When KDO was formed in 2009, there was much discussion of the community population. Falling 18% from a high of 2151 in 1997 to a low of 1765 in 2003, the Dawson population had settled and stagnated, and was at 1873 in 2009.

There was a strong feeling that this decline was critically impacting the community’s economy, its resilience and successful enterprise development. A focus on stimulating modest population growth could contribute significantly to sustaining both public and private services, employment, incomes and the quality of life of Dawson’s residents. City of Dawson revenues, for example, are closely tied to the population and economic base.

This population growth objective was written into the KDO strategic plan in 2009 as a measurable gauge of success and a return to the previous high of 1997 was imagined.

The latest population report from the Yukon Bureau of Statistics puts the Dawson population at 2000 for the first time in 14 years. This is a rise of 127, or 7%, in the three years since KDO started work.

Amidst everything, sometimes it is just nice to recognize when things are going well.

Dawson Population Chart December 2012
Dawson Population Table December 2012