Hamiota is an unincorporated urban community in the Hamiota Municipality within the Canadian province of Manitoba that held town status prior to January 1, 2015. It is located on Provincial Trunk Highway 21 (PTH 21) midway between the Trans-Canada Highway and the Yellowhead Highway. It is located in Western Manitoba, 84 kilometers northwest of Brandon. The trading area radius of 20 kilometres has approximately 10,000 people. First known as Hamilton, for Thomas Hamilton, one of the first settlers, the town name was changed to avoid confusion with Hamilton, Ontario. The new name contracted Hamilton with the Sioux word ota, "much". Demographics In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Hamiota had a population of 856 living in 393 of its 438 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 841. With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2021. Culture Hamiota is known for its local sports teams, arts and culture community, and health care. Hamiota was the home of Dr. John E. Hudson ("Dr. Ed": 1917–2003), a member of the Order of Canada (2001) and recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Anniversary Medal (2003). Dr. Hudson led Hamiota District Health Center to become the model rural health care facility in Manitoba. A memorial statue of Dr. Hudson was erected near the hospital in 2004. MP Inky Mark was the main force behind the statue project. The community offers arts/cultural opportunities through the new Heritage Arts Center. Formerly known as the Royal Bank Building, the Heritage Arts Center was constructed as the Union Bank in 1905. Now occupied by the Mid-West Arts Council, the building provides a space for exhibiting of art, serving as the only exhibition space within the district. Hamiota Pioneer Club Museum features artifacts relating to the settlement and development of the district, including a taxidermy display, the former McConnell railway station and their most recent addition, the Oakner Church. Economy The agriculture, healthcare and education sectors are the major employers within the area. Within the last four years, the region has seen growth in the agriculture sector. Over 100 new jobs have been created in Hamiota and area in the last three to four years with many of these in the expanding livestock sector. Education and health Hamiota District Health Care Centre embraced the "community health care concept in the early 1970s. The Pope National