Airdrie’s population growth levelled out this year.
The 2010 census shows 39,822 people reside in Airdrie, a 4.54 per cent growth rate compared to 11.65 per cent last year. This is the smallest growth the city has experienced since 1999.
“Even in these economic times, we are still growing and attracting new residents and businesses to our community,” said Mayor Linda Bruce.
“The census number this year is reflective of us maturing as a community, allowing our growth to be more manageable. We were able to catch up and finish many building and infrastructure projects.”
The city’s population grew by 1,731 or 4.74 new residents per day. The number of Airdrie businesses grew by five per cent.
The growth in the local market continues to provide sustainable opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses, resulting in multi-million dollar investments in residential, commercial and industrial developments, said Sharon Pollyck, manager of legislative services and corporate communications.
The number of dwellings in Airdrie increased at a rate of 5.21 per cent to 15,243, up from 14,487 in 2009. The City of Airdrie saw $184 million in construction value in 2010, remaining steady in residential housing and showing strong growth in commercial and industrial sectors.
“In the early 1990s, seeing three per cent growth was considered really good and five per cent was considered unmanageable,” said Bruce.
“It is really good to see us drop back down to four per cent, it falls into a normal rate of growth.”
The 2010 census period covered April 1 to May 16. This year, 57.33 per cent of households responded online, representing 8,739 dwellings.
“The City of Airdrie is thrilled with the commitment from our enumerators and the response from Airdrie residents both online and at the door. Their participation in the 2010 census helped ensure the City achieved complete and accurate number,” said Pollyck.
“The City continues to be impressed with the success of the totally electronic census.”
High River, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and Crossfield used Airdrie’s electronic system this year.
“We are pretty excited about some of the influence we had over communities in the province,” said Pollyck.
Complete census findings will be posted online at www.airdrie.ca this fall.
