Editing Dryden, Ontario

{{Lead too short|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                   = Dryden
|official_name          = City of Dryden
|settlement_type        = [[List of cities in Ontario|City]] ([[List of municipalities in Ontario#Single-tier municipalities|single-tier]])
|other_name             =
|native_name            =  <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
|nickname               = 
|motto                  =
|image_skyline          = Dryden Auditorium.JPG
|imagesize              =
|image_caption          = Dryden Auditorium
|image_flag             =
|flag_size              =
|image_seal             = Logo of Dryden, Ontario.svg
|seal_size              = 100x80px
|image_shield           =
|shield_size            =
|image_blank_emblem     =
|blank_emblem_size      =
|image_map              = 
|mapsize                =
|map_caption            = 
|pushpin_map            = Ontario
|pushpin_mapsize        = 
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location in Ontario
|pushpin_label_position =
|subdivision_type       = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
|subdivision_name       = Canada
|subdivision_type1      = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
|subdivision_name1      = [[Ontario]]
|subdivision_type2      = District
|subdivision_name2      = [[Kenora District|Kenora]]
|government_type        =
|leader_title           = Mayor
|leader_name            = Jack B. Harrison
|leader_title1          = Governing Body
|leader_name1           = Dryden Council
|leader_title2          = [[House of Commons of Canada|MP]]
|leader_name2           = [[Eric Melillo]]
|leader_title3          = [[Legislative Assembly of Ontario|MPP]]
|leader_name3           = [[Greg Rickford]]
|leader_title4          =
|leader_name4           =
|established_title      = Settled
|established_date       = 1895
|established_title2     = Incorporated
|established_date2      = 1910 (town)
|established_title3     = Incorporated
|established_date3      = 1998 (city)
|total_type             = Total
|area_magnitude         =
|area_footnotes         = <ref name=SCref21>{{SCref |year=2021 |unit=csd |code={{#property:P3012}} |access-date=2025-01-03}}</ref>
|area_total_km2         =
|area_land_km2          = 65.58
|area_water_km2         =
|area_water_percent     =
|area_urban_km2         = 6.53
|area_urban_footnotes   = <ref name="sc2021-PC">{{cite web |title=Dryden Ontario [Population centre] Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population |url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=dryden&DGUIDlist=2021S05100241&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1,4&HEADERlist=0 |website=www12.statcan.gc.ca |publisher=Government of Canada - Statistics Canada |access-date=3 January 2025}}</ref>
|population_as_of       = 2021
|population_footnotes   = <ref name=SCref21/>
|population_note        =
|population_total       = 7,388
|population_density_km2 = 112.7
|population_urban       = 5,355
|population_density_urban_km2 = 820.4
|population_urban_footnotes = <ref name="sc2021-PC"/>
|timezone               = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CST]]
|utc_offset             = -6
|timezone_DST           = [[Central Time Zone (North America)|CDT]]
|utc_offset_DST         = -5
|coordinates            = {{coord|49|47|N|92|50|W|region:CA-ON_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes    = <ref name="climate"/>
|elevation_m            = 412.7
|postal_code_type       = [[Canadian postal code#Forward sortation areas|Forward sortation area]]
|postal_code            = [[List of P postal codes of Canada|P8N]]
|area_code              = [[Area code 807|807]]
|website                = {{Official URL}}
|footnotes              =
}}
'''Dryden''' is the second-largest city in the [[Kenora District]] of [[northwestern Ontario]], Canada, located on [[Wabigoon Lake]]. It is the least populous community in [[Ontario]] incorporated as a city.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120524151133/http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/popdwell/Table.cfm?T=302&SR=26&S=2&O=A&RPP=25&PR=35&CMA=0 Statistics Canada] Population and Dwelling counts, census subdivisions (municipalities), 2006 and 2001 censuses, sorted by province, then sorted by type. Dryden has the smallest population for any city (CY). Retrieved 5 September 2007.</ref> The City of Dryden had a population of 7,388 and its [[Census geographic units of Canada#Population centres|population centre]] (urban area) had a population of 5,355 in 2021.<ref name=SCref21/><ref name="sc2021-PC"/>

Dryden was incorporated as a town in 1910 and as a city in 1998. The main industries in Dryden include manufacturing (particularly [[Paper and pulp industry in Dryden, Ontario|pulp and paper]]), [[renewable energy]] (including [[bioenergy]] and [[solar energy]]), and service. Dryden is located on Ontario's [[Ontario Highway 17|Highway 17]], which forms part of the [[Trans-Canada Highway]]. It is situated halfway between the larger cities of [[Winnipeg]] and [[Thunder Bay]].

