The latest population numbers from the Yukon Bureau of Statistic is providing some interesting reading, if you’re a numbers person.

According to the report, the estimated population of the Yukon on June 30, 2023 was 45,169.

That’s an increase of 1,205, or 2.7 per cent, compared to the revised figure for June 30, 2022 (43,964).

The report also says that comparing June 30, 2023 to June 30, 2013, the Yukon’s population rose by 8,598, or 23.5 per cent.

The population of the Whitehorse area climbed by 7,528, or 26.7 per cent; Dawson City increased by 365, or 18.2 per cent; and Watson Lake grew by 47, or 3.2 per cent.

Whitehorse’s current population is pushing 37,000 people.

The bureau’s numbers show that from 2004 through 2014, the Yukon’s population increased steadily in most quarters of every year except in 2013.

“Positive growth rates — often very high — have been recorded in each quarter, from 2015 onwards. The June 30, 2023 population at 45,169 is the new record-high for Yukon.

“During the second quarter of 2023, Yukon’s population increased by 477 people from 44,692 on March 31, 2023 to 45,169 on June 30, 2023.”

The report shows that comparing the months of April through June of 2023 to their respective 2022 months, the Yukon’s population grew: 2.5 per cent in April; 2.5 per cent in May; and 2.7 per cent in June.

The annual population swelled by 8,598, from 36,571 in 2013 to 45,169 in 2023.

“This represents a 23.5 per cent increase and a compound annual growth rate of 2.1 per cent,” says the report.

“During the 10-year period from 2013 to 2023, Yukon recorded its second-highest year of population growth in 2023 (2.7 per cent) behind 2017 (3.0 per cent); 2013 had the lowest growth (0.8 per cent) during this period.”

The demographics are showing that Yukoners are increasingly an aging population.

Last June 30, 15.9 per cent of the population was under 15 years of age, 69.2 per cent was between 15 and 64 years, and 14.9 per cent was 65 years of age or older.

Ten years earlier, on June 30, 2013, 16.6 per cent of the population was under 15 years of age, 73.5 per cent was between 15 and 64 years, and 9.9 per cent was 65 years and over.

The percentage of seniors has risen by approximately five per cent, while young Yukoners are decreasing marginally.