Ayer's Cliff (2021 population 1,180) is a village municipality in the Memphrémagog Regional County Municipality in the Estrie region of Quebec. It is located just north of the Canada–United States border, on Lake Massawippi, near the mouth of the Tomifobia River.

Ayer's Cliff
Location within Memphrémagog RCM.
Location within Memphrémagog RCM.
Ayer's Cliff is located in Southern Quebec
Ayer's Cliff
Ayer's Cliff
Location in southern Quebec.
Coordinates: 45°10′N 72°03′W / 45.167°N 72.050°W / 45.167; -72.050[1]
Country Canada
Province Quebec
RegionEstrie
RCMMemphrémagog
Settled1815
ConstitutedFebruary 4, 1909
Government
 • MayorSimon Roy
 • Federal ridingCompton—Stanstead
 • Prov. ridingOrford
Area
 • Total
5.50 km2 (2.12 sq mi)
 • Land5.53 km2 (2.14 sq mi)
 There is an apparent
contradiction between two
authoritative sources
Population
 (2021)[4]
 • Total
1,197
 • Density213.3/km2 (552/sq mi)
 • Pop 2016-2021
Increase 10%
 • Dwellings
643
DemonymAyer's Cliffer
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Postal code(s)
Area code819
Highways R-141
R-208
Census profile[1][4]
MAMROT info45035[2]
Toponymie info142204[1]
Websitewww.ayerscliff.ca

History

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In the early 1910s and 1920s a number of wealthy Americans built summer estates in Ayer's Cliff. These included the railroad mogul Charles Keller Beekman, Chicago attorney David Leavitt Hough, Charles W. Parker, and George Fuller Parker, a close friend of President Grover Cleveland.

Ayer's Cliff still maintains a large anglophone population, with roots going back to the late 18th century. Today, Ayer's Cliff and the surrounding region are home to a combination of seasonal and year-round residents. The village is the site of Ripplecove Inn, a world-renowned luxury resort featured on CTV Travel's Most Romantic Hideaways.

The annual Ayer's Cliff Fair has been a popular gathering place for Eastern Townshippers since 1845. It is a multi-day event that includes animal shows, rides, attractions and entertainment for all.

Demographics

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In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Ayer's Cliff had a population of 1,180 living in 531 of its 643 total private dwellings, a change of 10% from its 2016 population of 1,073. With a land area of 5.53 km2 (2.14 sq mi), it had a population density of 213.4/km2 (552.7/sq mi) in 2021.[5]

Home language (2006)[6]
Language Population Pct (%)
English only 610 58.37%
French only 410 39.23%
Both English and French 25 2.39%
Home language (2011)[7]
Language Population Pct (%)
English only 475 44.39%
French only 575 53.74%
Both English and French 15 1.40%
Home language (2016)[8]
Language Population Pct (%)
English only 417 37.70%
French only 644 58.23%
Both English and French 45 4.07%
Home language (2021)[9]
Language Population Pct (%)
English only 415 35.2%
French only 705 59.7%
Both English and French 55 4.7%

Notable people

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  • During the 1930s, multi-millionaire sportsman Foxhall P. Keene maintained a seasonal residence in Ayer's Cliff where he died in 1941.
  • American novelist and essayist Upton Sinclair also spent time in Ayer's Cliff in the 1930s.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Banque de noms de lieux du Québec: Reference number 142204". toponymie.gouv.qc.ca (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec.
  2. ^ a b c "Répertoire des municipalités: Geographic code 45035". www.mamh.gouv.qc.ca (in French). Ministère des Affaires municipales et de l'Habitation.
  3. ^ Parliament of Canada Federal Riding History: COMPTON--STANSTEAD (Quebec)
  4. ^ a b c "Ayer's Cliff (Code 24450112) Census Profile". 2011 census. Government of Canada - Statistics Canada.
  5. ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Quebec". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  6. ^ 2006 Statistics Canada Community Profile: Ayer's Cliff, Quebec
  7. ^ 2011 Statistics Canada Community Profile: Ayer's Cliff, Quebec
  8. ^ 2016 Statistics Canada Community Profile: Ayer's Cliff, Quebec
  9. ^ 2021 Statistics Canada Community Profile: Ayer's Cliff, Quebec