==History==
[[File:John Dryden.png|thumb|left|upright|The city is named for [[John Dryden (Ontario politician)|John Dryden]]]]
Before settlement by Europeans, the Dryden area was inhabited by the [[Anishinaabe]]. They used the shore by the Wabigoon River as a camping site, calling it Paawidigong ("the place of rapids" in [[Ojibwe language|Ojibwe]]).<ref name="history">{{Cite web|date=2018-02-08|title=History|url=https://www.dryden.ca/en/community/history.aspx|access-date=2021-04-29|website=www.dryden.ca|language=en}}</ref> The settlement was founded as an agricultural community by [[John Dryden (Ontario politician)|John Dryden]],  Ontario's [[Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Ontario)|Minister of Agriculture]] in 1895. While his train was stopped at what was then known as Barclay Tank to re-water, he noticed [[clover]] growing and decided to found an experimental farm the following year. The farm's success brought settlers from [[southern Ontario]] and the community came to be known as New Prospect. In 1886, gold was discovered near the area, also attracting people. In 1897, the community was renamed to Dryden to honour the minister of agriculture. It incorporated as a town in 1910 and as a city in 1998 after merging with the neighbouring township of Barclay.<ref name="history"/><ref name="cityhistory">{{cite web|author=Gerrie Noble |title=History of Dryden : A Chronology of Events at Dryden (from 1875 to 1945) |url=http://www.cityofdryden.on.ca/history.shtml |publisher=Dryden District Chamber of Commerce |date=2001-02-16 |access-date=2007-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608152256/http://www.cityofdryden.on.ca/history.shtml |archive-date=2007-06-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bray|first=Matt|date=2012-10-18|title=Dryden|url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/dryden|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-29|website=[[The Canadian Encyclopedia]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508052418/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca:80/en/article/dryden/ |archive-date=2017-05-08 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2019-08-22|title=Putting the 'town' back into Dryden, Ont.|work=[[CBC News]]|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/dryden-name-change-1.5255037|access-date=2021-04-25}}</ref>

One of the earliest industries in the area was [[Pulp and paper industry|pulp and paper]]. A paper mill was built in the town in 1910 because of the abundance of wood suitable for [[kraft pulping]] as well as energy from the [[Wabigoon River]]. The town came into national consciousness because of [[mercury contamination in Grassy Narrows, Ontario, Canada|mercury contamination]]. In the 1970s, it became known that the Dryden pulp and paper operations discharged ten tons of mercury directly into the Wabigoon River over a span of eight years. The mercury caused persistent environmental damage, poisoned river systems and lakes, and led to members of the [[Asubpeeschoseewagong|Grassy Narrows]] community suffering severe [[mercury poisoning]] known as [[Ontario Minamata disease|Minamata disease]].<ref name="cityhistory" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Johnston|first=Gwen|date=June 2014|title=100 years and beyond – Dryden Mill|journal=The Forestry Chronicle|volume=90|issue=3|pages=338–346|doi=10.5558/tfc2014-067|issn=0015-7546|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-26|title=Canada, Ontario Need to Address Toxic Legacy|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/06/26/canada-ontario-need-address-toxic-legacy|access-date=2021-04-29|website=Human Rights Watch|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-06-12|title=Canada's Minamata disease problem|url=https://www.hilltimes.com/2017/06/12/canadas-minamata-disease-problem/109526|access-date=2021-04-29|website=The Hill Times|language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-11-11|title=Ontario knew about Grassy Narrows mercury site for decades, but kept it secret|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/11/11/ontario-knew-about-mercury-site-near-grassy-narrows-for-decades-but-kept-it-secret.html|access-date=2021-04-29|website=thestar.com|language=en}}</ref>

The town was also the site of the March 10, 1989 crash of [[Air Ontario Flight 1363]] from [[Thunder Bay International Airport|Thunder Bay]] to [[Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport|Winnipeg]], which killed 24 people.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Walters|first=Jeff|date=2019-03-11|title=Dryden Air Crash still raw in rescuer's minds thirty years later|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/dryden-air-crash-30-years-later-1.5050597|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-29|website=CBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190311114908/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/dryden-air-crash-30-years-later-1.5050597 |archive-date=2019-03-11 }}</ref>

