Castlegar’s population increased by 223 people between 2011 and 2016, according to 2016 census statistics released by Statistics Canada on Wednesday.
Our city’s population rose to 8,039 in 2016, up from 7,816 in 2011, for an increase of 2.9 per cent. In comparison, the Central Kootenay average was an increase of 1.8 per cent, the provincial average was an increase of 5.6 per cent and the national average was an increase 5.0 per cent.
Provincially, Castlegar was ranked 68 out of 654 census subdivisions (CSD) — an “area that is a municipality or an area that is deemed to be equivalent to a municipality for statistical reporting purposes” — for population. Castlegar’s national population rank is 480 out of 4,870.
Comparing Castlegar to other municipalities in the area, we experienced lower percent population growth than Nelson (3.3 per cent), but higher percent population growth than Salmo (0.2 per cent), Creston (0.8 per cent) and Nakusp (2.3 per cent). Some municipalities had a decrease in population: Kaslo’s population decreased 6.1 per cent, New Denver’s decreased 6.2 per cent, and Slocan’s decreased 8.1 per cent. Silverton’s population didn’t change over the five years.