St. Albert now boasts a population of 60,994 after experiencing a “very modest” 1.4-per-cent growth increase in the last two years, according to the municipal census.
Many residents took advantage of the online census portal launched April 2. The city had hoped to receive half of responses through the online tool, but fell short of the target, at 43 per cent.
“It was encouraging to see that we were growing the online methodology as opposed to someone knocking on the door. I know it was a little bit short of the 50 per cent target, but it’s a step in the right direction,” said Coun. Malcolm Parker.
The 2010 census saw 40 per cent of respondents fill out their census form online.
“Because of the popularity of the online census, we were able to reduce the staffing levels for this year’s census to approximately half of what it had been in previous census’,” said Chris Belke, chief census official for the city.
Enumerators set out from May 7 to 28 to evaluate the dwellings of those who had not replied online.
A total of 23,247 occupied dwellings were successfully enumerated during April and May, representing 98.9 per cent of occupied dwellings in the city. The remaining residents in 268 occupied dwellings were unable to be contacted by enumerators.
The average number of residents per household dropped from 2.67 in 2010 to 2.54, reflecting a decrease in growth rate, despite an 856-person jump in population. This 15-year trend is something Belke said is not unique to St. Albert.
The number of individuals from kindergarten to Grade 12 is also declining, dropping roughly 1,044 to 10,177 this year.
“Some communities … are struggling with their schools. Some schools have to shut down in some areas,” said Mayor Nolan Crouse. “We shouldn’t think we are immune from it.”
St. Albert’s senior population is increasing, with 14 per cent of residents over the age of 65. This is up two per cent from 2010, which had 12 per cent of residents classified as seniors.
Crouse said the senior population has increased by 3,000 in the last five years.
Growth occurred in 11 neighbourhoods, while eight neighbourhoods experienced a decline in population.
“In St. Albert, we continue to see growth in the newer neighbourhoods of Erin Ridge and North Ridge, but either stable or moderately declining population in some of the older, established neighbourhoods,” Belke said.
Deer Ridge saw the greatest decline in population, with 196 individuals leaving, followed by Grandin with 113 and Pineview with 81.
Growth was largest in North Ridge with 561 people moving in, followed by Erin Ridge with 386.
Belke said there were differences in the population reported in the municipal census compared to the recently released federal census.
The 2011 federal census reported 61,466 St. Albert residents, up 472 from the 60,994 reported in this years’ municipal census.
“We are confident in the results generated by our census,” Belke said, adding there are different methodologies used in conducting each census.
Unlike the municipal census, the federal census is mandatory.
A more-detailed report of census data will be released in the fall. Preliminary statistics can be found at www.stalbert.ca/census.
