Alberta's oilsands boomtown continued to record strong population growth between 2008 and 2010, despite the economic slowdown that began in 2008.
Fort McMurray's population hit 76,797 in 2010, according to recently released census data for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, which governs the oilsands capital.
That new figure represents a hike of 6.13 per cent over a two-year period.
Still, Fort Mac has yet to pass Alberta's two most populous second-tier cities, Red Deer and Lethbridge, which tallied 90,084 and 86,659 citizens respectively in 2010.
Assuming Fort McMurray continues to hum with oilsands growth, the urban oilsands hub should pass Red Deer and Lethbridge within five years.
Sprawling Wood Buffalo, which recently acquired more Crown land, is already Alberta's third-most-populous municipality.
from Western Investor, April 2011
