Chatham has ranked first on U-Haul’s list of Canadian Growth Cities in 2022.
Chatham-Kent’s Community Attraction and Promotion division said Chatham accounted for 57% of all one-way U-Haul truck traffic during 2022.
“It’s clear that Chatham-Kent continues to be an attractive place to live for new and existing residents,” said Audrey Ansell, director of Community Attraction and Promotion, in a media release.
“Being listed as the top growth city across Canada by U-Haul in 2022 is a clear reflection of community-wide efforts to grow CK by welcoming new residents and promoting it as an attractive community for all.”
Municipal officials say Chatham has previously ranked among the top 25 growth cities on this list in 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, and 2016.
U-Haul officials say the U-Haul Growth Index is compiled according to the net gain (or loss) of one-way U-Haul trucks arriving in a province or city, versus departing from that province or city, in a calendar year.
Migration trends data is compiled from well over 2-million one-way U-Haul truck transactions that occur annually across Canada and the U.S., U-Haul officials say.
“During the pandemic, people got into the habit of working remotely,” stated Devin Mitchell, U-Haul Company of Atlantic Canada president, in a press release.
“Because of that, they were able to find cheaper housing outside of the major metropolitan areas. I would bet most U-Haul relocations have one thing in common: cost. People are trying to find the most affordable places with the lowest cost of living while still being able to access the great outdoor amenities for which Canada is known.”
Here is the top 25 list, with Chatham on the top:
Community Attraction and Promotion officials say as more people choose Chatham-Kent as a place to visit, live and invest, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent and community partners continue to work to ensure Chatham-Kent is a welcoming community for all and continues to grow sustainably for future generations.
As part of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s Growth Strategy, Community Attraction and Promotion works with community partners to promote the benefits of life in Chatham-Kent and helps to welcome new residents to the area.
More details can be found, here.
