The Windsor-Sarnia region is comprised of the Economics Region (ER) of WindsorSarnia and three Census Divisions (CDs): Chatham-Kent, Essex, and Lambton. The region’s GDP was an estimated $28 billion in 2018, 23% of which was generated by the manufacturing sector. Manufacturing is also a major employer in the region, accounting for 17% of the total labour force, including 6% from automotive manufacturing.

The region has a positive economic outlook, with annual GDP growth of at least 2.0% projected through 2029. However, the region’s manufacturing sector is expected to see its GDP growth slow in the coming years.

The Windsor-Sarnia region’s population was an estimated 650,000 in 2018. Marginal population growth is expected in the region through 2025 before reaching an estimated 685,000 in 2030. Population growth will likely be driven primarily by migration into the region as the region is expected to experience a negative net natural population change. The region is expected to see an aging trend in its population, with the share of the population aged 65 years and over projected to increase from 18% in 2016 to 26% by 2030. The region is also expected to see its unemployment fall from 7.5% in 2016 to 6.3% by 2020 before stabilizing over the coming decade.

The Windsor-Sarnia region’s automotive manufacturing industry employed an estimated 22,800 workers across 107 businesses in 2018, based on findings from industry contacts, company websites, industry literature and other sources of publicly available data. Employment in the past five years is estimated to have ranged from a low of 18,800 in 2013 to a peak of 23,100 in 2017. The region is home to one assembly and two engine plants that employed an estimated 7,800 workers in 2018. A total 66 parts suppliers located in the Essex CD employed nearly 11,500 workers in 2018. The region’s largest automotive manufacturing-related employers include FCA, Ford, and Flex-N-Gate.