New population and employment projections for the Town of Edson suggest it should prioritize sustaining existing neighbourhoods, infrastructure and services in its next Municipal Development Plan, as the number of residents is expected to fall.
Edson is in the process of updating its Municipal Development Plan (MDP), which was adopted in 2016. The MDP establishes town council’s long-term vision and policy direction for land use, growth and development within the town. Officials say these policies need to be grounded in realistic estimates about population and employment trends.
The current MDP relied on 2011 census data and projected an annual population growth rate of about one per cent. This data estimated that by 2040, Edson would have 11,400 residents.
Statistics Canada census data from 2011-2021 indicated the town’s population decreased by 101 residents, or 1.2 per cent, and lost 355 jobs, a 7.3 per cent reduction.
As such, population, employment and dwelling projections have been updated to inform the incoming MDP.
According to the base projection, Edson’s population is expected to decline from about 8,700 residents in 2025 to about 6,600 residents by 2051. In other scenarios, that population could range from 6,300 to 7,000 residents. The projections also anticipate reductions in employment and occupied dwellings, as a result.
To align municipal planning with this change, consultants recommend the town prioritize sustaining existing neighbourhoods, infrastructure and services while enabling strategic opportunities for economic development and diversification.
This population projection was presented to council at its regularly scheduled meeting on April 7.
