Neighbourhood guide · Toronto & the GTA
Living in East Gwillimbury: Neighbourhood & Real Estate Guide
Moving to East Gwillimbury? Holland Landing, Sharon, Queensville and Mount Albert, 2026 home prices, GO train, schools and pros and cons from Irina Marchenkova.
By Irina Marchenkova, Sales Representative, RE/MAX Realtron Realty · Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) · Last updated September 2026
East Gwillimbury is one of York Region’s fastest-growing towns, just north of Newmarket, made up of the communities of Holland Landing, Sharon, Queensville and Mount Albert plus a large rural area. New subdivisions, a GO station and the Highway 404 extension have made it popular with families looking for newer homes near Newmarket’s shops and hospital. Here’s what to know before you buy or sell in East Gwillimbury.
Neighbourhoods Prices Market Costs Transit Schools Checklist FAQ
East Gwillimbury at a glance
- Where: northern York Region, between Newmarket and Lake Simcoe
- Population: about 35,000 (2021 Census: 34,637), and growing quickly
- Typical home price: $1,120,500 MLS® HPI benchmark for all home types (August 2026)
- Getting to Toronto: East Gwillimbury GO station on the Barrie line, and Highway 404
- Best for: families wanting a newer home near Newmarket, with countryside close by
Why people choose East Gwillimbury
- Newer homes: large new subdivisions in Sharon, Queensville and Holland Landing
- Close to Newmarket: Upper Canada Mall, Southlake hospital and Newmarket’s jobs are minutes away
- Commuter links: East Gwillimbury GO station and Highway 404, which extends north through the town
- Nature and history: the Nokiidaa Trail, conservation areas, and the Sharon Temple National Historic Site
East Gwillimbury buyers often compare it with Newmarket. They usually get a newer home and a bigger lot for similar money, with a slightly longer drive. — Irina
East Gwillimbury neighbourhoods
East Gwillimbury is a collection of distinct communities. Here’s how they differ:
Holland Landing
The largest community, with established homes and newer subdivisions along Yonge Street and near the East Gwillimbury GO station and the Holland River.
Sharon and Queensville
Much of the town’s new-home growth, with modern detached homes and townhouses near Leslie Street and Highway 404, and the historic Sharon Temple nearby.
Mount Albert
A village in the east with a small main street, family homes and a close-knit feel, surrounded by farmland.
Rural East Gwillimbury
Farms, estate properties and countryside homes, often on private wells and septic systems, with some areas on the Oak Ridges Moraine or near the Holland Marsh.
Homes and prices in East Gwillimbury
East Gwillimbury is mostly detached homes, with a growing number of semis and townhouses in the new subdivisions.
East Gwillimbury benchmark prices (August 2026)
Here’s how East Gwillimbury compares with York Region and the City of Toronto:
| Area | All homes | Detached | Semi-detached | Townhouse | Condo apt. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Gwillimbury | $1,120,500 | $1,155,500 | $800,500 | – | – |
| York Region | $1,089,400 | $1,344,400 | $980,700 | $720,000 | $513,000 |
| City of Toronto | $918,400 | $1,437,900 | $1,127,200 | $717,200 | $547,400 |
A typical detached home in East Gwillimbury was benchmarked about $282,400 below the City of Toronto figure in August 2026, and the composite benchmark was down 7.54% year over year. Ask me for recent sold prices on any street.
Thinking of selling? Get a free home evaluation and I’ll show you what comparable homes near you have actually sold for.
Market snapshot
Here’s how many homes sold and at what prices in August 2026, for all home types combined:
| Area | Homes sold | Average price | Median price |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Gwillimbury | 29 | $1,058,938 | $999,999 |
| York Region | 971 | $1,179,938 | $1,041,800 |
| All TRREB (GTA) | 5,057 | $993,410 | $850,000 |
Across the whole GTA in August 2026, homes sold for about 97% of their final list price on average and spent an average of 35 days on the market. GTA sales were down 2.1% from a year earlier and the average price was down 2.7%, so buyers have more choice and negotiating room than in recent years. Smaller markets like East Gwillimbury can swing more from month to month, so ask me for a free market report on a specific street.
What it costs to buy in East Gwillimbury
Land transfer tax
East Gwillimbury is outside the City of Toronto, so buyers pay only Ontario’s land transfer tax, not the extra Toronto municipal tax. Here’s what that looks like at typical prices:
| Example purchase | Ontario LTT | First-time buyer pays |
|---|---|---|
| Detached home at $1,160,000 | $19,675 | $15,675 |
| Semi-detached home at $800,000 | $12,475 | $8,475 |
First-time buyers can get a refund of up to $4,000 on the Ontario land transfer tax. You (and your spouse) must never have owned a home anywhere in the world. Land transfer tax is paid on closing, on top of your down payment, so budget for it along with legal fees, title insurance and moving costs. Try the land transfer tax calculator.