== Geography ==
[[File:Thunder-Lake-Ontario 715523.jpg|alt=image of a sunset above Thunder Lake, in Aaron Provincial Park|thumb|Thunder Lake, in [[Aaron Provincial Park]]]]
Dryden is located on the [[Wabigoon River]] and [[Wabigoon Lake]] in northwestern Ontario. It borders Thunder Lake and [[Aaron Provincial Park]] on the east, and the smaller Milanese's Lakes are also located within the city. Dryden is located 340 kilometres (210 miles) northwest of [[Thunder Bay]]. Nearby communities include [[Wabigoon, Ontario|Wabigoon]], [[Vermilion Bay, Ontario|Vermilion Bay]], [[Kenora]], and [[Sioux Lookout]]. Dryden is also near the [[Eagle Lake First Nation]].<ref name="officialmap">{{cite map |author=Geomatics Office, Ministry of Transportation|title=Official Road Map of Ontario|year=2020|url=http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/publications/official-road-map/pdfs/ORM_North_2020.pdf|format=PDF|scale=1:1,600,000|publisher=Publications Ontario|isbn=978-1-4868-4527-9}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Make a Topographic Map|url=https://www.lioapplications.lrc.gov.on.ca/MakeATopographicMap/index.html?viewer=Make_A_Topographic_Map.MATM&locale=en-CA|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-26|website=Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227222116/https://www.lioapplications.lrc.gov.on.ca/MakeATopographicMap/index.html?viewer=Make_A_Topographic_Map.MATM&locale=en-CA |archive-date=2021-02-27 }}</ref>

Along with most of the rest of Ontario west of [[90th meridian west|90° West]], Dryden is in the [[Central Time Zone]] and observes [[daylight saving time]].<ref name="officialmap" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-07-24|title=Law Document English View|url=https://www.ontario.ca/laws/view|access-date=2021-04-26|website=Ontario.ca|language=en}}</ref>

=== Climate ===
Dryden experiences a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Dfb]]) with short, warm summers, and long, cold winters. The highest temperature ever recorded in Dryden was {{convert|39.4|C|0}} on 11 July 1936. The coldest temperature ever recorded was {{convert|-46.7|C|0}} on 11 February 1914.<ref name="Dryden"/> Compared to the rest of the province, the annual temperature range is wider and precipitation is more concentrated in the summer.<ref name="ubc9">{{cite web |url=https://www.ubcpress.ca/asset/12524/1/9780774807494.pdf#page=9 |title=Physical Geography of Ontario |last1=Baldwin |first1=David J. B. |last2=Desloges |first2=Joseph R. |last3=Band |first3=Lawrence E. |publisher=UBC Press |date=2000 |page=9|format=PDF}}</ref>

