Division No. 1 is a census division in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It is one of 18 numbered divisions used by Statistics Canada for the collection and dissemination of statistical data; the divisions do not correspond to local government structures.
Geography
- Location: Southeast corner of Saskatchewan, bordering the United States (Montana) to the south and the province of Manitoba to the east.
- Land area: Approximately 17,000 km² (about 6,564 sq mi) according to the 2021 Census.
Population
- 2021 Census population: Roughly 45,500 residents. (Exact figure: 45,543)
- Population density: About 2.7 persons per km².
Major centres
- Estevan: The largest city in the division, with a population near 12,000.
- Weyburn: The second‑largest centre, also around 12,000 residents.
- Other notable towns include Carlyle, Grenfell, Oxbow, and Stoughton.
Administrative composition
Division 1 comprises a mix of municipalities:
- Urban municipalities: Cities (Estevan, Weyburn), towns, and villages.
- Rural municipalities (RMs): Numerous RMs such as RM of Estevan No. 5, RM of Weyburn No. 70, RM of Storthoaks No. 31, among others.
- Indian reserves: Several First Nations reserves are situated within the division, including those of the Sweetgrass First Nation and the Ocean Man First Nation.
Economy
The economy is dominated by agriculture (grain and livestock), coal mining (particularly around Estevan), oil and natural gas extraction, and associated service industries.
Statistical purpose
Census divisions like Division 1 serve primarily for data aggregation; they have no governing authority. Provincial services and regional planning may reference these boundaries for administrative convenience.
References
- Statistics Canada, “Census Profile, 2021 Census – Division No. 1, Saskatchewan.”
- Government of Saskatchewan, “Regional Profile: Southeast Saskatchewan.”
All figures are drawn from the most recent publicly available census and governmental data.
