The long term trend to rural depopulation in the Moose Jaw region continued in the 2021 Census of Canada.
Most of the towns and villages in the region lost population with some exceptions, mostly places near cities or in resort villages.
Assiniboia, the largest town in the area lost 101 residents to 2,333 while Gravelbourg at 986, lost 103. Caronport gained 39 for 1,033.
Central Butte gained 44 for 416 while Avonlea, 411, gained 18.
Bethune, near the K+S potash mine and Regina, gained 261for 560.
All three resort communities on Buffalo Pound Lake gained population with North Grove adding 43 for 175; Sun Valley adding 36 for 154; and South Lake adding 57 for 226.
Holding their own were; Bengough, 332; Shamrock, 20; Wood Mountain, 20; Brownlee, 55, Coderre 30.
Community 2021 2016
Assiniboia 2,333 2,424
Avonlea 411 393
Belle Plaine 79 85
Bethune 560 399
Briercrest 155 159
Caronport 1,033 994
Central Butte 416 372
Chamberlain 96 90
Chaplin 222 229
Coronach 612 643
Craik 405 392
Dilke 60 98
Drinkwater 74 78
Eyebrow 130 119
Findlater 60 45
Gravelbourg 986 1,083
Hodgeville 147 172
Holdfast 173 247
Kincaid 120 111
Lafleche 373 382
Limerick 114 115
Mankota 198 205
Marquis 90 97
Mortlach 274 261
Mossbank 368 360
Ogema 383 403
Pense 603 587
Riverhurst 150 130
Rouleau 505 540
Shamrock 20 20
South Lake 226 169
Sun Valley 154 118
Tugaske 79 75
Tuxford 103 113
Willow Bunch 261 269
Wood Mountain 20 20
Wd Mountain reserve 16 12
North Grove 175 132
Ron Walter can be reached at [email protected]
