Region of Waterloo sees 5.5% population growth, Kitchener breaks 300,000 mark

2023 was a big year for population growth in the Region of Waterloo.

2023 was a big year for the Region of Waterloo.

According to new numbers from Statistics Canada, the population grew by a staggering 5.5 per cent last year, jumping from 638,065 people to 675,227.

The data, assembled by Canadian economist Mike Moffatt, also shows the Region of Waterloo is the fastest growing community in Ontario.

The next closest is Toronto, which grew at a rate of 4 per cent, followed by a 3.7 per cent increase in Brant and Middlesex counties.

Waterloo Region’s population might surpass 700,000 next year if it continues at a rate of 3.7 per cent or higher.

However, if it keeps up the staggering pace of 5.5 per cent growth, the region could hit one million people by 2032 – a full 19 years sooner than previously predicted. Those estimates put the region’s population at 923,000 by 2051.

According to experts, growth is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is important to consider how fast it’s happening.