The town's reputation as a place for parents with young children and for seniors got a boost last week as the town released the findings of the 2012 census.
Coming in just under its $10,000 budget, the population survey revealed 18.57 per cent of Innisfail's 7,883 residents are within the “school-aged” category between five and 18 years old. Meanwhile, there were 1,409 residents over the age of 65, making up 17.79 per cent of the total population.
“Probably the most significant thing that would come in here is making sure we have a housing mix that accommodates the range of housing styles we have,” said Craig Teal, director of planning and development.
Population density decreases reflect a Canadian trend and could be a result of economic affluence, he said. While the number hovered around an average household size of 2.44 people a decade ago, the figure in this census was just 2.33.
Out of 3,400 households a total of 1,034 were found to be single person households, making up 30.41 per cent. On the opposite end of the spectrum households with four or more members totaled 675 and accounted for 19.86 per cent of all households.
In all, single detached dwellings accounted for 2,083 units within the total housing stock, or 57.85 per cent.
Teal said the town has anticipated some of the needs of the large number of children in the community, and expects the municipal census could provide a nudge to the private sector.
“We already have in place permission or zoning provisions that allow the establishment of daycares as people see a need,” he said. “Maybe this data will encourage others to set up or expand.”
On May 1, 2012 enumerators went door to door asking a series of questions and recording the status of the dwelling as occupied, vacant or “other.”
An additional question about childcare for children under the age of five was asked this year.
Out of 307 responses 57 per cent of residents indicated a parent at home cares for their child, 19 per cent use private care, 15 per cent rely on another family member and 9 per cent turn to licensed care providers.
