Credit Unions of Ontario has looked beyond financials in a recent province-wide community ranking system.
The study grades 30 Ontario communities on a variety of valuable criteria, including civic engagement, community assets, shared greenspaces and charitable spirit.
Chair Steve Bolton says they wanted to apply tangible scores on attributes that might otherwise be subjective.
"Those communities that really are attractive to individuals that want to live, work and play there need to have that balance," he says.
The study put Orillia first with a rating of 43 out of 50. Chatham-Kent placed fourth with 35.5 and Windsor at eighth with 32.5.