The Squamish area's population increased more in the past five years than that of any other British Columbia urban area, according to census figures released on Wednesday (Feb. 8).
The town's population, which was 14,949 after the 2006 federal census, rose to 17,178 in 2011, indicated figures released as part of the 2011 federal census. Squamish's "metropolitan area" population increased to 17,479 - an increase of 14.67 per cent -making it the fastest-growing urban area in the province.
Squamish was followed by Chilliwack (11.9 per cent) and Kelowna (10 per cent). Metro Vancouver grew at a rate of 9.6 per cent over the past five years.
Squamish was not, however, the fastest-growing individual municipality in B.C. over the past five years. The Victoria suburb of Langford earned that distinction with a 30.1 per cent population gain, followed by Lake Country in the Kelowna area and Port Moody, both at 19.9 per cent. Squamish's municipal population increased by 14.8 per cent.
The fact that Squamish now has more than 15,000 residents is expected to cost District of Squamish taxpayers at least $900,000 extra to pay for policing. Under provincial legislation, communities of less than 15,000 pay for 70 per cent of policing costs, with the remainder covered by the provincial government.
Communities of more than 15,000 pay 90 per cent of policing costs.
Overall, Canada's population grew by 5.9 per cent to 33,477 million. B.C. increased by seven per cent to just over 4.4 million.
