Our Community
Medicine Hat has seen a population growth of just over a 10% from 51,249 in 2001 to 56,995 in 2006 (Census Canada, 2006). This is an average of approximately 2% per year. Canada, during the same period saw a population change of 5.4%. It is worth noting that 51% of the population consists of women and the Medicine Hat census area accounts for 2.09% of the Alberta population.
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Note: The median age in 2001 was 37.3 and had risen to 38.8 by 2006. The Alberta average was 36.0.
This significant population growth is a result of the strong economy in Medicine Hat and region. With unemployment rates at all-time lows and employee recruitment and retention a priority for most businesses the result is an increasing number of people immigrating from other provinces, territories and from around the world.
The strong economy has also affected family incomes. From 2001 to 2005 the median family income increased 20.9% from $54,600 to $66,000. This was better than both the Alberta average (18.5%) and the Canadian average (13.3%). However, the median in real terms still remains lower than the Alberta average of $71,000.
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The Government of Alberta has estimated that there will be 400,000 new jobs created in Alberta between 2006 and 2016. The concern comes with an estimated 300,000 new workers entering the labour force in the same period.
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In the Medicine Hat-Lethbridge economic region 33.2% of the population work in the Goods Producing Sector, this includes Agriculture, Oil and Gas, Forestry, Utilities, Manufacturing and Construction. The remaining 66.8% of work in the Service Producing Sectors, this includes Transportation, Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Scientist and Technical Services, Educational, Health care and Social Assistance, Culture and Recreation, Accommodation and Food Services and Public Administration.
Only 24.2% of Canadians work in the Goods Producing Sector, while 75.8% work in the Service Producing Sector.
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Of 25,616 dwellings in Medicine Hat 48% have Internet, 34% have no Internet access and 18% did not specify.
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In the Medicine Hat Quality of Life Study published in 2007, 76% of respondents stated that “living in a city that has a small town feel” was important to them.
Medicine Hat is the sunniest city in all of Canada. In 2005 Environment Canada reported 2,513 hours of sunshine.