Total Population

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Definition

Population refers to the total number of people who live within a defined area.

Why This Matters

Knowing how many people live in Greater Peterborough is important for ensuring that everyone counts. Knowing population numbers helps governments budget for and provide essential services to citizens. Steady population growth is also a signpost of a healthy economy (Berry, 2014). Whether the population increases through babies born in the city, from in-migration of Canadians living in other parts of the province or country or the arrival of new immigrants, new populations help new voices, ideas, opportunities and culture to the city.

We are experiencing slow and steady population growth in the Peterborough area. Since there are more deaths than births each year in our region, all population growth is the result of people moving to Peterborough from other places. Some of that growth is the result of immigration, but most of the people moving to Peterborough come from other communities in Ontario.

Our population is gradually urbanizing, with a growing proportion of residents living in urban areas. In 2016, 59% of residents in Greater Peterborough were living in the City of Peterborough. Other urban areas in the County of Peterborough are growing as well (e.g. Lakefield) .

By 2025, the population of Greater Peterborough is expected to grow to 144,241 people, with 62% of residents living in the City of Peterborough, 37% living in Peterborough County and 1% living in Hiawatha and Curve Lake First Nations.