Burlington ranks in top five happiest communities in Canada

The results are in, and they reveal that local residents apparently have a lot to smile about.

An analysis of 100 major towns/cities put together by Point2Homes - a real estate listing portal - has placed Burlington as the fifth  happiest municipality in the country, following closely behind Milton in second and Caledon in first.

Elsewhere in Halton, Halton Hills  ranked third on the list and Oakville placed seventh.

Point2Homes says it analyzed 30 happiness-related metrics to create its own happiness index, including everything from median after-tax income and commute times to perceived health and a sense of belonging.

According to a report on the topic from Point2Homes, much of what makes the 100 communities the happiest is linked to the economy and real estate.

“For starters, Caledon, Oakville, Vaughan, Halton Hills and Milton enjoy fortunate median after-tax incomes of more than $107,000 - well above the national median,” the report notes. “Furthermore, over 85 per cent of homes in Vaughan, Clarington and Halton Hills are owned households.”

The report also highlights the fact that Halton has the lowest crime severity index on the list.

“For most of us, lack of crime — particularly that of a high level of severity — is crucial in making us feel safe and happy,” says the report. “Residents of the Halton Region are lucky in this aspect as Milton, Oakville, Burlington and Halton Hills flaunt the lowest crime severity index on the list.”

Halton Hills also placed third on Point2Homes’ top 10 list of Ontario communities with the highest happiness index.