Sturgeon Falls

Last updated
Sturgeon Falls
Community
Sturgeon Falls June 05 - panoramio.jpg
The Sturgeon River in Sturgeon Falls
Canada Ontario location map 2.svg
Red pog.svg
Sturgeon Falls
Coordinates: 46°21′N79°55′W / 46.350°N 79.917°W / 46.350; -79.917
CountryFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Province Ontario
District Nipissing
Municipality West Nipissing
Area
  Total
6,148 km2 (2,374 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)
  Total
6,939
  Density1,129/km2 (2,920/sq mi)

Sturgeon Falls is a community and former town in Nipissing District, Ontario, located on the Sturgeon River. The community had a population of 6,939 at the 2021 census and a density of 1,129/km2 (2,920 sq mi). [1] Following a failed legal challenge in 1997, [2] the community was merged into the municipality of West Nipissing in 1999.

Contents

History

Ojibwe and Algonquin tribes first settled in the Sturgeon Falls area thousands of years ago. Discovered by European fur traders in the 17th century, the development of Sturgeon Falls began with the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1881. French Canadians immigrated to the community from Simcoe and Muskoka following the establishment of lumber and pulp and paper industries. [2] [3] Sturgeon Falls was officially incorporated as a town in 1895, with a population of 850. [4]

Demographics

Population history of Sturgeon Falls
YearPop.±%
1895850    
2001 5,988+604.5%
2006 6,353+6.1%
2011 6,672+5.0%
2016 6,916+3.7%
2021 6,939+0.3%

At the 2021 census, the community had a population of 6,939 with a density of 1,129/km2 (2,920 sq mi). The population increases by approximately 0.070% annually. [1]

In 2016, the community consisted of 53.8% women and 46.3% men. The vast majority of residents were born in Canada, with immigrants making up only 2.5% of the population. 61.8% reported French as their first language, and 34.2% reported English. [1] The people of Sturgeon Falls have advocated for French-speaking rights since its beginning. In 1930, 75-80% of residents were French speaking after the closure of the Abitbi Power and Paper plant caused an exodus of many English speakers. [2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Sturgeon Falls (Ontario, Canada) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  2. 1 2 3 Krats, Peter (2012-10-31). "Sturgeon Falls". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2025-06-23.
  3. "The founding of Sturgeon Falls". Ontario Heritage Trust. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  4. "The Founding of Sturgeon Falls Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. Retrieved 2023-10-06.