Airdrie has gone through years of incredible growth and recent census numbers show things aren't slowing down.

Census figures released this week show between 2011 and 2016 Airdrie grew by 42.6% to 61,082 people, making it one of the fastest growing medium sized cities in Canada.

While that growth rate has brought with it some inherent pressures, Mayor Peter Brown thinks it has brought just as many opportunities.

Brown points out that, "a lot of great businesses have come to Airdrie, a lot of restaurants we never would have seen without this kind of growth."  Brown thinks of Airdrie as a small town with big city amenities.  "We have affordable housing options, good places to work, people want to come to a place that is not too big and not too small. Airdrie has it all."  

Some people lament the loss of the "small town feel" in Airdrie.  Brown says he's sorry that some people feel that way.  "I've talked to residents that have lived here for 40 years, back when we had a population of 500 and yes, we've lost that feel, but I think the feeling we have now is pretty exciting.  It's vibrant, energetic and youthful.  Our community is so energetic and youthful that I just hope over time people will realize that this is the best place in the world to live."  

Brown feels the generosity of Airdronians will keep some of the small town feel.  "The amount of people that give back, whether it's personal time or money or support of a cause, the community itself has not changed since I've been here, in fact I feel it's more generous now."

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