The economy may be recovering from the doldrums of 2008 and 2009, but a key indicator of Calgary's economic health suggests the heart of the "New West" isn't pumping growth right now.
While the cranes are visible on the skyline downtown, Calgary's 2010 census recorded population growth of only 0.57 per cent from 2009 to 2010.
Alberta's biggest city grew by 6,060 residents during the past year, but had negative net migration for the first time since 1992.
According to city figures, Calgary saw 4,154 more residents leave than move in. Only the natural increase of more births than deaths allowed for an actual population increase.
The last time the city's population grew by a smaller percentage than it did in the past year was back in 1984, when it actually declined by 0.14 per cent during a major downturn for the oilpatch.
Not so surprisingly, the city's vacancy rate grew from spring of 2009 to spring of 2010, according to the census. It jumped from 3.08 per cent to 3.93 per cent, making life tougher for landlords and real estate speculators.
from Western Investor September 2010
