By Sheldon Spackman

Head Count

Lacombe census shows continued growth

Aug 13, 2019 | 4:13 PM

Results for the 2019 City of Lacombe Municipal Census have been released show the community continues to grow.

Conducted from April 2 to June 30 of this year, the census reveals a population of 13,985, an increase of 1,257 residents from the last Municipal Census of 2014.

The federal census done in 2016 showed Lacombe as having 13,057 residents.

Mayor Grant Creasey says he was very pleased with the community’s participation this year.

“It’s pretty amazing to think that out of approximately five thousand homes, we had participation from each and every one, except a single household,” says Creasey.

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“I think it’s fair to say we’re pleased that it was a positive growth rate. The numbers I would suggest are relatively low or modest but a positive growth rate considering the way the economy has been across Alberta is positive and has been relatively even, so pleased overall.”

Officials say software used for compiling the City’s census data is developed and provided by the City of Airdrie and is also said to allow for both online and in-person responses for recording census data.

Key reasons identified for conducting a municipal census include establishing the City’s total population, helping the City understand community needs with future growth and development planning and calculating the amount per-capita of provincial grant funding Lacombe receives based on population.

Officials point out that census data is also used by a variety of outside agencies, including businesses, charities and researchers.

The 2019 Census Report presented to city council this week indicates the updated population should result in $210 of provincial grant funding per person in the community, for a total of $2,936,850.

The report also notes the city’s growth rate over the past three years since the last federal census was calculated at 7.11 per cent, with an average yearly rate of 2.37 per cent.

Officials say this calculates to 25.78 people arriving in Lacombe on a monthly basis during that three-year span.

Historically, according to Statistics Canada, Lacombe’s annual population increased 2.18 per cent per year from 1891 – 1991 and 2.95 per cent per year from 1991 – 1996.

The community saw annual population growth of 3.2 per cent per year from 1996-2001 and 2.76 per cent per year from 2001-2006.

Population growth slowed to 1.72 per cent per year from 2006-2011.

Creasey anticipates continued positive population growth for Lacombe in the coming years.

“Lacombe is seen as a very favourable location to live and conduct business, raise a family,” he explains. “So I’m expecting the growth rate to even increase over the next few years.”

The cost of conducting the 2019 Municipal Census was approximately $31,000, around $4,000 under budget.