Moosomin tops 3,000 for first time: Health statistics show population still growing
December 17, 2013, 2:08 am
Kevin Weedmark
New covered population statistics released by Saskatchewan Health suggest that the population of communities in the Moosomin area continues to grow.
The covered population statistics are not a census, but report how many people of each age group list a community as home. The covered population includes everyone with a Saskatchewan health card, so it may not include some people who have recently moved from out of province or out of the country, while it may include students who are away at university or who have recently moved away.
The numbers are collected as of June 30 each year. The numbers for this year were recently released by the health ministry.
The latest numbers from Saskatchewan Health show 3,061 people in Moosomin, up 589 people or 24 per cent from 2006.
Moosomin’s number is up 86 from last year’s 2,975.
The overall trend the health ministry’s stats show is a steady increase in population in communities over the years.
In 2005, Moosomin was the only community in the area with more than 1,000 people.
In 2006 there were two communities, in 2007 there were three, and since 2008 there have been four—Moosomin, Rocanville, Redvers, and Whitewood.
The total Saskatchewan Health covered population in the urban communities in the area is up by more than 2,000 or 26 per cent—from 7,744 to 9,773—since 2005.
Rocanville, Redvers, and Whitewood are the other other growth stories in the region. Rocanville has grown from 990 to 1,274, Redvers from 990 to 1,415, and Whitewood from 994 to 1,250.
Other communities in the region have stabilized—all are within 20 of their number last year.
Moosomin Chamber of Commerce president Ed Hildebrandt said he is not surprised by the growth and he expects it to continue.
“I would expect the population to continue because the factors underpinning the growth in past years are still in place,” he said.
“We certainly don’t anticipate that growth to cease or diminish.
“We have some growing businesses in our region, PCS Rocanville is going ahead full steam and I see it continuing.”
He said there is potential for the local business community to grow.
“We’re still missing some niche businesses or services that I believe there is a need for, and that would do well in our community.
“We will soon be one of the few rural communities with a Filipino grocery store, and I think that speaks for itself. I know that this community could support more stores, such as a men’s store, and a sporting goods store. The opportunities are there for more businesses.”
