The town of Bridgewater's population grew by 297 people from 2006 to 2011. The latest census figures, released Wednesday, indicate Bridgewater had a 3.7 percent spike. Mayor Carroll Publicover says its important for the town to keep growing.
"That's our sole source of income. When communities don't grow, when their assessment base doesn't grow, then you are facing a reduced revenue base on which to provide services. So, if we want to expand our services and offer more to our residents, growth is really important."
In Chester, the communities population decreased by 142 people over the last five years. Warden Allen Webber says lack of jobs, an aging population and the draw to move out West are all significant factors.
"We just aren't creating enough jobs here. Hopefully in the future, we can address that issue because that's what it takes to keep people here, that's what it takes to bring people here. I just don't think we're doing a good enough job of that and on the immigration front, of course, we're falling short.
Webber says Chester's population has remained pretty stable over the past 10 years with no sharp increases or decreases in population. He notes the community will soon see some benefits from the province's ship building contract. Elsewhere on the South Shore, the town of Lunenburg lost four residents from 2006 to 2011.
