A new municipal benchmarking study suggests Chatham-Kent continues to maintain strong financial stability while offering some of the lowest municipal service costs in the province.
According to the 2025 BMA Municipal Study, which compares key financial and socio-economic indicators across 128 Ontario municipalities, Chatham-Kent residents benefit from relatively low property taxes and competitive water and wastewater rates compared to many communities of similar size.
The study found that among municipalities with populations over 100,000, residents in Chatham-Kent pay the lowest property taxes on an average detached bungalow. The annual tax bill is approximately $3,904, about 20 per cent below the group average and significantly lower than the highest municipality in the comparison.
When property taxes are combined with water and wastewater costs, the municipality ranks among the most affordable in Ontario. The study places Chatham-Kent 25th lowest in overall service costs among the 128 municipalities surveyed.
The report also points to the unique challenges faced by the municipality due to its large geographic area and relatively low population density. With more than 112,000 residents spread across 2,452 square kilometres, the municipality maintains extensive infrastructure, including about 1,500 kilometres of paved roads, nearly five per cent of Ontario’s bridges and the largest network of municipal drains in the province.
Despite those challenges, the study indicates the municipality maintains a strong financial position. Chatham-Kent’s financial position per capita is $2,964, compared with the survey average of $1,013, suggesting past and current investments have helped place the community on stable financial footing.
Municipal debt levels are also relatively low. Total debt stands at $181 per resident, well below the survey average of $686. Officials say much of that debt relates to water and wastewater infrastructure funded through user rates rather than property taxes.
“Chatham-Kent is in an enviable position to now be able to use strategic debt on upcoming major projects that this Council and the next term of Council will be considering, including investments in affordable housing, gravel road conversion, new storm sewers, recreational facilities, a fire station and investment in growth infrastructure,” said Gord Quinton, chief financial officer for the municipality. “A modest level of debt will be strategically used for intergenerational equity on large upcoming capital projects as part of Council’s Strategic Directions and budget approvals.”
Mayor Darrin Canniff said the findings reflect years of financial planning.
“Chatham-Kent’s strong financial position reflects years of responsible planning and the commitment of past and present Councils to making thoughtful investments in our community,” Canniff said. “Despite the unique challenges we face as a large rural municipality, these results show that we are in a positive position. We continue to deliver services efficiently while maintaining the flexibility to invest in the infrastructure and opportunities that will support Chatham-Kent’s future growth.”
The study also notes that while service costs remain competitive, lower average household incomes mean those costs represent a slightly higher share of income for residents compared with some municipalities.
Officials say the full 2025 BMA Municipal Study is available on the Municipality of Chatham-Kent website.
