Almaguin shows low workforce participation rate, median age higher than average

Mar 12, 2008

ALMAGUIN — Fewer Almaguin residents over the age of 15 are in the workforce, as compared to provincial and national averages.

Information from the 2006 census released last week includes individual community’s participation rates — what percentage of residents over the age of 15 were working at the time of the census.

In Almaguin, the lowest participation rate was in Sundridge, where just under half of those over 15 were working.

Also in and around the 50 per cent point were Armour, Burk’s Falls, Joly, Kearney, Machar, Magnetawan, Ryerson, South River and Whitestone.

Callander, Chisholm, East Ferris, McMurrich-Monteith, Nipissing and Perry all reported having a participation rate of between 60 and 65 per cent.

Bonfield was the highest, with just under 68 per cent of the 15-plus population in the workforce.

This compares to a 67.1 provincial and 66.8 national participation rate.

Participation rates can be affected by the age proportions of a community.

Last summer, a study published in the Canadian Economic Observer predicted that Canada’s overall participation rate will fall over the next 25 years, due to low fertility and the retirement of millions of baby boomers.

Previous 2006 census figures show that every community in Almaguin has a higher median age than the Ontario average of 39 years and the Canadian average of 40.4 years.

See the graph on this page for the average age for each individual community.

Almost all Almaguin communities have a smaller proportion of population under the age of 15, as compared to the provincial and national averages, which are both around 18 per cent.

The only exceptions are Bonfield and Burk’s Falls, both also at roughly 18 per cent.

Communities with the lowest percentage of residents 15 and under are Whitestone at 10 per cent, Armour at 12 per cent and Kearney at 11 per cent.