With municipal census data slowly being released to the public, initial numbers show what many in the region expected – the population here is going up.
The MD of Bonnyville saw the largest jump, with 3,132 residents moving to the MD since 2011, while the City of Cold Lake saw a significant increase as well, going up by 1,336 residents in the last two years.
However, the Town of Bonnyville, despite the appearance of population growth, only recorded an increase of 84 residents overall since the 2012 census.
Interesting how the Town was able see periods of “zero vacancy” in the rental market over the past year, see housing supply fall way behind housing demand, and see an increase in the number of single rooms being rented out within rental units and family homes, yet the population in the past two years grew by only one per cent?
Maybe a number of people skipped the census or were missed - out of town for extended vacation, or on site for an extended shift?
The other explanation for the reported lack of population growth in Bonnyville was the inability to count the so-called “shadow population”.
“These are residents who temporarily reside in Bonnyville, work here, but whose permanent residency is elsewhere,” explained Town CAO Mark Power. “We need to be able to include these people in our residency count so we can maximize the grant funding for the Town.”
And Bonnyville certainly needs all the grant funding it can get.
The infrastructure in town is in dire need of upgrades and improvements. Social services need increased support. And as has been reported, housing can't keep up with the growing population, despite what the census might say.
However, the census isn't just a count to get more grant funding. One of its actual purposes is to be a collection of basic data that can be analyzed and provide information about the community we reside in. We can then use that information to better inform residents, including those in influential positions, and make better decisions that will improve the community for all those living in it – even those just here for a few months at a time.
