Red Deer will continue to experience strong growth according to The City of Red Deer Population Projection Update 2007 - 2031 completed by Schollie Research and Consulting.

Average population growth rate for the next five years is anticipated to be similar to what has been experienced over the past five years, which is approximately 4%. This assumes that the economic growth in the past years will sustain population growth levels for this period.

Over the next 25 years (2006 to 2031), The City of Red Deer is expected to grow at an average rate of 2.43 per cent annually. The slower growth rate used over the longer term in the population projection is reflective of an aging population and lower birth rate.

By comparison, the province of Alberta is projected to grow at a rate of 1.43 per cent annually (Source: Population projections for Alberta and its Health Regions 2003 - 2030.)

The complete population projection report projects population trends based on low, baseline and high growth scenarios. The baseline projection is considered the 'most likely' scenario.