Skip to content

EDITORIAL: City Census

More than just giving an accurate snapshot of Airdrie's population, a census reveals other important data that provides great benefit to the municipal government.
Editorial Stock Photo

For the first time since 2019, the City of Airdrie is conducting its annual civic census this year. 

While Statistics Canada conducted a count of Airdrie's population in 2021, the municipal census hasn't been performed in three years. 

Each census seems to confirm something anyone living in Airdrie already knows – how quickly the city is growing. Every count seems to add at least a few thousand to the city's population from the year before. The last time a municipal census was completed, Airdrie surpassed the 70,000 resident milestone. This year, our newsroom expects that total to be closer to 80,000.

But more than just giving an accurate snapshot of Airdrie's population, a census reveals other important data that provides great benefit to the municipal government. As Lynn Penney, a legislative services technician with the City, informed us in an interview this week, a census assists the municipality when applying for certain grants, and helps the local government develop policy and serve Airdronians more effectively in terms of public services. 

The civic census reveals how many dwellings are in Airdrie, how many residents live in each dwelling, and what demographics exist within the city. It informs the City of how many lone-parent families there are, or how many senior citizens there are within Airdrie's borders. Such information can be referenced when developing housing policies or senior-assistance programs.

“It is important to get counted as the information gathered in the municipal census influences decisions regarding future transportation networks, the locations of schools, parks, utilities, fire protection facilities, as well as attracting business and investment,” she told us.  

During the last census, Penney claimed 99.97 per cent of Airdrie's households participated in the survey, with only eight of 26,000 households not taking part. While that is already an incredibly impressive percentage, it would be neat to hit 100 per cent. 

If an enumerator comes to your door later this spring to conduct the annual census, we'd encourage you to supply accurate information. 


Airdrie  City View

About the Author: Airdrie City View

Read more



Comments

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks