Urban Centres Grow

The origin of the Peace River country was that of settlers arriving to cultivate the land. Rural communities had a majority of the population, but today this has changed radically.

Across Alberta urban centres have grown steadily since the 1930s. The rural population of Albert was 62 percent in 1931. By 1961, urban centres were growing rapidly in the province with only 36 percent of the population living in rural areas. By 1991, 20 percent of the population of Alberta was living in rural areas.

The shift of population from rural communities to urban was not caused by a reduction in the numbers of people living in rural areas. The rural population across Alberta has remained relatively stable since the 1930s. But, the urban centres have grown continuously since the 1930s.

These changes show the economy having changed from one that was heavily dependent on agriculture to one that includes mining, petroleum development, forestry, manufacturing, and so on.

The future of the Peace River country will continue to have a diversified economy with all elements playing important roles.

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