Clarington is the fastest-growing community within the Region of Durham, according to newly released census data from Statistics Canada.
Municipal growth over five years indicates that Clarington’s population has grown by 10.2 per cent from 92,013 in 2016 to 101,427 in 2021. Since May 2021, Clarington’s population has continued to grow, with a current estimate of 105,000 residents. Household growth in Clarington is also at the top, with a 9.5 per cent increase – from 32,838 households in 2016 to 35,953 in 2021, said a Clarington statement.
“We know that some of this growth is directly related to our proximity to Toronto, and the fact that our community is a more affordable place to live within the GTA. Covid-19 has also played a role in growth,” said the Clarington statement..
“Population dynamics of municipalities were also affected, either by guidelines and rules issued during the pandemic, or by personal choices made by Canadians. For example, full-time remote work has created opportunities for many Canadians to live in more distant suburbs or rural areas that would not have been deemed a viable option before the onset of the pandemic,” said Statistics Canada in Canada’s fastest growing and decreasing municipalities from 2016 to 2021 report.
New already occupied homes around the proposed GO train station in Bowmanville may have also contributed to the growth. Future developments in both Bowmanville and Courtice will have an impact on Clarington population growth.
Scugog was the only municipality which showed a marginal negative growth.
Population to double
A recent Whitby statement said the region population is projected to almost double by 2041, and the town will be one of the fastest growing municipalities during that time.
In Whitby, according to the most recent population projections, approximately 30,000 Whitby residents will be turning age 65 in the next 15 years, it added.
Quick Facts
- Durham Region is one of the fastest-growing areas in Canada, with the population expected to almost double to 1.2 million by 2041.
- Over the next 20 years, the fastest growing sub-set of the population in Durham Region will be people over the age of 90, with significant growth in all groups aged 65 and older.
- The Province of Ontario projects that the number of seniors age 65 years and over will double from 2.2 million in 2015 to 4.5 million by 2041.
- By the year 2030, it is expected that more than a quarter of all Canadians will be over the age of 65.