city spanning an area of 96.11 km2, is located in the heart of Niagara region and is home to 18,224 residents.
Profile of Thorold
Community profile of Thorold
| |
Thorold |
Niagara region |
Ontario |
| Population density per square kilometre |
219.6 |
230.5 |
13.4 |
| Population of 2001 |
18,048 |
410,574 |
11,410,046 |
| Population of 2006 |
18,224 |
427,421 |
12,160,282 |
| Population change |
1.0% |
4.1% |
6.6% |
| Total private dwellings |
7,678 |
179,903 |
4,972,869 |
| Private dwellings occupied by usual residents |
7,054 |
169,425 |
4,554,251 |
| Land area (square km) |
83.0 |
1,854.2 |
907,573.8 |
| People ages 25-64 who have not completed high school |
14.9% |
14.0% |
13.6% |
| Lone female parent |
20.0% |
21.9% |
20.0% |
| Lone male parent |
5.8% |
5.4% |
4.5% |
| Knowledge of neither English nor French |
0.9% |
0.6% |
2.2% |
| Population who immigrated to Canada in the last 5 years |
4.5% |
10.4% |
17.1% |
| Aboriginal identity |
1.9% |
1.6% |
2.0% |
| Visible minority status |
2.1% |
6.3% |
22.8% |
Source: Statistics Canada, Census 2006.
Population density
Thorold has a similar rural area compared to Niagara. There are approximately 219.6 people in 1 square kilometre compared to 230.5 in Niagara and 13.4 in Ontario.
Population change
Between 2001 and 2006, the population of Thorold grew by 1.0%. This means the population in Thorold grew less than the population of Niagara (4.1%), yet lower than the population of Ontario (6.6%).
Population who did not graduate from high school
14.9% of the population of Thorold, between the ages of 25 and 64, have not completed their high school education; compared to 14.0% in Niagara and 13.6% in Ontario.
Lone parent families
Thorold has a similar percentage of single mothers (20.0%), among the families with children at home, compared to Niagara (21.9%) and Ontario (20.0%). As for families with single fathers, Thorold has a slightly higher percentage (5.8%) than Niagara (5.4%) and Ontario (4.5%).
Language, immigration and Aboriginals
Almost all of Thorold residents are able to speak either English or French. Only a small percentage, less than 1%, cannot. This pattern is also seen in Niagara, but in Ontario, the percentage is slightly higher at 2.2%
2.1% of people in Thorold are of a Visible minority, which is lower than the Visible minority population of Niagara (6.3%), and is much lower than that of Ontario (22.8%). In terms of immigration, Thorold has smaller percentage of people who immigrated in last 5 years (4.5%) than Niagara (10.4), but again, this is much lower than that of Ontario (17.1%).
In Thorold there is a greater percentage of Aboriginals (1.9%) compared to Niagara (1.6%) and Ontario (2%). However, only Aboriginals who live off reserve were surveyed by the census.
Income profile of Thorold
| |
Thorold |
Niagara region |
Ontario |
| Low income before tax |
9.8% |
12.0% |
14.7% |
| Low income after tax |
7.0% |
8.4% |
11.1% |
| Low income families with children or youth less than 18 years old (before tax) |
13.2% |
15.0% |
18.0% |
| Low income families with children or youth less than 18 years old (after tax) |
10.4% |
10.5% |
13.7% |
Source: Statistics Canada, Census 2006.
Population with Low income
Thorold has a lower percentage of people considered as living in Low income (before tax) (9.8%) than both Niagara (12.0%) and Ontario (14.7%). The same goes for the ‘after tax Low income’ percentages. After taxes, the percentage of people living within the Low income bracket is as follows: 7.0% for Thorold, 8.4% for Niagara, and 11.1% for Ontario.
Low income families
13.2% of Thorold families who are considered low income (before tax) have a child/youth under the age of 18 living with them. After tax, this decreases to 11.0%, which is slightly higher than in Niagara (10.5%) but lower than Ontario (13.7%).
To examine geographical patterns of socio-economic indicators (e.g. income, low education), a priority index was developed to explore characteristics of the Niagara region. A Priority Population is defined as those populations that are at risk and for whom public health interventions (e.g. the Health Bus program) may be reasonably considered to have a substantial impact at the population level.
