Estevan's population is continuing its upward trend.
According to the 2010 covered population statistics, which were released in December by the provincial Ministry of Health, the Energy City has 12,876 residents, up from 11,304 in 2009. The report counts all people who held Saskatchewan health care coverage as of June 30 in a particular community. Although it is not an official record like the census, it is considered a far more accurate indicator of a population base.
Naturally, news that Estevan's population is now hovering around the 13,000 mark is music to the ears of civic officials. City manager Jim Puffalt said they were anticipating an increase but admitted a jump of roughly 14 per cent was beyond their expectations.
"We were expecting to see about 12,000 or so, but to see 12,876, it was just like, wow," said Puffalt who added that City records show this is the highest Estevan's population has ever been.
"The last highest population was in 1998 and that was 11,469, so we are about 1,400 people higher than we have ever been before. We are also up 21 per cent since 2005. It's good to see, the question will be is it sustainable growth? I can't imagine that 14 per cent in one year is, but we are seeing higher growth patterns than usual."
Puffalt said the increased activity in the oil industry is obviously one of the major reasons for the increase but feels there are other factors driving the boom.
"I think it's also SaskPower's commitment to this area and to Boundary Dam, there is a lot of working being done there. Immigration seems to be a fairly factor here. I think it is a lot of factors and everything just seems to be clicking."
As excited as he might be about the increase, Puffalt said the City is also aware of the effects such rapid growth can have on a community.
He noted the City has already begun to re-evaluate its planning schedule for 2011. For example, the much talked about new water reservoir, which the City has said is needed to accommodate any future growth, is now a necessity.
"It's hard with a one-year pattern to work with, but I think it is a good sign that we are growing and progressing," he said. "We are already planning for our next subdivision and we are working with a couple of developers to help them to get into the ground this year because if there are that many people coming we need a place for them to be."
Not surprisingly given the level of activity in the area, Estevan is not the only southeast Saskatchewan community to experience an increase.
Weyburn saw an increase of just under 1,500 citizens while communities such as North Portal, Torquay, Frobisher, Carnduff, Oxbow, Midale and Lampman had more modest increases.
Of note, the RM of Estevan and town of Bienfait both saw decreases in their respective populations. The RM dipped by over 200 residents while Bienfait lost 40.
