Numbers released by Statistics Canada say an already aging population is going to grow even more over the next few years in Windsor-Essex — Amherstburg being the oldest.
Frazier Fathers, manager of community impact with the Windsor-Essex United Way, says numbers don't lie. Determining what demographic to focus on is just one way Fathers says the statistics can be used.
He told AM800 those totals will be used to direct resources in all areas into 2018. Stats will be examined, then examined again according to Fathers — he says it's part of the process when deciding what regions need to most support.
"All the data that's released throughout this year will then be compiled and just as we did with our taking back neighbourhoods report last year," says Fathers. "We're actually going to re-release all of that data again, and then we'll use that as the foundation of where we want to target specific areas in our region with the most need."
Shifting age demographics is just one area Fathers says can help tell what resources.
"You have this situation across the county where as the population continues to evolve and demographics begin to shift. It will mean, not just United Way resources, but broader community resources from healthcare, education, the municipalities, we'll have to adapt what we're funding and how we're funding across the region."
Fathers says the United Way doesn't rely entirely on statistics, surveys are gathered periodically for community input.
He says stats help enhance services, but at the end of the day, what people say they need is what's important.