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

A look at what the larger communities in the region reported for population statistics.

 

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).