Lesson 15, Task 1: Where do I live?

According to the Census and National Household profile for this neighborhood from 2011, the approximate distribution of the population in terms of age is with majority being working age, ages 25 to 64, second most common age group is children making 15% of the population, ages 0 to 14. The next most common age group is seniors, who are part of 14% of the population, being 65+. The least most common age group in my community is youth ages 15 to 24 making only 13% of the population.

The distribution of identity is majority Canadian citizens, and next being immigrants. Following is recent immigrants, non-permanent residents, second generation, and visible minority population. Least common being aboriginal identity.

According to an age and gender social profile from 2006, my community, Banbury Don mills, practically even in the male to female distribution. 

I believe that my community has not changed very much since the years of the census from 2011. As I observe my neighborhood through my daily life, I can see that there are still very few children. The neighborhood is dominated by people that are in working age (ages 24 to 64).

I think that the statistics have not changed because the surrounding services have not changed. There are still plenty of nursing homes, and senior apartments surrounding and in my community. Correspondingly, the community is still very elderly friendly as all necessities and services are within close proximity. In the center of the community is CF Shops at don mills, which carries plenty of shops, and dining places for people. There is also a fair amount of public transportation which runs through the community. This makes it an even more convenient location for seniors and working age people to settle. 

Some of the unique challenges presented by demographics in my community is the ageing population. Since my community is made up of majority working age and senior citizens, it seems that the community is becoming to grow into a senior neighborhood. Since there aren’t many families settling and the seniors seem to move to the neighborhood and die here.

This may result in some stagnated progress in the community. My neighborhood will not grow or evolve but will simply stay the same in terms of services, and housing market. Since elderly citizens are less likely to do renovations to expand there home, they neighborhood will look the same. As well as cause the housing market to plateau. 

My community has attempted to adjust these changes by closing down some senior apartments. I have noticed many new condominiums taking the place of senior apartments. There have also been many petitions objecting the removal of senior apartments and building of large condominiums.

I have also observed that there are opening more new age clothing stores and dining in the local mall, CF Shops at Don Mills. This is attracting more of a younger crowd.

It is a big risk for my community to expand their age group, having been settled so safely and stable with seniors making majority of the neighborhood. I believe that a change is near, as transformation is already taking place. I am certain that these modifications will be very beneficial for the popularity, economic standards, and housing market.