The town is launching it's annual Apr. 3 Census Day and the more people we have, the more money we receive through provincial government grants.

Door hangers with unique identification information are being delivered to homes starting Apr. 3 and the hope of the town is people will enter their information online in a simple one-minute process. In the past, the town has merely asked the number of occupants in the household and how many are under the age of 18.

Those without computers can enter their data at the Cochrane Public Library, 405 Railway St. W. or at the FCSS office, 209 2 Ave. W. Failing that, enumerators will be going door-to-door beginning Apr. 16 to collect data from those not responding online.

Residents have until April 30 to count themselves in.

Many provincial government grants are awarded on a per capita basis, so a precise census count ensures the town receives the maximum funding available to the community. A municipality's population, for example, is a key factor in the allocation of Municipal Sustainability Initiative capital and operating funding the town relies upon heavily to build infrastructure like roads, bridges and facilities. It also helps establish the base funding for many services offered by Family and Community Support Services.

Census results will be submitted to Alberta Municipal Affairs and the population number becomes official once the report is accepted by the province.

Cochrane’s official population in 2017 was 26,320, up from 25,122 the year previous.