Populations of the largest communities in northwestern British Columbia increased only slightly between 2016 and 2021, according to recently released population data from the 2021 Canadian Census.
Prince Rupert’s population has increased by 0.7% since 2016. 12,300 people now live in the community.
Kitimat’s population increased by 1.3% to 8,236.
Port Edward saw a 0.6% increase to 470, while Lax Kw’alaams saw a 2.9% drop to 627.
The notable growth in a large North West municipality may have been in Terrace, where the population now stands at 12,017, a 3.2% increase since 2016.
Similarly, the population of the census metropolitan area of Terrace – which also includes surrounding unincorporated communities such as Thornhill – increased by 2.3% to 19,606.
In the Upper Skeena area, Hazelton’s population fell 17.9% to 257, while New Hazelton’s increased 3.8% to 602.
Electoral District B of Kitimat-Stikine – which encompasses Witset, Cedarvale, the Kispiox Valley and various rural communities near Hazelton – saw its population decline by 1.2% to 1,455.
Further east, the population of Smithers decreased by 0.4% to 5,378, while the population of Telkwa increased by 11% to 1,474.
Houston’s population increased 2% to 3,052. Burns Lake’s population declined by just under 7% to 1,659 people.
On Haida Gwaii, the results are mixed.
Queen Charlotte’s population increased by 9% to 964, but Skidegate’s decreased by almost 17% to 697.
Masset and Port Clements saw their populations increase – 838 and 340, respectively – while Old Massett’s population fell to 475.
Further north, the Nass Valley saw a population decline of 4.6% to 1,794 residents.
Stewart has gained more than 100 new residents since 2016 – its population has grown nearly 29% to 517.