According to the latest federal census results, Fort Saskatchewan is growing rapidly.

The Government of Canada recently released the results of the 2021 census, showing the current population of Fort Saskatchewan at 27,088. This is a 12% population increase from the federal census total of 24,169. of 2016.

According to Mayor Gale Katchur, those numbers aren’t entirely accurate either. The results don’t take into account the 500 inmates at the correctional center, and they have a 2% error rate, so she believes the population might actually be higher.

“We have a great lifestyle that people enjoy. Outdoor and indoor recreation opportunities, and I really think being close to Alberta’s industrial heartland is one of our strongest characteristics because people want to live close to where they work, that way they can have a quality of life, they can get home quickly, and there are lots of activities to do within their communities.”

Fort Saskatchewan is the eighth fastest growing city in Alberta with a population of over 10,000 and has the third fastest growth rate in the Edmonton metropolitan area.

“City Council over the past few years has dealt with the growth that has occurred in Fort Saskatchewan. I think when we look at our capital budget in the future, there will definitely be new amenities that will be needed. as we look at our capital budget, this is something we will need to perfect.”

Strathcona County, Bruderheim, Gibbons, Morinville and Redwater also saw growth from the last census, although none saw a jump as big as Fort Saskatchewan.

Sturgeon County, Bon Accord, Chipman, Lamont, Lamont County, Legal, and Millet saw population declines in census results.