The map shows an image of Thorold with areas of high versus low priority, based on six indicators included from the 2006 census:
- Median family income
- Proportion of people who have not graduated with a certificate, diploma or degree
- Unemployment rate
- Proportion of single parent families
- Proportion of people living alone
- Proportion of persons who are separated, divorced or widowed.
Leading Causes of Death
Leading causes of death (0-64 years)
| |
Males (0-64 years) |
Females (0-64 years) |
| |
Thorold |
Niagara region |
Thorold |
Niagara region |
| 1 |
Ischaemic heart disease |
14.9% |
Ischaemic heart disease |
15.3% |
Lung cancer |
19.2% |
Lung cancer |
10.9% |
| 2 |
Lung cancer |
7.4% |
Lung cancer |
8.5% |
Breast cancer |
11.5% |
Breast cancer |
8.3% |
| 3 |
Colorectal cancer |
5.3% |
Intentional self harm |
5.3% |
Colorectal cancer |
9.6% |
Ischaemic heart disease |
7.4% |
| 4 |
Transport accidents |
5.3% |
Transport accidents |
4.2% |
* |
* |
Colorectal cancer |
4.9% |
| 5 |
Cancer of pancreas |
5.3% |
Colorectal cancer |
4.1% |
* |
* |
Cerebrovascular diseases
|
4.0% |
|
* Data are limited and cannot be reported.
Source: Causes of Death 2000-2004, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO Data. Last Refreshed March 2009.
In Thorold, the top 5 leading causes of death among males and females aged 0-64 are similar to Niagara region with some notable differences.
Females
For females aged 0-64: lung cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer were listed among the leading causes of death for Thorold and Niagara. In Thorold however, data are limited and no other cause of death could be reported. In Niagara, Ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases completed the top 5 causes of death for females.
Males
For males aged 0-64: Thorold and Niagara share Ischaemic heart disease, lung cancer, colorectal cancer and transportation accidents. Thorold reports pancreatic cancer; whereas, Niagara lists intentional self harm.
Source: Causes of Death 2000-2004, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO Data. Last Refreshed March 2009.
In Thorold, the top 5 leading causes of death among males and females over the age of 65 are similar to those of Niagara region.
Females
For females over the age of 65, both Thorold and Niagara list Ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases and lung cancer among the leading causes of death. The only differences between Thorold and Niagara is that in Thorold, breast cancer and Chronic lower respiratory diseases
are reported, whereas in Niagara diabetes, Dementia and Alzheimer Disease are reported.
Males
For males over the age of 65, Thorold and Niagara share the same 5 leading causes of death as indicated in the table above.
Leading Causes of Hospitalization
Leading causes of hospitalization (0-64 years)
|
Males (0-64 years) |
Females (0-64 years) |
|
Thorold |
Niagara region |
Thorold |
Niagara region |
| 1 |
Liveborn infants according to place of birth |
4.5% |
Liveborn infants according to place of birth |
6.2% |
Complications of pregnancy (labour and delivery) |
17.5% |
Complications of pregnancy (labour and delivery) |
21.4% |
| 2 |
Disorders related to Short gestation and Low birth weight |
3.2% |
Disorders related to Short gestation and Low birth weight |
3.5% |
Complications of pregnancy (Antenatal) |
15.4% |
Complications of pregnancy (Antenatal) |
14.8% |
| 3 |
Acute myocardial infarction |
2.9% |
Acute myocardial infarction |
3.0% |
Liveborn infants according to place of birth |
3.6% |
Liveborn infants according to place of birth |
4.1% |
| 4 |
Diabetes mellitus
|
2.6% |
Complications of surgical and medical care |
2.9% |
Diabetes mellitus
|
3.0% |
Mood, affective disorders |
2.1% |
| 5 |
Complications of surgical and medical care |
2.5% |
Diabetes mellitus
|
2.1% |
Menstrual, menopausal and other female genital conditions |
2.7% |
Disorders related to Short gestation and Low birth weight |
2.0% |
Source: Causes of Hospitalization 2003-2007, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO. Last Refreshed March 2009.
