Cliffside was developed as a modern large scale suburban housing subdivision in the early 1950s, during the post–World War II period with the baby boom, subdividing of farmland.

Some homes were built prior to this period with the development of Birch Cliff to the west.

The population consists of a large number of those with ancestral backgrounds from the British Isles: English 19.8% Scottish 14.4% Irish 11.8%, totalling 46% (source: 2001 Census).

Public transportation is provided by the Toronto Transit Commission's (TTC) bus system, with several routes operating through the neighbourhood.

In addition to TTC bus routes, access to GO Transit commuter rail lines, Lakeshore East and Stouffville may be accessed from Scarborough GO station.