Golden Horseshoe Economic Profile
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SECTION 3 DEMOGRAPHIC GROWTH Project Coordinated By: This Section Prepared by: SECTION 3 - Demographic Growth 3.1 Introduction The objective of this section is to present a demographic profile for the Golden Horseshoe (GH) using the most recent (2011) census data.1 This section incorporates data from earlier census periods where available and allows for the identification of key demographic profiles and trends regarding population, immigration, social and cultural impacts and their marketing implications. The data shows profiles and trends for each of the participating municipalities and thus differences in key markets and locations are profiled. Except where indicated, data in this section is from the Statistics Canada censuses of 2006 and 2011. Starting in 2011, information previously collected by the mandatory long-form census questionnaire was collected as part of the voluntary National Household Survey (NHS). Caution should therefore be exercised in comparing 2011 data very closely with data from previous censuses.2 3.2 Population Growth The population of the GH and its municipalities has increased from 6.5 million in 2006 to 7 million in 2011, and now accounts for 55% of Ontario’s population. This represents a growth rate of 8% for the entire GH region over the five year period. The highest rates of growth have been experienced by Halton (14%), York (15%) and Peel (11%) which immediately surround Toronto. As further evidence of growth pressures being experienced in the GH, it is worth noting that Milton, Canada’s fastest growing municipality, grew by 57% over the period.3 Figure 3.1a below shows the growth rate for each upper tier municipality. Figure 3.1a – Population Growth (000s) in the Golden Horseshoe by Region, 2006 - 2011 Growth 2006 2011 Geographic Location 2006 - 2011 Durham Region 584 631 8.0% Halton Region 458 520 13.5% Source: Hemson Consulting Ltd., Greater Golden Horse- Hamilton 524 540 3.1% shoe Forecasts to 2041, Technical Report (November Niagara Region 442 446 0.9% 2012) Addendum, June 2013, Appendix B, Section 1, Table 1 Reference Projection. This report was produced for the Peel Region 1,213 1,350 11.3% most recent Places to Grow forecast projections. Net Toronto 2,611 2,725 4.4% under-coverage rates are added to census population to York Region 932 1,072 15.0% produce total population data. An explanation of how this is determined is included on page 26 of the report. Total 6,764 7,284 8.0% 1 Some of the data produced in this section incorporates earlier census data from the Profile of Agricultural Attributes in the GTA published for the Greater Toronto Area Agricultural Action Committee and the Greater Toronto Marketing Alliance by Planscape Inc. March 2010. 2 Global non-response rates for each municipality for the 2011 National Household Survey were Durham (28.4%); Halton (22.3%); Hamilton (29.0%); Niagara (28.6%); Peel (25.4%); Toronto (26.5%); and York (22.5%) as well as 27.1% for all Ontario. The indicator combines complete non-response (household) and partial non-response (question) into a single rate. 3 http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/as-sa/98-310-x/2011001/tbl/tbl6-eng.cfm October 2014 3.1 SECTION 3 - Demographic Growth Figure 3.2a shows the GH growth for the period 2001 to 2011 and compares this rate with the projected rate for 2011 to 2031 using the Places to Grow most recent projections.4 A compound annual growth rate is used in each case for comparative purposes. The Places to Grow projections are shown in Figure 3.2a. Based on the Places to Grow Act, the GH will continue to grow at a robust rate (1.4% compounded annually) until 2031 at which time the total GH population will be almost 9.6 million. However, as noted in Figure 3.2a, the future population will be distributed somewhat differently with the Regions of Halton, Durham and York projected to grow at high compound annual growth rates; 2.3%, 2.2% and 2.0% respectively over the period, compared to lower rates for the other municipalities. Figure 3.2b shows the growth rates for the GH municipalities graphically. Figure 3.2a – Population Growth (000s) in the Golden Horseshoe by Region, 2001– 2011 and Projected to 2031 Census Years Percentage Change 2001-2011 Cpd. Ann. 2011-2031 Cpd. Ann. Geographic Location 2001 2006 2011 2016 2021 2026 2031 Growth Rate Growth Rate Durham Region 528 584 631 691 770 861 970 1.8% 2.2% Halton Region 391 458 520 575 645 726 815 2.9% 2.3% Hamilton 510 524 540 568 601 640 683 0.6% 1.2% Niagara Region 427 442 446 463 483 511 543 0.4% 1.0% Peel Region 1,032 1,213 1,350 1,455 1,559 1,660 1,766 2.7% 1.4% Toronto 2,584 2,611 2,725 2,865 2,975 3,081 3,193 0.5% 0.8% York Region 763 932 1,072 1,199 1,330 1,459 1,858 3.5% 2.0% Total 6,235 6,764 7,284 7,816 8,363 8,938 9,555 1.6% 1.4% Note: Growth rates are compound annual growth rates. Source: Hemson Consulting Ltd., Greater Golden Horseshoe Forecasts to 2041, Technical Report (November 2012) Addendum, June 2013, Appendix B, Section 1, Table 1 Reference Projection. This report was produced for the most recent Places to Grow forecast projections. 