In Thorold, the top 5 leading causes for hospitalization among males and females aged 0-64 are similar to those of Niagara region, but do have some differences.
Females
For females aged 0-64, the differences between Niagara and Thorold is that Thorold reports diabetes and menstrual, menopausal and other female genital conditions whereas, in Niagara mood affective disorders and disorders related to Short gestation and low birth weight are reported.
Males
For males aged 0-64, the top 5 leading causes of hospitalization are identical.
Leading causes of hospitalization (65+ years)
| |
Males (65+ years) |
Females (65+ years) |
|
Thorold |
Niagara region |
Thorold |
Niagara region |
| 1 |
Acute myocardial infarction |
6.6% |
Heart failure |
5.3% |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis |
5.2% |
Heart failure |
5.7% |
| 2 |
Heart failure |
5.4% |
Acute myocardial infarction |
4.9% |
Arthrosis of knee |
4.7% |
Fracture of femur |
4.8% |
| 3 |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis |
4.5% |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis |
4.7% |
Fracture of femur |
4.6% |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, bronchiectasis |
4.3% |
| 4 |
Diabetes mellitus
|
3.8% |
Cerebrovascular diseases
|
3.5% |
Heart failure |
4.4% |
Acute myocardial infarction |
4.2% |
| 5 |
Cerebrovascular diseases
|
3.6% |
Pneumonia |
3.1% |
Cerebrovascular diseases
|
4.1% |
Cerebrovascular diseases
|
3.9% |
Source: Causes of Hospitalization 2003-2007, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, IntelliHEALTH ONTARIO. Last Refreshed March 2009.
In Thorold, the top 5 leading causes of hospitalizations among males and females aged 65+ are similar to Niagara region.
Females
For females over the age of 65, Thorold and Niagara share Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/bronchiectasis, Fracture of femur, heart failure and Cerebrovascular diseases
as the top 5 leading causes of hospitalizations. Arthrosis of knee completes the top 5 for Thorold, whereas in Niagara, it is acute myocardial infarction.
Males
For males over 65, the difference between Thorold and Niagara is Thorold reports diabetes as one of the top causes of hospitalization whereas Niagara lists Pneumonia.
Prenatal and Reproductive Summary
Prenatal class attendance and Parkyn summary
|
Thorold |
Niagara region |
| Total Parkyn (N) |
161 |
3795 |
| Mothers who attended a Prenatal class at Public Health† |
5.6% |
|
| Mothers under 20 years |
5.6 % |
5.2% |
| Mothers who smoked during pregnancy |
11.8% |
13.0% |
| Preterm birth |
6.2% |
7.1% |
| Low birthweight |
* |
4.3% |
| High-risk Parkyn Score |
16.8% |
19.2% |
| Feeding Method |
Breastmilk only |
72.7% |
72.6% |
| Both breastmilk and formula |
6.2% |
8.9% |
*Data is limited and cannot be reported.
†Source: Prenatal class Data, Niagara Region, 2008. Source: ISCIS Jan-Dec 2007. Extracted: March 2009.
Overall, 5.6% of pregnant women in Thorold attended prenatal classes offered by Niagara Region Public Health last year.
The Parkyn Postpartum Screening Tool is an instrument designed to indicate families with a new baby who may be at an increased risk of developmental challenges based on health, physical, and social drawbacks. Using this tool, 16.8% of newborns in Thorold were considered high risk in comparison to 19.2% in the Niagara region. In 2007, there were 161 live births to mothers from Thorold; representing 4.3% of the total newborns throughout Niagara. Of these births, 5.6% were to mothers under the age of 20.
In Thorold 6.2% of births were preterm; this is slightly lower than Niagara region. Data on low birthweights were insufficient to report. When mothers were asked about their smoking habits, 11.8% stated that they smoking during pregnancy which is slightly lower than the Niagara region (13.0%).
In Thorold, 72.7% of mothers breastfed while in the hospital; a further 6.2% both breastfed and used a bottle. Thorold was very similar to Niagara (72.6%) for only breastfeeding while the percentage of mothers in Thorold who combined breastmilk and formula was lower than Niagara (8.9%).
