COMMUNITY PROFILE

Re g i o n : Parkland Po p u l a t i o n (2006): 760 Pe r c e n t o f p o p u l a t i o n 65+: 30% a n i t o b a Me d i a n a g e : 50.4 , M The Town of Gilbert Plains was incorporated in 1906.It lies in the heart of ’s , 360 kilometres northwest of . The town is nestled between the Riding Mountains to the south and the Duck Mountains to the north.

The area around Gilbert Plains has some of the most fertile farmland in the province. Agriculture is the main component of the local economy with producers growing large amounts of cereal grain and oilseed, as well as some specialty crops and livestock operations. Many businesses in town provide supplies and services to local farmers. A complementary blend of younger and older residents has resulted in a wide variety of services for all ages.

Popular facilities that are the pride of the community include an active Senior’s Drop-In Centre, the Gilbert Plains arena complex, and the Gilbert Plains Centennial Park. The Gilbert Plains campground, along with a beautiful 18- hole golf course can be found alongside the Valley River. Of particular interest to tourists is the Negrych Pioneer Homestead, a provincially and federally designated heritage site, which is believed to be the most complete and best preserved Ukrainian farmstead in . (Adapted from: http://www.communityprofiles.mb.ca) GILBERT PLAINS

To w n o f Gi l b e r t Pl a i n s % o f To t a l Ch a r a ct e r i s t i c Po p u l a t i o n Total Population (1, 2) 760 Population change from 2001 (%) 0.4 Population density per square kilometre 285.7

Ge n d e r Male 48.4% Female 51.6%

Ag e Gr o u p < 45 45.0% 45-54 10.7% 55-64 13.4% d a t a 65-74 11.4%

s 75+ 19.5% u s La n g u ag e English as first language 80.8% e n French as first language 1.4% All other languages 17.8%

Et h n i c Co m p o s i t i o n a n d Im m i g r a t i o n Percentage of Canadian-born population 97.9% Percentage of foreign-born population 2.1% 2006 C Percentage of foreign-born population who immigrated to Canada before 1991 66.7% (1) Figure taken Percentage of population self-identified as Visible Minority 0.0% from ‘Population and dwelling Percentage of population self-identified as Aboriginal 9.6% counts’ a n a d a Ma r i t al St a t u s (2) Figure taken Single (never married) 23.8% from ‘Legal C marital status s Married/Common-law 49.2% characteristics’ Divorced/separated 9.5% (3) t i c Non-university s Widowed 17.5% includes: trades certificate/ Hi g h e s t Le v e l o f Ed u c a t i o n diploma, college t a t i Less than high school graduation certificate 47.9% certificate/ High school graduation certificate only 19.0% diploma, university Non-university (3) 24.8% – S certificate/ University degree 8.3% diploma below bachelor’s Ec o n o m i c Is s u e s degree o f i l e

r Median household income ($) 29,777 (4) Unemployment Unemployment rate (%) (4) 5.2 rate refers to P the unemployed Ho u s i n g expressed as a Total number of dwellings 355 percentage of the labour force in the u n i t y Number of owned dwellings 280 week (Sunday to Number of rented dwellings 75 Saturday) prior to mm Average value of dwelling ($) 59,655 Census Day (May 16, 2006). o Percentages may not add up to 100 due to rounding. All data taken from: Statistics Canada. 2007. Gilbert Plains, Manitoba (table). 2006 Community Profiles. 2006 Census. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 92-591-XWE. Ottawa. Released March 13, 2007. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Index.cfm?Lang=E (accessed August 25, 2009). C