Erik White 

The latest numbers from the 2021 census are out and northeastern Ontario continues to age faster than the rest of Canada.

The average age of someone in Sudbury (42.9), Sault Ste. Marie (45.4) and&nbsp;North Bay (43.6) is well above the national average of 41.9.

Timmins&nbsp;comes in a bit younger at 41.8, but its population, like almost all cities and towns across the northeast, has gone greyer&nbsp;since the last census was taken in 2016.

The percentage of the population under 30 also dropped in all four major northeastern Ontario cities.&nbsp;

Canada's working-age population is older than ever, StatsCan says

Canada’s working-age population is older than it has ever been, with more than one in five working adults now nearing retirement in a demographic shift that will create significant challenges to the Canadian workforce in the coming decade, according to new census figures released Wednesday. 

A group of people in masks gather outdoors on June 24, 2021, in Ottawa, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ottawa Covid June 24

A group of seniors gather outdoors in June 2021, in Ottawa. Statistics Canada said Wednesday that more than one in five working adults is now nearing retirement, which will create significant challenges for Canada's workforce.

Northeastern Ontario grew by 8,647 people in the last 5 years, according to census

The latest census numbers show that after decades of a slow and steady decline, northeastern Ontario grew in the last five years.

The shrinking population of most northern Ontario towns and cities has become a top political issue in the region.

population sign

Some of the population signs across northeastern Ontario will have to change with the latest census, with many areas showing large increases. 

How many will call northern Ontario home in 2058? Population predictions hinge on immigration, climate change

Northern Ontario's population has been shrinking and aging for decades. Some experts predict immigration, technology and climate change will see more move north in the next 40 years.

One of the few to buck the trend was Black River-Matheson, which saw its average age drop from 44.2 to 43.4, while the population of the small town jumped by about 100 to 2,572 in 2021.&nbsp;

The mining town turned retirement community of Elliot Lake continues to be one of the oldest places in Canada, with an average age of 53.4, up from 52. 7 in 2016.&nbsp;

Due to a recent baby boom, many First Nations in the northeast have an average age in the 30s, but many of them saw that number rise in the last five years.

Youth out migration a problem in northern Ontario towns, cities and First Nations

2016 census shows northeastern Ontario is aging along with the rest of the country, but also reveals some interesting trends when it comes to young people in the region, especially on first nations.

A truck veers around kids playing road hockey on a snow-covered street with houses basked in the sun at dusk. 

People in Kashechewan are so frustrated waiting for the federal government to relocate the flood-prone community, they are looking at making the move on their own. 

Kashechewan road hockey 

First Nations have the youngest populations in northeastern Ontario, but they too are getting older.

Going grey: latest census numbers show northern Ontario keeps getting older

The latest figures show that the population of northeastern Ontario and Canada as a whole continue to get older.

On Wednesday, Statistics Canada released the first batch of data from the 2016 census, an avalanche of detailed information that sociologists, demographers, urban planners and businesses watch every five years with a high degree of interest.

Census 2016 20170206

The latest numbers from the 2016 census show that seniors continue to be the fastest growing demographic in Canada.

This is the first census to collect numbers on the transgender and non-binary population.

Statistics Canada says there are about 0.33 per cent or 100,000 Canadians who identify that way.

In Greater Sudbury, the only northeastern Ontario city where the census lists specific figures, it's a bit higher than the national average, with 0.41 per cent or about 700 transgender or non-binary Sudburians.&nbsp;

The average age of most cities and towns in northeastern Ontario went up since the last census in 2016, while the percentage of the population under 30 has gone down. 

Going greyer: Northeastern Ontario continues to age, according to latest census

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