Winnipeg is a medium-sized city of about 780,000 people. It has experienced slow, steady growth, with a population of under 500,000 in the early 1960s. It owes its current growth mostly to immigration and influx of rural people to the city, where job opportunities exist. In the past few decades, though, there has been a consistent outmigration to nearby “bedroom communities” of under 10,000 people (except to Steinbach, a city of about 13,000 residents).
Immigration has created a wonderful tapestry of religions and ethnic groups. While they often do gather in small enclaves of the city, most now spread themselves throughout Winnipeg in an eclectic manner.
Old Winnipeg began growing with the arrival of Trans Canada rail lines, CPR and CNR. Communities like Weston, Transcona and even Point Douglas developed around the railroad industry. The downtwon and West End were lower income earners. Lower middle income families expanded into Fort Rouge, Crescentwood and St. James, followed by middle class and ethnic communities of St. Vital, St. Boniface and River Heights. Fort Garry thrived in the mid 1950s, then was surrounded as Fort Richmond and St Norbert grew to the south. The Kildonans (East, West and Old) developed through the 1930s-1970s. Now, communities like Waverley West, Lindenwoods and River Park South are well established, while Sage Creek and the northeast of teh city see rapid growth.
