Chatham-Kent has recorded its largest population increase in more than two decades, according to new data from Statistics Canada.
The latest estimates show that Chatham-Kent’s population reached 113,070 as of July 1, 2025, representing a 1.23 per cent increase over the previous year. This was the fastest single-year growth rate recorded since 2001, when data collection began.
“This data confirms what we are seeing on the ground every day: more families are choosing Chatham-Kent as a place to live, work, invest, and raise their children,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff in a news release.
According to the municipality, the growth is being driven by people moving to Chatham-Kent from elsewhere in Ontario. Of those new arrivals in the past year, 26 per cent are children and youth under 15 years old.
“The fact that families with children are choosing to move here speaks volumes about the strength of our neighbourhoods, schools, services, culture, and community supports,” said Audrey Ansell, CK’s Director of Community Culture and Connections.
Between 2001 and 2015, Chatham-Kent saw a 6.6 per cent reduction in the population, with 7,381 residents leaving the municipality during that period. However, since 2016, Chatham-Kent has seen a population increase of 8,477 residents.
Chatham-Kent’s growth rate also exceeds the province’s average growth of 0.7 per cent, along with neighbouring municipalities like Windsor (0.83 per cent), London (0.98 per cent), and Sarnia (0.17 per cent).
