Windsor-Essex’s 2025 Vital Signs Report Released
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF) has announced the release of its 2025 Vital Signs Report, a comprehensive overview of the social, economic, and environmental well-being of the Windsor-Essex Region. This year’s Report offers critical insights and data, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities our community faces. This year’s Report reflects a consistency in grades within most areas, it shows our community thinks “we are doing okay” when it comes to the quality of life in Windsor-Essex County.
“This year marks the launch of our twelfth Vital Signs Report, and each edition brings us closer to understanding the evolving needs of Windsor-Essex,” said Lisa Kolody, Executive Director of the WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF). “The 2025 Report offers a snapshot of our region’s strengths, challenges, and priorities—rooted in local data and community voices. It’s a tool that not only informs our grant-making but also sparks vital conversations about how we can collectively build a more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient Windsor-Essex. We invite everyone to explore the findings, reflect on the insights, and take part in the journey to improve quality of life for all.”– Lisa Kolody, Executive Director of the WindsorEssex Community Foundation.
Some of the Priorities identified in Vital Signs 2025 Report include:
- Expanding social programming for at-risk individuals
- Improving skill development for the workforce
- Increasing opportunities for people to feel connected and included
This year’s Vital Signs Survey featured simplified questions to better highlight our community’s core impressions of each issue area, making it easier for respondents to share their perspectives. New for 2025, the “What Your Said” section of the report includes select pieces of additional feedback provided by survey participants, offering a deeper look into the lived experiences and voices behind the data.
Under the What You Said section in the 2025 Vital Signs Report:
- 55% of survey respondents said that the affordability of Housing is a top priority;
- 62% of survey respondents said that we’re doing great or making good progress where the overall quality of arts and culture is concerned;
- Under the issue area of “Health, Wellness and Activity”, the top priority was tied, with 40 % of survey respondents indicating improving access to mental health programs and services is their top priority, and 40% listing access to health professionals and services in the top spot;
- 92% of respondents said that Lake Erie’s health is extremely important / moderately important; and
- 81% of respondents said that in general, they are happy in life always or most of the time.
The Report launch took place at Willistead Manor. Steve Salmons of the Windsor Port Authority joined the WECF to speak about the impact of Vital Signs and the way that the Port Authority is using the Report. The event also featured Vital Conversation roundtables with local stakeholders, providing attendees with an opportunity to connect with changemakers working to strengthen our region and foster meaningful dialogue about the future of Windsor-Essex.
Vital Signs is a community resource that builds knowledge, informs grant making, and identifies strategic priorities. The report is available HERE. Read it today to find out what makes Windsor-Essex a great place to live, work, play and grow!
Vital Signs is a national program led by community foundations and coordinated by Community Foundations of Canada that leverages local knowledge to measure the vitality of our communities and supports action towards improving our quality of life. Started by the Toronto Community Foundation in 2001, Communities across Canada and around the world use Vital Signs® to mobilize the power of community knowledge for local impact.
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation is a perpetual community trust for philanthropic purposes. It exists to manage donors’ legacy funds and make grants to support local community programs. Through grant making activities, the WECF is able to establish partnerships to assist a broad range of community organizations.
