Civic Census Results Book and additional tables are available online population has reached 1,090,936

This will be the third census in democratic South Africa and the exercise will continue until October 31. Apart from being a part of the 2010 round of African censuses whose aim it is to provide comprehensive data for improved planning and to aid developmental initiatives on the continent; the undertaking of a census informs government’s planning frameworks and advances the ethos of evidence based decision-making e.g. with respect to distribution and allocation of government funds at all tiers of government for delivery of basic services, measuring and monitoring the impact of government policies and programmes thus enabling prioritization of resources based on need e.g. location of a school or clinic.

Private sector organisations also use census data for business planning and market related purposes. It’s evident and beyond any shadow of doubt that the subsequent gains of such an exercise are vital and immense even to the ordinary man in the street; yet in other spheres of the society, the motive and process of such an exercise are often unknown, overlooked or worse still misrepresented and misunderstood resulting in people circumventing the exercise. I will address a few of such misconceptions here.

Everyone counts

Everyone inside of the country counts irrespective of legality of status. Census is conducted by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), a body of highly skilled and competent professionals who apart from retaining and processing all information collected; adhere to a code of conduct prohibitive of divulging personal details.

Census 2011 is neither meant to “flush out” those who failed to secure general work permits nor is it meant to note whether or not one is in the country legally. To be counted (or enumerated as we call it); one need not necessarily be a South African citizen or to possess a valid SA id document no, for as long as one is inside the country, they must be enumerated.

Census 2011 is not only for those in towns and suburbs but for all, including farmers and farm labourers, those in institutions, the homeless etc. So if for instance one is a domestic worker, the census is not just for the landlord and/or landlady and their family; hence the domestic worker must also actively ensure interaction with the enumerator.

If you live in a secluded place or high walled area, it is imperative that you make prior arrangements to be enumerated.

For your safety

Census enumerators (i.e. those who will be visiting your homes to count) will wear distinctive “Census 2011” regalia which will soon be advertised nationally and will carry identification cards which will display their names and contact (toll-free) numbers should you wish to crosscheck and of course, all this is meant for your safety and ensuring that no imposters deceive respondents.

The enumeration process is more than just a head count as the questionnaire will have different sections to be completed but should not however take too long.

Remember, enumerators will not be there to allocate resources such as a RDP houses / stands or asylum papers etc. Once a household has been enumerated, a sticker will be placed to mark that household as enumerated to avoid duplication, it’s not meant to identify any household as target for xenophobic or other ultra motives, no.

Allow for that sticker to remain once it has been pasted. Lastly, much as our conscience bears witness when we have done right, so should we all yearn to be counted and ensure so this October – Census 2011 is here, you count.
The 2011 Civic Census reports that Calgary’s population has reached 1,090,936, which is an increase of almost 20,000 people from the April of 2010 report.

The volume of population growth, with is 1.81%, is similar to what the city experienced in 2001 AND 2003. “Good, accurate data like that included in the Calgary Civic Census is the basis for smart decision-making about the future of our community,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “City management, my City Council colleagues, and I will use the information in this report to help guide us toward creating the better Calgary we all seek.”

One area of the city is continuing to lead the way in growth. Panorama Hills has seen an increase in the last year of almost 2,000 residents while four other communities saw more than 1,000 new people move into the area. The communities with growth over 1,000 people are Panorama Hills in the northwest, Auburn Bay, New Brighton, Cranston in the southeast and Skyview Ranch, located in the northeast quadrant of the city. Four communities grew by 100% or more in the last year. They are Mahogany, a southeast community, which saw a population bump by 205%, or 530 residents. Walden, also in the southeast grew by 183%, or 384 residents. Skyview Ranch, a new community in the northeast saw an increase in 154% or 1093 new residents and Sage Hill, a community in the northwest grew by 102%, or an increase of 718 residents. “After a pattern of population decline in many established neighbourhoods over many years, it’s a good sign that many of these communities have experienced recent population growth,” said Mayor Nenshi. “If we can maintain this trend through smart policies and investments, the result will be more sustainable, vibrant, and healthy communities that Calgarians want.”

As far as net migration, which is the difference between the number of people moving into Calgary and the number moving away, almost 10,000 more people moved to Calgary than moved away. This is a significant change in the city because in 2010, the city experienced a negative net migration which saw over 4,000 people move away from Calgary than to Calgary.

The next statistic concerns housing. The number of housing units, both existing and under construction, increased to 450,952 up from 445,455. This is an increase of almost 5,500 from April 2010. The number of vacant dwelling units in Calgary decreased in 2011. The overall vacancy rate in the city is 3.69%, down from 3.93% in April 2010. There are now 422,290 occupied dwellings. Of this number, 296,020 or just over 70% are owner-occupied. In 2010, the comparable percentage was 70.65%.

If you’re looking for a mate, the numbers add up better for single women in Calgary. The total number of men slightly exceeds the number of women in the city. There are about 4,000 more men in Calgary than women.

The Civic Census Results Book and additional tables are available online at www.calgary.ca/census.