Region’s population growing faster than expected
Posted Aug 27, 2013 10:39:37 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Research by the province suggests the population of Waterloo Region will grow faster than initially forecast.
Local planning consultant, Bernie Hermsen, tells 570 News the revised numbers reflect the traditional strong economy of the region. “Waterloo Region is a significant economic growth centre within the outer ring around the Greater Toronto Area and this has been well-recognized in the recent study.”
New estimates peg the region’s population at 742,000 by the year 2031 (13,000 more than previously forecast) and approximately 835,000 ten years after that.
Hermsen says the increased growth numbers are significant. “They go to the basis of what people need over time, so it’s a very valuable tool, not only for planning consultants but obviously for municipalities and regions for their long-term planning.”
He also says the population projections are looking further into the future. “The main point here is they’ve added ten years to the forecast out to 2041, so that’s where the big number comes from. They’ve added another ten years of growth onto the previous forecast.”
Currently, the population of Waterloo Region is estimated at 559,000, including university students.
