By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
Despite economic uncertainty, 2025 was a good year for growth in Chatham-Kent.
Estimates based on recently released data from Statistics Canada show the population rose to 113,070 as of July 1 last year. That’s a 1.23-per-cent hike over 2024 – marking the fastest single-year growth in more than 20 years.
The municipality also led the way in growth in the region, outpacing neighbouring municipalities. Ontario’s average growth was 0.7 per cent last year, with Windsor growing 0.83 per cent, London at 0.98 per cent, and Sarnia seeing a 0.17-per-cent increase.
Folks moving to Chatham-Kent from other parts of Ontario was the primary driver of growth, accounting for a 16.7-per-cent net increase – the second highest increase since 2001. Notably, 26 per cent of new arrivals are children and youth under the age of 15, showing that Chatham-Kent is appealing to young families.
Audrey Ansell, director of Community Culture and Connections for Chatham-Kent, said the recent data “speaks volumes” about what the municipality has to offer.
“It’s a combination of things,” Ansell told The Chatham Voice regarding the population hike. “I don’t think there’s one particular driver…I think a big piece is the community we’re building. The recreational offerings, the cultural offerings, the proximity to lakes, the natural amenities that are already here, they’re all factors people look at when they are considering where they want to raise a family.”
The relative affordability of housing compared to other communities and an increase in recreational opportunities are helping attract residents, Ansell said, noting remote workers and entrepreneurs comprise a significant percentage of Chatham-Kent’s newest residents. The municipality’s mild climate and variety of choices in education are other important draws.
Ethno-cultural opportunities are also significant, she said, noting that new arrivals who have a positive experience encourage others to relocate here.
“It’s not just one organization or one municipal department, it’s an entire community response,” Ansell stressed. “You might get somebody to come here for a job but how they connect in the community, and how they feel about they do besides the 9 to 5, is important. The community does all of that.”
The recent population increase reverses a trend that saw C-K experience a 6.6 per cent population loss in the years from 2001 to 2015. But beginning in 2016, Chatham-Kent’s numbers increased by 8,477 residents equaling an 8.1-per-cent growth rate.
Mayor Darrin Canniff said the numbers reflect long-term efforts to position Chatham-Kent as a place where people can build their future.
“This data confirms what we are seeing on the ground every day: more families are choosing Chatham-Kent as a place to live, work, invest, and raise their children,” the mayor said in a media release. “Our strong population growth, combined with rising incomes, shows that Chatham-Kent is competitive, affordable, and increasingly attractive within Southwestern Ontario.”
Other economic indicators further reinforce this positive trend. In 2023, which is the most recent data available, median personal income in Chatham-Kent increased by 5.4 per cent, surpassing the national growth rate of 4.4 per cent. Between 2018 and 2023, median total income per person in Chatham-Kent rose by 20 per cent, reflecting steady economic improvement for residents.
