Chatham-Kent’s population is on the rise for the first time in 15 years.
According to data from the 2021 Census, which was released by Statistics Canada on Wednesday, Chatham-Kent’s population increased 2.2 per cent from 2016 to 2021, rising from 102,042 residents to 104,316.
In comparison, Ontario’s population saw a 5.8 per cent increase between 2016-2021, from 13,448,494 to 14,223,942.
“The increase in population is not a surprise, residents and investors are discovering the great things Chatham-Kent has to offer,” said CK Mayor Darrin Canniff in a news release. “Our trends in new construction and investments suggest this growth will continue in the future.”
In the last five years, Chatham-Kent also saw an increase in the number of private dwellings from 46,287 to 46,921.
From 2006 to 2011, Chatham-Kent’s population suffered a significant 5.7 per cent decline from 108,177 to 102,042. And between 2011 to 2016, the population decreased by another 2 per cent from 104,075 to 102,042.
General Manager of Community Development Bruce McAllister said the municipality anticipates that the current rate of growth will continue for years to come.
“We have been busy promoting Chatham-Kent as a great community to live and invest in,” said McAllister. “We are seeing people moving to Chatham-Kent for the lifestyle, affordability and the realization that they can work from here because we are more connected to the world than ever before.”