There’s a shift toward smaller condos and larger single-detached houses across the province, according to new data from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC), which highlights motivators such as changing consumer preferences, housing affordability factors and the evolving economy.
“While new single-detached houses still make up a significant portion of new builds across Ontario, construction of this residential form has declined, especially in urban areas like the GTA,” said Greg Martino, vice president and chief valuation and standards officer for MPAC. “This shift reflects evolving market dynamics, affordability challenges and the rise of higher-density urban centers”.
Since the 1970s, there has been a desire for larger single-family homes, which went from a median size of 1,317 square feet back then to 2,383 square feet in the 2020s. The average condo, however, shrunk by 32 per cent during this period from 965 square feet to 658 square feet today.
“This consistent reduction of overall size reflects the rising costs of construction, land acquisition costs due to scarcity, and the appeal of condos as investment properties,” MPAC states. “As a result, modern condominiums are now significantly smaller than they were 50 years ago.”
Semi-detached and townhouses have undergone moderate size increased, with townhomes increasing from 1,220 square feet in the 1970s to 1,640 square feet in the 2020s. That accounts for a growth of about 35 per cent over five decades, while semi-detached houses have increased by about 43 per cent over the same period.
Looking on a more regional scale in the GTA, King Township ranks at the top of the list for the largest new single-family home builds from 2020 to 2024, with a median size of 4,716 square feet. North York follows closely with an average size of 3,824 square feet.
The trend of building smaller condos can be seen in both small towns and larger cities, which could be due to affordability and entry into home ownership. Some municipalities in smaller markets outside the GTA are opting to build larger mid/high-rise condo units.
The top five cities and towns with the largest median square footage for new condos include: St. Catharines (1,412 square feet), followed by London (1,315) Centre Wellington (1,274), Gananoque (1,183) and Cobourg (1,179).
The top five cities and towns with the smallest median square footage for new condos include Kingston (483 square feet), followed by Gravenhurst, Oshawa, Lincoln and Waterloo. Toronto came in sixth at 616 square feet.
Market demand, affordability concerns and local planning policies are driving variability in development. “As Ontario continues to grow and evolve, it’s important to recognize how changing market factors and consumer preferences will impact housing needs,” says Martino. “Tracking housing trends helps municipalities create strategies that address both current and future demands.”
