According to Ministry of Finance projections, Rainy River District’s population only will grow three percent by 2028 compared to a population growth of 33.4 percent across Ontario.
The projections–calculated by comparing the results of the 1996 and 2001 census years–show growth of 4.6 percent, or 11,762 people, across Northwestern Ontario by 2028.
Kenora District is projected to grow by 17.3 percent while the Thunder Bay District will grow by only 0.7 percent.
Overall, Northwestern Ontario is expected to account for 1.7 percent of the province’s growth over the next 27 years.
According to the figures, released in a bulletin from the Northwestern Ontario District Health Unit, the population in the region also will continue to age up to, and beyond, 2028.
In Ontario, the population of residents over 65 years of age will jump from 12.5 percent in 1999 to 21.1 percent while in Northwestern Ontario, it will rise from 12.2 percent (20,116) in ’99 to 22 percent (38,791) in 2028.
The largest growth in seniors in Northwester Ontario will be in Thunder Bay District.
The percentage of youth aged 14-and-under, meanwhile, will decrease significantly from 24.3 percent (60,895) to 18.9 percent (50,059) in Northwestern Ontario.
The projections are used by the health unit to forecast the need for health services based on the size and age of the population, as well as by municipalities in planning infrastructure development, policing, and fire protection, and by school boards for school sizes and teacher numbers.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
