By Jennifer Hoegg and Wendy Elliott
Kings County is growing.
The latest census data, released last week, shows a 0.9 per cent population growth in Kings, placing the region ahead of a dozen rural counties, mostly based on growth in Kentville and Wolfville.
Kentville, which had 5,815 people in the 2006 census, is now up to 6, 094 – a 4.8 per cent jump.
Mayor David Corkum is thrilled and said continued growth is “nothing but great news for Kentville,” adding he was pleased the population “finally broke the 6,000 barrier.
“I like to think because Kentville is a progressive town, some of the things like the new school and Miner’s Marsh and some of the things going on in Kentville, is helping to attract people,” Corkum said.
The biggest population increase was in Wolfville, which grew by 497 people or 13.2 per cent over five years.
According to the latest census information, 4,269 people live in the town.
Calling the bump “pretty impressive,” Mayor Bob Stead attributed the increase to a range of factors. He did not regard it solely as a wave of retirees moving in, but instead pointed to a number of other factors including high-end housing developments, like Woodman Grove. Stead noted a successful farmers’ market, a vibrant cultural sector, the growing wine industry and lots of activity at Acadia University as draws.
Commuters and individuals who work from home, Stead said, also view the town favourably. He suggested new developers for the downtown district would be beneficial for Wolfville right now.
Like his Wolfville colleague, Corkum said the news should encourage downtown development in Kentville.
“We would like to see more commercial in our town, but, if you grow with people, maybe the commercial will grow, too,” he said.
The mayor pitched Kentville as a “safe community, with good quality of life, at the same time only an hour from Halifax and the airport.
“We want to grow,” Corkum added. “New blood and new tax dollars … helps you be sustainable. If you don’t have growth your services will cost you just as much or more.”
Cambridge First Nation and Kings Subdivision C, between New Minas and South Alton, also grew.
Other counties showing population growth were Antigonish, Hants, Colchester and Luneburg and the Halifax Regional Municipality, which led the pack with 4.7 per cent increase in population.
The 2011 census identified 60,589 people in Kings County, up from 60,035 in 2006.
Numbers shifted up and down slightly in rural areas.
Berwick stands out for having identical population numbers in 2011 as five years ago.
Stead added he is going to be interviewed this week about Wolfville’s attractions by American Terry Bradshaw for his Insights TV program, which is based in Florida.
By the numbers…
2011 2006 Percentage change
Kings County 60, 589 60, 035 0.9
Berwick 2, 454 2, 454 0
Kentville 6, 094 5, 815 4.8
Wolfville 4, 269 3, 772 13.2
Cambridge First Nation 144 120 20
Glooscap First Nation 59 60 -1.7
Kings, Subdivision A 22, 103 22, 161 -0.3
Kings, Subdivision B 11, 990 12, 033 -0.4
Kings, Subdivision C 8, 275 8,121 1.9
Kings, Subdivision D 5, 201 5, 499 -5.4
