Recent Trends in Population - March 2025

Recent Trends in Population: Province, Cities, and Rural

The Saskatchewan Experience 

A census metropolitan area (CMA) or a census agglomeration (CA) is formed by one or more adjacent municipalities centered on a population center (known as the core). A CMA must have a total population of at least 100,00 of which 50,000 or more must live in the core. A CA must have a core population of at least 10,000. To be included in the CMA or CA, other adjacent municipalities must have a high degree of integration with the core, as measured by commuting flows derived from previous census place of work data. In Saskatchewan's case, there are only two CMAs in the province, Regina and Saskatoon. Yorkton, Moose Jaw, Swift Current, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Estevan, Weyburn, and Lloydminster (Saskatchewan part) comprise the Saskatchewan CAs.

The data table summarizes the population trends in Saskatchewan from 2001to 2024, broken down into five categories: Regina (CMA), Saskatoon (SMA),Other Urban Areas, Rural Areas, and the total provincial population. 

Overall, Saskatchewan's total population grew from 1,00,307 in 2001 to 1,239,865 in 2024, representing a 23.95% increase. Urbanization played a significant role in this growth. Regina's population increased by 42.10% rising from 198,472 in 2001 to 282,032 in 2004. Saskatoon experienced the highest growth rate at 57.90% growing from 232,634 in 2001 to 367,336 in 2024. Other Urban areas saw more modest growth of 13.16%, reaching 190,276 in 2024.

In contrast, rural areas experienced a slight decline over the same period. The rural population decreased by -0.21%, from 401,050 in 2001 to 400,221 in 2024.

Recent trends between 2020 and 2024 show continued growth driven by urban centers. From 2020 to 2021, the total provincial population grew by 2.53%, with notable increases in Regina (3.87%) and Saskatoon (4.23%). From 2023 to 2024, the province added over 30,000 people.

This data highlights Saskatchewan's ongoing urbanization trend, with strong population growth concentrated in its two largest cities while rural populations remain relatively stable or decline slightly.

The data summarized population trends for eight mid-sized cities in Saskatchewan, Canada, from 2001 to 2024, along with percentage changes over specific periods. 

Yorkton grew from 19,040 in 2001 to 21,040 in 2024, a 10.5% increase between 2001 and 2021 and a further 2.05% from 2023 to 2024. Moose Jaw increased from 34,159 in 2001 to 37,426 in 2024, with total growth of 9.56% between 2001 and 2021 and 1.90% between 2023 and 2024. Swift Current expanded from 16,801 in 2001 to 19,884 in 2024, showing significant growth of 18.35% from 2001 to 2021 and an additional increase of 1.59% between 2023 and 2024. North Battleford saw modest growth from 19,215 in 2001 to 20,059 in 2024, increasing by 4.39% between 2001 and 2021 and another rise of 1.01% between 2023 and 2024. Prince Albert grew steadily from 43,390 in 2001 to 47,929 in 2024, a rise of 10.46% between 2001 and 2021 and an additional increase of 1.47% between 2023 and 2024. Estevan increased slightly from 12,314 in 2001 to 13,157 in 2024, showing slower growth of only 6.85% between the years of analysis and a minor rise of just 0.67% between the most recent years (2023–2024). Weyburn expanded from a population of just over ten thousand (10,720) in the year of analysis to reach nearly thirteen thousand (12,831) by the end date (a total growth rate that was calculated at just over nineteen percent (19.69%) over the initial period with an additional increase noted at just under one percent (0.99%) when comparing the most recent data points). Lloydminster’s Saskatchewan portion grew substantially from a population count that began at just over twelve thousand (12,512) at the start date to reach nearly eighteen thousand (17,950) by the end date; this city showed the highest percentage increase among all cities analyzed with an overall growth rate calculated at just under forty-four percent (43.46%) for the initial years with an additional increase noted at just under three percent (2.98%) when comparing the most recent data points.

The data highlights a steady population growth across all cities but with carrying rates. Lloydminster  experiences  the most significant growth overall while Weyburn and Swift Current also showed notable increases. Estevan had the slowest growth rate among cities surveyed.

Implications for Business

The shift toward urban population growth and rural decline has significant implications for businesses, creating divergent opportunities and challenges in these regions.

Urbanization concentrates higher-income consumers who spend more on durable goods (homes, furniture, etc.) and discretionary purchases (electronics, clothing, etc.). New businesses can capitalize on these markets, especially by adapting to evolving  consumer preferences. Cities invest in transit systems, highways, and digital connectivity, enabling businesses to access larger customer basses and streamline logistics. Strategic positioning near transportation hubs becomes critical for visibility and foot traffic. Urban populations increasingly invest is education, creating a skilled workforce. Businesses benefit from a pipeline of middle- and upper-class consumers with brand loyalty potential, particularly in tech, services, and innovation-driven sectors. While opportunities abound, urban markets can face saturation. Startups must differentiate themselves through ability or niche offering to compete with established firms.

Shrinking populations reduce customer bases, making it harder for rural business to sustain operations. Southern U.S. regions, for example, have seen significant business closures tied to depopulation. Rural economies often rely on agriculture or mining, sectors increasingly dominated by large corporations. Small businesses struggle against monopolistic practices, as seen in agricultural communities where single companies dominate local markets. Minority-owned businesses in there regions face compounded barriers due to historic economic exclusion. Some rural communities attract businesses through tourism, energy sectors, or immigrant-driven entrepreneurship in agriculture and healthcare. 

In summary, urbanization amplifies business opportunities in cities through concentrated demand and infrastructure, while rural areas require tailored strategies to address systemic vulnerabilities and leverage niche markets.