East Garafraxa

East Garafraxa
—  Township  —
Location of East Garafraxa within Dufferin County
Coordinates: 43°51′N 80°15′W / 43.85°N 80.25°W / 43.85; -80.25Coordinates: 43°51′N 80°15′W / 43.85°N 80.25°W / 43.85; -80.25
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
County	Dufferin
Settled
Incorporated	January 1, 1850 (Garafraxa Twp.)
Incorporated	January 1, 1869 (East Garafraxa)
Government
– Mayor	Allen Taylor
– Federal riding	Dufferin—Caledon
– Prov. riding	Dufferin—Caledon
Area[1]
– Land	165.72 km2 (64 sq mi)
Population (2006)[1]
– Total	2,389
– Density	14.4/km2 (37.3/sq mi)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
– Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
Postal Code	L0N 1N0
Area code(s)	519 and 226
Website	www.amaranth-eastgary.ca

East Garafraxa is a rural township in Dufferin County, Ontario, Canada, to the west of Orangeville and within relative commuting distance of Toronto, Brampton, Guelph, and Kitchener.

The township includes the population centres of Marsville and Orton.

While it is unknown how the name "Garafraxa" came to be, there are a number of theories to its origins:

• It is derived from an Indian word meaning "panther country"
• Commemorating an old Irish estate or castle
• From the beloved Scottish stream, the Garry
• From Gaelic fraoch garbh meaning "rough heath"
• From local botany Saxifrage or Sassafras
• Old English word gara or gar means either a small triangular piece of land or cloth as in a sail, and the Township could be considered part fracta of the Gore, or Gara

East Garafraxa is known for, among other things, its scenic spots, and many people go there to escape from the city.

Demographics

Population trend:^[2]

• Population in 2006: 2389 (2001 to 2006 population change: 7.9 %)
• Population in 2001: 2214
• Population in 1996: 2084
• Population in 1991: 2002

Private dwellings occupied by usual residents: 773 (total dwellings: 820)

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "East Garafraxa community profile". 2006 Census data. Statistics Canada. http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3522001&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=East%20Garafraxa&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=. Retrieved 2011-01-18. 
2. ^ Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006 census