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BC Stats confirms regional population growing
The Kootenays, like much of the rest of British Columbia, are experiencing population growth.
A new BC Stats report, Sustaining Growth: Population and Demography for B.C. and Canada, has compiled publicly available statistics and data to project population growth to 2046 and highlights demographic trends for the province.
The report reflects trends seen in numbers released by Statistics Canada in December 2023 and provides a high-level summary of demographic data to support program, policy and service development across government.
The report states that British Columbia’s population is projected to reach 7.9 million by 2046, up 44% compared to 5.5 million in 2023.
The population of the Kootenays is 166,301 as of 2022, a 1.1% growth rate.
Regional municipal populations
City of Cranbrook – 21,882;
City of Kimberley – 8,394;
City of Fernie – 5,801;
District of Sparwood – 4,159;
District of Invermere – 3,803;
District of Elkford – 2,731;
Village of Radium Hot Springs – 984;
Village of Canal Flats – 749.
Town of Creston – 5,693.
Town of Golden -4,277.
(Rural population figures were not included in the report.)
In the Kootenays only the District of Invermere (-0.1%) and the City of Nelson (-1.2%) experienced population decline between 2021 and 2022. Invermere lost three residents.
Higher federal immigration targets and changing immigration policies are resulting in higher population growth for Canada and B.C., the B.C. government stated.
The report also found that people in British Columbia are older, on average, than in the rest of Canada and the province’s fertility rate is lower.
Population data in this report is available online at BC Stats’ population estimates and projections for British Columbia and is updated regularly.
From July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023, the population of B.C. experienced an annual growth rate of 3%, marking the highest annual increase since 1974.
B.C.’s population is now made up of 8.2% non-permanent residents.
International migrants will fill 46% of the new jobs between 2024 and 2033.
Lead image: Invermere, Windermere and Lake Windermere. e-KNOW file photo
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