<div style="width:65%">
{{Weather box
|location = [[Dryden Regional Airport]], 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1914–present{{efn|Extreme high and low temperatures were recorded at Dryden from January 1914 to December 1969 and at Dryden Airport from January 1970 to present.}}
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 6.7
|Feb record high C = 11.1
|Mar record high C = 24.3
|Apr record high C = 30.6
|May record high C = 34.4
|Jun record high C = 37.5
|Jul record high C = 39.4
|Aug record high C = 35.6
|Sep record high C = 34.4
|Oct record high C = 26.2
|Nov record high C = 20.6
|Dec record high C = 8.9
|year record high C = 39.4
|Jan high C = -11.6
|Feb high C = -7.3
|Mar high C = -0.1
|Apr high C = 8.8
|May high C = 16.9
|Jun high C = 21.7
|Jul high C = 24.3
|Aug high C = 23.1
|Sep high C = 16.5
|Oct high C = 8.2
|Nov high C = -1.6
|Dec high C = -9.1
|year high C = 7.5
|Jan mean C = −16.8
|Feb mean C = −12.7
|Mar mean C = -5.8
|Apr mean C = 3.0
|May mean C = 10.8
|Jun mean C = 16.2
|Jul mean C = 18.9
|Aug mean C = 17.8
|Sep mean C = 11.7
|Oct mean C = 4.2
|Nov mean C = -5.2
|Dec mean C = −13.5
|year mean C = 2.4
|Jan low C = -21.9
|Feb low C = -18.1
|Mar low C = -11.5
|Apr low C = -2.8
|May low C = 4.7
|Jun low C = 10.5
|Jul low C = 13.4
|Aug low C = 12.4
|Sep low C = 6.8
|Oct low C = 0.3
|Nov low C = -8.8
|Dec low C = -17.8
|year low C = -2.7
|Jan record low C = -46.1
|Feb record low C = -46.7
|Mar record low C = -41.1
|Apr record low C = -32.7
|May record low C = -12.8
|Jun record low C = -3.3
|Jul record low C = 1.1
|Aug record low C = -1.1
|Sep record low C = -6.1
|Oct record low C = -17.2
|Nov record low C = -36.1
|Dec record low C = -42.2
|year record low C = -46.7
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 26.5
|Feb precipitation mm = 20.0
|Mar precipitation mm = 29.9
|Apr precipitation mm = 39.6
|May precipitation mm = 73.4
|Jun precipitation mm = 115.2
|Jul precipitation mm = 103.1
|Aug precipitation mm = 83.7
|Sep precipitation mm = 88.9
|Oct precipitation mm = 63.6
|Nov precipitation mm = 46.7
|Dec precipitation mm = 29.1
|year precipitation mm = 719.7
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 0.2
|Feb rain mm = 2.1
|Mar rain mm = 6.7
|Apr rain mm = 24.7
|May rain mm = 69.2
|Jun rain mm = 115.2
|Jul rain mm = 103.1
|Aug rain mm = 83.5
|Sep rain mm = 87.7
|Oct rain mm = 49.2
|Nov rain mm = 13.0
|Dec rain mm = 1.2
|year rain mm = 555.8
|snow colour = green
|Jan snow cm = 30.1
|Feb snow cm = 19.9
|Mar snow cm = 25.1
|Apr snow cm = 13.9
|May snow cm = 3.4
|Jun snow cm = 0.0
|Jul snow cm = 0.0
|Aug snow cm = 0.0
|Sep snow cm = 1.1
|Oct snow cm = 14.6
|Nov snow cm = 35.3
|Dec snow cm = 31.1
|year snow cm = 174.7
|time day = 15:00 LST
|Jan humidity = 75.5
|Feb humidity = 69.1
|Mar humidity = 59.3
|Apr humidity = 46.5
|May humidity = 45.6
|Jun humidity = 51.5
|Jul humidity = 53.5
|Aug humidity = 54.6
|Sep humidity = 60.3
|Oct humidity = 66.4
|Nov humidity = 75.7
|Dec humidity = 78.5
|year humidity = 61.4
|source 1 = [[Environment Canada]]<ref name="climate">{{Cite web
  | work = Canadian Climate Normals
  | title = Dryden A
  | date = 31 October 2011
 | publisher = Environment Canada
  | url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?searchType=stnProx&txtRadius=25&optProxType=station&coordsStn=49.783333%7C-92.833333%7CDRYDEN&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=3953&dispBack=0
  | access-date = 5 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="Dryden">Environment Canada — [http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?stnID=3952&lang=e&dCode=0&StationName=DRYDEN&SearchType=Contains&province=ALL&provBut=&month1=0&month2=12 Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000], accessed 6 November 2009</ref><ref name="Dryden A (Aut)">{{Cite web
  | work = Canadian Climate Data
  | title = Dryden A (Aut)
  | date = 31 October 2011
 | publisher = Environment Canada
  | url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=dryden+a+%28aut%29&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&Year=2016&Month=9&Day=5&selRowPerPage=25
  | access-date = 5 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="Dryden Regional">{{Cite web
  | work = Canadian Climate Data
  | title = Dryden Regional
  | date = 31 October 2011
 | publisher = Environment Canada
  | url = http://climate.weather.gc.ca/historical_data/search_historic_data_stations_e.html?searchType=stnName&timeframe=1&txtStationName=dryden+regional&searchMethod=contains&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&Year=2016&Month=9&Day=5&selRowPerPage=25
  | access-date = 5 September 2016}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}
</div>

==Demographics==
In the [[2021 Canadian census|2021 Census of Population]] conducted by [[Statistics Canada]], Dryden had a population of {{val|7388|fmt=commas}} living in {{val|3314|fmt=commas}} of its {{val|3574|fmt=commas}} total private dwellings, a change of {{percentage|{{#expr:7388-7749}}|7749|1}} from its 2016 population of {{val|7749|fmt=commas}}. With a land area of {{convert|65.58|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|7388|65.58|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2021.<ref name=SCref21/>

The [[Population centre (Canada)|population centre]], or [[urban area]], of Dryden had a population of 5,355 in the 2021 census, a 4.3 percent decrease from 2016. The median value of dwellings in the urban area is [[Canadian dollar|CA$]]200,000, significantly lower than the national median of $472,000. The median household income (after-tax) in Dryden is $67,000, almost on par with the national average at $73,000.<ref name="sc2021-PC"/>

