Collingwood is known for its recreational activities and overall quality of life. The town is filled with long time locals, time-share vacationers and an abundance of hotel and AirBNB properties. The people in Collingwood have opened fabulous restaurants, shops and galleries, which make it an incredibly creative and entrepreneurial community. With a vibrant history that takes in shipbuilding and the grain trade – today the economy is buoyed by services for skiers, sensation seekers, sailors and spa-goers. Downtown Collingwood – a heritage district – features traditional homes on tree-lined streets that are oriented towards the bay. In other areas, homes are more modern but a sense of community and opportunity tie them together.

On September 12, 1901, the Huronic, the first steel-hulled ship in Canada, was launched in Collingwood. The Ship building industry thrived in Collingwood from 1883 – 1986 which accounted for over 10% of the total labor force in the area.