The Kenora district is one of the bright spots when it comes to northern Ontario’s population.
The Northern Ontario Policy Institute finds Kenora among five regions where the population has increased since 2001.
In fact the district has seen the second highest population growth in the north.
President Charles Cirtwell says that’s because the area has diversified their economy through culture, tourism and aboriginal programming and opportunities.
It’s a different story for Thunder Bay and Rainy River as the population continues to drop.
The Rainy River district has seen the second lowest growth.
Cirtwell says declines in mining and forestry have contributed to the population decreases.
Overall, the population of northern Ontario has decreased about 2% since 2001.
Population Growth In Kenora District; Opposite Story in Rainy River
![Population Growth In Kenora District; Opposite Story in Rainy River](https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/1956/files/2019/06/3e648b5.png)