The city's population peaked at 8,198 measured in the [[2001 Canadian Census]] and is slowly declining due to lack of support for an aging population and high taxes.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2017-02-11|title=Dryden mayor says city still faces challenges despite slight population increase|work=[[CBC News]]|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/dryden-census-increase-2016-1.3974472|access-date=2021-04-26}}</ref> 21% of the population was 65 years and over as of the 2016 census compared to 16.7% in the entirely of Ontario. The median age of 46.2 was nearly 5 years older than the provincial median of 41.3.<ref name="census2016">{{Cite web|title=Census Profile, 2016 Census - Ontario [Province] and Canada [Country]|url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3560027&Geo2=CD&Code2=3560&Data=Count&SearchText=dryden&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-26|website=Statistics Canada|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316205628/http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3560027&Geo2=CD&Code2=3560&Data=Count&SearchText=dryden&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1 |archive-date=2017-03-16 }}</ref>

In 2016, approximately 1,465 residents (19.3%) considered themselves to have an [[Indigenous peoples in Canada|Aboriginal identity]]. 220 residents (2.9%) belonged to a [[visible minority]] group (i.e. people who are not Aboriginal and "non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour"). The largest group was [[Filipinos|Filipino]], representing about 80 residents (1% of the population).<ref name="census2016"/>

In the 2011 National Household Survey, 4,970 residents (66.8% of the respondents) stated that they were [[Christian]], while 2,455 (33.0%) did not affiliate with any religion. 0.1% identified as [[Buddhist]], while a further 0.1% practised traditional Aboriginal spirituality.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Government of Canada|first=Statistics Canada|date=2013-05-08|title=2011 National Household Survey Profile - Census subdivision|url=https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3560027&Data=Count&SearchText=dryden&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&A1=All&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1|access-date=2021-05-04|website=www12.statcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
{{Canada census
 |location = Dryden
 |2021_population=7,388 | 2021_pop_delta=-4.7  | 2021_land_area=65.58 | 2021_pop_density=112.7
 |2021_median_age=48.0 | 2021_median_age_m=47.2 | 2021_median_age_f=48.8
 |2021_total_pvt_dwell=3,574 |2021_occ_pvt_dwell=3,314 |2021_mean_hh_income=82,000 
 |2021_geocode=2021A00053560027 | 2021_access_date=2023-10-19
|2016_population=7,749 | 2016_pop_delta=1.7 | 2016_land_area=66.19 | 2016_pop_density=117.1
|2016_median_age=46.2 | 2016_median_age_m=45.5 | 2016_median_age_f=46.7
|2016_total_pvt_dwell=3,541 | 2016_mean_hh_income=58,624 | 2016_access_date=2017-03-15
|2011_population=7,617 | 2011_pop_delta=-7.1 | 2011_land_area=65.84 | 2011_pop_density=115.7
|2011_median_age=45.0 | 2011_median_age_m=44.7 | 2011_median_age_f=45.4
|2011_total_pvt_dwell=3,417 | 2011_mean_hh_income=54,577 | 2011_access_date=2012-03-15
|2006_population=,8195 | 2006_pop_delta=0.0 | 2006_land_area=65.20 | 2006_pop_density=125.7
|2006_median_age=41.8 | 2006_median_age_m=41.3 | 2006_median_age_f=42.0
|2006_total_pvt_dwell=3,482 | 2006_mean_hh_income=64,237 | 2006_access_date=2011-05-20
|2001_population=8198 | 2001_pop_delta=-1.1 | 2001_land_area=65.31 | 2001_pop_density=125.5
|2001_median_age=38.2 | 2001_median_age_m=37.8 | 2001_median_age_f=38.6
|2001_total_pvt_dwell=3411 | 2001_mean_hh_income=57,384 | 2001_access_date=2011-05-20
}}

{{Historical populations
|title       = Historical census populations – Dryden, Ontario
|type        = Canada
|align       = none
|cols        = 3
|percentages = 
|footnote    = Population figures for 2001 onwards are for the amalgamated City of Dryden. Population figures before 2001 are for the former Town of Dryden.
| source = Statistics Canada<ref name=SCref21/>
|1901|140
|[[Canada 1911 Census|1911]]|715
|1921|1019
|1931|1326
|1941|1641
|1951|2627
|1961|5728
|1971|6939
|1981|6640
|1991|6505
|[[Canada 1996 Census|1996]]|6711
|[[Canada 2001 Census|2001]]|8198
|[[Canada 2006 Census|2006]]|8195
|[[Canada 2011 Census|2011]]|7617
|[[Canada 2016 Census|2016]]|7749
|[[Canada 2021 Census|2021]]|7388
}}

