YORKTON - Yorkton’s population dropped according to the 2021 Stats Canada Census.
The population of 16,280 in 2021 compared to 16,343 in 2016 represents a 0.4% decrease in the number of people residing within the city.
The total number of private dwellings in the city was 7,529 with 6,974 of those private dwellings being occupied by usual residents. A usual resident is defined as a permanent resident of a private dwelling, according to Stats Canada.
Yorkton wasn’t the only large centre in the area to experience a drop in population.
Melville saw a decrease going from 4,562 people in 2016 to 4,493 in 2021, a difference of 1.5%.
The town of Churchbridge decreased in population by 3.3% from 896 in 2016 to 866 in 2021.
Kamsack also saw a decrease, going from 1,898 people in 2016 to 1,179 people in 2021.
Some parts of the area experienced an increase in population. For instance, Canora’s population grew by 3.4 percent from 2016. An increase from 2,204 to 2,092. Langenburg grew by 5.4%, from 1,165 in 2016 to 1,128 in 2021.
The Yorkton—Melville electoral district saw a small population growth overall, going from 71,031 in 2016 to 71,220 in 2021, a 0.3% increase in people. The total number of private dwellings within the electoral district was 37,588 with 30,871 of those being occupied.
