Oak Ridges Richmond Hill Neighbourhood Guide

Oak Ridges is one of the more affordable places to buy a detached home in Richmond Hill. In Q4 2025, the average price was $1,204,426, about $80,000 to $100,000 less than similar areas like Devonsleigh and Westbrook. The main trade-off is distance. You’re at the city’s northern edge, farther from Yonge Street and Highway 7 than anywhere else in Richmond Hill. But for families who want the lake, trails, and extra space, that distance is exactly what they’re looking for.

One thing that surprises many buyers is that Oak Ridges is actually split into two distinct housing markets: Oak Ridges and Oak Ridges Lake Wilcox. These communities sit side by side, but the lake's presence creates a clear divide in both style and price points.

In Q4 2025, the Lake Wilcox pocket saw detached homes average above $1,900,000, while the broader Oak Ridges community averaged $1,426,000 for detached properties—a difference of nearly $500,000. Knowing which community you’re shopping in changes the entire conversation, as the style, pricing, and even market dynamics vary significantly on either side of that invisible line.

For the full city comparison, see our Richmond Hill Neighbourhoods Guide.

Where is Oak Ridges Located in Richmond Hill?

Oak Ridges is at the northern edge of Richmond Hill. Bloomington Road is the border with Aurora to the north, and King Road marks the southern edge. Yonge Street is on the west side, and Leslie Street is on the east.

Lake Wilcox is in the eastern half of the neighbourhood, with the Jefferson Forest trail system running north and east from there. The community centre, parks, and lake-area streets all come together to form a natural hub around the water.

Since Oak Ridges is the northernmost neighbourhood in Richmond Hill, it’s also the farthest from Highway 407, the future subway line, and the city’s commercial centre near Highway 7. The commute is something to consider before you get attached to a house here.

Oak Ridges Market Trends

TRREB treats this area as two separate communities, and the numbers show two very different trends. Comparing both side by side is the best way to understand Oak Ridges right now.

Oak Ridges — All Home Types

*Months of inventory = active listings divided by monthly sales rate. Source: TRREB Q2, Q3, Q4 2025 Community Reports, Oak Ridges.

Oak Ridges Lake Wilcox — All Home Types

*Months of inventory = active listings divided by monthly sales rate. Source: TRREB Q2, Q3, Q4 2025 Community Reports, Oak Ridges Lake Wilcox.

Here’s what stands out: these two neighbouring communities moved in completely opposite directions during 2025.

Oak Ridges prices stayed steady, then dropped. The average barely changed from Q2 to Q3 ($1,423,884 to $1,424,246). In Q4, the average was $1,204,426. While that seems like a big drop, it’s mostly because more semis and townhouses sold in Q4, which lowered the overall average. The detached average in Q4 was actually $1,426,000, so detached homes held their value better than the headline number suggests.

Lake Wilcox saw prices go up instead. They rose from $1,340,368 in Q2 to $1,534,925 in Q3 and stayed high in Q4 at $1,542,453. Inventory dropped from 8.3 to 6.9 months. In Q2, homes in Lake Wilcox sold above asking, with a 101% sale-to-list ratio, indicating buyers were competing for lakefront properties. That competition slowed in the fall, but demand for those addresses remains.

Here is the current Richmond Hill Market Watch Update for April 2026.

What Kind of Homes Does Oak Ridges Have? 

Most of Oak Ridges, outside the Lake Wilcox area, is made up of subdivisions built in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This is an advantage over older areas, such as Mill Pond. You get modern ceiling heights, updated electrical, and open-concept layouts. Unlike homes from the 1970s or 1980s further south, you won’t be facing a $300,000 renovation.

What you will find on the market:

• The core of Oak Ridges consists of detached homes built from the late 1990s to the 2000s. These homes usually sit on 40-foot lots, have two-car garages, four bedrooms, and open-concept main floors. They’re structurally modern, with no old wiring surprises. Many have already had cosmetic updates and are move-in ready or nearly so.
• Oak Ridges also has more semi-detached and townhouse options than most Richmond Hill neighbourhoods, which helps lower the entry price. Some of the Q4 sales for these homes were well below the $1.2M average. If you want to live in Oak Ridges without paying detached home prices, there are good options.
• Near the lake, especially along Sunset Beach and nearby streets, you’ll find original bungalows from the 1950s and 60s. These are mostly land opportunities—older homes on valuable lots. If you’re considering one, make sure your inspector and contractor are on the same page before making an offer.

Lake Wilcox is in a different price range altogether. In Q4 2025, the average detached price was $1,912,000, while the median was $1,580,000. That big gap means high-end lakefront homes are raising the average. If you’re looking at a typical street instead of a premium lot, the median gives a better idea of what homes are actually selling for.

What Schools Are in Oak Ridges?

Oak Ridges School Catchment

Oak Ridges Lake Wilcox School Catchment

Commute to Toronto From Oak Ridges

Being at the top of Richmond Hill means your commute south will take more time.

