By Rebecca Edwards
Each area of the Elk Valley saw a rise in population between 2006-2011, but in the South Country, RDEK Area B saw a decline in population, according to the 2011 census.
• Fernie had the highest population increase at 5.5 per cent, compared to an 8.5 per cent decline between 2001-2006.
• RDEK Area B saw a 4 per cent decline in population, compared to a 1 per cent decline from 2001-2006.
• Sparwood had the largest percentage of full-time residents, who occupy 81.31 per cent of dwellings.
• RDEK Area A had the lowest percentage of full-time residents, who occupy 55 per cent of dwellings.
• The national growth rate was 5.9 per cent, while the population of British Columbia increased overall by 7.0 per cent.
The population and dwellings counts are the first sets of data released from the 2011 census, which was carried out last May 10.
Further statistics on the age and sex of residents will be released in May, in September details of families, households, marital status and type of home will be released and in October language statistics will be released.
Census 2011 - how did your community population fare?
City of Fernie
Fernie had the greatest rise in population in the Elk Valley, with an increase of 5.5 per cent to 4,448 representing an increase of 231 residents.
In 2001-2006 the city saw its population decline by 8.5 per cent.
Fernie has a total of 2,848 private dwellings, of which 69.8 per cent (1,988) are occupied by full-time residents. In 2006 there were 2,627 private dwellings, 71.41 per cent of which were occupied by full-time residents.
The population density is 299.8 per square kilometre.
District of Sparwood
Sparwood saw an increase of 1.4 per cent in its population to 3,667, representing an increase of 49 residents.
In 2001-2006 the district saw its population decline by 5.1 per cent.
Sparwood has a total of 1,953 private dwellings, 81.31 per cent occupied by full-time residents.
The population density is 191.01 per square kilometre.
District of Elkford
Elkford saw an increase of 2.4 per cent in its population to 2,523 representing an increase of 60 residents.
In 2001-2006 the district saw its population decline by 4.9 per cent.
Elkford has a total of 1437 private dwellings, of which 70.91 per cent are occupied by full-time residents.
The population density is 23.3 residents per square kilometre.
RDEK Area A (West Fernie, Hosmer, Sparwood, Elkford rural)
RDEK Area A saw an increase of 1.4 per cent in its population to 1,899 representing an increase of 26 residents.
However, this represents a slower growth than the area experienced in 2001-2006 when the district saw its population increase by 2 per cent.
Area A has a total of 1430 private dwellings, of which 55.94 per cent are occupied by full-time residents.
The population density is 0.4 residents per square kilometre.
RDEK Area B (Elko, Jaffray, Grasmere)
RDEK Area B saw a population decline of 4 per cent to 1,746, representing a decrease of 73 residents.
From 2001-2006 the district saw a population decline of 1 per cent.
Area B has a total of 1,159 private dwellings of which 62.73 per cent are occupied by full-time residents.
The population density is 0.6 residents per square kilometre.