Population Projections
Population aging and population growth are two critical factors in planning for health needs and health service use, particularly since health care usage increases with both aging and population growth.
In 2007 the population of the Niagara region was approximately 437,000 and is estimated to reach about 445,000 by 2012. In 2012 the median age is estimated to increase from 42 in 2007 to 43 years of age, and the percent of the Niagara population 65+ years is estimated to increase to 18% from 17% in 2007.
Age Structure
Across Niagara, 17% of the population is under the age of 15, compared to 18% for Ontario.
The median age of Niagara residents also increased between 2001 and 2006 from 40 to 42 years of age, compared to Ontario’s median age change from 37 to 39 years.
As the baby boom cohort ages, the number of people aged 50 and older will increase more rapidly than any other age groups. As of 2006, 6% of Ontario’s population consisted of residents over the age of 75. Niagara was above this provincial average with 9%. The HNHB LHIN’s population over the age of 75 was slightly lower at 8%. Niagara-on-the-Lake and Port Colborne show higher proportions of the population over the age of 75 compared to other communities in the region both at approximately 12%.