Yonge Street is on the west side, and you can reach Highway 404 to the east via Bloomington or 19th Avenue. Highway 407 is a short drive south. Off-peak, it takes about 45 to 65 minutes to get to downtown Toronto. During rush hour, expect a longer trip.

You can catch the GO Train at Richmond Hill GO, south on Major Mackenzie. However, the Richmond Hill line only runs in the peak direction on weekdays. If you commute outside regular hours or in the opposite direction, you’ll need to drive. Most Oak Ridges homes aren’t within walking distance of Richmond Hill GO, or Gormley GO to the east.

What It's Like to Live in Oak Ridges

The lake is the main attraction here. Lake Wilcox Park is a true waterfront destination, with a beach, boardwalk, splash pad, playground, pavilion, and seasonal events. The park was upgraded recently and is now Richmond Hill’s top waterfront spot. People walk, bike, paddle, and spend whole afternoons here from spring to fall.

There are also plenty of trails. The Oak Ridges Moraine trail system runs through the neighbourhood, perfect for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. You can access the trails from several spots without needing to drive. Bond Lake Conservation Area is close by, too, offering fishing and nature walks if you want a quieter option than the lake on weekends.
Families bike to the lake after school and hit the trails on weekends. The green spaces are the main places for recreation. Richmond Hill is known for its outdoor activities, and Oak Ridges is where you experience that the most.

What you won’t find here is a full retail strip. There’s a small commercial area along Yonge near King Road with some local shops and restaurants, but it’s limited. For weekly errands, big-box stores, and most dining, you’ll need to drive. In Oak Ridges, you can walk to the lake, trails, and parks, but everything else is a short drive away.

To learn more, check out our Richmond Hill community post.

What to Consider Before Buying a Home in Oak Ridges, Richmond Hill?

In Q4, homes sold for 97% of the list price, so a home listed at $1.4M typically closed around $1.36M, about $40,000 of wiggle room. Homes are staying on the market for 38 days, giving you time for due diligence, inspections, and careful consideration. This is a big change from earlier in the year, when Lake Wilcox homes were selling over asking.

A few things worth thinking through before you commit:

• If you are looking at listings and mixing up Oak Ridges and Oak Ridges Lake Wilcox data, your price comparisons are wrong. A $1.2M offer looks very different when the correct comparable set is $1.5M. Make sure you know which side of the line the address sits on.
• The commute is a real factor. Oak Ridges offers the best outdoor access in Richmond Hill, but also the longest drive downtown. If you work in Toronto five days a week and don’t love driving, make sure to consider the full commute before falling in love with a property here.
• Not all homes are equally close to the lake. A house ten minutes from the water is valued differently than one with lake views or direct trail access. The premium is mostly in Lake Wilcox.

Inside Tip

If you want the lake lifestyle but Lake Wilcox prices are out of reach, consider Oak Ridges streets within walking distance of the trails and lake access. The Oak Ridges market softened in Q4, while Lake Wilcox tightened, so the price gap between the two is wider than usual.

Similar Neighbourhoods to Consider

If you’re considering Oak Ridges, here are three other Richmond Hill areas that might interest you:

• Jefferson offers a similar location in North Richmond Hill, with newer homes and strong sales. In Q4 2025, the average price was $1,288,834 on 49 sales. It has more market activity than Oak Ridges and Lake Wilcox, and prices are similar to Oak Ridges. Jefferson also has trail access into the moraine.
• Devonsleigh features homes built in the late 1990s to 2000s and is a bit more central. The Q4 2025 average was $1,289,600 on 15 sales. It’s a quieter neighbourhood without a lake, but it offers shorter commutes and is closer to the Yonge Street corridor.
• Rouge Woods is a good choice if you want the Bayview Secondary IB catchment and a newer, established neighbourhood feel. The Q4 2025 average was $1,371,784, and it was the only Richmond Hill neighbourhood to sell above asking, at 101% of list price. Be prepared for competition here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Oak Ridges and Oak Ridges Lake Wilcox?

Sitting side by side in the northern part of Richmond Hill. The Lake Wilcox community covers the streets closest to the lake and runs a significantly higher price point. Q4 2025 detached average in Lake Wilcox was $1,912,000 versus $1,426,000 in the broader Oak Ridges community. They also have different school catchments: Lake Wilcox feeds Richmond Green S.S., while Oak Ridges feeds Alexander MacKenzie H.S., and the two markets moved in opposite directions through 2025.

Is Oak Ridges a good neighbourhood for families?

It’s one of the best neighbourhoods in Richmond Hill for families who want outdoor space and access. Lake Wilcox Park offers a beach, boardwalk, splash pad, and trails into the moraine. Most homes are newer, built from the 1990s to the 2010s, on larger lots than you’ll find south of Major Mackenzie. The trade-off is a longer commute and more reliance on cars compared to central Richmond Hill. But for families who love spending weekends on the trails, at the lake, and outdoors, it’s hard to beat.