Statistics Canada has released population data from Census 2021, and Grey Bruce municipalities all saw varying degrees of growth.
The Blue Mountains saw the most rapid growth in its population among municipalities in the region from 2016 to 2021, increasing by 33.7 per cent. The town’s population grew to 9,390 in 2021, compared to 7,025 in 2016.
Southgate’s population also expanded quickly from 2016-2021, increasing by 18.5 per cent to 8,716.
Among Bruce County municipalities, Saugeen Shores saw its population rise at the fastest rate. It increased by 16 per cent to 15,908 residents in 2021, up from 13,715 in the previous census period.
Owen Sound continues to be the most populous municipality in the region with 21,621 people. However, its population grew at the lowest rate among Grey Bruce municipalities from 2016-2021 (1.3 per cent).
Arran-Elderslie was the Bruce County municipality with the lowest rate of population growth, attracting 110 new residents over the five-year period (1.6 per cent increase).
For Grey County as a whole, Statistics Canada reports the 2021 population as 100,905 — a 7.5 per cent increase from 2016. Bruce County saw a similar rate of change (7.7 increase) as its population reached 73,396 last year.
The population of Ontario grew to over 14.2-million in 2021, a 5.8 per cent increase from 2016 when there were just over 13.4-million people in the province.
Regional Statistics Canada Census 2021 Population Data By Municipality, County
Grey County
2021 population: 100,905
2016 population: 93,830
Percentage change: 7.5
Owen Sound
2021 population: 21,612
2016 population: 21,341
Percentage change: 1.3
Blue Mountains
2021 population: 9,390
2016 population: 7,025
Percentage change: 33.7
Meaford
2021 population: 11,485
2016 population: 10,991
Percentage change: 4.5
Chatsworth
2021 population: 7,080
2016 population: 6,630
Percentage change: 6.8
Grey Highlands
2021 population: 10,424
2016 population: 9,804
Percentage change: 6.3
West Grey
2021 population: 13,131
2016 population: 12,518
Percentage change: 4.9
Southgate
2021 population: 8,716
2016 population: 7,354
Percentage change: 18.5
Hanover
2021 population: 7,967
2016 population: 7,688
Percentage change: 3.6
Georgian Bluffs
2021 population: 11,100
2016 population: 10,479
Percentage change: 5.9
Bruce County
2021 population: 73,396
2016 population: 68,147
Percentage change: 7.7
Saugeen Shores
2021 population: 15,908
2016 population: 13,715
Percentage change: 16
South Bruce Peninsula
2021 population: 9,137
2016 population: 8,416
Percentage change: 8.6
South Bruce
2021 population: 5,880
2016 population: 5,639
Percentage change: 4.3
Northern Bruce Peninsula
2021 population: 4,404
2016 population: 3,999
Percentage change: 10.1
Arran-Elderslie
2021 population: 6,913
2016 population: 6,803
Percentage change: 1.6
Kincardine
2021 population: 12,268
2016 population: 11,389
Percentage change: 7.7
Huron-Kinloss
2021 population: 7,723
2016 population: 7,069
Percentage change: 9.3
Brockton
2021 population: 9,784
2016 population: 9,461
Percentage change: 3.4