The population in Chatham-Kent keeps growing with migration from within Ontario cited as the main source of growth.
Statistics Canada estimates Chatham-Kent's population to be 111,703, a level not seen since 2006.
This is as of July 2024.
According to estimates, between 2015 and last year, CK's population grew by an estimated 7,192 people or 6.9 per cent and over the past year, it out-performed that pace with an estimated increase of 1,176 people.
Stats Can said CK's population has seen consistent growth since 2015, reversing a decline that started after the 2008 recession.
Migration data showed considerable movement within southwestern Ontario with a net of 374 people moving to CK from the Toronto area, 148 from the Windsor area, 125 from the Kitchener-Waterloo area, and 119 from the Hamilton area.
A report going to CK council on Monday night shows that people moving to Chatham-Kent from other parts of Ontario tend to be younger and appear to be families with children.
The report's author, CK Coordinator of Workforce Planning and Research Jason Stubitz, wrote that the population under 15 saw 315 more individuals moving in than out in this age group last year.
The community also saw the net arrival of 318 people between 25 and 44, he added, which is a positive sign for local workforce talent. Between 2023 and 2024, Chatham-Kent’s population in the 25-44 age group saw a 2.2 per cent jump.
CK Workforce Planning and Research noted with almost 24 per cent of Chatham-Kent residents over the age of 65, it is crucial that the community continues to attract and retain young residents to address future workforce shortages.
While Ontarians moving to CK after the pandemic keeps trending higher to boost population, 150 more people moved out of Chatham-Kent to another province than in from other provinces in 2024, the report showed.
According to Statistics Canada, the number of immigrants and non-permanent residents settling in the community has also been growing, with 293 immigrants arriving between July 2023 and June 2024. There is also a net of 489 non-permanent residents arriving over that same time period.
The immigrants and non-permanent residents moving to Chatham-Kent are also relatively young with 85 per cent of immigrants arriving and 92 per cent of the net non-permanent residents under the age of 40, data showed.
Migration data also showed there were 365 permanent residents admitted to Canada with Chatham-Kent listed as their destination in 2024.
A consultant hired by the municipality projects population to grow by 15 per cent by 2050.