Context
This set of Context indicators provides key information that is integral to interpreting the Focus Area Indicators.
Total Permanent Population and Growth Rate (C-1)
What are we measuring?
The total number of permanent residents, by age group, for males and females
Why are we measuring it?
Currently, the most accurate population estimates available for Rossland are the 2009 BC Stats corrected Census estimates. These corrected estimates take into account the 2006 Census undercount, the local number of BC Medical registrations and the number of electric service provider accounts.
How are we doing?
Rossland’s estimated population and change from 2001 to 2009
In 2009, BC Stats estimated Rossland’s population to be 3,532. This is an 8% increase from the 2006 estimate of 3,278. The provincial increase during this period was 5%. Rossland’s population has still not recovered to its 2001 level of 3,649. Note that many other municipalities experienced a decline in population over the same time period as Rossland and a similar subsequent upturn.
| Region | 2001 | 2008 | 2009 |
Rate of Change |
Rate of Change (2008-2009) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rossland | 3,649 | 3,278 | 3,532 | -10% | 8% |
| British Columbia | 4,076,264 | 4,243,580 | 4,455,207 | 4% | 5% |
| Kootenay-Boundary | 32,094 | 30,826 | 32,111 | -4% | 4% |
| Trail | 7,619 | 7,248 | 7,353 | -5% | 1% |
| Fernie | 4,706 | 4,289 | 4,415 | -9% | 3% |
| Invermere | 2,877 | 3,046 | 3,668 | 6% | 20% |
| Kimberley | 6,511 | 6,184 | 6,705 | -5% | 8% |
| Columbia Basin | 32,094 | 30,826 | n/a | -4% | - |
Data Sources
BC Stats
Columbia Basin Trust State of the Basin
Age and Gender Structure of Population (C-2)
What are we measuring?
The total number of residents, by age group, for males and females
Why are we measuring it?
Understanding the age and gender distribution of a population is integral to creating a diverse, welcoming community for a range of different age groups. Different age groups require different services and opportunities such as employment, healthcare, accessibility, childcare and education.
How are we doing?
Similar to most of Canada, Rossland’s population has proportionally more “baby-boomers” in the 45 to 59 years of age groups than any other age range. Many of these people will be leaving the workforce over the next ten to 20 years. Compared to the rest of the province, Rossland has proportionally fewer residents in the age groups from 20 to 34 years of age. With this current demographic distribution, the predicted effects of the aging “baby-boomers” may be more pronounced in Rossland than in British Columbia in general.
Age and gender distribution of Rossland's population
Rossland's and British Columbia's population distribution
Data Sources
Average Household Size (C-3)
Average household sizes (people per household)
as reported in 2006 Census by Statistics Canada
What are we measuring?
Average number of individuals per household
Why are we measuring it?
Average household size can provide insight into lifestyle, energy consumption and housing needs.
How are we doing?
Rossland’s average household size is 2.4 people. This is just under the provincial average of 2.5 people per household.
Rossland has a slightly higher average household size than other communities within the region.
Data Sources
Average Annual Snowfall (C-4)
What are we measuring?
Average annual snowfall at Red Mountain
from 2004/2005 to 2009/2010
Annual estimates of average snowfall on Red Mountain
Why are we measuring it?
Snowfall is integral to Rossland’s tourism industry and, over time, it may provide insight into how Rossland’s climate is changing. There is limited meteorological data available for Rossland, as the closest operating weather station is located in Castlegar. Red Mountain Resort, the local ski hill operator, monitors snowfall levels from October to April and has been archiving this data online since the 2004/2005 ski season.
How are we doing?
Red Mountain snowfall for the 2009/2010 season was 555 cm. Out of the previous six ski seasons, the 2007/2008 season had the highest snowfall with 690.7 cm total and the 2004/2005 had the lowest snowfall with 454 cm total.