Image: Huron County Courthouse
A focus on youth engagement was the topic of a report received by Huron County Council.
In March 2025, council held a strategic priority session that found youth attraction and engagement within the region as a key priority.
In that session, staff was asked to get information on the story of people aged 15-29 coming back to Huron County from school and travel, engage students in developing plans and strategies, and to find the opportunities available to youth in the county.
Census data shows that those within that age range make up almost 9,665 of the residents of Huron County.
The challenges faced by youth in the region include a lack of available transportation for things such as getting to work or to sports, a shortfall of affordable housing, a lack of available jobs, and few chances to socialize and find a sense of belonging.
Other young adults find it difficult to secure appropriate childcare within the county, which is an ongoing concern countywide.
The report shared with council recommended the addition of youth-centred recreation, in addition to addressing some discrimination that is often encountered by teens and young adults within rural southwestern Ontario.