Markham Neighbourhood Guide: Communities, Transit and Schools

The short answer

Markham is a city in York Region directly north of Toronto, with about 338,500 residents as of the 2021 Census. It runs from Steeles Avenue up past Major Mackenzie, and from Highway 404 east to the Rouge. My office is in Thornhill, and the east side of Thornhill is part of Markham, so a lot of my work is here.

The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) groups Markham into 40 communities. Below I group them the way buyers actually shop: by character, age of homes and lifestyle.

Heritage Markham: Unionville and Markham Village

Unionville is the one most people know. Main Street Unionville is a preserved heritage village with shops and restaurants, surrounded by established streets of detached homes. Village Green-South Unionville sits next to it with a similar feel. Homes here rarely sit long when they are priced right.

Markham Village and Old Markham Village run along Main Street Markham further east, with older homes near the historic core and newer family streets around them. Markham GO on the Stouffville line is close by.

Newer family neighbourhoods

• Cornell: a planned community in the east end, built from the 2000s onward, with townhouses, semis and detached homes and Markham Stouffville Hospital nearby.
• Berczy, Wismer and Greensborough: popular with families who want newer detached homes and townhouses, built mostly in the 2000s and 2010s.
• Cathedraltown: a smaller, newer community built around a landmark cathedral, with a mix of homes and condos.
• Angus Glen: larger executive homes around the Angus Glen golf course.
• Box Grove, Cachet, Cedar Grove, Legacy and Victoria Square: smaller pockets, from newer subdivisions to estate lots near the edge of the city.

Established mid-century and 1980s neighbourhoods

• Milliken Mills East and West: the south end near Steeles and Kennedy, close to Pacific Mall and First Markham Place, with a mix of detached homes, townhouses and condos.
• Markville, Raymerville, Middlefield, Sherwood-Amberglen, Bullock and Cedarwood: central and east communities with mostly 1970s to 1990s detached and semi detached homes, close to CF Markville and Highway 7.
• Buttonville and Devil's Elbow: quieter pockets in the northwest with larger lots.

Thornhill, the Markham side

Royal Orchard, Bayview Glen, German Mills, Grandview, Aileen-Willowbrook, Thornlea, Bayview Fairway, Langstaff South and Commerce Valley are all in Markham, but most buyers know them as Thornhill (postal code L3T). I cover each one in my Thornhill neighbourhood guide.

Transit and commuting

• GO Stouffville line: Unionville, Centennial, Markham and Mount Joy stations. Metrolinx is working toward more frequent, two way service on the line.
• GO Richmond Hill line: Langstaff GO, on the Markham and Richmond Hill border.
• Viva rapid transit: runs from Finch and Don Mills stations through Unionville to Markville, with YRT terminals at Unionville GO and Cornell.
• Highways: the 404 on the west side, the 407 ETR across the middle, and Highway 7 through the city.

Schools, hospitals and things to do

Schools. Markham is served by the York Region District School Board and the York Catholic District School Board. Public high schools include Unionville High School, Markville, Middlefield Collegiate, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Bur Oak, Bill Crothers, Bill Hogarth, Markham District, Milliken Mills, Thornhill Secondary and Thornlea Secondary. Always confirm the boundary for a specific address with the board's school locator before you buy.

Hospitals. Markham Stouffville Hospital, part of Oak Valley Health, at Highway 7 and 9th Line.

Shopping. CF Markville, Pacific Mall, First Markham Place, plus Main Street Unionville and Main Street Markham.

Outdoors. Rouge National Urban Park on the east side and Milne Dam Conservation Park in the middle of the city.

Downtown Markham. A large mixed use district near Highway 7 and Warden with condos, the Markham Pan Am Centre and the York University Markham Campus, which opened in 2024.

Common questions about Markham

Is Markham part of Toronto?

No. Markham is its own city in York Region, north of Toronto. Steeles Avenue is the border.

Do you pay municipal land transfer tax in Markham?

No. Only the City of Toronto charges a municipal land transfer tax. In Markham you pay the Ontario land transfer tax only, which saves thousands compared with a similar home in North York. See my closing costs guide.

What are the best neighbourhoods in Markham for families?

It depends on what you want. Unionville offers heritage character and established streets. Cornell, Berczy and Cathedraltown offer newer homes. Milliken Mills and Markville are central with lots of shopping. I help buyers narrow it down by budget, commute and school.

Is Markham a buyer's or seller's market right now?

As of late October 2026, Markham is a balanced market. My Markham pricing guide has the current numbers.

Thinking about buying or selling in Markham?

Every community in Markham moves at its own pace. If you want recent sold prices for a specific street, or a value for your own home, send me a message or call me at 647-965-7834.