4 Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure, Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006, Office Consolidation June 2013, Schedule 3, Updated Forecasts. October 2014 3.2 SECTION 3 - Demographic Growth Figure 3.2b – Population Growth (000s) in the Golden Horseshoe by Region, 2001 – 2011 and Projected to 2031 3,500 (000s) 3,000 2,500 Durham Region Halton Region 2,000 Hamilton Niagara Region 1,500 Peel Region Toronto 1,000 York Region 500 0 2001 2006 2011 2016 2021 2026 2031 Sources: Hemson Consulting Ltd., Greater Golden Horseshoe Forecasts to 2041, Technical Report (November 2012) Addendum, June 2013, Appendix B, Section 1, Table 1 Reference Projection. This report was produced for the most recent Places to Grow forecast projections. The growth rates for the entire GH region present increasing market opportunities for agricultural products, however, accommodating this population growth will have implications for municipalities. While Places to Grow and the Provincial Policy Statement identify the need to intensify growth in existing settlement areas, this strategy cannot accommodate all of the growth required and can only come at a large expense of taking agricultural land out of production. Further, if municipalities are unable to achieve their target densities, the demand for development lands will keep increasing, at the expense of productive agricultural land.5 5 The Growth Plan requires that for 2015 and for every year thereafter, a minimum of 40% of all residential development occurring annually within each upper and single tier municipality will be within its built up area. For the years 2007 to 2010, the average intensification rate (ie, percentage of new residential units in built up areas) for each municipality was Durham 46%; Halton 33%; Hamilton, 48%, Niagara 64%, Peel 50%, Toronto 100%, and York 46%. Source: Technical Report on Preliminary Performance Indicators for the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe 2006. October 2014 3.3 SECTION 3 - Demographic Growth Figure 3.2c shows a comparison of the growth rate over the 10 year period 2001 to 2011 compared with the expected growth rate according to Places to Grow legislation from 2011 to 2031. Clearly, continued high rates of growth are expected to continue throughout the GH region for the next two decades. Figure 3.2c – Population Annual Growth Rates in the Golden Horseshoe by Region, 2001 – 2011 and Projected Rate 2011 to 2031 4.0% 2001-2011 Growth rate 2011-2031 Growth rate 3.5% 3.5% 3.0% 2.9% 2.7% 2.5% 2.3% 2.0% 2.2% 2.0% 1.8% 1.5% 1.6% 1.4% 1.4% 1.2% 1.0% 1.0% 0.8% 0.5% 0.6% 0.5% 0.4% 0.0% Durham Halton Hamilton Niagara Peel Region Toronto York Region Total Region Region Region Sources: Hemson Consulting Ltd., Greater Golden Horseshoe Forecasts to 2041, Technical Report (November 2012) Addendum, June 2013, Appendix B, Section 1, Table 1 Reference Projection. This report was produced for the most recent Places to Grow forecast projections. October 2014 3.4 SECTION 3 - Demographic Growth 3.3 Population Density Figure 3.3 below shows the population density (persons per sq km) for each of the regions in the GH for 2011 as well as projected density under Places to Grow for 2031 and 2041. Toronto has by far the highest population density (4,324) persons per square km, followed by Peel (1,083), York (608) and Halton (539), regions in closer proximity to Toronto. Durham and Niagara currently have relatively lower densities and will continue to be the least dense, or most rural, of the regions for the year 2031. Population densities are projected to continue to increase over the next two decades in each of the municipalities in the GH. As noted, this population pressure will have the dual effect of providing increased markets for agricultural produce, while also placing continued pressure on agricultural land. Figure 3.3 – Population Growth (Persons per Square Kilometer) in the Golden Horseshoe by Region, 2011 to 2031 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 Durham Halton Hamilton Niagara Peel Toronto York Total 2011 250 539 483 241 1,083 4,324 608 721 2031 384 845 611 293 1,416 5,067 899 946 Sources: Statistics Canada.