== Economy ==
{{Excerpt|Paper and pulp industry in Dryden, Ontario}}

==Arts and culture==
{{More citations needed|date=October 2021}}
[[File:Maxthemoose.jpg|alt=photo of the "Max the Moose" sculpture|thumb|upright|"Max the Moose"]]
Dryden is home to the {{convert|5.6|m|adj=on}} tall "Max the Moose" statue on the Trans-Canada Highway, which has been described as the "mascot" of the city. It was built in 1962, out of a metal frame and concrete [[plaster]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=McCarthy|first=Sarah|date=17 August 2020|title=VIDEO: Dryden's Max the Moose gets Masked|work=[[CKDR-FM]]|url=https://www.ckdr.net/2020/08/17/video-drydens-max-the-moose-gets-masked/|access-date=2021-10-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=13 July 2021|title=Max the Moose|url=https://www.dryden.ca/en/explore/max-the-moose.aspx|access-date=2021-10-13|website=www.dryden.ca|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Atter|first=Heidi|date=21 January 2019|title='We were the first': Moose Jaw, Norway just battling for 2nd says Ontario home of the original largest moose|work=[[CBC News]]|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/moose-jaw-dryden-norway-debate-1.4985962|access-date=2021-10-13}}</ref>

Several annual music concerts are held featuring local musicians. "Come Together" is an annual December 27 or 28th concert, and "Kickin' Country" is a mid April country show. Both featuring local acts. The "Blue Moon Festival" is a daylong event that is held on or near a [[blue moon]] calendar event in the summer months.

Dryden is home to a variety of arts groups. "Theatre 17" is a community theatre group under the direction of Ted Mitchell that stages theatrical productions, including Blithe Spirit. The DRAC (Dryden Regional Arts Council) is an artists group that organizes yearly art tours, art shows and also operates a retail store known as [[Naked North Art Gallery]]. The Dryden Community Band is a group of musicians who perform under conductor Ryan Graham.

==Government==
Dryden is currently part of the provincial [[electoral district (Canada)|electoral district]] of [[Kenora—Rainy River (provincial electoral district)|Kenora—Rainy River]]. Kenora—Rainy River's Member of Provincial Parliament has been [[Greg Rickford]], a member of the [[Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario]], since 2018. He was preceded by [[Sarah Campbell]] and [[Howard Hampton]], both of the [[New Democratic Party]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Data Explorer|url=https://results.elections.on.ca/en/data-explorer?fromYear=1867&toYear=2021&isCandidateWinner=true&edIds=2_44&edIds=1_35&edIds=-20_34&levelOfDetail=candidate|url-status=live|website=[[Elections Ontario]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210911190349/https://results.elections.on.ca/en/data-explorer?fromYear=1867&toYear=2021&isCandidateWinner=true&edIds=2_44&edIds=1_35&edIds=-20_34&levelOfDetail=candidate |archive-date=2021-09-11 }}</ref> Federally, the city is part of the [[Kenora (federal electoral district)|Kenora]] riding, which has been represented by [[Eric Melillo]], a [[Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative]], since 2019.<ref>{{cite map|publisher=Elections Canada|url=https://www.elections.ca/res/cir/maps2/images/parlimap_43_e.pdf|title=The 43rd Parliament|author=Elections Canada|access-date=2021-05-04|year=2020}}</ref> He was preceded by the [[Liberal Party of Canada|Liberal]] [[Bob Nault]] and the aforementioned Greg Rickford.<ref>{{cite map|publisher=Elections Canada|url=https://www.elections.ca/res/cir/maps2/images/parlimap_42_e.pdf|title=The 42nd Parliament|author=Elections Canada|access-date=2021-05-04|year=2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite map|publisher=Elections Canada|url=https://www.elections.ca/scripts/ovr2011/34/map.pdf|title=The 41st General Election|author=Elections Canada|access-date=2021-05-04|year=2011}}</ref>

The city [[council]] is composed of six councillors and a [[mayor]]. As with the rest of Ontario, municipal elections occur every 4 years.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Municipal Elections {{!}} AMO|url=https://www.amo.on.ca/about-us/municipal-101/municipal-elections|access-date=2021-04-26|website=www.amo.on.ca}}</ref> Currently, Dryden's mayor is Greg Wilson, elected 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dryden.ca/en/city-services/mayor-and-council.aspx |title=Mayor and Council|publisher=City of Dryden |access-date=June 7, 2019}}</ref> Previous mayors of Dryden have included Craig Nuttall (elected in 2010 and 2014), Anne Krassilowsky (elected in 2002 and 2006), and [[Roger Valley]] in the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-10-29|title=Official Results: 2014 City of Dryden Municipal Elections|url=https://www.dryden.ca/en/city-services/resources/Documents/dryden-official-result-2014-Election.Final.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-26|website=City of Dryden|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705144413/https://www.dryden.ca/en/city-services/resources/Documents/dryden-official-result-2014-Election.Final.pdf |archive-date=2018-07-05 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Garett|date=2010|title=Nuttall elected to lead Dryden city council|url=http://www.lotwenterprise.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2823328|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713233213/http://www.lotwenterprise.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2823328&archive=true|archive-date=2011-07-13|website=Lake of the Woods Enterprise}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Roger Valley In The Running To Become Mayor Of Dryden|url=https://www.ckdr.net/2018/07/06/roger-valley-in-the-running-to-become-mayor-of-dryden/|access-date=2021-04-26|website=CKDR|language=en}}</ref>

