Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs Hobbs said the federal and provincial governments need to do more to attract industry to Thunder Bay and the northwest.

When it comes to population counts, the 2011 census data holds bad news for most communities in the northwest. With few exceptions, their numbers declined from what was recorded in 2006.

Dryden lost more than seven per cent of its population. In Marathon, the town lost 13 per cent. And although Thunder Bay’s population dropped by only about one percent, Mayor Keith Hobbs said he's concerned.

“What's good for Thunder Bay is good for the region [and] what's good for the region is good for Thunder Bay,” Hobbs said. “We have to work together and, through NOMA (Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association) we are taking that message to government.”

Hobbs said the federal and provincial governments need to do more to attract industry to Thunder Bay and the northwest.

Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas said finding ways to keep youth from leaving the area is key.

“So it's a concern we have to look at moving forward,” Dumas said. “How we can create some opportunities so that our kids can come back and raise their families?”

But for Thunder Bay economist Livio di Matteo, there's more to consider than just the recent census numbers. Di Matteo said employment numbers are on the way up across the region — and the low population results may simply be lagging behind.