The Village of Radium Hot Springs has experienced, by far, the greatest population growth in the Kootenays in the past five years.

Statistics Canada today released updated ‘Population and dwelling counts: Canada and census subdivisions (municipalities),’ and Radium has grown 72.6% from 776 in 2016 to 1,339 in 2021.

It is not alone in the East Kootenay, as all eight of the region’s municipalities have experienced increases in population and total dwellings.

The City of Cranbrook grew the least of regional municipalities in the last five years, up 2.3%, with a population of 20,499 (20,047 in 2016).

The City of Fernie has grown by 17.1% since 2016, with a 2021 population of 6,320 (from 5,396).

The City of Kimberley is now 8,115, up 9.3% from 2016 (7,425).

The District of Elkford is now at 2,749, up 10% from 2016 (2,499).

The District of Invermere has grown by 15.5% from 3,391 to 3,917.

The District of Sparwood grew by 9.6%, to 4,148 from 3,784.

The Village of Canal Flats has grown 20.1% from 668 to 802.

Nearby Creston has experienced a 4.1% increase in population the past five years, now sitting at 5,583, from 5,361.

And Golden has grown by 7.5% to 3,986 from 3,708.

In the West Kootenay, Nelson has grown by 5.1% to 11,106; Castlegar is 3.7% to 8,338 and Trail is up 2.7% to 7.920. Kaslo has grown 8.4% from 948 to 1,049; Fruitvale is up two per cent from 1,920 to 1,958; Slocan is up 31.1% from 289 to 379.

New Denver has grown three per cent from 473 to 487.

Rossland has grown by 11%, from 3,729 to 4,140 and Warfield is up by 4.3% from 1,680 to 1,753.

Silverton, Salmo and Nakusp are the only municipalities in the Kootenays to experience population declines, with a 23.6% drop in population in Silverton, from 195 to 149. Salmo is down .1% from 1,141 to 1,140 and Nakusp is down one per cent from 1,605 to 1,589.

Nearby Alberta municipalities have also experienced growth, with the City of Lethbridge up 6.1% to 98,406, Fort Macleod is up 11.1% to 3,297, Cardston is up 3.9% to 3,724 and Crowsnest Pass is up 1.9% to 5,695.

Pincher Creek has dropped by .5% to 3,622.

Canada’s population has grown by 5.2% in the past five years, from 35,151,728 to 36,991,981.

Lead image: Radium Hot Springs. e-KNOW file photos

e-KNOW

Article Share