NEWS FILE PHOTO
An overview of downtown Medicine Hat is shown in this undated photo. The population of the city grew by five per cent over five years to sit at 62,935, according to figures released Wednesday as part of the 2016 federal census. But that number is 83 fewer than the number reported from the 2015 municipal census done last year.
The population of Medicine Hat grew by five per cent over five years to sit at 63,260, according to figures released Wednesday as part of the 2016 federal census. Canada’s population topped 35 million.
In Medicine Hat, the figure is 3,255 above the number from the federal census in 2011.
The total is also slightly more than the 63,018 reported in the 2015 municipal census.
Local officials have said the local population count takes into greater account college students who are not considered permanent residents by federal census.
The previous federal census was completed in 2011 and stated that 60,005 residents lived in the census subdivision — basically conforming to the city’s corporate limits.
The population of Redcliff grew by 12 residents to sit at 5,600.
Considering population centre data available for smaller centres, Bow Island (1,773) and Maple Creek, Sask. (2,074) experienced slight declines.
Cypress County’s population grew to 7,662, up 440 from 2011.
Brooks grew by 13.3 per cent over five years, gaining about 800 residents to sit at 14,436.
EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this story, which stated different population numbers for Medicine Hat at slightly less than the recent municipal census, was based on the use of population centre data. That set considers slightly different boundaries. The growth rate was generally consistent in both figures.
