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The Yukon is no
longer the frontier society of gold rush
legend, but neither is it exactly like southern
Canada. If you want to live, work, or simply
do business in the Yukon, it's useful to
know something about the nature of the place
and the people who live there.
In terms of population,
the Yukon is small. The average annual population
for 2003 was 29,967, and by June 2004, the
population had increased to 30,469. From
1997 to 2002 more people moved out of the
territory than into it. This shift in migration
was an exception, however, and the latest
population numbers reflect a return to positive
net in-migration to the Yukon. Although the
Yukon population has fluctuated historically,
usually in response to changes in the mining
industry, today the population is relatively
stable. Many people were born in the Yukon
or are long-term residents. Another stabilizing
factor is the large local First Nations population:
23 percent of the total population, according
to the 2001 Census, compared to 3.3 percent
for Canada as a whole. People living in the
Yukon, whether born in the Yukon or who moved
to the Yukon because of the lifestyle, are
closely connected to the territory. Even
when they move away for careers or training,
they often return when the opportunity arises.
The Yukon population
is a little younger than the Canadian average:
there are proportionately more children,
and adults of working age. There are also
comparatively few people over 65 years of
age. In some smaller communities the proportion
of younger adults of working age is a little
lower than the Yukon average. This reflects
some movement out of these communities to
take further education, establish careers
or look for work. People who have moved remain
closely attached to their home community;
they return frequently and often for long
periods of time. When the opportunity arises,
they will sometimes return to live in the
community. As First Nations further develop
economic activity in these smaller communities
the population will likely be augmented by
returning community members.
Beaver
Creek
Burwash
Landing and Destruction Bay
Carcross
and Tagish
Carmacks
Dawson
City
Faro
Haines
Junction
Mayo
Old
Crow
Pelly
Crossing
Ross
River
Teslin
Watson
Lake
Whitehorse
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