The city of Barrie is growing by leaps and bounds, and the numbers from the federal government only confirm it.
Census data for 2006 came down from Statistics Canada this week, showing Barrie’s population exploded 23.8 per cent from 2001. In all, 128,430 people called this city home two years ago, compared to 2001’s figure of 103,710.
Job growth within the city showed Barrie among the nation’s leaders. An article earlier this week reported 22.9-per-cent job growth in Barrie, according to figures from Ottawa, from 2001 to 2006.
More evidence was revealed to support Barrie’s claim as one of Canada’s youngest city – if not the youngest. More than 27,000 residents – 21.3 per cent of the population - were 15 years of age or younger. The median age for Barrie residents was 35.4 years.
Provincewide population growth was a relatively meagre 6.6 per cent over the same period, climbing to 12.1 million in 2006. Nationwide, the increase was 5.4 per cent, to more than 31.6 million.
For the jobs, proximity to nature, quality of life, for whatever reason they chose to come here, Barrie was a favourite final destination for thousands of folks from other centres over the latest census period. The nation’s number crunchers found more than 29,000 new residents who had come to Barrie from another municipality within the previous five years, more than 2,400 from another province or territory, about 2,200 who had called another country home.
Of Barrie residents over age 15, there were 29,280 – 29.2 per cent, were high school graduates. Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma holders accounted for 8.9 per cent (8,840) of residents. College graduates numbered 23,435 (23.5 per cent), university undergrads totalled 3,290 (3.3 per cent), university degree holders, 12,990 (13 per cent).
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