Flin Flon’s senior population is growing, but so is its proportion of young adults, newly released census figures show.
Statistics Canada last week released age- and community-specific data from the 2016 census.
The figures show residents aged 60 and older made up 23.8 per cent of Flin Flon’s population in 2016 – a rise of 4.9 per cent from 2011. A total of 1,225 residents were in this age group last year.
Contrary to the perception that Flin Flon struggles to attract and retain young people, the community also saw a higher percentage of residents aged 20 to 34.
This age group increased by 0.6 per cent to comprise 17.8 per cent of the population in 2016. There were 920 residents in this group last year.
“I find both increases encouraging,” said Mayor Cal Huntley.
Huntley said he was not surprised by the increased proportion of seniors, noting the last of the baby boomers continues to impact this age group.
He said most of the seniors are second- or third-generation Flin Flonners who want to stay in their home community.
“I expect this trend to continue over the next several years and further as we not only keep our present residents, but find former residents coming home,” the mayor said.
At the other end of the spectrum, Huntley said Flin Flon’s growing senior and retiree population has created job opportunities for young people.
“This would be further enhanced by the lack of opportunities outside our community or province as a result of the drop in commodity prices that have hit the oil, uranium, timber and potash industries,” he said.
Across all age categories, Flin Flon’s largest population increase occurred in the 60 to 64 group. This group increased by 2.5 per cent from 2011 to make up 8.1 per cent of the population in 2016. There were 420 residents in this group last year.
The largest decrease came in the 50 to 54 age group, which went down 2.7 per cent to comprise 8.2 per cent of the population in 2016. This group included 425 residents last year.
Across the border, Creighton saw a higher proportion of youth in the 15 to 24 age group. Between 2011 and 2016, this group increased by 0.7 per cent to make up 12.4 per cent of the town’s population. There were 175 Creighton residents in this age group last year.
The proportion of Creighton residents aged 30 to 39 also increased, rising 0.7 per cent to comprise 11.8 per cent of the population. There were 165 Creighton residents in their 30s last year.
Creighton recorded a more significant increase in the 60-plus age category, with this group growing 5.8 per cent to make up 23.9 per cent of the population. This group included 335 residents last year.
The overall populations of Flin Flon (7.3 per cent) and Creighton (6.2 per cent) declined between 2011 and 2016, according to the census.
