North Simcoe
Severn
Coldwater, Washago, Port Severn and lake-country communities stretching north from Orillia.
Living in Severn
A large township bridging Simcoe County and cottage country.
Severn includes Coldwater, Washago, Port Severn, Marchmont and a collection of shoreline, rural and settlement communities around lakes, rivers and forested land.
The housing mix can shift from village homes to rural acreage, seasonal properties and waterfront homes, so property-specific servicing, road access and shoreline conditions are important.
Township snapshot
Population and land area: Statistics Canada 2021 Census. Trail length: Township of Severn.
Housing character
Village homes, shoreline properties and rural land.
Severn’s housing includes established homes in Coldwater and Washago, rural properties, waterfront and near-water homes, seasonal properties and newer residential pockets.
The Township’s Official Plan specifically addresses shoreline development, rural land, natural heritage and servicing, all of which can affect the suitability of a specific property.
Search Severn homes →Schools
School assignments extend into the Orillia area.
Severn is part of the SCDSB Orillia/Ramara/Severn trustee area. Rural catchments can be broad, and secondary students may travel toward Orillia depending on address.
Public schools serving Severn
Coldwater Public SchoolSevern Shores Public SchoolMarchmont Public SchoolOrillia Secondary SchoolTwin Lakes Secondary SchoolSimcoe Shores Secondary School · Orillia CampusCatholic schools serving the wider area
Foley Catholic SchoolMonsignor Lee Catholic SchoolNotre Dame Catholic SchoolSt. Bernard’s Catholic SchoolPatrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary SchoolSchool information checked against current SCDSB and SMCDSB resources. Confirm assignment and transportation by property address.
Parks & recreation
Lakes, trails and parks are central to the township.
Severn maintains parks, beaches, boat launches and sports facilities across its communities, including substantial recreation amenities in Coldwater and Washago.
The Uhthoff Trail runs roughly 30 kilometres through Severn, connecting the Orillia area through Coldwater toward Georgian Bay as part of the Trans Canada Trail.
Annual events & local traditions
A few dates locals look forward to.
Getting to know a place means experiencing it together. These recurring gatherings offer a glimpse of life in and around Severn.
September
Coldwater Fall Fair
Coldwater Fairgrounds
A village fair celebrating agriculture and the traditions shared by generations of local families.
Event informationOctober
Coldwater Witches Walk
Downtown Coldwater
An autumn evening with costumes and downtown shopping. Check the organizer's current admission and age requirements.
Event informationDecember
Coldwater Santa Claus Parade
Downtown Coldwater
A festive evening parade that brings families and neighbours into the village centre.
Event informationSeasons shown are typical. Dates, venues and programming can change; check the linked event information before planning a visit.
Walkability & getting around
Walkable village pockets within a highly car-dependent township.
Coldwater and Washago offer the most concentrated local services. Outside those settlement areas, driving is essential.
Highway 11, Highway 12 and Highway 400 connections make Severn strategically located for travel toward Orillia, Muskoka and Georgian Bay, but commute time varies significantly by property.
Growth & development
A new Official Plan now guides growth to 2051.
Severn adopted an updated Official Plan in 2024, with County approval in 2025. It guides housing, settlement growth, rural development, transportation, natural heritage and shoreline policy.
For rural and waterfront buyers, the zoning and Official Plan designation should be reviewed alongside the home itself.
Explore new developments →Severn or Ramara?
North toward Georgian Bay or east around Lake Simcoe?
Severn connects more directly toward Muskoka and Georgian Bay, while Ramara is more closely tied to Lake Simcoe and eastern Orillia.
Compare Ramara →Area opportunity alerts
Hear about opportunities in Severn.
Register your interest for new listings, exclusive or off-market opportunities, and other relevant properties as they become available.
Community guide compiled from Statistics Canada, Township of Severn, SCDSB and SMCDSB sources, with supplementary neighbourhood context from HoodQ.