==Infrastructure and services==
{{More citations needed section|date=September 2021}}
The city is served by [[Dryden Regional Airport]]. Currently, [[Bearskin Airlines]] operates services from Dryden to various other airports in the area, including [[Thunder Bay International Airport]] and [[Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport]]. The [[Dryden Water Aerodrome]] is located within the city limits, on Wabigoon Lake.

Dryden is located on [[Ontario Highway 17]], part of the [[Trans-Canada Highway]], between Winnipeg and Thunder Bay. Several [[List of secondary highways in Kenora District|secondary highways]] pass through or near the city:
* [[Ontario Highway 502|Highway 502]], with northern terminus just west of Dryden and southern terminous at [[Ontario Highway 11|Highway 11]] near [[Fort Frances]]
* Highway 594, with eastern terminus at Dryden, connecting to [[Eagle River, Ontario|Eagle River]] and Highway 17
* Highway 601, providing access to Dryden Regional Airport
* Highway 665, with southern terminus just north of Dryden, linking to [[Richan]]

The Dryden Regional Health Centre is a small hospital in Dryden, founded in 1952. It employs 300 staff and volunteers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=DRHC|date=2012-04-24|title=About Our Health Centre {{!}} Dryden Regional Health Centre|url=https://www.drhc.on.ca/about/|access-date=2021-09-11|language=en-US}}</ref>

The Dryden Fire Service, a [[volunteer fire department]], operates out of two [[fire station]]s and responds to about 250 incidents annually. It was established in 1908 with Alex Kennedy as Fire Chief.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-05|title=About Us|url=https://www.dryden.ca/en/community/about-us.aspx|access-date=2021-04-26|website=www.dryden.ca|language=en}}</ref> They also raise public awareness about fire safety.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-26|title=Fire Safety and Education|url=https://www.dryden.ca/en/community/fire-safety-and-education.aspx|access-date=2021-04-26|website=www.dryden.ca|language=en}}</ref> The service comprises five full-time staff and around forty volunteers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019|title=2019 Annual Report|url=https://www.dryden.ca/en/city-services/resources/Documents/Dryden-Fire-Service-2019-Annual-Report.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406204607/https://www.dryden.ca/en/city-services/resources/Documents/Dryden-Fire-Service-2019-Annual-Report.pdf |archive-date=2020-04-06 }}</ref> The City of Dryden also operates a landfill and recycling facility.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-06|title=Garbage and Recycling|url=https://www.dryden.ca/en/community/garbage-and-recycling.aspx|access-date=2021-04-26|website=www.dryden.ca|language=en}}</ref>

==Education==
Dryden is within the jurisdiction of the [[Keewatin-Patricia District School Board]]. It is home to [[Dryden High School (Dryden, Ontario)|Dryden High School]], a [[secondary school]], as well as New Prospect Public School and Open Roads Public School, both [[Primary school|elementary schools]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Schools - Keewatin Patricia District School Board|url=http://www.kpdsb.on.ca/pages/view/schools|access-date=2021-04-26|website=www.kpdsb.on.ca}}</ref>

St. Joseph's School, a [[catholic school]] of the [[Northwest Catholic District School Board]], is also in Dryden.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Schools - The Northwest Catholic District School Board|url=http://www.tncdsb.on.ca:80/Schools/Pages/default.aspx|access-date=2021-04-26|website=www.tncdsb.on.ca|language=en-US}}</ref> École catholique de l'Enfant-Jésus of the [[Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boréales]] is a public Catholic francophone school in Dryden.<ref name=Schoollist20241223>{{cite web|url=https://www.dryden.ca/en/community/education-and-schools.aspx|title=Education and Schools |publisher=Dryden, Ontario|access-date=2024-12-23}}</ref> In regards to secular French public education, Dryden is in the [[Conseil scolaire de district du Grand Nord de l'Ontario]] (CSPGNO).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.acepo.org/en/french-language-public-school-boards/|title=School Boards|publisher=[[ACEPO]]|access-date=2024-12-23}} - Look at the map and note where Dryden would be corresponds to CSPGNO.</ref>

