Palmerston (local historical pronunciation: IPA [ˈpʰæ̃.mɝ.s͡tən]) is an unincorporated community with a population of 2,599[1] on the southern edge of Minto in the northwestern part of Wellington County, Ontario.

Palmerston was a key division point for the Grand Trunk and later the Canadian National Railway in Southwestern Ontario with 65 subdivisions; Owen Sound, Kincardine, Durham, Fergus, Guelph Junction and Stratford.

The mainline under Canadian National ownership became part of the Fergus, Owen Sound and Southampton Subdivisions.

[2] When the railroad decided to build a junction and maintenance sheds between Guelph, Harriston and Listowel, this also included a station.

As soon as the railroad decided where it would build, people started buying property around the area for businesses and homes.

[3] In 1995, the Progressive Conservative government of Ontario began to reduce the number of total municipalities in the province.