Saskatchewan continues to show promise through growth in comparison to the rest of the country.
Statistics Canada released their population and dwellings data from the 2016 Census yesterday. Between last year and the Census results from 2011, Saskatchewan witnessed nearly 65,000 people move to the province, translating into a growth rate of 6.3 per cent and a total population of 1,098,352 in 2016.
Overall, the province had the second highest growth rate from 2011 to 2016, just behind neighbours Alberta who recorded 11.6 per cent. Manitoba (5.8), British Columbia (5.6), and Ontario (4.6) round out the top five.
So, how did communities in the west central Saskatchewan region stack up in comparison to the rest of the province?
For the most part, towns in the west central area with a population over a thousand saw an increase from 2011 to 2016 as well. Unity recorded the highest growth rate at 7.7 per cent in this category, while Delisle (6.5) and Rosetown (5.5) followed.
Wilkie (-6.3), Kerrobert (-3.3), and the Town of Kindersley (-2.9) were some noteworthy municipalities which reported a decrease in population over the five year term.
Geographic name |
2016 Census pop |
2011 Census pop |
% |
Kindersley |
4571 |
4678 |
-2.3 |
RM of Kindersley |
1049 |
987 |
6.3 |
Rosetown |
2451 |
2371 |
5.8 |
Unity |
2573 |
2389 |
7.7 |
Outlook |
2279 |
2204 |
3.4 |
Biggar |
2226 |
2161 |
3 |
Macklin |
1374 |
1415 |
-2.9 |
Wilkie |
1219 |
1301 |
-6.3 |
Kerrobert |
1026 |
1061 |
-3.3 |
Eston |
1061 |
1031 |
2.9 |
Delisle |
1038 |
975 |
6.5 |
Population for both Regina and Saskatoon increased over the same time frame as well. Saskatoon gained close to 33,000 people (13 per cent), bringing their total population to nearly 300,000. Regina's population bumped to 236,481, an increase of around 25,000 (12 per cent).