Along with several other Northwest Ontarian communities, Dryden is home to a campus of [[Confederation College]], whose main campus is in [[Thunder Bay]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-10-28|title=Dryden Campus|url=https://www.confederationcollege.ca/dryden|access-date=2021-04-26|website=Confederation College|language=en}}</ref>

== Media ==
Dryden is currently served by several radio stations, including:
* 92.7 FM - [[CKDR-FM|CKDR]], [[adult contemporary]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=CKDR - Dryden|url=https://www.acadiabroadcastinglimited.ca/station/ckdr-dryden|access-date=2021-05-04|website=Acadia Broadcasting|language=en}}</ref>
* 100.9 FM - [[CBQT-FM|CBQH]], [[CBC Radio One]], repeats CBQT-FM [[Thunder Bay]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=FCCdata.org - powered by REC|url=https://fccdata.org/?lang=en&canfm=CBQH-FM|access-date=2021-05-04|website=fccdata.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=CBQT-FM {{!}} History of Canadian Broadcasting|url=http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/listing_and_histories/radio/cbqt-fm|access-date=2021-05-04|website=www.broadcasting-history.ca|archive-date=2021-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501220918/https://www.broadcasting-history.ca/listing_and_histories/radio/cbqt-fm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 102.7 FM - [[CKSB-10-FM|CKSB-6]], [[Ici Radio-Canada Première]], repeats CKSB-10-FM [[Winnipeg]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=FCCdata.org - powered by REC|url=https://fccdata.org/?lang=en&canfm=CKSB-6-FM|access-date=2021-05-04|website=fccdata.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=CKSB-FM-10 {{!}} History of Canadian Broadcasting|url=http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/listing_and_histories/radio/cksb-fm-10|access-date=2021-05-04|website=www.broadcasting-history.ca}}</ref>
* 104.5 FM - [[CKQV-FM|CKQV-1]], [[classic hits]], repeats CKQV-FM [[Vermilion Bay, Ontario|Vermilion Bay]], brands itself as Q104<ref>{{Cite web|title=CKQV-FM {{!}} History of Canadian Broadcasting|url=http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/listing_and_histories/radio/ckqv-fm|access-date=2021-05-04|website=www.broadcasting-history.ca}}</ref>
Dryden previously had a community newspaper, ''[[The Dryden Observer]]'', originally known as the Wabigoon Star, but it stopped publishing in 2019. The mayor of Dryden noted that the newspaper had provided a local sense of identity.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Walters|first=Jeff|date=2019-07-05|title=Dryden Observer, Northern Sun News cease publication|work=[[CBC News]]|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/dryden-observer-northern-sun-news-cease-publication-1.5201306|access-date=2021-04-26}}</ref> CKQV operates an online local news source called DrydenNow, and CKDR also has a news division.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Meet the Team - DrydenNow: Dryden, Ontario's latest news, sports, weather, community events.|url=https://drydennow.com/team|access-date=2021-04-26|website=drydennow.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=News|url=https://www.ckdr.net/news/|access-date=2021-05-04|website=CKDR|language=en}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Lynn Beyak]] (born 1949), former [[Senate of Canada|Canadian Senator]]
*[[Molly Bolin]] (born 1957), former professional basketball player
*[[Wayne Muloin]] (born 1941), former professional ice hockey player
*[[Patricia O'Callaghan]] (born 1970), opera singer
*[[Dennis Owchar]] (born 1953), former professional ice hockey player
*[[Chris Pronger]] (born 1974), former professional ice hockey player, [https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.214484 2000] [[Hart Memorial Trophy|Hart Trophy]] and [[James Norris Memorial Trophy|Norris Trophy]] winner, 2006-2007 Stanley Cup champion, 2015 [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] inductee and brother of Sean Pronger
*[[Sean Pronger]] (born 1972), former professional ice hockey player and brother of Chris Pronger
*[[Roger Valley]] (born 1957), former mayor of Dryden and former member of the [[House of Commons of Canada]]

==See also==
* [[Mercury contamination in Grassy Narrows]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Notelist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Dryden}}
{{Wikivoyage|Dryden}}
*{{Official website|http://www.dryden.ca/}}

{{Geographic location
| Center = Dryden
| North = [[Unorganized Kenora District|Unorganized Kenora]]
| South = ''[[Wabigoon Lake]]''<br/>[[Unorganized Kenora District|Unorganized Kenora]]
| East = [[Unorganized Kenora District|Unorganized Kenora]]
| West = [[Unorganized Kenora District|Unorganized Kenora]]
}}

{{Kenora District}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Dryden, Ontario| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Ontario]]
[[Category:Single-tier municipalities in Ontario]]