Thorold is booming! News on Thorold’s population growth captured a lot of coverage in news media and chat in the community. Based on 2021 census data from Statistics Canada, newsmakers reported on Thorold as the 8th fastest growing city in Canada.
Thorold Population Grows to 23,816
The news flooded into Niagara on the first wave of data from the 2021 census showing Thorold’s population has boomed up to 23,816. That’s an increase of more than 26 percent since the previous census was reported in 2016. This boom in Thorold compares to the provincial average of 5.8% and the national average of 5.2%.
In 2021, there were 9,095 private dwellings occupied in Thorold, which represents a change of 21.8% from 2016. The land area of Thorold is 83.29 square kilometres and the population density was 285.9 people per square kilometre.
In comparison, Port Colborne is the second fastest growing city in Niagara showing a population growth of almost 10 percent in the last five years. On the other hand, St. Catharines’ growth is relatively flat as that city’s population has only grown by 2.8 percent since 2016.
5,000 More Thorold Residents in Past 5 Years
In 2016, the Thorold population was 18,801, which means we currently have approximately 5,000 more residents in our community than five years ago. That’s not counting all the students from Brock University and Niagara College living in rentals during their semesters.
Debate On Pros & Cons of Thorold Population Growth
A question buzzing around the community popped a few of us into a debate on whether this population boom is a drag for the old guard. To put this point in perspective, the old-timers growing up in Thorold during the 1960’s saw the population signs showing 8,000 to 12,000 residents. Those were the days of a smaller, slower, friendlier town feel.
“Growth in terms of number of houses isn’t really exciting, unless maybe it results in more events in Battle of Beaverdams Park or more trails along Lake Gibson. Downtown used to be quite appealing when it had the Quebec Bank Art Gallery, the lovely cafe next door, a Home Hardware that was quite helpful, and a Thorold Music with its Saturday morning jams.”
David Flack stated in a post on My Thorold Facebook page,
Then there are questions from residents wondering if there any benefits to the growth of their beloved community.
“If it is booming, why the tax increase?” asked Mark Chrisp in the conversation on Facebook.
“Maybe this will help get a liquor, beer, Giant Tiger and Dollar Store!!!” exclaimed C – A Gardens.
Lindsay Seekins-Randall
“We also need another grocery store across from Stoke Seeds on Collier Road and Confederation Avenue”
To sum it up, Thorold’s population growth adds up to a lot of potential. This could be like many things that grow around this area. From one perspective, we could enjoy the type of properly planned urban growth that blossoms in a community to flourish into a fruitful future. On the flipside, our city’s fast expansion has the potential to sprawl out of control like weeds. Think of this population growth like your mind is a garden. Your urban plans are the seeds. You can grow flowers or you can grow weeds. The future shall show us what we are really growing in Thorold.