Census results: Manitoulin grows while North Shore shrinks

It’s mixed results on Manitoulin when it comes to the latest census.  The majority of the First Nations on the Island saw their populations drop with Wiki losing almost 100 people since 2011.  The other First Nations showed smaller drops.  However in Sucker Creek and Sheshewaning, the populations grew.  Sheshewaning went from 118 people to 137 good enough for a 16 percent jump.  For the non-native communities on the Island, the majority showed growth.  NEMI grew slightly, and within the municipality, Little Current added 123 people. Central Manitoulin grew by 126 people and nearly 100 more people now living in Billings.  When all the counting is done, Manitoulin grew by 207 people.  Meanwhile with communities off the Island, Elliot Lake lost five percent of its population in the latest census. The number of people went from nearly 11,348 to 10,741.  The surrounding communities didn’t fare much better.  Blind River’s population dropped two percent, Iron Bridge and Nairn-Hyman were also down and Espanola fell below five thousand people.  There are now 4,996 people in the paper town, a loss of nearly seven percent from the last census.  On the plus side, Sables-Spanish Rivers and Webbwood grew.  Also up by about 100 people was the Sagamok First Nation for 10 percent growth while the Serpent River First Nation was almost unchanged.  The Mississauga First Nation grew by 21 people and now has a population of 411 people.