Bodden Town grows 79%
(CNS): The population of Grand Cayman’s historic capital has grown by 79.4% in the last decade, early results from the 2010 census have revealed. Although the district of Bodden Town makes up only 19% of the overall Cayman Islands’ population, its increase since the last census of 4,577 people makes it the fastest growing district in the country. In its preliminary report on the results of the 2010 census the Economics and Statistics Office revealed that the overall population stands at 54,878 residents living in 22,646 households. Although the full results of the census are not expected until October, this first report gives the country’s headcount and population breakdown in the districts.
Of those 54,878residents, 481 are living in institutions such as prisons, dorms or retirement homes. George Town remains the country’s most populated district, accounting for the majority of the entire population with 27,704 people. 11,269 people now live in West Bay, followed by 10,341 people in Bodden Town. There are 1,437 people in North Side, 1,369 in East End and the Sister Islands are home to 2,277 residents.
The report also shows that there are still slightly more women in the country (50.6% of the overall population) than men, and this is the case in all districts except George Town, where 50.8% of the population is male. In Bodden Town, the proportion of females was the highest compared to any other district at 53% of the population — a total of 5477 women live in the district.
Compared to the 1999 census, the country’s overall population increased by 15,377 persons or 39.4 percent, and grew at an average annual rate of three (3) per cent.
“If the population were to continue to grow at this rate, it would double its size by the year 2033,” the ESO report stated. In Bodden Town during the inter-censal period, the average annual rate was 5.3%. leading to a continued increase in the district’s share of the overall population over the past 30 years, from 9.6% in the 1979 census to 19.0% in the 2010 census.
“All the other districts have experienced a gradual decline in their share of the population over the past 30 years, except George Town, which had experienced a gradual increase up to 1999. Although George Town’s share decreased during the 1999/2010 period, it continues to maintain the biggest share of the population,” the report revealed.
The data was collected during the Cayman Islands 2010 Population and Housing Census, which was conducted over the scheduled six-week period starting Census Day, 10 October 2010. Enumerators visited approximately 30,000 dwelling units during that period and were allowed an additional two weeks to revisit households where no contact was made. Some of the dwelling units were vacant units, vacation homes and short-term rental houses.
This preliminary report is based on the cover page of all census questionnaires, where a count of household members was recorded. In summary, there were 22,646 households, whose members were counted during 2010 census. The final census report will be prepared after all information in the questionnaires is edited, verified for consistency, coded, scanned and processed for tabulation. The editing and verification phase is currently on-going. It is expected that the final report will be submitted to Cabinet by October 2011.
See the preliminary report below.
Category: Headline News
CAYMAN 100 YEARS AGO
1907 – 2007
Population: 6,000
The low percentage of illegitimacy in the Cayman Islands, when compared with the rates obtaining in Jamaica and other West Indian Colonies, is indicative of the character of the people.
On 1st October, the debt of the Dependency amounted to 570 pounds and nine shillings ($1000)… the entire debt was paid off during the year without any undue strain on the finances or without neglecting any public works or roads.
The supply of labour is very indifferent, the peasantry is exceedingly independent and they will not work except at high rates of wages; consequently very few people can afford to employ labourers. The cost of living is very cheap.
There is a small hospital kept for the purpose of isolating infectious diseases, but, ordinarily, it is not used. The Medical Officer resides in George Town, and periodically visits the outlying districts.
During the year there was never more than one prisoner in confinement, and then just for a day or two. The police force consists of a sergeant and ten district constables; the latter get paid whenever they do duty.
The mosquito season begins in April, when these insets swarm in myriads, and render life a torture to man and beast. Every house has a smoke fire from 4pm and everyone sits close to it enveloped in a blinding smoke… Other forms of insect life abound and are intensely disagreeable.
There are about 40 miles of roads in Grand Cayman and 15 miles in Cayman Brac, kept up at a cost of 240 pounds ($400) per annum. There is very little wheeled traffic.
There are no banks in the Island. There is a fair amount of gold in the possession of the people here. The currency is principally English sterling, but American, French, Spanish and the gold coins of other countries are in circulation; there is also a good deal of American paper money and English silver.
