farms between 20 and 50 acres | 53 |
| Number of persons living on farms between 50 and 100 acres | 212 |
| Number of persons living on farms over 200 acres | 14 |
| Number of persons living on farms under 10 acres | 12 |
| Number of sheep | 2,521 |
| Number of swine | 3,992 |
| Pounds of cheese produced on farms in the past year | 768 |
| Pounds of homemade butter | 59,537 |
| Pounds of hops produced in the past year | 36 |
| Pounds of maple sugar produced in the past year | 15,669 |
| Pounds of wool produced on farms in the past year | 7,573 |
| Tons of hay produced in the past year | 1,605 |
| Value of all livestock | 116,370 |
| Value of farm implements in dollars | 42,008 |
| Value of farms (dollars) | 715,840 |
| Value of garden and orchard crops produced in the past year | 1,217 |
Manufacturing & industry (4 variables)
| Variable | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of carriages for pleasure | 66 |
| Value of carriages for pleasure (dollars) | 3,847 |
| Yards of flannel produced in the past year | 6,308 |
| Yards of fulled cloth produced in the past year | 1,241 |
Deaths & mortality (19 variables)
| Variable | Value |
|---|---|
| Deaths in the past year among females aged 1 to 2 | 1 |
| Deaths in the past year among females aged 10 to 15 | 2 |
| Deaths in the past year among females aged 2 to 3 | 1 |
| Deaths in the past year among females aged 20 to 30 | 1 |
| Deaths in the past year among females aged 30 to 40 | 1 |
| Deaths in the past year among females aged 40 to 50 | 1 |
| Deaths in the past year among females aged 60 to 70 | 1 |
| Deaths in the past year among females of all ages | 11 |
| Deaths in the past year among females under age 1 | 4 |
| Deaths in the past year among males age 3 to 4 | 1 |
| Deaths in the past year among males aged 2 to 3 | 1 |
| Deaths in the past year among males aged 30 to 40 | 1 |
| Deaths in the past year among males aged 40 to 50 | 1 |
| Deaths in the past year among males aged 60 to 70 | 1 |
| Deaths in the past year among males aged 70 to 80 | 1 |
| Deaths in the past year among males of all ages | 14 |
| Deaths in the past year among males of unknown age | 6 |
| Deaths in the past year among males under age 1 | 4 |
| Total number of deaths in the past year | 25 |
Other recorded variables (155 variables)
| Variable | Value |
|---|---|
| At Sea | 3 |
| BRACES | 42 |
| C01 TOTAL | 353 |
| C02 OCC UNDR 10 | 12 |
| C03 OCC 10 TO 20 | 9 |
| C04 OCC 20 TO 50 | 53 |
| C05 OCC 50 TO 100 | 212 |
| C06 OCC 100 TO 200 | 53 |
| C07 OCC OVR 200 | 14 |
| C08 HELD | 39,188 |
| C09 UNDR CULT | 18,758 |
| C1 Males | 2,025 |
| C10 Deaths under 1 year M | 4 |
| C10 UNDR CROP | 14,462 |
| C100 Between 90 and 100 years Married M | 1 |
| C103 Between 90 and 100 years Married F | 1 |
| C11 Deaths under 1 year F | 4 |
| C11 UNDR PAST | 4,197 |
| C118 Ages not given Deaths M | 6 |
| C12 GARDENS | 99 |
| C12 Under 2 Years M | 69 |
| C120 Married M | 517 |
| C121 Single M | 1,486 |
| C122 Widowed M | 22 |
| C123 Total M | 2,025 |
| C124 Married F | 558 |
| C125 Single F | 1,243 |
| C126 Widows F | 31 |
| C127 Total F | 1,832 |
| C128 Grand Total | 3,857 |
| C129 Deaths M | 14 |
| C13 Under 2 Years F | 65 |
| C13 WOOD WILD | 20,430 |
| C130 Deaths F | 11 |
| C131 Deaths Total | 25 |
| C132 Indians M | 9 |
| C133 Indians F | 5 |
| C136 Attending School M | 155 |
| C137 Attending School F | 137 |
| C138 Adults unable to read or write M | 23 |
| C139 Adults unable to read or write F | 30 |
| C14 CASH FARM | 715,840 |
| C140 Deaf and Dumb M | 2 |
| C141 Deaf and Dumb F | 2 |
| C144 Lunatics M | 2 |
| C15 CASH IMP | 42,008 |
| C15 Deaths under 2 years F | 1 |
| C16 GARDN VALUE | 1,217 |
| C16 Under 3 years M | 70 |
| C17 LAND HELD | 1,940 |
| C17 Under 3 years F | 68 |
| C18 Deaths under 3 years M | 1 |
| C19 Deaths under 3 years F | 1 |
| C2 Females | 1,832 |
| C20 Under 4 years M | 69 |
| C21 Under 4 years F | 53 |
| C22 Deaths under 4 years M | 1 |
| C24 Under 5 years M | 61 |
| C25 Under 5 years F | 57 |
| C28 Between 5 and 10 Years M | 284 |
| C29 Between 5 and 10 years F | 279 |
| C3 Total | 3,857 |
| C33 Between 10 and 15 years Single M | 278 |
| C35 Between 10 and 15 years Single F | 269 |
| C36 TUR AC | 275 |
| C37 Between 10 and 15 years Deaths F | 2 |
| C37 TUR BU | 83,830 |
