Census shows population decline in district

Ken Johnston
Editor

Over all the population of the Rainy River District declined by 4.4% from 1996 to 2001.

Statistics Canada’s latest census showed a district population of 22,109 in 2001. That dropped from 23,138 in 1996.

Rainy River itself saw its numbers drop below the 1,000 mark again to 961 in 2001. In 1996 the census said the community was at 1,008. That represents a 2.7% decline. The number of private dwellings is 458 on an area of 2.99 square km. That makes for a population density of 327.9 people per sq. km.

To the north Big Grassy First Nation saw a 6.7% population increase from 165 to 176. They have a total of 60 private dwellings on 32.74 sq. km. with a density of 5.4 per sq. km.

Lake of the Woods Township saw a dramatic decline in population from 436 to 330. That represents a 24.3% loss of people. Total private dwellings are 582 in a 735.24 sq. km. for a density of .4 people per sq. km. Many of the residences are seasonal.

According to Stats. Canada Big Island First Nation experienced an incredible 844.4% increase in population. In 1996 only 9 people were registered in the census. However a much higher number were registered in 2001, suggesting there was greater participation. 85 people were listed on 1.15 sq. km. for a density of 74.2. There are 35 private dwellings there.

Morley Township saw a 6.5% decline in their population from 478 to 447.

There are 152 private dwellings on 185.08 sq. km. for a density of 2.4 people per sq. km.

Chapple Township had a .1% increase in its population from 909 to 910 people. There are 347 private dwellings on 529.02 sq. km. for a density of 1.7 people per sq. km.

Manitou Rapids First Nation had a 10.3% decline in population from 213 to 191. There are 62 private dwellings on 22.88 sq. km. for a density of 8.3 per sq. km.

Emo had a 2.6% decline in population from 1,366 to 1,331. There are 537 private dwellings there on 203.54 sq. km. for a density of 6.5 people per sq. km.

Fort Frances had a 5.4% decrease in population from 8,790 to 8,315. There are 3,691 private dwellings on 26.09 sq. km. for a density of 318.7 people per sq. km.

Other major centers in the region saw the following happen:

Sioux Lookout had a 3.3% increase from 5,165 to 5,336.

Red Lake had a 11.4% decline from 4,778 to 4,233.

Dryden had a 1.1% decline from 8,289 to 8,198.

Kenora had a 3.2% decline from 16,365 to 15,838.

Thunder Bay had a 4.1% decline from 113,662 to 109,016.

Atikokan had a 10.2% decline in population from 4,043 to 3,632.