The population of Chatham-Kent has increased to 104,316 according to 2021 Census data released by Statistics Canada on Wednesday morning, Municipal officials say.
The population total for the Chatham-Kent Census division including Moraviantown was 102,042 in the last census, completed in 2016.
Mayor Darrin Canniff said the data confirms what he had been hearing anecdotally throughout the community.
“The increase in population is not a surprise, residents and investors are discovering the great things Chatham-Kent has to offer,” Mayor Canniff said, in a media release.
“Our trends in new construction and investments suggests this growth will continue in the future. In discussion with business leaders, community groups and individuals and there is a great deal of optimism about our future. We are a safe, affordable community with a great lifestyle.”
Bruce McAllister, general manager of community development, said that after years of negative population growth, during the 2016-2021 period, Chatham-Kent saw an average positive growth rate of just under 0.5% per year.
McAllister said this aligns with the recent preliminary growth forecasts that were just prepared.
This rate of growth is anticipated to continue for years to come, McAllister added.
“We have been busy promoting Chatham-Kent as great community to live and invest in,” he said, in a media release.
“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.”
