Two municipalities in the North Thompson experienced minimal growth over the last five years, according to recently released census data.
The 2021 census profile for the District of Clearwater subdivision saw the population grow from 2,324 people in 2016 to 2,388, a 2.8 per cent increase with 64 more people moving to the area over the course of five years. The District of Barriere had a slightly higher increase in population growth, though similar.
The District of Barriere grew by 3 per cent between 2016 and 2021, from 1,713 to 1,765, an increase of 52 people.
Combined, the two North Thompson municipalities saw 116 people move in, from 4,037 to 4,153 people between the two communities, an increase of 2.8 per cent.
Many neighbouring regional communities saw substantially more growth over the five year period, such as Thompson-Nicola Regional District electoral areas O (Lower North Thompson) and P (Peaks and Rivers).
Electoral area O, which encompasses the communities of Little Fort, Exlou and Cahilty, as well as a few communities towards Birch Lake on Highway 24 and around Adams Lake, grew just over 15 per cent, from 1,323 people in 2016 to 1,523, an increase of 200 people over the five year period.
The Peaks and Rivers region saw similar growth, as the population grew from 3,672 to 4,098, an increase 11.6 per cent, with 426 more people moving to the area. The electoral area includes the community of McLure and Chase, down to Kamloops.
TNRD electoral area A (Wells Gray Country) saw a 5.4 per cent population growth between 2016 and 2021, from 1,493 to 1,573, an increase of 80 people.
The mountain village of Sun Peaks saw substantially more growth than other communities in the North Thompson, with a nearly 128 per cent increase in population, from 616 people in 2016 to 1,404 five years later, with 788 people moving to the municipality.
But not all regions experienced an increase in population. TNRD electoral area B (Thompson Headwaters) saw a slight decrease in population, from 233 in 2016 to 230, a change of -1.3 per cent, or three people.
Likewise, the North Thompson 1, Indian Reserve census subdivision, which encompasses the Simpcw First Nation community of Chu Chua and area, saw a percentage change of -17 per cent, from 218 in 2016 to 181, or 37 less people.
newsroom@clearwatertimes.com
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