WELLINGTON COUNTY – The county’s growth forecast numbers for the next three decades is now set in stone.
The province has approved the county’s official plan amendment (OPA) 120 which sets the forecast population and employment growth across Wellington County’s seven municipalities to 2051.
This approval is final and can not be appealed.
Based on OPA 120, by 2051 Wellington County is expected to grow to 160,000 in population from just over 100,000 in 2021 with 66 per cent of those living in urban centres.
The number of households is projected to almost 58,000 by 2051, which is an increase of over 20,000 compared with 2021.
Total employment should top 70,000 compared to 43,000 in 2021.
The projected growth broken down by municipality and towns is as follows:
Municipality/Town |
2021 |
2051 |
Centre Wellington |
34,100 |
58,200 |
Elora-Salem |
7,800 |
14,100 |
Fergus |
19,100 |
36,300 |
Erin |
12,000 |
26,300 |
Erin Village |
3,100 |
10,800 |
Hillsburgh |
1,400 |
6,100 |
Guelph/Eramosa |
13,600 |
14,700 |
Rockwood |
5,200 |
5,800 |
Mapleton |
11,200 |
15,100 |
Drayton |
2,400 |
4,300 |
Moorefield |
600 |
2,500 |
Minto |
9,300 |
15,200 |
Clifford |
900 |
1,400 |
Harriston |
2,200 |
3,500 |
Palmerston |
3,000 |
6,800 |
Wellington North |
12,700 |
20,500 |
Arthur |
2,700 |
4,800 |
Mount Forest |
5,500 |
10,600 |
Puslinch |
7,900 |
10,000 |
The full OPA 120 can be found here.