By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Feb. 11, 2012.
Squamish grew by 14.8 per cent over the last five years, adding as many as 2,229 new residents, the 2011 census reveals.
The Census 2011 recorded 17,178 residents in Squamish; in 2006, the number of people who called Squamish home was 14, 949.
Squamish posted one of the strongest growth rates for a Lower Mainland community, followed by Chilliwack and Kelowna, which posted population growth rates of 11.9 per cent and 10 per cent.
Metro Vancouver grew at a rate of 9.6 per cent over the past five years.
Prince Rupert and Williams Lake were among the cities with the biggest population declines.
The latest Census figures show B.C.’s population increased by seven per cent between 2006-2011, to 4.4 million, making the province the second fastest growing province next to Alberta.
Overall the Canadian population increased to 33.5 million, an increase of 5.9 per cent.
Gregory says
So we now have a population of 17178 people in Squamish. Where are they? I do not see any massive influx in any of the business anywhere in Squamish! Is it that the housing is at about half of what it is in North Vancouver? Their jobs are still in Vancouver, their shopping is still in Vancouver, their friends are still in Vancouver! I guess we have truly become a bedroom community.
Morgan says
Its time people start realizing that it is a privlwdge to live in squamis. Yes, we have our chalenges, but imagine with me for a moment Squamish resident; you are moving to surrey next month. How do you feel now? Better yet you are transfered to Chilliwack in March of this year. Are you moving up in. Your preception of quality of life. Squamish is short on jobs, but we are rich. If you don’t agree then I will visit you at your house warming in Langley.
Marge says
I agree with both statements: we are incredibly priviledged to live in this beautiful, safe and charming community! The reality, unfortunately, is that the only jobs that seem to be available are working as a cashier at Canadian Tire, Walmart or a Grocery store. “Real” jobs are generally filled by old-timers (and now that they are aging out, filled by their sons and daughters!). The few people I know who managed to somehow find reasonable employment in this town are still underemployed based on their qualifications, and about 80% of the time they discovered their opportunity through word of mouth. I drive into Vancouver every morning, and there are long caravans of vehicles driving INTO our community, likely carrying workers…there’s something fundamentally broken here. And who’s responsibility is it to fix? Tell me, and I’ll help them. Right after I spend 1.5 hours with my kids after driving back from the city.