Communities and Demographics

The lower Winnipeg River basin (LWRB) is a sparsely populated area characterized by low population density and significant seasonal population fluctuations due to cottage developments. Between 2011 and 2016, the population across six census subdivisions grew by 4%, from 11,839 to 12,292. While towns like Pinawa, Lac du Bonnet, and Powerview-Pine Falls have high occupancy rates for usual residents, rural municipalities like Alexander and Lac du Bonnet have less than half of their dwellings occupied by permanent residents. The region has a strong Indigenous presence, including the Fort Alexander First Nation/Sagkeeng Anicinabe and Métis people, who traditionally use the land and water for harvesting and spiritual activities.

• The population within six census subdivisions in the lower Winnipeg River basin grew by 4% over five years, increasing from 11,839 in 2011 to 12,292 in 2016.
• The region experiences dramatic seasonal population increases in the summer months; for example, the RM of Alexander grows from 3,333 to 20,000 people, and the RM and Town of Lac du Bonnet grow from 3,800 to 8,000 people.
• Residential occupancy varies by area: in the RM of Alexander and RM of Lac du Bonnet, less than 50% of dwellings are occupied by usual residents, whereas in the towns of Powerview-Pine Falls, Lac du Bonnet, and Pinawa, occupancy is around 90%.
• The lower Winnipeg River basin is sparsely populated, with the highest densities found in the Town of Pinawa (856 people per km2), the Town of Lac du Bonnet (507 people per km2), and the Town of Powerview-Pine Falls (262 people per km2).
• Indigenous communities have deep historical and cultural ties to the basin; the Fort Alexander First Nation/Sagkeeng Anicinabe is located within the boundaries, and Métis people traditionally use the lands for hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2021). Communities and Demographics. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-06/winnipeg-river-basin-sheet-7-communities-demographics.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Communities and Demographics. 2021. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-06/winnipeg-river-basin-sheet-7-communities-demographics.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Communities and Demographics |date=May 2021 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-06/winnipeg-river-basin-sheet-7-communities-demographics.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2021communities, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Communities and Demographics}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2021}, month = may, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2021-06/winnipeg-river-basin-sheet-7-communities-demographics.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }