Sault Ste. Marie has realized a 0.3 percent population growth from 2006 to 2011, bringing us to 75,141 people, says the 2011 Census released early this morning.

Sault Ste. Marie has realized a 0.3 percent population growth from 2006 to 2011, bringing us to 75,141 people, says the 2011 Census released early this morning.

Census Canada today released the first data from the 2011 Census of Population covering population and dwelling counts.

“This [population change] is a reflection of our growing local economy,” said Mayor Debbie Amaroso in a news release. “Employment opportunities and programs, such as those administered through our Local Immigration Partnership continue to attract new residents to Sault Ste. Marie.”

Information from the census will be used by the municipality to predict service requirements and help city staff plan for future trends and demands on the city's infrastructure.

Census Canada says our city is presently at a population density of 336.6 people per square kilometre.

“This [population change] is a reflection of our growing local economy,” said Mayor Debbie Amaroso in a news release. “Employment opportunities and programs, such as those administered through our Local Immigration Partnership continue to attract new residents to Sault Ste. Marie.”

Community growth in Sault Ste. Marie over the past five years is the result of net positive migration which exceeds natural loss of deaths over births.

“The Sault’s attempts in attracting and retaining new residents are beginning to show positive outcomes. We can only hope with the continued development of our ‘Welcoming Community’ strategy that our population will steadily increase,” says Danny Krmpotich, coordinator, Local Immigration Partnership.

Algoma District is a very different picture with a population density of only 2.4 people per square kilometre and a population reduction of 1.4 percent in the 2006 to 2011 period covered by this census.

The population of Ontario increased by 5.7 percent to 12,851,821 in that time period but the population of Alberta increased 10.8 percent to 3,645,257.

Canada's population increased 5.9 percent to 33,476,688 people bringing the average population density in the country to 3.7 people per square kilometre.

Statistics Canada has yet to release analytical data from its 2011 Census that accounts for trends, patterns and comparisons along a large number of vectors including subjects as diverse as gross domestic product, lifestyle and social conditions or crime and justice, to name a few.

For more on Census Canada's 2011 data, please click here.