POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHY

Population of Atikokan

The population of Atikokan is 3,632 (2001-Statistics Canada). Atikokan’s population has remained relatively stable over the past few years as a result of the diversity of industry and services that Atikokan has to offer. The population had decreased significantly prior to and after the closure of the Steep Rock Iron Mines and Caland Iron Mines in 1979 and 1980 respectively. When the mines were closing, the introduction of new employment opportunities with employers such as the Ministry of Natural Resources Area Office, Pluswood Manufacturing Ltd. (now Fibratech Manufacturing Ltd.) and Ontario Power Generation has been one of the main factors contributing to the stability of Atikokan’s population.

Age Distribution

Population growth in Atikokan has occurred in the older population (60 plus), while there has been a significant decrease in the younger population (15 to 24 years). The population of ‘25 years to 44 years’ has remained relatively constant since 1986. The largest age group in Atikokan is of people between the ages of 30 and 39.

The total number of females in Atikokan is 1,825 and the total number of males is 1,805.

Persons Per Household

As of 1996, the total number of private households in Atikokan is 1,500. The average number of persons per private household is 2.6. Of that, there are 369 one person households, 494 two person households, 264 three person households, 330 four and five person households, and 43 households with six or more persons.

Ethnic Origins

A large percentage of Atikokan’s population claims to be of multiple origin. With respect to single ethnic origins (having both parents of the same ethnic origin), Canadian, English, French and Ukrainian origins dominate within the total population. However, it is interesting to note that, as of 1996, despite the fact that only 2% of Atikokan’s total population is of single Aboriginal origin, 5.4% of the population claim to have Aboriginal ancestry. Atikokan is strongly influenced by people in the surrounding area that are of Aboriginal origin. Seine River First Nation, located approximately 56.3 km east of Atikokan, and Lac La Croix First Nation, located approximately 116 km south of Atikokan, utilize the services of Atikokan, as well as offer their services to our community.