A 2014 population census released on Monday leaves city representatives feeling positive, despite St. Albert trailing behind some other communities in the region when it comes to growth. Based on the recent census results, St.
A 2014 population census released on Monday leaves city representatives feeling positive, despite St. Albert trailing behind some other communities in the region when it comes to growth.
Based on the recent census results, St. Albert's population is now at 63,255.
That's up 2,261 people (or 3.57 per cent) since the last municipal census in 2012. It's also more than double the growth the city saw between 2010 and 2012, when St. Albert's population grew by only 856 people (1.4 per cent).
The city also counted an increase in residences, up 5.6 per cent since 2012.
Mayor Nolan Crouse said he expects this trend will continue at a rate of about 1,000 new residents per year and about 300 new housing starts per year – a rate of growth typical for the city in the past 50 years.
“I am very happy with modest growth. Three hundred housing starts is manageable. It doesn't put you into an uncomfortable position,” he said.
“You can plan more modestly. You can plan for modest growth. You are not in a boom mentality.”
Slower than others
But the city's growth numbers are not so typical when compared to other communities in the region, such as Leduc, Spruce Grove or Morinville.
Since 2011, the population of Spruce Grove has increased by 4.3 per cent annually. The city now has a population of 29,526.
Leduc's population reached 27,241 in 2013, growing 6.9 per cent from 2012.
And Morinville's population grew by 9.7 per cent since its last census in 2011, resulting in an additional 833 residents.
Crouse said these communities have grown faster due to their close proximity to jobs, service lands and industry. St. Albert does not have the means or location to compete with these municipalities, he said.
“We don't have an airport; we don't have Nisku,” he said. “To some degree we have the west end of Edmonton and (the Acheson Industrial Area), which is convenient. But we are not a convenient location to Nisku or to the Industrial Heartland.”
He added that St. Albert is nonetheless experiencing modest, good quality growth that should not worry anyone.
St. Albert has recently begun to offer a more diverse housing mix that will help to retain more residents, Crouse said. Developers are also able to keep up with demand at the current growth rate.
And city council recently made more lands available for light-industrial and commercial development, which is necessary for offsetting the city's high tax base.
“What the community wants to see is (us) making sure there is non-residential development, making sure there are non-industrial activities,” Crouse said.
“People want to see non-residential, but I think that you would also find people saying we don't want to grow too fast or become too big.”
Better infrastructure planning
Coun. Cam MacKay said he is not concerned about slower population growth compared to other communities either, as long as the city has some positive growth.
While he would like to see the city attract some more light-industrial development, he expects that may not always be possible. St. Albert is an expensive city and does not have the capacity in service land of other cities in the region, he said.
Moderate population growth allows the city to keep up with demands on infrastructure and also make better, long-term planning decisions, he said.
“But I will tell you this: for the amount of growth that we have, you also have to make some wise planning decisions,” he said.
“And one of those would be to not invest in planning studies like the LRT. Numbers like that tell you that we are a long ways off from getting to 250,000 or 300,000 people.”
More business needed
Positive population growth is important to the whole economy of a city, said Lynda Moffat, CEO and president of the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce.
She said the city had done poorly for population growth in previous years but now seems to be catching up thanks in part to better land-use bylaws and a greater variety in housing options.
She stressed that the city needs to continue its work in these areas, not only to attract new residents but also to bring more business and light-industrial development to the city.
This will take pressure off the tax rate and motivate future growth, she said.
“We have one of the best education systems anywhere and without the students what's the motivation to continue to excel?” she said.
“It's very important that we maintain our growth and that we continue to welcome new residents into our city.”
The 2014 census was conducted from April 7 to May 31. It will now be submitted to Alberta Municipal Affairs and, if accepted, will become the city's official population.
A detailed analysis of the results will be presented as part of a report going to city council on Aug. 18.
Impact on housing market
Positive yet modest population growth creates a healthier housing market than a boom, said Ken Jacknisky, Re/Max broker and owner.
Too many people moving into a market at once create a shortage in inventory and a surge in housing prices, he said.
"To keep it at a healthy percentage year-after-year, it keeps the real estate market stable," he said.
"So it benefits everybody."