Lets understand the numbers correctly. As a percentage change compared to previous figures for the same district, Bodden Town grew the most. However, when compared to the other districts, Bodden Town’s population grew less inactual numbers than George Town & West Bay. Why put facts in between the lines? The report does NOT say that people moved from West Bay to Bodden Town. Nor did it say that people prefer Bodden Town. It DID say that Bodden Town’s previous count had 5,764 people and now it is at 10,341. A growth of 4,577 people. This is still less that the additional 7,078 people who now live in George Town. The whole population grew but the percentage change is greater for Bodden Town.
Math: 4,577 < 7,078 This is how bad decisions are made by people who don't understand facts...
Is this not evidence enough that single member constituencies are the only option for proper democratic representation?
I can see why people have moved from the other districts to BT. BT is beautiful, cool and breezy and peaceful. I do hope that the elected members for this district now realize the opportunities this presents and that they take measures to capitalize on this exodus. Brighten up BT, its naturally beautiful but some of the buildings and foliage could use some TLC. I’m a ‘towna’ but I have to say BT has so much potential.
Sorry ‘Clarify (not verified) on Wed, 03/23/2011 – 08:06’, you’re mistaken. I understand your point about the move but the report does show that, "Compared to the 1999 census, the country’s overall population increased by 15,377 persons or 39.4 percent, and grew at an average annual rate of three (3) per cent. If the population were to continue to grow at this rate, it would double its size by the year 2033."
The entire population grew, as did Bodden Town’s, so this is more than just population shift, and even with rollovers, Cayman’s population continues to rise. The question is, does our economy support this growth?
Give the information broken down by districts, based on indigenous and status or the buzz-word New Caymanian, then you will get to see the true picture. It would an interesting view. Because every picture tells a story.
There is an easy explanation – our skewed stamp duty laws which make it far cheaper to buy on new sites further out of George Town than an existing property.
Why is the population of the Sister Islands added together? This is really annoying. Why is Grand Cayman broken down by districts and Cayman Brac & Little Cayman are together and they are two different islands?
Because the two islands are both in the same single district of "Cayman Brac and Little Cayman".
well, when people such as tourists ask for the population they don’t ask for the Sister Islands: they ask for Cayman Brac or Little Cayman.
Whatever the split, the Brac gets an obscene amount of money spent on it and subsidies for 4% of the population.
yeah….the compass should hang it’s head in shame with those editorials that they write talking about the population has declined to justify it’s interest in seeing an increased trancient population/guest workers. yeah…we going all going to hell in a hand basket unless we let every tom, dick and harry in….that our self-perserving legislation was causing gloom and doom. You tell me what country in today’s world is growing by 39%?
Hopefully now that they see the true numbers and picture they will stop trying to influential national policy with their bias reporting by batting about annual seasonal and cyclical swings, compounded in the last two years, by the worst a world economic slow-down in our life time.
where my sanka is I wonder?
The hall mark of a democratic society is freedom of the press to report on the news and freedom of the residents, not just citizens, to free expression. You will not stop that by your dissatisfaction with the newspaper’s method of expression unless you want a Iranian or Cuban type of society. Then we will be excluded by the world community from the many benifits of a democratic society. I do not want that. Do you?
I want leaders like these again! Businessmen who set aside their profits to start a country, to lead, to prosper: We are descended from these great men (and women) and should demand a better quality of politicians and leaders. We NEED accountability and the option to throw the bums OUT without their big fat paychecks if they do not perform.
You are absolutely right. Please consider reposting this as part of a Viewpoint so that it has the prominence that it deserves. We need more people to provide perspective and illustrate standards that show how far our political leaders have slipped.
No sweetie, it means that Bodden Town has grown, not the whole country….most likely due to a population MOVE from West Bay and George Town. People are tired of being in the line of fire with criminals and gangs so those that can afford it move to lower crime areas. (Where a LOT of the locals are "farmers" with guns to protect themselves)
Most of that 39% is the teenage caymanian girls having multiple kids by different fathers.
The survey is comparing numbers to 1999. If you are satisfied with a massive amount of growth wiped out between 2002 to 2008 then hoooray, everything is okay. If population is one of the significant results we are looking for then we really need to combine work permit statistics, PR, status, etc to get a better picture. I’m sorry, but this initial report is near worthless once a statistical error is factored in. I really hope better and more relevent information surfaces by October. If survey numbers point to any positive signs of growth and status quo can be maintained please discard and start over.