| C38 CAR BU | 565 |
| C39 Between 15 and 20 years Single M | 259 |
| C39 MAN WURT AC | 1 |
| C4 Members of Family M | 1,941 |
| C40 Between 15 and 20 years Married F | 4 |
| C40 MAN WURT BU | 100 |
| C41 Between 15 and 20 years Single F | 225 |
| C42 CLV TIM GRA | 6 |
| C44 Between 20 and 30 years Married M | 116 |
| C44 HOP LBS | 36 |
| C45 Between 20 and 30 years Single M | 241 |
| C45 MPL SGR LBS | 15,669 |
| C46 Between 20 and 30 years Widowers M | 1 |
| C47 Between 20 and 30 years Married F | 164 |
| C48 Between 20 and 30 years Single F | 113 |
| C48 FLLD CLOTH YRDS | 1,241 |
| C49 Between 20 and 30 years Widows F | 3 |
| C49 FLAN YRDS | 6,308 |
| C5 Members of Family F | 1,779 |
| C51 Between 20 and 30 years Deaths F | 1 |
| C52 Between 30 and 40 years Married M | 156 |
| C52 BULLS OX STEERS | 336 |
| C53 Between 30 and 40 years Single M | 50 |
| C53 MILK COWS | 966 |
| C54 Between 30 and 40 years Widowers M | 4 |
| C54 CALVES HEIFERS | 1,191 |
| C55 Between 30 and 40 years Married F | 168 |
| C55 HORSES | 705 |
| C56 Between 30 and 40 years Single F | 25 |
| C56 HORSES VAL | 58,270 |
| C57 Between 30 and 40 years Widows F | 5 |
| C57 COLTS FILLIES | 251 |
| C58 Between 30 and 40 years Deaths M | 1 |
| C58 SHEEP | 2,521 |
| C59 Between 30 and 40 years Deaths F | 1 |
| C59 SWINE | 3,992 |
| C6 Not Members of Family M | 84 |
| C60 Between 40 and 50 years Married M | 111 |
| C60 TOT VALUE | 116,370 |
| C61 Between 40 and 50 years Single M | 15 |
| C61 BUTTER LB | 59,537 |
| C62 Between 40 and 50 years Widowers M | 4 |
| C62 CHEESE LB | 768 |
| C63 Between 40 and 50 years Married F | 116 |
| C64 Between 40 and 50 years Single F | 10 |
| C65 Between 40 and 50 years Widows F | 7 |
| C66 Between 40 and 50 years Deaths M | 1 |
| C67 Between 40 and 50 years Deaths F | 1 |
| C68 Between 50 and 60 years Married M | 99 |
| C68 CAR PLEASURE | 66 |
| C69 Between 50 and 60 years Single M | 8 |
| C69 VALUE DOL P | 3,847 |
| C7 Not Members of Family F | 53 |
| C70 Between 50 and 60 years Widowers M | 5 |
| C71 Between 50 and 60 years Married F | 58 |
| C72 Between 50 and 60 years Single F | 6 |
| C73 Between 50 and 60 years Widows F | 5 |
| C76 Between 60 and 70 years Married M | 25 |
| C77 Between 60 and 70 years Single M | 4 |
| C78 Between 60 and 70 years Widowers M | 4 |
| C79 Between 60 and 70 years Married F | 29 |
| C8 Births in 1860 M | 77 |
| C80 Between 60 and 70 years Single F | 2 |
| C81 Between 60 and 70 years Widows F | 6 |
| C82 Between 60 and 70 years Deaths M | 1 |
| C83 Between 60 and 70 years Deaths F | 1 |
| C84 Between 70 and 80 years Married M | 8 |
| C85 Between 70 and 80 years Single M | 1 |
| C86 Between 70 and 80 years Widowers M | 3 |
| C87 Between 70 and 80 years Married F | 11 |
| C89 Between 70 and 80 years Widows F | 4 |
| C9 Births in 1860 F | 71 |
| C90 Between 70 and 80 years Deaths M | 1 |
| C92 Between 80 and 90 years Married M | 1 |
| C94 Between 80 and 90 years Widowers M | 1 |
| C95 Between 80 and 90 years Married F | 2 |
| C97 Between 80 and 90 years Widows F | 1 |
| CD NAME | Simcoe |
| Colored Persons | 2 |
| England and Wales | 124 |
| Ireland | 848 |
| Natives of Canada French Origin | 10 |
| Natives of Canada Not of French Origin | 1,761 |
| Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island | 2 |
| Prussia German States and Holland | 1 |
| Scotland | 96 |
| Spain and Portugal | 1 |
| United States | 58 |
Identifiers
- TCP UID:
ON098005— year-scoped identifier from the Canadian Census Subdivision boundary file - Persistent place ID:
PLACE_ON144002— computed from spatial-overlap chains across census years - Wikidata: Q115261414
Sources
Census tabulations from the 1861 Census of Canada, transcribed and georeferenced by the Canadian Peoples / TCP project, hosted at the HGIS Lab, University of Saskatchewan. Persistent place identity computed from spatial-overlap chains across all available census years (1851–1921). Identity grounding to Wikidata performed via the HGIS Canada Knowledge Graph project's MCP-assisted disambiguation pipeline. See the About / Methodology page for the full data pipeline.
Cite this page
Clifford, J. (2026). "Essa, Ontario (1861 census)" in HGIS Canada Knowledge Graph. Retrieved from https://jimclifford.ca/hgiscanada/places/on/essa-on098005-1861/.