Population is shrinking in majority of N.L. towns, census shows

While the provincial population has grown a little, newly-released census data showpeople are leaving the vast majority of towns in Newfoundland and Labrador.

More than 200 towns have fewer residents in 2016 than they did in 2011, according to Statistics Canada numbers release Wednesday.

• Census 2016: Canada's population surpasses 35 million

That includes some towns with small declines, such asTerrenceville, and some towns with bigger declines, like Bishop's Falls andMarystown.

Overall, the population of Newfoundland and Labrador grew 1 per cent from 2011 to 2016. The provincial population has reached 519,716.

That rate of growth has slowed down a little, compared to1.8 per cent growth between 2006 and 2011.

The Avalon Peninsula, and the central Newfoundland area around Grand Falls-Windsor and Gander, were the strongest growing areas.

The Northern Peninsula, the Burin Peninsulaand the south coast of the Newfoundlandsaw the biggest declines.

• Deep dive on Great Northern Decline

Paradise city?

Men, women and children keep pouring into the town of Paradise, which is still one of the biggest growing towns in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The population in 2016 reached 21,389 people, up about 3,500 from 2011. That represents an increase of about 20 per cent.

Paradise also cracked a list of fastest growing areas in Canada.

While overall the population of towns hasshrunk, some unincorporated areas outside of town boundariesare growing.

Statistics Canada said the areas surrounding Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Norris Arm and Bishop's Falls, and the Badger and Grand Falls-Windsor areas, have grown.

Growing towns and cities:

• St. John's
• Gander
• Bay Roberts
• Witless Bay
• Isle aux Morts
• Northern Arm
• Deer Lake

Shrinking towns and cities:

• St. Mary's
• Norris Arm
• Trepassey
• Mount Pearl
• Burgeo
• St. Anthony