Delta’s population has increased by 6.1 per cent in the past five years.
That’s according to the latest date from Statistics Canada.
Last week the agency released new population and dwelling numbers for Canada based on the results of the 2021 census.
The data show that Delta’s population grew from 102,238 in 2016 to 108,455 in 2021, an increase of 6.1 per cent.
This compares to the provincial population change of 7.6 per cent and national of 5.2 per cent.
Total private dwellings were 39,736 in 2021 compared to 37,590 in 2016 a change of 5.7 per cent.
Population density per square km in 2021 is 603.7 and Delta has a national population ranking in 2021 at 52.
The census data shows British Columbia had the second-highest population growth among the provinces, but realtors and buyers say an influx of people has created fiercer-than-ever competition for real estate.
Resort destinations, like Squamish are among the fastest-growing communities in the country, the census says, adding immigration was behind the climbing figures.
But growing pains are part of the picture. The perennial topic of housing affordability in B.C. increasingly means those trying to find a place to live endure an emotional roller-coaster as offers keep getting rejected while investors and sellers make big profits.
Doug Norris, senior vice-president and chief demographer at Environics Analytics, said population growth in parts of B.C. is being fuelled mostly by immigrants from India. But it's also being driven by some interprovincial migrants, notably from Alberta after the collapse of parts of the resource sector, he said.
While immigrants from India have traditionally settled in Surrey, more of them have been moving further east to the Fraser Valley, including the communities of Chilliwack and Abbotsford, for more affordable housing, Norris said.
The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver said earlier this month that sales in January were 25.3 per cent above the 10-year January sales average and that a low supply meant greater competition among buyers.
-with files from Canadian Press
