How youthful is Hamilton?
NOT VERY: IT’S RANKED RANK 12TH OUT OF 13
Living in Hamilton 11th DIGITAL ACCESS
Hamilton has the cheapest cost of mobile phone data packages of all 13 cities, but scores low for WiFi accessibility at everyday locations and mobile phone infrastructure development. Hamilton was found to particularly lag behind other cities for not having WiFi on public transit.
“For (youth), digital infrastructure is basic infrastructure — it’s a necessity,” says the report.
3rd HEALTH
The city’s main strength is health care in terms of both accessibility and the amount of publicly available information about Hamilton’s services, concludes the report.
“It’s a healthy place to live and health is very important to youth,” said Robert Barnard, co-founder of YouthfulCities. “It’s one of the top things as far as youth are concerned, so Hamilton benefits on that.”
10th TRANSIT
Transit is painted as Hamilton’s biggest weakness in the index, which is bad news for the city considering youth rank it as their third-highest priority.
The city got failing grades in the ranking that examines the number of bike paths, walkability and commuter time by transit.
The one bright spot is a top-three rating for public bike rentals. “Transit is not a strength of Hamilton,” said Barnard. “It’s where it falls off a bit.”
6th CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Hamilton ties other Ontario cities for the best volunteerism in high school. But ranks closer to the middle of the pack in other areas such as the average age of city councillors and municipal Indigenous advisory boards.
“Ask yourself if the lack of available youth civic participation opportunities may be fuelling a spiral of youth disinterest,” says the report.
11th SAFETY
While Hamilton had one of the lowest murder rates of the 13 cities, it still scores low when it comes to physical risks that youth face. Again, public transit is primarily to blame. Hamilton was the only city in Canada measured by the index not to have transit police, a passenger bill or rights or surveillance on the fleet. Safety is the No. 1 factor when youth decide where to live, so being ranked so low is a big blow for the city. “Adopting at least some of these security measures on public transit would be a good first step to improving the city’s safety score,” recommends the report.
12th ENVIRONMENT
One of the city’s worst rankings, Hamilton was found to have more waste and fewer recycled materials per capita, higher carbon emissions and a greater number of registered vehicles. Environment is one of the more important measures for youth who are looking at the “environmental impact of a city as well as the proactive measures in place to minimize a city’s impact,” found the report.
9th DIVERSITY
For a city that prides itself on its diversity, Hamilton placed close to the bottom for languages to vote in, variety of food and mix of religions. “One area that does seem to be where youth differentiate themselves is in diversity,” said Barnard. “That tends to rank higher as far as something they want in a city than what we see from other populations.”
Working in Hamilton 5th EMPLOYMENT
Hamilton has jobs for youth, boasting one of the lowest youth unemployment rates of the 13 cities.
“That is a really strong opportunity,” said Barnard. “If there are lots of jobs available in Hamilton that could be an initiator to bring a lot more young people into Hamilton. But if the rest of the youthful infrastructure isn’t there, then it may be a temporary measure.”
13th EDUCATION
Hamilton ranked dead last for the measure looking at post-secondary institutions per capita, secondary school graduation rate, Indigenous education and student debt. McMaster University and Mohawk College did a get a bit of a nod with the city finishing in the top three for fulltime undergraduate enrolment. “The education attribute looks at the accessibility and affordability of postsecondary education in a city,” says the report.
11th FINANCIAL SERVICES
The city did not fare well when it came to availability and accessibility of banking for youth and financial education. It was not among the top cities for personal, business, mobile or online banking for youth. Fortunately for Hamilton, youth rank employment higher than financial services and education when choosing a city.
12th ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Hamilton struggles with fostering entrepreneurial culture, concludes the report. It was found significantly lacking in the indicator measuring the number of entrepreneurship incubators, amount and cost of co-work spaces, the age you can register a business and the price of a licence. Hamilton is “low on the entrepreneurship side of the scale,” said Barnard. “It came second-last.”
6th AFFORDABILITY
The price of rental housing and Ontario’s higher minimum wage help push Hamilton to the middle of the pack when it comes to the cost of living in the city. This measure also looks at what youth will pay for a number of goods and services such as food, transit and taxes.
Cost weighs heavy on youth who rank affordability as second-most important to them when picking a city. “Hamilton is reasonably affordable in comparison to some of the cities,” said Barnard.
Playing in Hamilton 3rd MUSIC
Hamilton has the cheapest concert tickets of any of the 13 cities. Musicbased entertainment is one of the biggest attractions the city has to offer youth.
“It’s time to party in Hamilton,” states the ranking that also looked at the number of nightclubs and music festivals.
“While that might seem like an insignificant thing,” says Barnard, “at least there is a bit of an opportunity to build momentum in those arts areas which will help to boost Hamilton in the future.”
12th FILM
Hamilton is lacking in film festivals, movie theatres and film schools, concludes the report. Despite high profile shoots like television hit “The Handmaid’s Tale” and Oscar best picture winner, “The Shape of Water,” the Hammer did not make it to the list of cities with the most number of movies licensed to film there. Luckily for Hamilton, this is one of the least important factors to youth.
11th CREATIVE ARTS
Hamilton needs more support for creative arts, concludes the index. The city got a dismal score on the measure looking at the number of art schools and galleries, the municipal budget for public art, cultural festivals and Indigenous art.
“Hamilton would serve its artists well and increase its performance in the index by requiring new developments over a certain size to include a budget for a permanent public art installation,” suggests the report. “Ideally this would exist as part of an integrated, long-term public art plan.”
9th FASHION
Hamilton is not at the height of fashion according to the rankings. The city is short fashion incubators and young designer showcases.
But it does offer the best price for a summer dress.
Not to worry, youth placed fashion as their lowest priority when picking a city.
8th SPORTS
Excitement is building over the Bulldogs playoff run, but Hamilton still finished in the bottom half when it comes to creating an environment that supports sports.
It didn’t rank among the best cities for number of professional teams, sports facilities and organized recreational events.
It also didn’t come out on top when it comes to ensuring affordable access to facilities or equipment.
11th FOOD AND NIGHTLIFE
Hamilton is woefully lacking when it comes to unwinding at the end of the day, concludes the report.
The city was found wanting on the measure, looking at the number of restaurants and food festivals, as well as the cost of food and the availability of drinks.
2nd TRAVEL
Hamilton’s best result is its proximity to cities that rank higher in the index. Residents can get to other cities both efficiently and affordably by flights and buses, which matters to youth a lot, reveals the report.
For those travelling within the city, Hamilton’s cultural institutions are the cheapest of all 13 cities.
11th PUBLIC SPACE
The city of waterfalls needs more green space recommends the report. Hamilton was left in the dust when the index examined the number of municipally-maintained sports fields, public libraries, walk scores and public space.
The measure also looked at Indigenous art and land acknowledgments.