Property taxes
Property tax in East Gwillimbury is your home’s MPAC assessed value multiplied by the Town’s combined residential rate (Town, York Region and education). Check the Town of East Gwillimbury’s website for the current year’s rate, and ask the seller for the latest tax bill. MPAC values are still based on January 1, 2016 and are usually well below today’s market price.
Getting around
- GO Transit: East Gwillimbury GO station is on the Barrie line, with trains to Union Station. Check GO’s schedule for current train times.
- Driving: Highway 404 extends north through the town; the province is also building the Bradford Bypass to link Highways 400 and 404.
- Local transit: York Region Transit buses connect with Newmarket and the Viva network.
Schools and family life
East Gwillimbury is served by the York Region District School Board and York Catholic District School Board, with French-language options through Viamonde and MonAvenir. Always check each board’s school locator for a specific address. New schools have been opening as the town grows, so boundaries can change.
Southlake Health, one of the region’s major hospitals, is in neighbouring Newmarket.
Child care
At licensed centres enrolled in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care program, fees for children under 6 are capped at $22 a day in 2026, and families with lower incomes can apply for a fee subsidy. York Region’s Early Years Program Finder lists licensed centres, including those in the reduced-fee program, plus EarlyON drop-in centres. My tip: get on waitlists early and ask each centre whether it’s in the reduced-fee program.
Parks, shopping and things to do
- Outdoors: the Nokiidaa Trail along the Holland River, conservation areas and countryside trails
- Recreation: the Health and Active Living Plaza in Sharon and community centres across town
- History: the Sharon Temple National Historic Site
- Shopping: local plazas, with Newmarket’s Upper Canada Mall and big-box stores a short drive away
Pros and cons of living in East Gwillimbury
Pros
- Newer homes and larger lots than much of York Region
- Minutes from Newmarket’s shops, jobs and hospital
- GO station and Highway 404 access
- Countryside and trails close by
Cons
- Longer commute to downtown Toronto
- Ongoing construction as new subdivisions are built
- Fewer local shops and services in some communities
- Rural homes need well and septic checks
Before you buy in East Gwillimbury: local checklist
Every area has its own rules and quirks. Here’s what I check with buyers in East Gwillimbury:
- New builds: for new homes, review the Tarion warranty, closing adjustments and any development charges not capped in your agreement.
- Conservation areas: properties near the Holland River and its tributaries may be regulated by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.
- Wells and septic: arrange water testing and a septic inspection for rural properties.
- School capacity: check which school serves the address, as boundaries shift in growing areas.
- Condos: always review the status certificate, reserve fund study and any upcoming special assessments before you firm up an offer.
- Non-Canadian buyers: check the current federal foreign-buyer rules and Ontario’s Non-Resident Speculation Tax before making an offer.
Buying or selling in East Gwillimbury with Irina
I’m a RE/MAX Realtron Realty Sales Representative and Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®), based in Scarborough and working across the GTA and York Region. Whether you’re moving up from the city, relocating for work or downsizing from a family home, I’ll help you compare neighbourhoods, price your home correctly and negotiate the best terms. I work in English and Russian.
East Gwillimbury real estate FAQ
Is East Gwillimbury a good place to live?
For families who want a newer home, more space and quick access to Newmarket, it often is. The trade-offs are a longer commute to Toronto and ongoing construction in growing areas.
How much does a house cost in East Gwillimbury?
In August 2026, the MLS® HPI benchmark for all home types was $1,120,500 and for a detached home $1,155,500. The average sale price that month was $1,058,938.
Does East Gwillimbury have a GO station?
Yes. East Gwillimbury GO station is on the Barrie line, with service to Union Station. Check GO Transit’s schedule for current times.
What communities are in East Gwillimbury?
The main communities are Holland Landing, Sharon, Queensville and Mount Albert, plus a large rural area.
Is East Gwillimbury part of Newmarket?
No. It’s a separate town in York Region, directly north of Newmarket.
Useful links
- Town of East Gwillimbury
- York Region
- York Region District School Board and York Catholic District School Board
- GO Transit (schedules)
- TRREB Market Watch (monthly prices)
Nearby neighbourhood guides
Compare neighbourhoods: Most affordable areas · Best for families · Best for downsizing · First-time buyer guide · Downsizing guide · All neighbourhood guides